Jeep Wrangler

[ChrisR]

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]

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]

One vehicle I really regret parting with was my M151.

Jeeps are tons of fun.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[njrqs]

Come on Chris !!!

One of the few Aussies on TBN and you go and buy a US car.

I am still proud to say I drive an Aussie Falcon !!

Cheers /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

 

[ChrisR]

"AHEM".........

I believe you also have a Toyota Neil...!!!!!!!!

Chris

 

[Jeff396]

Let me start this story by saying THIS IS NOT A DIG ON JEEP. Just an ammusing "what were they thinking story". Back in 1984 my wife purchased a new Toyota 4x4 and with it came two tickets to the arena truck races at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan in which Toyota was heavily involved. Apparently Jeep came up with the publicity idea to have Al Unser jr and sr each race one of their basically stock Jeep pickups against the pros. I suppose it depends on which way you look at it as to whether this was a good idea or not. Of course they didn't win racing against these purposefully designed high performance machines. They also weren't able to return for the second race of the night. We're talkin' jumps that are at least 4 feet high. They literally self destructed during the first heat race. I was pretty surprised they were able to make it through the first race at all. Again, I just have to wonder what the boys in publicity were thinking. Maybe they're the same guys who believe you can actually drive their vehicles like they do in the commercials and still have a truck that will track straight down the road./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Jeff

 

[rdln]

I beat the p#$% out of my 1985 jeep j-20 and one day it will run again after a few trips down south to get sheetmetal (I better hurry) but what else were they going to do with those pickups? They couldn't sell them!

 

[RobertN]

You have a Falcon? Cool! I want one! I have a few Aussie magazines that are like the US Hot Rod and Car craft rags. These in particular had the whole history of the Falcons.

I like the style of the XA, XB, and XC. One of the pictures shows the Moffat #9 XC Hardtop winning Bathurst.

For a while now I have thought it would be cool to import a Falcon XB 351 Clevo with a 4spd. It would be fun to build up the motor, gear the rear end, and go suprise a few folks when you pull up and the driver is on the wrong sidde. Then, while thier jaw is still dropped, drop the clutch and smoke 'em!

It is still odd to look at most of the cars though; in the US all the hot rods are two doors. It is uncommon to find a performance car with those extra doors around these parts.

 

[njrqs]

Yes Chris I know that.

I was only having a dig !!!!!!!

Seeing if I could stir up these guys.

Cheers

 

[njrqs]

Robert

I have had 3 XA's + 1 for parts. I have had the 351 Cleveland and the 250 motor.

Also had an XF 1984 (boring) and now have an AU 2000 (boring but nice)

Yep I love the XA/B/C shapes. I had 4 doors and utes. Never a 2 door but I think they are the best looking.

Good to see you get some Bathurst info. I understand it is the biggest touring car race in the world. Yep those days of the big 351's in the XY's and XA/B/C's were the days. All that grunt on skinny little tyres made for great viewing.

Have fun with your plans.

Cheers