Author Topic: Ain't nothin like a Jeep  (Read 14266 times)

Offline Ripsnort

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 27251
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #30 on: February 15, 2010, 01:30:46 PM »
Nice FJ Rip, i was looking at one but went with the F150 FX4 Triton powerplant, Just needed the Truck more for pulling the MasterCraft and Camping gear, was the pics of your FJ taken at lake Tapps?  I used to live there and man it looks like the Lake during the winter there.
Yes, my pics are from Lake Tapps. They still drain the lake down but not until November now. And they refill it earlier, like in April. I still wouldn't live on the lake though, taxes are insane and your view of the "tree stumps" is not worth the winter wait.  I live across the street and my taxes are 60% less than those living on the lake. :) Granted, I have to drive 1 mile to launch my boat, but I'll take that inconvenience over taxes.

I'd still have my F250 HD 4x4 if I didn't go and buy my motorhome. I have a trailer that I tow behind the FJ for "truck duty" such as yard waste, etc.  The FJ tows our 21 ft boat just fine.

Offline Flench

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3104
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #31 on: February 15, 2010, 01:32:14 PM »
 :rock :rock :rock
« Last Edit: February 15, 2010, 02:26:22 PM by Flench »
Army of Muppets-"Failure is impossible"-Death before dishonor
         Lead follow or get out of the way  !!

Offline JunkyII

  • Persona Non Grata
  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8428
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #32 on: February 15, 2010, 01:38:56 PM »
I agree wranglers arent the best "on-road" vechicles....but the Cherokee on the other hand, smooth cruising :rock
DFC Member
Proud Member of Pigs on the Wing
"Yikes"

Offline Masherbrum

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 22408
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #33 on: February 15, 2010, 01:52:19 PM »
Unfortunately factory jeeps can't hold a candle to factory H2s. It is funny though.

Of course a jeep is much much cheaper.


Tires on my Z-71 (stock no lift) BF Goodrich  KM2's 305 70R16

(Image removed from quote.)

H2's are horrible off road.   A member of my off-road club has one on H1 wheels/tires.   In the last 5 years, he's spent $20,000+ fixing it.   The most common issue?   Front wheels go "snap" and skiing them out.   

BTW, the Early Bronco is the best Off Road Vehicle ever put into production.   It had the Perfect Drivetrain & Perfect Wheelbase.   
-=Most Wanted=-

FSO Squad 412th FNVG
http://worldfamousfridaynighters.com/
Co-Founder of DFC

Offline Widewing

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8800
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #34 on: February 15, 2010, 02:29:39 PM »
Its also, for the price, probably the wors on-road vehicle on earth.

Crap gas mileage, horrible wind noise, terrible ride, ugly interior.. cant have a nice stereo, because your top will get cut and it will be stolen..  

You spend over 30 grand for something that is really good at one thing, and absolutely horrid at everything else. :uhoh

and I doubt many people buy BRAND NEW jeeps with the intent of off roading exclusively..  so now youve spent over 30 grand at something that sucks at everything you will be doing with it 95% of the time.

money.... well.... spent...



I suggest that you go ahead and road test a new Unlimited... You'll be shocked. Compared to the earlier YJ and TJ, the JK is a Cadillac.


My regards,

Widewing
My regards,

Widewing

YGBSM. Retired Member of Aces High Trainer Corps, Past President of the DFC, retired from flying as Tredlite.

Offline CAP1

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 22287
      • The Axis Vs Allies Arena
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #35 on: February 15, 2010, 02:41:28 PM »
H2's are horrible off road.   A member of my off-road club has one on H1 wheels/tires.   In the last 5 years, he's spent $20,000+ fixing it.   The most common issue?   Front wheels go "snap" and skiing them out.   

BTW, the Early Bronco is the best Off Road Vehicle ever put into production.   It had the Perfect Drivetrain & Perfect Wheelbase.   

mannnn....i WISH that dude lived here near my shop in nj.

 :rofl :noid
ingame 1LTCAP
80th FS "Headhunters"
S.A.P.P.- Secret Association Of P-38 Pilots (Lightning in a Bottle)

Offline VonMessa

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 11922
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #36 on: February 15, 2010, 02:54:18 PM »
Its also, for the price, probably the worst on-road vehicle on earth.

Crap gas mileage, horrible wind noise, terrible ride, ugly interior.. cant have a nice stereo, because your top will get cut and it will be stolen..  

You spend over 30 grand for something that is really good at one thing, and absolutely horrid at everything else. :uhoh

and I doubt many people buy BRAND NEW jeeps with the intent of off roading exclusively..  so now youve spent over 30 grand at something that sucks at everything you will be doing with it 95% of the time.

money.... well.... spent...



Not much I can do about gas milage except keep my foot out of the pedal, but in all honestly, it doesn't do much worse than my father's Dakota on the highway (it almost matches it without the doors on, and the parachute not on the top)

I like the wind noise.  When the temp gets over 45-50 deg, F., the top and doors are coming off.  In fact, the doors come off for good in May and I don't even look for them until about the end of September, or so.  The wind noise is also very effective at cutting down the SWMBO chatter/ack.

My latest Wrangler is a 2006, which has coil spring suspension, as opposed to the old school leaf springs, so it's not the rough ride experienced in the "old days".  It tracks well on the highway and does not give the fatigue in a long distance trip as the older models did.  I drive it to the Chesapeake Bay area (I'm in Philly) at least 5-6 times during the summer, and I took it to Pittsburgh last May for the Penguins Stanley Cup parade with no issues.  It's not a Cadillac, and I won't try to say it drives like one, but the newer models are way better.  If I wanted a smooth ride, I wouldn't have bought it.

I didn't buy it for the interior either (which is usually speckled with mud of some kind anyway and is easy to clean because it is all vinyl)  I will be getting neoprene (or equivalent) seat covers however, for the times that I forget /too lazy to put up the top, or am surprised with a n unexpected rain shower.  The current Hefty(tm) seat covers aren't very stylish.  

There are plenty of sources for a locking console to mount an aftermarket stereo in).  I normally do not leave anything of value in the Wrangler to begin with, but if I do, it goes in the locked console)  I have also gone so far as to put a sign on the dash.  It reads....."There is nothing of value inside this vehicle, and it is not locked.  Please feel free to open the doors (if they are still on the vehicle) and have a look around.  There is also no need to cut holes in the vinyl top (if it is, in fact, still up) to gain access to the interior....   Thank You.  "  There is also the option of getting the hard top.

I spent < $20,000 on mine (used) from CarSense  http://www.carsense.com which included the extended warranty that lasts for 5years/100,000 miles and covers damn near everything except consumables such as brakes, lights, etc.  The dealer (in partnership/cooperation with Quaker State Oil) also offers a lifetime engine warranty (all parts that come in contact with oil) as long as I have the oil changed at a certified garage and use Quaker State oil (provided I keep the receipts)  It is a 2006 Sport Model which pretty much has everything that a Rubicon has (including the same rear(s)  ), except a few amenities and automatic lockers (which suck in the snow, anyhow)  This (with the eventual upgrades I have planned) will probably be the last vehicle I purchase for myself for 20 years.

I have owned two other Wranglers in the past, and routinely beat the living tar out of them.  Every repair becomes an upgrade, anyhow (stronger axles, better driveshaft, etc)  The first was a 79 CJ which the tub had rotted into oblivion and I sold it to a guy that was going to make it a competition crawler.  The second was a 97' Wrangler which was still in pretty good shape when I got rid of it.  The only reason I broke down and bought this one is because it was the last year for the "straight 6" 4.0 liter (which, as someone has mentioned, is all but bulletproof), and I'm not too keen on the new "V" 6's as they have not been in use as long as the in-line 6's, but that's another conversation altogether.  In fact, the best engine I have seen in a Wrangler is a Cumming's Diesel that someone had shoehorned into it (talk about some torque  :)   )

Bottom line is that a Jeep Wrangler NOT a "comfort" vehicle, nor is it marketed as one.  It is a vehicle for the more adventurous type that doesn't mind a little mud/wind/water on the skin.  It is a a vehicle of function more than form and , as such, does not come with most of the creature comforts that other SUV's may have.  

There is not a lot of head/leg room (I am short, so I don't care)

There is not a lot of cargo space ( but you would be surprised at what can be strapped on the roll bars) and what doesn't fit inside goes on the cargo rack.

It's loud.  ( I can deal with it being that the trade's is being more "in" the environment as opposed to being shutoff from it.

It's slow and a bit bumpy (I can't go fast or ride "on air", but I can go damn near anywhere I please, when I please to do it)

There are security risks, but locks only keep honest people out, anyway (besides, if I needed to hear loud music, I'd fire up one of my 3000W PA systems that I use for my DJ Busines)  If you need to steal the axe strapped to the front or the shovel strapped on the back, you probably need it more than I do.

If a Wrangler is "more capable from the showroom floor" as Widewing has stated is a matter of statistics and testing.  Whether my Wrangler is "better" than another vehicle is  a matter of total opinion.

I love my Wrangler, my kids love my wrangler (to the extent that if I lend it out to a friend for a joy ride and they wash it first for their SWMBO, they, including my daughter, call said friend a wimpy girl), and my wife loves my Wrangler (especially in this crappy snow we have been having).

So...............  no matter what anyone's opinion is, the OP hit the nail right on the head.....

There is nothing else like it..    :)

O|||||||O
Braümeister und Schmutziger Hund von JG11


We are all here because we are not all there.

Offline CAP1

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 22287
      • The Axis Vs Allies Arena
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #37 on: February 15, 2010, 03:18:59 PM »
it's all a matter of taste.

i liked my mustang. it was obnoxiously loud, stupidly fast, and made no sense whatsoever to have it on the street here in nj.

but i loved it. miss that car too.

 drive whatcha like, and don't worry 'bout the other guy.
ingame 1LTCAP
80th FS "Headhunters"
S.A.P.P.- Secret Association Of P-38 Pilots (Lightning in a Bottle)

Offline Ripsnort

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 27251
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #38 on: February 15, 2010, 03:29:16 PM »
Another factor: Side impacts are the most dangerous type of crashes.

In these videos, it clearly shows who the winner is:
Jeep Wrangler:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzBKdX0qMKw
FJ Cruiser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtZbofbG2jw

Jeep gets a rating of MARGINAL.

FJ gets a top rating of GOOD.

Offline 2ADoc

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 523
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #39 on: February 15, 2010, 03:32:40 PM »
I would take an H-1 uparmoured, with the DillonAero 7.62 minigun.  Just my choice for off roading, that way you can hunt pigs while you are at it.
Takeoffs are optional, landings aren't
Vini Vedi Velcro
See Rule 4, 13, 14.

Offline Shuffler

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 27068
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #40 on: February 15, 2010, 04:09:20 PM »
You're kidding, right?

We use stuck H2s as trail markers for the bypass.


My regards,

Widewing

Nope.
80th FS "Headhunters"

S.A.P.P.- Secret Association Of P-38 Pilots (Lightning In A Bottle)

Offline Shuffler

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 27068
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #41 on: February 15, 2010, 04:13:59 PM »
H2's are horrible off road.   A member of my off-road club has one on H1 wheels/tires.   In the last 5 years, he's spent $20,000+ fixing it.   The most common issue?   Front wheels go "snap" and skiing them out.  

BTW, the Early Bronco is the best Off Road Vehicle ever put into production.   It had the Perfect Drivetrain & Perfect Wheelbase.  

Your friend obviously messed his up.

I used to think they were just glorified chevys.... I was wrong.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2010, 04:33:20 PM by Shuffler »
80th FS "Headhunters"

S.A.P.P.- Secret Association Of P-38 Pilots (Lightning In A Bottle)

Offline Widewing

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8800
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #42 on: February 15, 2010, 06:02:50 PM »
Nope.

Massive weight. Weak IFS. Inferior articulation. Miserable outward vision. No locking differentials (go to aftermarket, spend big $$). Insufficient ground clearance. Inferior approach, break over and departure angles. Crappy OEM tires. Weak tie rod ends (seen several snap on moderate obstacles).

Seriously, I can drive my JK places you would have to airlift an H2 into.

Now, the H3 is another matter. You can order a very capable H3. Unfortunately, for 10 grand more than a Rubicon. It still lacks adequate articulation and the front end is too weak for severe service. Outward vision is as bad a the H2. A drawback common the FJ Cruiser as well. Tires are just All Terrains, while the Rubicon comes with KM2s standard. I found the BFGs to be terrible in snow, so I bought Hankooks and Dunlaps. The latter get much better grip on packed snow than the BFGs. However, I elected to run a 32" winter rated tire until spring.

Stock H2s do fine on trails rated 2 and 3. They start to struggle on 4 rated trails, and have great difficulty on 5 rated. A stock Wrangler X/Sport can run 6 and 7 rated trails without much drama (did you watch the videos?). Of course, driver skill or the lack of counts too.  

GM did not build the H2 to compete with Wranglers. They try to do so with the H3, but magazine tests show they fell short. This is why they designed a Hummer that they thought could compete. That looks to have died when GM sold off Hummer to the Chinese.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with liking the H2 or H3. They have their niche. That niche, however, isn't going where Rubicons go without a great deal of expensive upgrading. They offer more comfort, better on-road handling, greater quiet and a number of other day to day use advantages. Wranglers are as much a life style as anything else. As the cliche states; "it's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand."


My regards,

Widewing
My regards,

Widewing

YGBSM. Retired Member of Aces High Trainer Corps, Past President of the DFC, retired from flying as Tredlite.

Offline james

  • Silver Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 849
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #43 on: February 15, 2010, 06:27:28 PM »
Jeeps are one of those vehicles that will surprise you. I have
a 2006 tj 65th anniversary edition. It's really an x model with
fenders painted to match the body and a dual top. Put a 4" long
arm lift, sye kit, 33" bfg mt's, and some herculiner on it. This thing
goes anywhere and when it gets stuck it's still fun getting it out.
The wife drives a 2007 sahara unlimited with dick cepeck crushers.
We are looking at the different lifts now that I have the green light
to lift it. I still like the feel of the tj seats over the jk seats. Even with
both kinds wrapped in neoprene mine feel better.

If you are thinking of snorkeling a tj I highly recommend it. You get
better throttle control and a bit (small) boost in power.
6GUN  

4.0GHZ Ryzen9 3900x
32GB DDR4 3200
GTX1070

Offline CAP1

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 22287
      • The Axis Vs Allies Arena
Re: Ain't nothin like a Jeep
« Reply #44 on: February 15, 2010, 06:53:56 PM »
i've driven jeeps..........and to be honest, i don't find anything remotely impressive about them.

just sayin.........
ingame 1LTCAP
80th FS "Headhunters"
S.A.P.P.- Secret Association Of P-38 Pilots (Lightning in a Bottle)