Jeep Wrangler Instead of a Side by Side?

[Rustyiron]

I would like a vehicle to use on our 2-3 miles of forest trails. Uses would include hauling firewood tools (chainsaw, gas, oil, ...), sugar bush tapping supplies, winching logs onto trail and giving farm visitors a tour of our forest. A side by side would work but I'm wondering if a used Jeep Wrangler would work.

I'd appreciate opinions especially from those who use / have used a Wrangler in this way.

I agree that $10k+ "UTV" is really silly for a larger property. I have a Kaw. Mule, a good sturdy but slow UTV with a pretty decent bed size. It's just too small for my use. My F450 4wd. flat bed dumper can navigate most of my roads & trails and has a 8'x11' bed. Obviously I would not run out & buy this truck for these purpose's, but it's "in the fleet" and suits my needs. I would like to find a compact pu fot the UTV roll, but not one that would need much "wrenching". Maybe a newer small Toyota or Nissan that was driveable but had been in a rollover or flood, etc. that was being junked by the ins.Co.

 

[reddog176]

I had the same thoughts a few years ago, and found an '86 Suzuki Samurai for $600. Runs good, have taken it pretty much everywhere and have yet to have it get stuck. Ripped the back seat out and turned the whole back into a cargo hold. Think the only work I've done on it was replacing a brake cylinder. One of the best purchases we've made.

 

[wmonroe]

My dad was in a similar situation a couple years ago and was having a hard time justifying the price of a utv. After a little looking he found an 02 jeep Cherokee for $1000 that didn't need anything and has been beating it for two years without issue. Better and more comfortable for his use than a side by side.

 

[bcp]

Save that Cherokee for a collector!

It is a very rare one, made after production stopped!

Bruce

 

[Jstpssng]

Save that Cherokee for a collector!

It is a very rare one, made after production stopped!

Bruce

I saw something similar years ago... a coworker drove up in a 3 yo '86 F150 that he had just bought from the Ford dealer. It had the (then new) '87 body style.

 

[4570Man]

I would way rather have a side by side. I use my mule a lot, but it isn't much for towing. I tow my wood splitter with it, but anything heavier I use the tractor or truck. My grandpa had the same idea and bought a jeep. He drives it on the road a lot because he likes to drive it more than his dully. I can't remember the last time he took it off road. He still wants a side by side even with the jeep.

 

[SPIKER]

Same thoughts neighbor has 2 side by sides probaly 25K in them & I have my 4x4 tractor and ole Nissan Pathfinder that only has gotten stuck 1 time when it floated on crusted snow bank and sank to axles. used FEL and tractor to dig around it, wheels were 6" off the turf...

Hauled a lot of sap with it but it is rusted too bad to drive now on roads anyhow and is parked till I can get better frame under the 70K mile eng.trans...

 

[wmonroe]

Save that Cherokee for a collector! It is a very rare one, made after production stopped! Bruce

Haha I thought it was an 02 but I guess not. I'll have to ask my dad what year it is.

 

[Parkanzky]

I considered a Jeep instead of a UTV but the biggest drawback is the weight of the vehicle. I've used a Gator/RTVX-1100C for many years and I don't have to worry about making deep ruts in the pasture when it's wet. A Jeep probably weighs over twice what a large UTV weighs. You could buy a used Jeep cheaper but it would have to be 15-20 years old and may need a lot of work to make it reliable.

The Jeep is heavier, but not as much as you'd think. An RTVX-1100C weighs ~2400# empty. A YJ (late 80's to mid 90's) Wrangler can have a curb weight of ~2900# (depending on trim/options). Wider tires (more flotation) could mean it would be gentler on the property. But you're right that the Kubota gets you a warranty, vs. the Jeep that will likely get you a lot of familiarity with old Wrangler forums.

 

[Will_C]

My brother and I used his '85 Toyota as a woods truck when it wasn't able to pass inspection for highway. It worked for us for several years until the frame cracked from rust. Although it was cheaper, it wasn't as handy as his Mule and my RTV-the UTVs are much more nimble, easier to get in and out of, and more fun to drive!

Will