Got into a discussion over in the 300 series thread, and figured I would start a new post as to not derail that thread any further.
I have always been a cruiser guy. I grew up wheeling the pine barrons of NJ in my grandfathers 72 FJ40 that he bought brand new. I've had 3 40 series, 3 80s, and a 3rd gen runner. Dad and I are currently restoring a 77 FJ45.
When the time came to purchase something new, reliable, and capable enough to suit my needs the only thing that popped up was the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK. Solid axles, 6 speed manual, removable top/doors, and a good aftermarket following. Was I going to regret this "Jeep thing"?
1st impression...this thing is not the 80 it replaced. Build quality is NOT on par with an 80. However, new this Jeep is like 32 grand and in today's dollars my LX450 would be over 70. Is there a difference? Yes. Is there 40k of difference? No. Chrysler has come a long way, and for what it is it is a very decent vehicle. The updates in 2011 made a WORLD of difference to the drive-ability. It is fairly quiet, rides decent, and tracks well at speed. With the hardtop on it is almost like a normal vehicle and has all the normal features: PW/PL, Sirius radio, Infinity sound, and a bunch of safety crap.
Offroad....wow this thing is impressive. It goes about anywhere you point it. Great gearing options with the 6 speed, hill start assist is the bomb, and the power steering has no problem turning the 35s. The traction control is as good as anyone could ask for and kicks in very quickly.
How are they built? Very well. Nice big control arms with big bushings, a strong fully boxed frame, decent skid plates, and very good factory sliders. You can make fun of the plastic bumper and fenders all you want...but they always snap back into place, and compressed air always straightens that bumper back out. The Dana 44 used is 44% stronger than a standard 44 and has the same size pinion as a dana 60. Even the dana 30 is high pinion and uses joints that are equivalent to a 1350 which is bigger than a standard 44 (1310).
Overall it has been a very good truck that has taken everything I have thrown at it. At 87k miles it is still very solid and drives great. Will it do it at 300k like an 80 series? Probably not. But, with stupid high resale value, when the warranty runs out at 100k there is a good chance I will sell it and just jump into a new one and start over.
So overall anybody looking to replace what the 80 series could do in a more modern vehicle I definitely recommend the JK. Compared to the TJ i tried a few years ago it is light years ahead. The TJ was easy to break. Tj dana 30 was a weak low pinion turd with tiny joints, and the Y-Link steering was traaaaash. It was knocked out of alignment every time I wheeled and bent very easily.
I have always been a cruiser guy. I grew up wheeling the pine barrons of NJ in my grandfathers 72 FJ40 that he bought brand new. I've had 3 40 series, 3 80s, and a 3rd gen runner. Dad and I are currently restoring a 77 FJ45.
When the time came to purchase something new, reliable, and capable enough to suit my needs the only thing that popped up was the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK. Solid axles, 6 speed manual, removable top/doors, and a good aftermarket following. Was I going to regret this "Jeep thing"?
1st impression...this thing is not the 80 it replaced. Build quality is NOT on par with an 80. However, new this Jeep is like 32 grand and in today's dollars my LX450 would be over 70. Is there a difference? Yes. Is there 40k of difference? No. Chrysler has come a long way, and for what it is it is a very decent vehicle. The updates in 2011 made a WORLD of difference to the drive-ability. It is fairly quiet, rides decent, and tracks well at speed. With the hardtop on it is almost like a normal vehicle and has all the normal features: PW/PL, Sirius radio, Infinity sound, and a bunch of safety crap.
Offroad....wow this thing is impressive. It goes about anywhere you point it. Great gearing options with the 6 speed, hill start assist is the bomb, and the power steering has no problem turning the 35s. The traction control is as good as anyone could ask for and kicks in very quickly.
How are they built? Very well. Nice big control arms with big bushings, a strong fully boxed frame, decent skid plates, and very good factory sliders. You can make fun of the plastic bumper and fenders all you want...but they always snap back into place, and compressed air always straightens that bumper back out. The Dana 44 used is 44% stronger than a standard 44 and has the same size pinion as a dana 60. Even the dana 30 is high pinion and uses joints that are equivalent to a 1350 which is bigger than a standard 44 (1310).
Overall it has been a very good truck that has taken everything I have thrown at it. At 87k miles it is still very solid and drives great. Will it do it at 300k like an 80 series? Probably not. But, with stupid high resale value, when the warranty runs out at 100k there is a good chance I will sell it and just jump into a new one and start over.
So overall anybody looking to replace what the 80 series could do in a more modern vehicle I definitely recommend the JK. Compared to the TJ i tried a few years ago it is light years ahead. The TJ was easy to break. Tj dana 30 was a weak low pinion turd with tiny joints, and the Y-Link steering was traaaaash. It was knocked out of alignment every time I wheeled and bent very easily.
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