Which Wrangler to get????

SAMohawk · 02-16-2010, 11:40 AM

So I am now in the market for a Jeep Wrangler. I have taken my Dakota as far as it will going very custom. I have decided it would not be worth the effort and to just buy what has been working for years.....a Wrangler. The question is which year/model to get.

My main concern is the motor change in '07 and if there are any option choices I should be worried about. I plan on a nice build up, but want to keep it street capable. I would like a lift and the ability to run 35" tires, a gear change, and various other items.

1st, how do the I6 and the V6 compare?

2nd, if I plan on doing a lift and gear change, is there a reason to go with the rubicon, or will I just replace the parts that make it a rubicon with the lift and other upgrades?

3rd, if I go '07 and up, are the any things to watch out for lift wise between the 2 and 4 door models?

Whats your thoughts......thanks in advance!

JeffinWesternWA · 02-16-2010, 11:43 AM

Lots of posts compring, however, sales SUCK at Xyxler so why not go new? Used hold so much value but, new ones can be had below invoice? Ordered as you likke equipped!...

klincker · 02-16-2010, 11:51 AM

just make sure you go with the right axles you want. other than that i think it depends on what you want. if i were looking for something now id look for an LJ, or possibly a new two door JK. not a fan of the four doors yet.

SAMohawk · 02-16-2010, 01:55 PM

My comparison is more about the technology then the price. For example when buying my Dakota, after doing research, the 99 was the best year as it still had the 5.2 or 5.8 V8 and older steering knuckle design. The 2000+ models had the 4.7l V8 and the rack and pinion steering, which basically takes lifting it out of the question.

more questions:

1. Is the Rubicon the only way to get Dana 44 up front?

2. Still curious about the differences in the I6 motor and the V6 motor.

**theducksguts** · 02-16-2010, 02:01 PM

JK's are fine but I never recommend purchasing new. The depreciation is just shocking. I mean, if you are loaded and money is no object then of course do whatever you want.

You can find used 07-08JK's, TJs, and YJs for very affordable prices.

Or see if you can find a sweet CJ and start a project.

**Hussler** · 02-16-2010, 02:02 PM

I6 is bullet proof. The 3.8 is an average engine, not particularly durable, but it can take a beating. Im sure with proper maintaince they could go 200k or more. I believe the I6 still has the v6 on torque but i cant remember.

MOST importantly tell us where you want to take this jeep. Are you thinking about 33" all terrains tires or 50" tractor tires for example?

**theducksguts** · 02-16-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMohawk

more questions:

1. Is the Rubicon the only way to get Dana 44 up front?

2. Still curious about the differences in the I6 motor and the V6 motor.

1. yes unless you purchase one from a suppler and install it yourself.

2. I have heard that they are comparable to HP and Torque but the JK is heavier so that comes into play as well. Many JK owners complain about the engine. The 4.0 is what I prefer because it is simple and really easy to work on. Not that the 3.8L isn't but I can't imagine it being as easy to tear a part as the 4.0.

my opinion

XXRider · 02-16-2010, 02:06 PM

If you aren't going bigger than 35's than the rubi axles should be fine. I'm really sorry I didn't do the research before and picked up a rubicon.

I6 has better torque down low most agree that it is better for off road because of this. Millage on the V6 is better.

Personally I'll take the good old I6 any day, much more fun to drive. Not to mention it is a proven engine that has very little problems.

OregonVette · 02-16-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducksguts

JK's are fine but I never recommend purchasing new. The depreciation is just shocking. I mean, if you are loaded and money is no object then of course do whatever you want.

You can find used 07-08JK's, TJs, and YJs for very affordable prices.

Or see if you can find a sweet CJ and start a project.

not true.

The JK has the highest re-sale value of any domestic car currently.

Also... go to the JK forum... How many dudes with cherokee's, Tj's, Yj's are over there, trolling & looking at lifted JK pictures. In nearly every thread, there will be a non-JK owner trying to pipe-in. *see (hussler737)

Now, how many Tj, Yj etc threads do you see JK guys posting in? None. Nada.

A stock JK Rubicon is by far-and-away the most competent Jeep to wear the name plate. Ever.

A stock Rubi (or sahara for that matter) has 32.5" inch wheels from the factory & over 11" of ground clearance!

Look who badmouths JK.... you got it, the same dudes looking at JK pics on the JK board. green with envy?
Just get a JK Rubi and remain at the top of the foodchain.

Cheers!

**Hussler** · 02-16-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OregonVette

Also... go to the JK forum... How many dudes with cherokee's, Tj's, Yj's are over there, trolling & looking at lifted JK pictures. In nearly every thread, there will be a non-JK owner trying to pipe-in. *see (hussler737)
:

You mean giving an honest question or making a true statement?
This is a community based forum, not a "JK is the overlord of Jeeps" forum. settle down.

Back to the OP, I would never buy a new car, I would buy one that is a least a year old. As soon as a new one rolls off the lot, you can wave about a 1k goodbye.

SAMohawk · 02-16-2010, 02:45 PM

To answer some questions and maybe foster some others....

Where I plan to go: Southern California trails mostly, some trips to Moab and stuff most likely.

How big of a build: I want nothing but bolt on fun. I don't have the space for fabricating things (why I am looking at the Jeeps) and I want to stay street legal and drive to trail heads. Would like to clear 35" tires, but probably nothing more then that. I plan on 90% of the jeeps life being on the trail, 10% is driving there.

OregonVette, Why do you say the JK is the best wrangler ever? If I plan on a lift to either a TJ or JK, why is one better then the other? Are there other major differences other then the motor?

At this point, I have my eye on a 2006 Unlimited Rubicon, way cheaper then a new JK Rubicon. I have the money to spend, but have to justify it in my head.

**Hussler** · 02-16-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMohawk

To answer some questions and maybe foster some others....

Where I plan to go: Southern California trails mostly, some trips to Moab and stuff most likely.

How big of a build: I want nothing but bolt on fun. I don't have the space for fabricating things (why I am looking at the Jeeps) and I want to stay street legal and drive to trail heads. Would like to clear 35" tires, but probably nothing more then that. I plan on 90% of the jeeps life being on the trail, 10% is driving there.

OregonVette, Why do you say the JK is the best wrangler ever? If I plan on a lift to either a TJ or JK, why is one better then the other? Are there other major differences other then the motor?

At this point, I have my eye on a 2006 Unlimited Rubicon, way cheaper then a new JK Rubicon. I have the money to spend, but have to justify it in my head.

Ok well if your not into fabricating or replacing axles 35's are as big as you can go on a JK. 33"s on a TJ.. (or 35's on an LJ, but you might have never heard of them being a newb

)

Personal suggestion, I think 33"s are a great on/off road size.

The JK is a better Jeep because of its suspension, longer control arms. If you bought a TJ though, you could quickly level the playing feild with a few grand dumped into the suspention.

If you would really like to get into mods, a tj will keep you busy. If your not so much of a builder i'd go with the jk and throw a couple more grand at it to get what you want.

**Hussler** · 02-16-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMohawk

At this point, I have my eye on a 2006 Unlimited Rubicon, way cheaper then a new JK Rubicon. I have the money to spend, but have to justify it in my head.

Just saw you wrote this. WHAT A GOOD PICK! Plenty of space, and many people believe that a LJ and 35's is one of the nicest looking combos. I might have gotten one if I knew they existed. Not sure if I could get rid of my XJ now though, it stands out amongst the flood of wranglers and isn't that why we buy jeeps? to be different?

OregonVette · 02-16-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMohawk

To answer some questions and maybe foster some others....

OregonVette, Why do you say the JK is the best wrangler ever? If I plan on a lift to either a TJ or JK, why is one better then the other? Are there other major differences other then the motor?

oh heavens, I didn't say the JK is the best Jeep. It is however, the most competent Jeep to roll off of the factory floor.
Take a JK Rubicon stock- Look at the axle, locker, tire size, gearing, lift height (factory).... When the Jeep engineers do their Q&A on the forum, they continually repeat the whole pourpose of the JK was engineered to be the best Wrangler produced.
If you're going to go to Moab or do long road trips, believe me, one of the selling points on a JKU is its cargo. Lay the back seats down & sleep!

Granted, buy the best, lowest mileage Jeep you can afford. But, if you're looking for honest objectives & opinions, the JK rubi out of the box is pretty damn impressive.
I agree with Hussler373 above about the LJ, had we not had two small children, that's what I probably would have driven to work in.
Obv's if you find a low mile LJ or a sweet deal on an already lifted TJ Rubi, hell, you'll probably think that was the best one too!

Don't forget to wave!

SAMohawk · 02-16-2010, 03:14 PM

So say I had a stock TJ and a stock JK. Are you saying that it would take more work on the TJ (bigger lift, cutting, fabrication) to get to where the JK can get with a bolt on lift?

Also, is the TJ unlimiteds refered to as the LJ? ( I am a newb in the Jeep world, not Mopar though

)

02-16-2010, 01:55 PM	#4
SAMohawk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 6 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	My comparison is more about the technology then the price. For example when buying my Dakota, after doing research, the 99 was the best year as it still had the 5.2 or 5.8 V8 and older steering knuckle design. The 2000+ models had the 4.7l V8 and the rack and pinion steering, which basically takes lifting it out of the question. more questions: 1. Is the Rubicon the only way to get Dana 44 up front? 2. Still curious about the differences in the I6 motor and the V6 motor.

02-16-2010, 02:45 PM	#11
SAMohawk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 6 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	To answer some questions and maybe foster some others.... Where I plan to go: Southern California trails mostly, some trips to Moab and stuff most likely. How big of a build: I want nothing but bolt on fun. I don't have the space for fabricating things (why I am looking at the Jeeps) and I want to stay street legal and drive to trail heads. Would like to clear 35" tires, but probably nothing more then that. I plan on 90% of the jeeps life being on the trail, 10% is driving there. OregonVette, Why do you say the JK is the best wrangler ever? If I plan on a lift to either a TJ or JK, why is one better then the other? Are there other major differences other then the motor? At this point, I have my eye on a 2006 Unlimited Rubicon, way cheaper then a new JK Rubicon. I have the money to spend, but have to justify it in my head.

02-16-2010, 03:14 PM	#15
SAMohawk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 6 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	So say I had a stock TJ and a stock JK. Are you saying that it would take more work on the TJ (bigger lift, cutting, fabrication) to get to where the JK can get with a bolt on lift? Also, is the TJ unlimiteds refered to as the LJ? ( I am a newb in the Jeep world, not Mopar though )