Jeep Wrangler

ChrisR · Feb 1, 2002

Hey I just bought myself a brand spanking new "Jeep Wrangler Sport" It was a compromise by way of the fact I've just reached fifty and had slight hankerings for a little red sports car, my wife wouldn't buy that, but she did come around to a Jeep. "Handy for driving around the block etc." But of course the real reason was to be able to zip around with the roof down and pretend I'm twenty-one again.
I must say I'm impressed with the capability and ride of the new jeeps. As well as being well equipped, riding on the bitumen is smooth and comfortable and a pleasure.

Has anyone out there have one, or had experience of one ?
anyone know of any problems ?

Regards

Chris

cowboydoc · Feb 1, 2002

I used to have one back in 1989. I really liked it. It was fun to take the top down in the summer. It was really fun to go out in the hills with. You're right about how easy they drive too. I really liked mine. I only had it a few years but never had any troubles at all with it.

cp1969 · Feb 1, 2002

One vehicle I really regret parting with was my M151.

Jeeps are tons of fun.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 2, 2002

Just so long as your just having fun and its not something else causing your midlife crisis like problems with your marriage and such. If not then put some big tires on it and have fun.

Old Wanker

Chuck52 · Feb 2, 2002

I drove my son's '97 Sahara from Florida to middle Missouri a couple weeks ago. At highway speed the ragtop can really put out some noise, especially when passing trucks or if there's a cross wind. I think I'd use earplugs if I did it again. On the other hand, it rode pretty well, and we went through a downpour south of Atlanta that had lots of folks pulling off the road. I felt safe enough to just keep on trucking. It was also less stressful than usual going through St. Louis. Same maniacs as usual doing 80 right through town, but the jeep took the potholes and construction obstacles much better than my minivan. This jeep has a cracked exhaust manifold, which was (is?) a common problem with the particular engine it has. Probably taken care of in newer models.

Chuck

HalseyGreen · Feb 2, 2002

I have a 68 CJ-5, with V6, winch, full roll cage and 100k miles, sitting in the garage, just starting a rebuild from the ground up, working on the axles at this time. It was given to my kids by the orginial owner (all three at Virginia Tech and wanting it to run, like tomorrow because they are presently sharing a 95 Dodge Caravan) (I'm going to make it a long project so I get to keep it), but was parked for the last 20 years in his dad's garage. Every seal has dried up, but the tires still hold air. My wife has a fondness for this one, he let her drive in on the beach at Kitty Hawk, NC. Not sure it is worth the money it will consume. But I would sure like to to have the convertible to run around in.

RobertN · Feb 3, 2002

I have a '70 I'm getting ready to sell. My Dad got it in '72, then sold in '84, and I got it back in '86! I set it up with 4.88's, and a posi in the rear. Added 2" Rancho Freedom riders, with an additional 1" body lift. The springs are really soft, allowing lots of articulation from a rather mild setup. That matched with 33" tires works well in most situations. I have had it on the rocks a number of times, being close to Rubicon and all.

The only thing I wish I had done, is put an open knuckle Dana 44 in the front, and a granny 4-spd. That would have been a well balanced package. I think to do it again, I would go with 4.27 gears too. Have a friend set up that way. With the granny box, 33's, and 4.27's, it makes a nice package both on and off road.

I have a set of used Hooker headers, and an Offenhauser 4bbl intake that would fit that V6 of yours too...

MDNY · Feb 3, 2002

Chris,

Sounds nice. I always liked the wranglers and CJ's of the earlier models. But the one drawback is the wind noise when you have the canvas top on, but hey it's jeepin time.

I noticed a nice royal (or sky) blue one today. I noticed it more because they replaced the door & windshield hinges with a poished steel hinge instead of the painted ones. I thought that was not only eye catching but would keep the standard ones from looking bad in a few years. The paint always cracks and starts to rust out. So I would change the hinges to a nice polished steel. Then get a nice brush guard, fog lights and baja tires and go four wheelin. Wife, what wife, I just hear the wind. Then as the night sets in you will remember, shoot I got to get home, I got work in the morning.

Have fun, drive safe, and let your wife drive too. You might just find this was a very nice compromise compared to the sports car. You feel 21 again, but you won't feel like attracting 21 year olds like a sports car would. Good Luck.

RobertN · Feb 3, 2002

Careful when you zip around... The top down, wind in hair feeling is great. These are somewhat light, and reasonably responsive. But, they are still a little square box that sits high in the air... Lots has been done to make them more stable, but they are still tipsy compared to cars.

I grew up in Jeeps, mostly CJ2A's and CJ5's, but have been around plenty of CJ7's and Wranglers. Even with all the updates, and improvements, you still have to be careful.

Have fun, but be safe. If you have a chance, head for the rocks; that's where Jeeps really shine!

Bayrat · Feb 3, 2002

Learned to drive on a '49 flat hood when I was about 13. Been Jeepin' off and on for years ever since. Never had one let me down. I traded my '94 Wrangler for a new Tacoma a year and a half ago, still miss it. It had a Fisher plow and was a fantastic plow vehicle. The only reason I did not stay with one is because I wanted to be able to tow several thousand pounds. My wife currently drives a 2001 Cherokee. My father drove his last one almost 200,000 miles and it ran good when he sold it.