So,
I'm at a fork in the road. JKU or 4Runner. I know, I know... I'm asking on Jeepforum. But, here is my dilemma. I come from a Jeep family but my dad was a Toyota guy and I've had 4 Toyota's as DD's (79 Corona, 81Corolla, 89 4wd Pickup and 95 4wd Tacoma). My latest DD is a 00 XJ. I've done a ton of drive train work to the XJ to get rid of deathwobble and fix the lift issues from the PO. It rides smooth now, but the build quality just isn't good enough to make me want to sink more money into it.
So now I want something I can keep for a while and build without thoughts of selling.
I will daily drive this vehicle about 50 miles in stop and go interstate traffic.
I will rarely take this vehicle offroad. Not my choosing, but I have two small boys and live in some of the flattest terrain in the US. I am over a hundred miles from any real hills. That being said, my family takes annual trips to NC beaches and we drive the soft sand there. I also would like to take occasional trips to Uwharrie or the NC mountains for trail riding and snow.
My budget is $35k. I think stock JK's look terrible (along with pretty much all stock jeeps). To make a JKU look like I would like, it would need at least 35" tires and maybe 37. From what I have read, the axles would need to be sleeved and gusseted even if they are 44's for strengthening for those tires. I would also have to re-gear to 4.88 or 5.13 to get some torque back. And a lift, 2.5" minimum. Other requirements - Auto and Hard Top. I'm not sure I can get a JKU lifted, sleeved, gusseted, re-geared with new wheels and tires for under $35k.
Now I can get a 5th Gen 4Runner, 4wd, Auto etc and put a lift and tires on it for under $35k and I'm almost positive it would be a nicer ride to and from work, but I won't be taking the doors off and it won't have a solid front axle and I really might think I missed the opportunity to get a cool JKU.
Would I be ok buying a JKUR, adding sleeves, gussets, gears and lift with 35-37" tires? Or would I break something? D60's are not in the picture right
now.
Do y'all have any input y'all could share? I'm just at an impasse here.
I'm at a fork in the road. JKU or 4Runner. I know, I know... I'm asking on Jeepforum. But, here is my dilemma. I come from a Jeep family but my dad was a Toyota guy and I've had 4 Toyota's as DD's (79 Corona, 81Corolla, 89 4wd Pickup and 95 4wd Tacoma). My latest DD is a 00 XJ. I've done a ton of drive train work to the XJ to get rid of deathwobble and fix the lift issues from the PO. It rides smooth now, but the build quality just isn't good enough to make me want to sink more money into it.
So now I want something I can keep for a while and build without thoughts of selling.
I will daily drive this vehicle about 50 miles in stop and go interstate traffic.
I will rarely take this vehicle offroad. Not my choosing, but I have two small boys and live in some of the flattest terrain in the US. I am over a hundred miles from any real hills. That being said, my family takes annual trips to NC beaches and we drive the soft sand there. I also would like to take occasional trips to Uwharrie or the NC mountains for trail riding and snow.
My budget is $35k. I think stock JK's look terrible (along with pretty much all stock jeeps). To make a JKU look like I would like, it would need at least 35" tires and maybe 37. From what I have read, the axles would need to be sleeved and gusseted even if they are 44's for strengthening for those tires. I would also have to re-gear to 4.88 or 5.13 to get some torque back. And a lift, 2.5" minimum. Other requirements - Auto and Hard Top. I'm not sure I can get a JKU lifted, sleeved, gusseted, re-geared with new wheels and tires for under $35k.
Now I can get a 5th Gen 4Runner, 4wd, Auto etc and put a lift and tires on it for under $35k and I'm almost positive it would be a nicer ride to and from work, but I won't be taking the doors off and it won't have a solid front axle and I really might think I missed the opportunity to get a cool JKU.
Would I be ok buying a JKUR, adding sleeves, gussets, gears and lift with 35-37" tires? Or would I break something? D60's are not in the picture right
now.
Do y'all have any input y'all could share? I'm just at an impasse here.