How do you guys feel about jeeps

[fmybody]

i kinda wanna pick one up.. nothing knew.. something around 3 grand thats reliable.. ex. 97 grand cherokee.. do you guys have any thoughts? advice? experiences?

good/bad? gimmie all you got!!!!:mrgreen:

[wretched73]

No body on here likes them, sorry :/

[Tru2Chevy]

Lol......about every other member here has a Jeep.

What are you looking to do with it? Just DD, or go wheeling? If wheeling, what is your Jeep mod budget like, and what type of wheeling would you be doing?

- Justin

[andy78TA]

I have had 2 jeeps in my life, a 92 cherokee and I have a 93 grand cherokee right now. I like them a lot and parts are generally cheap. I have found now that my 93 is getting up in miles a lot of things are going wrong though, I am at 165000 miles though...

[BigAls87Z28]

Considering that this site's other name is NJJEEPOA.org....
to be someone on this site you need to :
1: own 1 non-working fbody
2: own a jeep

That used to be the req. to become Mod I belive.

[fmybody]

Lol......about every other member here has a Jeep.

What are you looking to do with it? Just DD, or go wheeling? If wheeling, what is your Jeep mod budget like, and what type of wheeling would you be doing?

- Justin

yeah apparently i missed the memo but its like the new ISHH. but yeah uhmm prob a daily driver for now but the whole wheeling thing looks like fun so i may get into that.. cant it be both? lol but yeah im just trying to figure out how reliable they are because this guy i work with is like a "tree shade mechanic" and he said there pos. but yet i see everyone using them to wheel. nd it seems like every other car on the road is a late 90s jeep!

so reliablility is most important. but the wheeling idea deff influnced me obv.:nod:

[andy78TA]

Generally I have not had reliability issues. I destroyed my first one off roading (one word, mud) but up until that point I really didn't have issues. The one I have now is very reliable, Its just getting up there in age and mileage. Keep on the maintenance and they will hit 200,000 no problem.

[fmybody]

Generally I have not had reliability issues. I destroyed my first one off roading (one word, mud) but up until that point I really didn't have issues. The one I have now is very reliable, Its just getting up there in age and mileage. Keep on the maintenance and they will hit 200,000 no problem.

yeah the only horror stories ive heard are from mudding and water in the engine or something along those lines..

[andy78TA]

I was being a stupid 17 year old in a construction site and got stuck and smoked the trans, we figured it wasn't worth putting the money in for a new trans so we bough the 93 instead. Trying to get me out an F250 and the first wrecker we called afterwards got stuck too, it took one of the tow trucks buddies from Daves Big Rig towing (The massive green trucks you see sometimes) to get us out ha.

Still even after all that everything worked... I just didn't have reverse or 4th gear ha

[Savage_Messiah]

I was being a stupid 17 year old in a construction site and got stuck and smoked the trans, we figured it wasn't worth putting the money in for a new trans so we bough the 93 instead. Trying to get me out an F250 and the first wrecker we called afterwards got stuck too, it took one of the tow trucks buddies from Daves Big Rig towing (The massive green trucks you see sometimes) to get us out ha.

Still even after all that everything worked... I just didn't have reverse or 4th gear ha

Sounds exactly like what Ian did

[fmybody]

I was being a stupid 17 year old in a construction site and got stuck and smoked the trans, we figured it wasn't worth putting the money in for a new trans so we bough the 93 instead. Trying to get me out an F250 and the first wrecker we called afterwards got stuck too, it took one of the tow trucks buddies from Daves Big Rig towing (The massive green trucks you see sometimes) to get us out ha.

Still even after all that everything worked... I just didn't have reverse or 4th gear ha

that suckssss. but funny.. you only live once man **** it. lol but yeah uhm ive been seein like 97 ishh jeeps with like 100k miles and up for like 2500-3500 does that seem right? i guess i can check kbb...

[andy78TA]

Sounds like the prices are pretty good. Jeeps are everywhere though, if you don't feel comfortable with one than wait, I promise another will come along. Are you looking at getting one with a V8 or with the inline 6? I personally like the inline 6, they are amazing engines. The v8's are supposed to be good too but I know my body has blown his before.

[maroman88]

we have a 96 GC with 165k miles, engine runs perfect... trans is lacking tho lol, other wise its mint.

girlfriend has an 04 GC special edition with 58k miles and no problems

friend has an 06 hemi limited

another friend has an 04 special edition v8 with 36k miles

i could keep going lol

[fmybody]

Sounds like the prices are pretty good. Jeeps are everywhere though, if you don't feel comfortable with one than wait, I promise another will come along. Are you looking at getting one with a V8 or with the inline 6? I personally like the inline 6, they are amazing engines. The v8's are supposed to be good too but I know my body has blown his before.

im not that familiar with the different pros and cons of each other than one is prob bigger and makes more power and eats more gas lol

most likely the 6 tho didnt know it was inline tho see i gotta do more research .. i dont need another v8 vehicle tho so deff the v6

[Squirrel]

mine ran 16.2 bone stock

[Jclt12003]

i have had 2 jeeps over the years i had a 92 wrangler 4.0L 5 speed that i rebuilt and had almost 300k on it new motor new trans i bought it for 1200 bucks and sold it for 4500 bucks and drove it for 5 or so years. I now currently own a 2001 fully loaded grand Cherokee Limited with the 4.7L v8 and love it. If i were going to buy another jeep I'd prob go with the straight 6 again in a grand Cherokee. I love the motor to death it's very reliable and takes a lot to kill them, Don't get me wrong the 4.7L v8 is a great motor but i don't know if it necessarily worth the suffering gas mileage i mean again i don't really care how fast it is as long as it's good in the snow and gets me from point A to point B

[79T/A]

Considering that this site's other name is NJJEEPOA.org....
to be someone on this site you need to :
1: own 1 non-working fbody
2: own a jeep


I resemble that remark. :mrgreen:

My 2001 Wrangler (4.0 5 speed) is still running very strong at 148k miles. The high output 4.0 is a very reliable engine and, as stated about, will easily get you 200k miles plus as long as you maintain it. I would look for 2002 or newer; there were some problems with the cylinder heads in the 2001 models. They were poor castings and prone to cracking.

[Miles]

jeep ftw. i'm looking for one too. and yeah, that price range is just about right for what you are looking for.

[camaro2you]

Had a 05 wrangler and loved it, Ill eventually pick up another jeep.

[Iroc-z86]

i have an 02 wrangler, i like it.. i just need something a little better on gas :/ Other than that its great. its almost unstoppable in snow and mud. (tires help a lot) but 4wd is awesome.

I wanted a grand cherokee limited but couldnt do it at the time. Im looking into the 2011.

[gotmudnj]

i had a 2001 cherokee blew motor up got another one n still runs to this day. i wheeled that till i got stuck up to doors. gave it to my sister and now got my wrangler. some have seen it at the meets. i wheel that thing and i pay out the ass for it and i also get caught wheeling too so it depends on where u live to wheel. my area suchs alot. mine wranglr has work done to it so i go threw parts left and right. but i love the thing gm/jeep ftw. i can say im 100% fit to the standard i have a non runnign f-body at this time and have a jeep.

[The Fixer]

We have a couple of Jeeps here too - I have an '01 Cherokee Sport with the 4.0 and auto trans, and my wife has an '03 Liberty Limited. Both have been really great trucks. The Cherokee kinda sucks on gas (about 14mpg city, 20mpg highway) but it's been really reliable.

Hope it helps!

[gotmudnj]

yea my wrangler gets 10 miles to gallon yea its awesome i love it. not nonareodynamic trucks....o well i love it tho

[fmybody]

thanks for all your help guys im really leaning twards getting one... like ive mentioned above.. probe somthing around 1997 model inline 6 .. and best i can get for about 3g or less.. keep any new info or experiences coming

about how expensive would u say it is to lift it and such?

[Tru2Chevy]

To answer your question, yes you can use the Jeep for both DD and wheeling, but what you want to do alters my recommendations for you. Same as the type of wheeling you would be doing would alter my recommendations.


If you are looking at a Grand Cherokee, I would stick with the 96-98 or 02-04, earlier ones with the straight 6, later ones with either the straight six or the 4.7 v8. 98 was the last year for the first generation, and there were some issues with the first few years of the 2nd gens that make the later ones more desirable. Chances are you won't find an 02-04 in your price range though.

Either way, look for one that has a 2wd option in the transfer case, that will save you some mileage. You can lift either 1st or 2nd gen Grand Cherokees fairly cheaply, depending on how high you wanna go - both are on coils all around, so you can start with 2" spacers and new shocks to get into wheeling on a budget.

Personally, I prefer the Cherokee to the Grand - I don't need all the frills. If you want to look into these, I would stick with a 95-96 or a 98-99, all with the straight 6 and either the auto or manual, whichever your preference. They were redesigned for 97, all new interior (with cupholders!) and a facelift.

Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions. I can go into more detail about either one. I have a '96 Cherokee with the straight 6, and my wife has an '04 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 v8.

- Justin

[andy78TA]

The straight six is a tank, If only jeep transmissions were as good as that engine they would last for 500K miles no problem with regular maintenace. The V8 is supposed to be a good engine too but I just know the 6 can take a beating any day of the week ha

edit: I can also help you if you have any questions. I can also take you to a magical junkyard by my school where you can build a jeep for $200 or less as their prices are so good. (A plus for when you break something ha)

[Brendan713]

I had two jeeps a 96 GC and a 95 GC the first one 96 i broke 214000 miles than totaled it due to a dumb girl driving out on the road. That jeep had a little issue with the trans like i would press the gas then a secound would pass then the jeep would lurch foward but once it was going it wasnt stopping! My second jeep was a 95 GC essentailly the same thing, i sold it with 179000 miles on it and it was in perfect working order i just wanted an F-Body OH YEAH!!! so i sold it and got my camaro that i have now but Jeeps are very good and reliable Trucks?SUVs?

[racerx520]

never really been much of a fan of jeeps. always thought of them as kinda that generic vehicle out there for people who couldnt make up their minds on what to get.
i found this video though, kinda changed my mind a bit (im very stubborn so it didnt change it much) on the quality of jeeps, hope ya enjoy it like i did:lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGFASxRPM10&feature=related
sorry, it has no sound either, apparently the music wasnt authorized or something so now its got nothin, bastards

and heres another, kinda slow but pretty amazing for a pretty stock jeep.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFd9ugS8gqA&feature=fvw

[fmybody]

never really been much of a fan of jeeps. always thought of them as kinda that generic vehicle out there for people who couldnt make up their minds on what to get.
i found this video though, kinda changed my mind a bit (im very stubborn so it didnt change it much) on the quality of jeeps, hope ya enjoy it like i did:lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGFASxRPM10&feature=related
sorry, it has no sound either, apparently the music wasnt authorized or something so now its got nothin, bastards

and heres another, kinda slow but pretty amazing for a pretty stock jeep.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFd9ugS8gqA&feature=fvw

haha the first one was halarious.. that car took an EFFFin beating.. and the second one. was just WOW. they seem like tough little vehciles man..

[Squirrel]

No matter what anyone says, just get the jeep, cuz you wont find a better vehicle... and thats coming from EB

[Savage_Messiah]

No matter what anyone says, just get the jeep, cuz you wont find a better vehicle... and thats coming from EB

I'm surprised you didn't find a way to like this post :lol:

[jims69camaro]

That used to be the req. to become Mod I belive.

that's where i went wrong. one non-functioning fbody, one jeep and one driver fbody. one too many fbodies.

as for the jeeps, there are companies out there that specialize in modifications for them. they are probably one of the most modified vehicles available, as most everyone who owns one has done some sort of modification to it. while the car is technically my wife's, i secretly enjoy driving the Liberty. early on kenne bell was supposed to have developed a supercharger system for them, but when i double checked (and triple checked) i've seen nothing else about it. suspension mods are fairly straight forward and easy enough to do in the driveway. it doesn't take long to take a stock jeep and make it "trail certified".

[Bcozzi71]

i have a 95 grand Cherokee 5.2L i picked up for $1000 bucks last month. Its in real good shape besides it needed its rear main seal done. Only had 130,000 miles on it. I love it!

[EODMonkey]

i have a hard-on for wranglers so much u can do and so easy to fix

[fmybody]

i have a 95 grand Cherokee 5.7L i picked up for $1000 bucks last month. Its in real good shape besides it needed its rear main seal done. Only had 130,000 miles on it. I love it!

id be looking for something simular to that kinda deal lol

but id rather the inline 6... so let me know how it treats you

and as for the wrangler comment those seem to be more expensive.. but still cool.. this isnt going to be anytime soon but i sure appriciate the feedback.

[Tru2Chevy]

i have a 95 grand Cherokee 5.7L i picked up for $1000 bucks last month. Its in real good shape besides it needed its rear main seal done. Only had 130,000 miles on it. I love it!

You mean the 5.2L (318)?

- Justin

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

i have a 95 grand Cherokee 5.7L i picked up for $1000 bucks last month. Its in real good shape besides it needed its rear main seal done. Only had 130,000 miles on it. I love it!

5.2/318 or 5.9/360? There was no 5.7

[Tru2Chevy]

5.2/318 or 5.9/360? There was no 5.7

No 5.9 until '98 - one year only.

- Justin

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

No 5.9 until '98 - one year only.

- Justin

Oh. Never knew that

[Tru2Chevy]

Oh. Never knew that

Yup....they are relatively rare in the Jeep world.

- Justin

[FlyingDutchman]

went wheelin last wed. nite in my bros 00 XJ bone stock to the street tires and man what a beast! :mrgreen:

[Bcozzi71]

You mean the 5.2L (318)?

- Justin

No 5.9 until '98 - one year only.

- Justin

wow yeah i lied ......5.2L guess i had a long night

my bad

[Foosh]

Um, the wranglers are the way to go if you can find a deal. I see alot of them going for 3500 from the mid 80's, but everyonce in a while you can find a good deal, my friend bought a 90 with the 4.2 I6 with a 5 speed for 750 and just had to replace a few brake lines. He put under 1000 into it total, and the paint was awesome after I compounded it. So, it goes to show you can find deals, you just have to look. IMO the cherokees are nice but i wouldn't daily them, they'd be a woods only truck.

[deadtrend1]

I paid around $2000 for my YJ a few weeks ago. Already has 4" lift, 33's, and some other stuff. It needs a few things but what I was looking for was:

Straight 6
5 Speed
Hard Top
Full Doors
Little rust
Straight body

just unfortunte that it has this thing called a carb on it. :)

[Foosh]

For those guys with the 4.2, i did some reading a while back... If you take the head off the 4.0 and put it on the 4.2 it yeilds something like 30-40 hp gain w/o porting.

[gotmudnj]

my friend did that with heads off a 305 n put on a 350 for ****s and giggles. it didnt do much but was quite funny. i love my wrangler even tho i break it all the time best 20 grand ive invested in.

[1972LT1]

04 Wrangler 4cyl here....had a hell of alot of fun with it today and tonight. Passed lots of other 4x4 and all wheel drives. Bought the 4cyl because the price was right at the dealership. The 4cyl eats plugs and wires but it's still worth it. It feels great not having to worry about getting stuck anywhere. While everyone else is fishtailing around, you can relax,unless you want to, then drop it into 4H and floor it.

[79T/A]

For those guys with the 4.2, i did some reading a while back... If you take the head off the 4.0 and put it on the 4.2 it yeilds something like 30-40 hp gain w/o porting.

Never mind the horsepower, the reliability factor is the best reason to do this swap. Basically, you're taking the entire top end (Head, intake and throttle body and computer) and swapping it onto the 4.2. Fuel injection rules, especially off road where off camber situations and steep climbs can shut you down when it's the least convenient.

I'm an addict. Just picked up a YJ frame, on which will go the drivetrain from an old Blazer, 60s front and rear, four linked front and rear...the list goes on...