Jeep Wranglers?

[subtlez28]

How many of you have or do own a Jeep Wrangler? Although far from a fine handling pro-touring car, I think they appeal to "car guys".

Just wondering some pros and cons as I am hunting for one now.

Reasons I want one are:
-Simplicity
-A toy I can still play with in the winter. I am tired of putting my fun cars away for months.
-Family friendly. My boys are digging the idea of riding in back w the top off.
-Ease - I want an older one I can spray paint if need be, never wax, and only occasionally wash.

Also, LSX swaps are pretty easy...



I know they handle poorly, but I want something that doesn't ride super harsh (like my track cars) and I can be sane while driving in the city.

My plan is to leave it stock height. They are plenty capable with just some good tires. Plus I don't want to make the handling worse.

I may even try to improve the handling some-what.

I'm looking at 97 and up as they are fuel injected, have the "family cage", and I like the coil sprung suspension.

My original long term goal was L92, six speed auto and AWD transfer case out of an Escalade or Yukon. Now I'm thinking budget 5.3 with original 5-speed and TC.

What say you?

[1968Maro]

I don't own one, but I am looking.

Among the reasons I would love one is because I think it is great way to learn some body work on a car you can't really screw up. If its done poorly who cares its a Jeep!

Does anyone know of a "pro-touring" for jeeps?

Not necessarily a racing inspired website, but a forum full of like minded people and projects?

[Tony_SS]

I've been looking too.. they aren't too cheap it seems! They would be a lot of fun all year round.

[subtlez28]

I don't own one, but I am looking.

Among the reasons I would love one is because I think it is great way to learn some body work on a car you can't really screw up. If its done poorly who cares its a Jeep!

Does anyone know of a "pro-touring" for jeeps?

Not necessarily a racing inspired website, but a forum full of like minded people and projects?

I asked the same question (about pro-touring Jeeps) a few months ago.
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=69793

I would think you could build a custom frame, use a Vette IRS and maybe a s-10 blazer independant front suspension.

I was ultimately talked out of it due to the $ you would have tied up. I'm thinking much more mild build now.

[Kenova]

Although they are scarce and hard to find, there are some lowering kits out there for 4x4s. A lot of people ridicule those who lower a 4x4, but if you're not off roading and still want four wheel drive then why not?

Ken

[Steven]

I have a 95 wrangler 4cly. Runs great and is fuel injected, with family cage. Great for in town and out in the desert where I live. Wish I had looked for a 6cly as the 4 requires down shifting on a hill and or head winds that occurre in the desert area. Good luck, 95 has leaf springs all around a little more stable for off camber climbs.

[Steve Firebird]

I also have a 95 Wrangler 2.5 fuel injected with an auto it runs like a champ. I modified it to work in the snow for my company. I would like to go with a 5.3 and overdrive some day down the road. Here is a picture.
I can pull of the tracks and bolt the wheels back on if i want in a hour or so for summer /road driving.

[ammoyer]

For 12 years I had a '93 YJ (square headlights) with the 4.0L and a 5 speed manual. Open diffs and 3.07 gearing. Wheeled it all over CO and UT on 31's. Had a ball. Current Jeep is an '07 Wrangler 2dr with the mildly anemic 3.8L and a 6 speed manual, 2.5" lift, 33" MTR's, 4.10 etc...

After owning both leaf and coil sprung Jeeps I would definitely go with the coils. They just have a nicer ride. Like you said '96+ gets you the coil spring suspension, '91+ gets you the fuel injection and the availability of the 4.0L. I loved that engine. Plenty of low end torque and it will rarely see over 3k rpms so they really should last forever. Since you don't plan on a lift, you won't have any heavy, large tires to propel, I would think the 4.0L should have plenty of power if the axles are geared properly.

There are plenty of V8 swap kits out there, but unless you're rolling on huge meats, you may not need it IMHO. Of course there's stroker kits for the 4.0L also, but I digress.

Get one and have fun. I can't conceive of the day I will not have one or my '69 Cutlass for that matter.

[DartorDemon]

my first car was an 87' YJ.

keep in mind
1. they get bad mpg no matter what
2. stay away from the 87-90s. They are the worst years of the YJ.
3. 87-91 has the nicer rollbar, but its not the safer rollbar.(atleast for the back seat)

[Rich G]

I have a 1976 cj7 owned it for 10 years and have had alot of fun building it. All fiberglass ,cowl induction hood ,454 turbo 350 with 427 gears with spool. I have been thinking about selling it havent made up my mind.

[Ron S]

I've got a 94 with an injected chevy V6, turbo 400, dana300 transfer case ,and dana 44s front and back.

[subtlez28]

Cool rides guys!!

I figured I wasn't the only one to embrace the opposite worlds of handling and Jeeps!

Good news is I have a line on 2 Jeeps I like. One is a SUPER deal (read money maker) but not the colors I wanted. The other is a black on black hardtoop, still a good deal, just not as good.

I have partially commited to both... But I if I end up w both, I could fix and re-sell one.

The bad news is I told my wife I would get rid of a project (since I'm gaining another). The Charger leaves tomorrow morning...

[Ishmael]

First, when looking for a used jeep, I would suggest looking at jeepforum.com. Much of the work you will want to do is already done like lifting and so forth. I realize you say now you don't want to lift it but lets face it, if you could leave good enough alone would you be here?
Second, you are in WI. Salt - lots of it. Wranglers rust - period. They all rust in the same places and quickly. Look at the top of the fenders, around the windshield, the rear corners, the rockers. If the guy has all kinds of diamond plate make sure the rust underneath has been repaired correctly. The rear frame rails behind the wheels can go on some.
If you really want a modern engine, why not get a newer one. An 08 has many of the kinks worked out and is really capable in stock form but the 4 doors are ugly.
If I was to do it again (and i keep thinkin about it) I would get a cj7 from florida or california or some place warm and dry. I'd get it already restored if I wanted it stock.
Last, for the love of all things holy, please don't lower it. Please don't put dubs on it. Its supposed the handle everything you throw at it - not just handle. Jeeps go over it - not around it.

[Mathius]

Definite cons: Very little space especially if you're not in the driver's seat. Poor towing ability due to it's wheel base. The small utility trailer my buddy has sways all over the place when he tows with his jeep. Pretty poor security. The whole thing can be taken apart with a set of torx driver's pretty much from the exterior in. In fact there's a vid on youtube of a jeep being completely rebuilt in a parade down to the frame in less than 4 min's. Mfr'ing has slid as well. My buddy's 2007 was special ordered for him and it had more rust on it than my '92 Camaro and orange peel to boot.

A few pros I can think of: They haven't changed much so parts are plentiful and they are fairly reliable mechanically. They are fun and a great platform for offroading. Definitely a following so easy to research. Manual transmission is still readily available.

Mathius

[aosborn]

I went and did it, lowered a Jeep. Actually I gutted a very nice 97 Wranger and installed Corvette C4 front and rear suspension. It is on QA-1 coil-overs, has 16" x 11" early ZR-1 wheels on the rear and 9.5" on the front. Kumho autocross tires, custom 5 speed trans currently connected to the mostly stock 2.5 litre Jeep engine. No more back seat, Sparco front seats on custom mounts etc. It is about 500lbs lighter than a stock jeep, the gas tank is about 4 1/2" off the ground, and handles like a go-kart. I have built a lot of custom cars, and this one is about the most fun cars I have ever driven! If I ever get another dry day here in Washington, I will shoot some photos.

Andy

[subtlez28]

aosborn, sounds awesome! I cannot wait to see shots. Sounds like all it needs now is to loose that 2.5.

I have a 1/2 built 84 corvette w an LS1, and a 97 wrangler.... Hmmm

[toddlaine]

I have pro-touring CJ7. Totally Custom and just made to cruise, but capable of anything. I can take it down the Hwy at 70mph and let go of the wheel and she rides fine. My idea was not pro touring at the time but converted it to it after I retired her from the trails. Just went to Cruzin the Coast and had tons of looks . Jeep is For Sale

[subtlez28]

Update: I picked up a 97 Wrangler first, left it stock height with good 31" tires. It was fun off road even with open 3.07 diffs. It was AWESOME in the snow! I rarely even used 4wd for snow.

I have since updated to a 03 Wrangler Rubicon. Rubicons come w D44 diffs with 4.10s and selectable lockers. I did lift it 2" so I could move up to 33" tires. I also lifted the body, engine, and transfer case so I could run a flat belly pan. On the plus side, I added larger Addco sway bars. That is pretty much unheard of on the Jeep forums.

The Jeep thing has taken up my time and made me neglect my other projects. But they are easy to work on (good thing because they always seem to need something), fun to drive on and off road (not so much on the highway), and it has been a family friendly project.

[GrabberGT]

I picked up an 09 last year. I take great delight in being able to crawl under it without having to use a jack when working on it. Its almost fun. The 07+ have far superior ride quality to anything else. The back seat is beginning to be a pain though for my growing 5 year old. he may graduate to the front seat pretty soon.

[Taylor1969]

I have been wanting a Jeep Unlimited for for 2 years now... Just not sure when I am going to pull the trigger. Also been thinking about picking up a ~2000 and throwing in a 5.3. I figure that I'd be in it for under 10K and would have a very reliable, somewhat economical and fun thing to drive.

Chris