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Posted: 5/26/2023 10:27:05 PM EST
Because she wants a removable top with a back seat. We want to be able to take the kids out to the local forestry roads and crawler trails up by the cabin, and she wants to do it in air conditioning and w/o bugs, but top off when it is nice (the Jeep, not her
 ).So what am I looking for? It won't be new, will be used, will be modified. I'll consider going out of state for it to get out of rust territory. I think I want a frame because unibody gives me the heebie geebies. My oldest son will be jealous because he wants an old Willies Jeep from WW2, and this will be close-ish  .Again, I'm not versed on all the XJ, LG, BH or whatever 2 letter designations these things have, and which year(s) I'm wanting to get and/or avoid. Yes, air conditioning is a must have, along with removable top. |
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USA
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Posted: 5/27/2023 5:41:29 AM EST
[#1]
Jeep TJ. 1997-2006. Has everything on your list. Unfortunately, they are in high demand for a reason so are overpriced for what you get. And, they are very prone to rust issues. Mainly the frame and fenders. Most of the issues can be fixed with various kits if not too far gone. 4.0 is the best but the 2.5 and 2.4 can be ok too especially if you aren’t planning on much highway driving.
I have a TJ and love it. Id really like to have an LJ (same body style and drivetrain but a little longer body/frame) but the LJs command a ridiculous premium. |
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Posted: 5/27/2023 1:18:35 PM EST
[#2]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ColtRifle: Jeep TJ. 1997-2006. Has everything on your list. Unfortunately, they are in high demand for a reason so are overpriced for what you get. And, they are very prone to rust issues. Mainly the frame and fenders. Most of the issues can be fixed with various kits if not too far gone. 4.0 is the best but the 2.5 and 2.4 can be ok too especially if you aren't planning on much highway driving. I have a TJ and love it. Id really like to have an LJ (same body style and drivetrain but a little longer body/frame) but the LJs command a ridiculous premium. Any other cheaper options? |
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USA
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Posted: 5/27/2023 6:19:40 PM EST
[#3]
You want a Wrangler right?
Wranglers are overpriced but that's just the way it is. I paid more than I wanted to for my TJ but it was rust free (aside from a little surface rust in places). Rust free is worth a lot. You can shop around and occasionally find a good price. But, if you find one at a good price, jump on it. It'll sell quick. |
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Posted: 5/27/2023 7:03:19 PM EST
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ColtRifle: You want a Wrangler right? Wranglers are overpriced but that's just the way it is. I paid more than I wanted to for my TJ but it was rust free (aside from a little surface rust in places). Rust free is worth a lot. You can shop around and occasionally find a good price. But, if you find one at a good price, jump on it. It'll sell quick. I don't know I want a wrangler, but if that fills the requirements best, I guess I do. I'm not even hung up on a Jeep brand, but the old bronchos are stupid expensive. |
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Posted: 5/30/2023 5:22:01 PM EST
[#5]
A Wrangler is the only model with a removable top.
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Posted: 5/30/2023 5:25:23 PM EST
[Last Edit: bobweaver]
[#6]
Never really liked Jeeps but in all fairness haven’t driven one in years. Rented a wrangler for a trip all over Colorado and I really enjoyed driving it. Thinking of getting one myself.
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Posted: 5/30/2023 5:31:23 PM EST
[Last Edit: Rat_Patrol]
[#7]
Love my Wrangler
It's a 2008 two door JK On a 2 door model the back seat is worthless If you plan on bringing -deleted- with you get a 4 door Cleaned up, this is not GD. Rat_Patrol |
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Posted: 5/30/2023 5:43:21 PM EST
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By KB7DX: A Wrangler is the only model with a removable top. Copy. Any other brands I should be looking into? |
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WI, USA
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Posted: 5/31/2023 5:19:01 PM EST
[#9]
Maybe an older Bronco, not one of the new ones. Like a early 90's would fit what your looking for.
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Posted: 5/31/2023 5:32:08 PM EST
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Chipper44mag: Maybe an older Bronco, not one of the new ones. Like a early 90's would fit what your looking for. Sounds like a Jeep is $$$$$$ 
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USA
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Posted: 6/1/2023 7:21:04 AM EST
[#11]
It’s a toy. Toys cost money.
A benefit of the Wrangler TJ models is they are cheap to work on. Parts are cheap and they are extremely simple to repair. Everyone makes an aftermarket accessory for them. Only negative is Chrysler is not making certain parts any more. The Jeeps can be a little sensitive to what exact parts go in them…mainly sensors. Luckily, they don’t have a lot of sensors. Mine is a fun toy. We enjoy it a lot. |
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Posted: 6/1/2023 8:03:42 AM EST
[#12]
Removable hard top? Wrangler is the only one that checks the box.
JK - 2007-2017 2-door JKU - 2007-2017 4-door With two kids? You'll want the 4-door. 2012 and up got the 3.6 engine - good power 2011 and older got the 3.8. Not a bad engine per se, just gutless. I have three: 2010 JKU Sahara 2013 JKU Sahara 2016 JKU Sahara The 10 and 13 were bought used, both were 6 years old when purchased, 80k miles, $22k(ish). Wranglers (especially the 4-doors) have the highest resale value of any used vehicle. Period. Hard stop. You wanna play, you gotta pay. The 2016 was leased new, then we bought it off lease. Lease buyout was $24k, and at the time Carvanha would have given me $32k. Wife was too attached to it to sell. I bought both used ones in stock condition. Had no interest inheriting someone's hack-job lift with death wobble. Besides, lift bros think their rig is worth a lot more because they shoved in some blocks and bigger wheels. Find a mall crawler with a good service history and it will serve you well. You don't need a Rubicon unless you're planning some serious hardcore shit. The Saharas and Sports can keep up most areas. |
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Posted: 6/2/2023 8:57:55 PM EST
[#13]
What’s your budget?
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Posted: 6/2/2023 9:00:31 PM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ropin4gold: What's your budget? I dunno. |
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Posted: 6/3/2023 1:26:06 PM EST
[#15]
Looks like Roxor has come back. You might want to check them out. I don’t know if they offer a four seat option.
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Posted: 6/3/2023 1:39:08 PM EST
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sparkyD: Looks like Roxor has come back. You might want to check them out. I don't know if they offer a four seat option. |
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Posted: 6/3/2023 9:02:25 PM EST
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By intheburbs: Removable hard top? Wrangler is the only one that checks the box. JK - 2007-2017 2-door JKU - 2007-2017 4-door With two kids? You'll want the 4-door. 2012 and up got the 3.6 engine - good power 2011 and older got the 3.8. Not a bad engine per se, just gutless. I have three: 2010 JKU Sahara 2013 JKU Sahara 2016 JKU Sahara The 10 and 13 were bought used, both were 6 years old when purchased, 80k miles, $22k(ish). Wranglers (especially the 4-doors) have the highest resale value of any used vehicle. Period. Hard stop. You wanna play, you gotta pay. The 2016 was leased new, then we bought it off lease. Lease buyout was $24k, and at the time Carvanha would have given me $32k. Wife was too attached to it to sell. I bought both used ones in stock condition. Had no interest inheriting someone's hack-job lift with death wobble. Besides, lift bros think their rig is worth a lot more because they shoved in some blocks and bigger wheels. Find a mall crawler with a good service history and it will serve you well. You don't need a Rubicon unless you're planning some serious hardcore shit. The Saharas and Sports can keep up most areas. ^this 2012 and up has a better engine and better brakes....there is no comparison to the older models. 1980 CJ7 1997 TJ 1999 TJ(2) 2015 JKU(current) |
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Posted: 6/4/2023 8:18:33 AM EST
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rat_Patrol: That is a neat little guy. If it were a 4 seater with air conditioning, I'd be far more curious. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rat_Patrol: Originally Posted By sparkyD: Looks like Roxor has come back. You might want to check them out. I don't know if they offer a four seat option. One does come with AC just not the full top. It seems like there was a aftermarket soft top available. I have a 2012 with a level kit. Before that I had a CJ5 1973 model and a CJ7 1979 model. The Wrangler rides so much better than the older models and the AC is nice. My daughter just had to have a soft top for her 2018 and now after a couple of years she has decided the ole man knew what he was talking about. I’m a hard top guy all the way. 
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Posted: 6/5/2023 5:32:07 PM EST
[Last Edit: STJ]
[#19]
If your wife wants the creature comforts get a JK or JL (if you have new vehicle money)
TJs are great for pure off roading but you have to look hard for a low rust non molested one, plus low chances of the AC working on a 15+ year old. I did just pick this up for $7800. 130000 miles, Good frame, working AC and Cruise. 4.0l manual.  Attached File |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 6/20/2023 7:55:36 AM EST
[#20]
Since you don’t know your budget, and you don’t want new, then buy a 2020 JL Rubicon. It will do everything you want with full air conditioning and comforts. The aftermarket supports them amazingly well, and they’re extremely more capable than the TJs in the same stock form or with light modifications. A 2” lift will allow you to fit 37s.
Bumpers, winch, and sliders then go have fun. |
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Posted: 6/20/2023 8:09:39 AM EST
[#21]
In my mind, you buy a jeep to go off road in (unless you are buying it to look cool at the mall), so I wouldn’t buy a jeep without the rubicon package.
I have a Tacoma with $10,000+ of mods: lift, arb lockers front and rear, 35s, 4.88s etc, and a stock rubicon is still more capable off road. |
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Posted: 6/20/2023 12:28:48 PM EST
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By juslearnin: In my mind, you buy a jeep to go off road in (unless you are buying it to look cool at the mall), so I wouldn't buy a jeep without the rubicon package. I have a Tacoma with $10,000+ of mods: lift, arb lockers front and rear, 35s, 4.88s etc, and a stock rubicon is still more capable off road. Interesting. Good to know |
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USA
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Posted: 6/21/2023 9:41:00 AM EST
[#23]
A Rubicon is better….but most people, even if they regularly off road, will never take advantage of the various benefits.
My non-Rubicon is extremely capable off road. Yes if I was rock crawling I’d want the Rubicon…..but I don’t and have no interest in doing so. |
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Posted: 6/21/2023 10:57:29 AM EST
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ColtRifle: A Rubicon is better .but most people, even if they regularly off road, will never take advantage of the various benefits. My non-Rubicon is extremely capable off road. Yes if I was rock crawling I'd want the Rubicon ..but I don't and have no interest in doing so. |
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Posted: 6/21/2023 4:41:31 PM EST
[#25]
I've only had it about a year, but I'm really happy with my TJ Rubicon. It's an '03 with 55,000 miles. No rust. I don't off-road, and I don't drive it every day, it's just a capable 1/4-ton truck to me.
I had a '16 JK, non-Rubicon, didn't love it. I also really like the 1991-1995 YJs, but they're rough riding and very basic/uncomfortable, comparatively to a TJ. I've got a '95 with a 4 cylinder. It's neat, but would need the 4.0 and better suspension to be capable of much. If you're going to use it much in the winter, get a hard top. My next purchase is going to be a clean CJ2A or CJ3B. If I could pick only one Wrangler - an 03-06 Rubicon, followed by a JK Rubicon. |
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USA
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Posted: 6/22/2023 8:47:52 AM EST
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rat_Patrol: I won't be rock crawling so much, mainly just trail riding. I've taken a lot of the jeep trails with my SxS, and my stock Excursion could probably take a good deal of them, more with a lift and wider tires. Definitely don’t NEED the Rubicon. |
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Posted: 6/22/2023 6:00:09 PM EST
[Last Edit: STJ]
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ColtRifle: Definitely don't NEED the Rubicon. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ColtRifle: Originally Posted By Rat_Patrol: I won't be rock crawling so much, mainly just trail riding. I've taken a lot of the jeep trails with my SxS, and my stock Excursion could probably take a good deal of them, more with a lift and wider tires. Definitely don't NEED the Rubicon. That said, for just "trail riding" a non Rubicon is fine. |
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