New Wrangler Unlimited Four Door as base for Exped Vehicle

[mutineer]

I have some serious deep seated lust for the new big Wrangler

I know a lot of purists find it to be an abomination (well, the 2WD version is pointless and stupid)

but

I really like the thing

more space than a regular Wrangler by far

I think the hardtop would support a roof tent

looks like a pretty good base for an overland vehicle

I will hold out for a diesel because with a kid in college the big trip is a ways off

thoughts?

[Scott Brady]

:iagree:

Great machine, great expo platform, wait for the diesel.


And there ARE a few JK's in the US with diesel (some 2.8's, some 3.0's) :ylsmoke:

[goodtimes]

Wait for the Cummins. oops...did I say that? I meant wait for the new diesel from an as yet un-named company.

The New axle under the front of the Rubicons is kinda nice too....32 spline shafts, reverse cut (high pinion) gear set, ~3" wider than the current (TJ) axle.....:drool:

[Doin_It]

Here is a chart as written up by "haven" over on Expediton Campers comparing the spec's of the new 4 door Jeep to the Toyota FJZ80.

http://www.expeditioncampers.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=194

[Scott Brady]

Great idea Chip :bowdown:

Give me diesel, I give you money :)

[durango_60]

I really love the new wrangler unlimited, it seems that DC had my situation in mind for nearly every design feature.

My question is, is the 3.8 really such a bad idea and is it really worth wating for the possibility of the oil burner? How I see it, the diesel is going to be a brand new, untested, low sulfur only(potential problems if you want to go South of the Border) engine. Don't get me wrong, I love nearly everything about a diesel, I have strongly considered having a 4bt put in my 60.

As for the 3.8, after driving the Unlimited Ruby on a mountain highway I feel that it is very well matched to the vehicle, no powerhouse, but it gets the job done. With a 4-1 t-case how much power do you really need anyway? While the naysayers will tell me that it is an unproven engine my response will never underestimate the amount of abuse a suburban housewife driving a minivan full of rugrats can deliver, and they seem to have an excellent reliability record in that environment.

I have a need for a new vehicle in short order due to work and actual time that I have available to spend wrenching on my high mileage cruisers. I had assumed that I was going to go with a new Taco until I drove by the Jeep dealership last week. Please give me your thoughts, anything other than blind brand loyalty will be greatly appreciated, I've got enough of that with my Cruiser buddy here in town... :rolleyes:

[LUISJG]

i like the 4x4 ,,, imagine the space of a cherokee but wrangler looking

i saw one yesterday here,, i almost throw up LOL ,,While looking under
2wd !!!!!!!!!!!!! :gunt:

[Ric]

ok, Im a toyota guy, love the relieability, dependability, the resale value, and the quailty of the yotas, but we did test drive one of these, and they are very nice, roomy, for all your gear, and jeep has so many aftermarket products, you can get items at wal-mart, :) dont get me wrong, Ill never sell the 4runner, this would be for her, but we are also looking at the Audi (all wheel drive) and going to look at the Volvo, who knows, lol

[60seriesguy]

How sure are we that there will really be a diesel option? I've never been a Jeep person, but I agree that this could be a great platform for an all-around rig, and a diesel engine would be a powerful argument, especially a modern diesel. I've always been impressed with the Wrangler's aftermarket support, and I can see expedition-type options becoming available quickly.

Are these already at dealerships? I've seen some of the SWB ones on the street but haven't seen one of the long ones. <whispering> I might just have to go check one out <whispering, my Land Cruiser can get temperamental when I drop the "J" word>! :)

[cshontz]

How sure are we that there will really be a diesel option?

At this point, not sure - only hopeful because that is the way the wind is blowing. I tend to think we'll eventually see it.

Here's an interesting article:
http://www.jeepnewsnow.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1286

[durango_60]

<whispering> I might just have to go check one out <whispering, my Land Cruiser can get temperamental when I drop the "J" word>! :)

I know what you mean, I had the insensitivity to drive my 80 to the *eep dealer to test drive the unlimited, I swear she(the 80) ran better than ever as I left the parking lot as if to convince me not to do it...

[JPFreek1]

I've got a media access pass to the DC development and concepts website and I've seen some indications from that site that there WILL be a diesel option in the future, possibly as early as 2008 but more likely 2009. Regarding the use of low-sulphur fuel, you can by-pass this by just running biodiesel. ;) The coalition for biodiesels is 'fueling' up like crazy these days so by the time a diesel-option for the JK is available, you may be able to get biodiesel reasonably easy. Or just make it yourself. My two cents worth!

The 4-door JK is SWEET! Maybe that'll be JPFreek's next Official vehicle. ;)

[bigreen505]

I saw one for the first time today and dang, that is one sweet truck!

JPFreek, biodiesel is of limited value in places where lard is the fourth food group (after the three C's).

[pskhaat]

Please give me your thoughts, anything other than blind brand loyalty will be greatly appreciated

If you sunk 50% of a potential new car payment every month into your existing vehicle, you'd have a lot of $ to spare. Doesn't matter what you drive (and I've seen your spreadsheets) I'm convinced to this day that maintaining and accessorizing your existing vehicles until their death is WAY more economical.

You've got another 100k in that 1FZ-FE before an expected rebuild, and for not a lot of $ (in comparison to another vehicle) can have another 300k ready to roll.

[durango_60]

I think that there is a time when continually repairing a vehicle does not make economic sense, especially when you don't have the time for the small tasks or the expertise for the large ones. Tell me what I'm missing on the attached spreadsheet, it looks to me that for roughly the same $ I can have a vehicle under warranty that is ready for me to use anytime as opposed to one that is gonna require just as many maintenance weekends as wheeling weekends. Granted, I don't think I made the smartest purchase when I bought my 80, I got blinded by the supercharger instead of looking for lockers and lower mileage.

Not to mention the fact that taking the top off my 80 would require a sawzall, and that certainly would kill its value as a daily driver...

p.s. I'll save another $100/month in fuel as well

[Ryanmb21]

you didn't include sales tax and interest on loan for the new vehicle

[durango_60]

you are correect on the tax, but who says there will be finance charges...

[pskhaat]

The $9k you list is a sunk cost already for you it's not a future expense, the only thing you could compare it to would be current resale value in your sheet. Secondly, I don't believe (knocking on wood/head) you'll need a rebuild in 5 years, maybe 8-10.

Do you really need lockers? If so, that implies some pretty tough trails and are you actually going to take the new vehicle down said trails? Same with the other mods...

[LexusAllTerrain]

If you like the vehicle and you want to pay for it, do it. You will enjoy it and may have more time to explore and have fun. Instant gratification!

Like they say just do it!:sombrero:

[durango_60]

The $9k you list is a sunk cost already for you it's not a future expense, the only thing you could compare it to would be current resale value in your sheet. Secondly, I don't believe (knocking on wood/head) you'll need a rebuild in 5 years, maybe 8-10 years

You make a good point, I think I'll milk the 80 another year, at least wait until the new unlimited has at least one model year under its belt. This whole concept of actually keeping vehicles more than 2-3 years is still new to me, I'm a recovering big time consumer...

[Diesel Joe]

Ive got a turbo charged Toyota 1HZ in my 1987 HJ60 Land Cruiser, but if I could get that four door Rubicon with a Cummins or Diamler CDI in it I'd sell the Cruiser.

http://www.fototime.com/%7BFFC01A13-C56F-43C4-9F3E-EEDF80D4CD71%7D/picture.JPG