Posted: 3/23/2014 5:10:18 PM EDT
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So I have been a jeep fan since before I could drive.
I bought my second jeep last spring. I've done a couple things to it, like a 2 1/2" spring lift. 32" bfg MUDs, cargo rack, electric fan, all on a 97 tj 4cyl auto. I also just acquired a 03 tracker zr2. Stock soft top. 4cyl 5speed My jeep gets actually 12 miles a gallon on these hills, the tracker gets 25. If I convert the tj I will do a 1.9 tDI swap, new transmission, better axels with lockers and 33" tires. I estimate 25 mpg, and to do it all will cost $6000. The tracker, I will keep the motor and trans, but convert it to solid axels lockers and 31" tires. It desperately need storage like the jeep did, I was thinking about a exoskeleton, and a cargo rack. Estimated price. $5k. Estimate 20mpg Besides that the jeep being diesel might come out helpful, the older tdi' will run on anything and I will tune it for that. Pictures will follow, my jeep is getting some monstercoat on the interior and the rack is off so it fits In the garage. |
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Are you going to be going solo? If not then neither are great choices. I had an '01 wrangler and loved it. I had a lifted and armored '06 Wrangler Unlimited and loved it even more. However when our first son came along we found we were out of space and the gas mileage was killing me on my commute.
If it is only you then the Wrangler is a better choice for off road work. If you are going to do a swap I would skip the diesel and go for the standard 4.0 that came in the wrangler or a v8 swap. Easier and cheaper. Also look into re gearing. If there is more than 1 person going I would sell both and put the money into an extended or quad cab tacoma, 4 runner, pathfinder, xterra or Land Cruiser. Unless you can afford to keep the Wrangler as a toy and still get something else for BOV duty. Just an opinion from someone who was in the same situation. |
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It is a tracker, with the unibody, but the solid axel conversion seems to be made pretty solid.
I am not solo, but I guess I shouldn't call it a bov. Plans are to bug in, the vehicle would be used for recon/scouting. In all reality it will see many weekend camping trips to places stock vehicles can not go. I have a family of 8, 3 stepchildren and 3 my own. Anything less than a suburban or a excursion just wouldn't do. Mpg and final cost is a loose estimate. I do all the work myself, and look for deals when I can. I'm thinking allot about a 350 swap in the jeep, to keep the cost low. I have a Dana 44 waiting for the rear, I would like to find a d44 for the front From a rubicon. |
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what is the purpose of the vehicle? daily commuter or "shtf and i gotta get outa here" ?
It really depends on the bottom line usage, if you will just be driving to work then keep things as gas mileage friendly as possible if you have a long commute. if your shtf plans are to drive 50 miles to a bug out location then you need to account for that and have gas set back for that situation. use the tracker for work/travel and the jeep for doomsday or whatever. if you swap a 4.0 and a manual trans you should be geared nicely for 33's since the 4 cyl has 4.10's anyhow. Tuck the transfer case skid up some and do a slip yoke elimination kit and sway bar disconnects you will be very offroad capable. Throw a winch on and using common sense you should be fine for most off road situations. |