What Jeep Wrangler to get?

[Adventure_Dad]

I am wanting a small project build and looking at the Jeep’s for it. Looking for advice of what years to avoid and good years to look at. Obviously a new rubicon would be best, but not looking to drop 40k on a new Jeep. I want something I can build to my own. To any insight would be wonderful thanks!

 

[MazeVX]

What is the goal, what do you want to do with the build?

 

[avgjoe624]

What all are your minimum requirement out of the vehicle?

2 door/ 4 door
3.6/3.8/4.0 engine?
what kind of wheeling are you looking to do?
budget?

 

[MazeVX]

From what is commonly said you should avoid the 3.8L in the older jk wrangler, but many are still happy with them and never had issues, so it's hard to say a thing without having a little bit more information.

 

[avgjoe624]

From what is commonly said you should avoid the 3.8L in the older jk wrangler, but many are still happy with them and never had issues, so it's hard to say a thing without having a little bit more information.

Ill vouch for the 3.8. I can honestly say that ive beat mine further than anyone I know, and the only issue ive ever had with it is the power steering pump breaking, and I blame that on myself.
its about to roll over 120k miles.

The ONLY issue that I could possibly tell you from my experience with it is that sometimes I wish I had more horsepower. but then again, its a jeep. lol. maybe it just doesn't go fast with the gears I have in it. The pentastar 3.6 has much more HP, which was jeeps main selling point on it.

 

[MOAK]

I came from the jeep world so here goes. The TJ Rubicon, hands down, is arguably the very best off road machine ever built in the US. (period). It will go anywhere you point it. If I were in the market for a toy, to be used primarily for off road I'd by another 04. They are easy to wrench on and they are still old school simplicity. The 5 sp transmission is extraordinarily reliable. The later 6 sp trannys have had some well documented problems. The stock clutches are very strong and the trans case is bullet proof. The in line 6 is good, if well maintained for about 250,000 miles, as well as the axles. You can lift it up to 2.5" and easily fit 33" tires. Ditch the stock lower control arms, they are junk. A couple of vendors sell fixed control arms that are the proper lenght for a 2.5" lift. If you want to go higher, then break open your piggy bank for all the mods necessary to get your suspension back to spec with long arm kits, etc etc etc. That's how I did it and it worked perfectly on the highway and on the roughest of trails. If you want to fit 35" rubber, consider different front fenders instead of a lift. Another thing to do is to install sway bar disconnects. The sway bar bushings are the first bushes to wear out if you off road much at all so it's a good idea to get in the habit of disconnecting them when off highway. The weak link of the entire system is the front axle universals. The stock u-joints lasted less than 50,000 miles. I replaced mine with aftermarket waterproof ones and they were still going strong at 120,000 miles... The stock front driveshaft will fail at around 75,000 miles. I had mine rebuilt with zerk fittings. The rear shaft was still in excellent shape at 120,000. Thats about it. beef up your suspension, keep an eye on the front driveshaft, keep an eye on the front axle universals. Hoppe this helps a bit,, oh by the way, pay no attention to the guru guy (JB) on the jeep forums. He has a ton of good information though if you plan on building a rock krawler specific rig and have tons of cash to throw at it. Hope this helps and good luck. Here is a shot of my old 04

 

[Adventure_Dad]

Thanks. I want something easy to work on. I’m looking better the 5-8k range ‘if possible’ to start.
Ok looking to do some rock crawling weekend warrior type stuff

 

[avgjoe624]

with that said, MOAK is correct, rubicon or not, a TJ is the way to go. You can find them around that price range and they are really capable as well. and the 4.0 wont let you down.

 

[Jeff B]

If you want to get a TJ, this is a decent resource for the good and bad of them
Jeep Wrangler TJ Buyers Guide - Jp Magazine

 

[Wolf427]

My vote goes to the YJ because who doesn't love leaf springs and square headlights?

If you don't like those then TJ for sure.

 

[jeepnjeff]

With that budget, it's going probably put you into the YJ/TJ catagory. And as much as I like YJ's, I think a TJ would be the way to go. I would definitely go with a 4.0L and not a 2.5L if you plan on driving on the highways or live in an area with lots of steep hills. If it's just you then a short wheel base (SWB) is fine but if you're planning on having a second person or like to glamp, you'll want a TJ Unlimited (aka: LJ). Even if you're alone, I would probably recommend an Unlimited for the extra room. In a pinch, you can sleep inside the Jeep without too much trouble.

 

[Fellow Jeeper]

I 3rds the TJ Rubi. Pretty ez to find. Pretty ez to work on and not the 3.8. Plus tons of aftermarket.

 

[BIG4570]

I bought a 2017 Rubicon (JK) I am very happy with it. Many are "upgrading" to a JL so you may actually get a decent deal on a JK.

 

[Rolando]

Well, maybe not in your price range, but with the experience of having had a YJ for 8 years (why did I sell that thing again?) and now a 4-door JKU since 2011, I can tell you that the 4-door is the significant better Jeep in all regards. Mine just crossed the 150k mark and the only thing I had to replace was the starter last year. Otherwise just oils, air filters, spark plugs, and brake pads.

Don't buy into the "3.8 is a bad engine" talk. I've driven the Pentastar in the new JL and it is slow as well compared to any regular car - Jeeps are no race cars and I would rather look for reliability than the x% of additional horsepower on paper which will be eaten by the weight anyways.

My advice would be to avoid going crazy and add 37s, and other most likely unnecessary stuff to it, and rather stay in more "reasonable" areas, such as good 33s and maybe a regearing (and leave the unnecessary camping stuff at home).

With that in mind the benefits of the 4-door (more space inside for people, more cargo space, more stable when wheeling, and yes - a better resale value) are clear, and i would choose a 4-door over any of the 2-doors any time.

 

[OrTrek]

I wouldn't part with my 04 TJ for the world - so a TJ would be my vote. Be careful of frame rust. Look for a west coast one. But TJ's are holding their value. A good one is going to cost a lot more than 5-8K. Here's a great forum centered on TJ's only - Jeep Wrangler TJ Forum .

Or CJ's if you want a project. Those you can find in your desired price range.

 

[Jeepmedic46]

My vote goes to the YJ because who doesn't love leaf springs and square headlights?

If you don't like those then TJ for sure.

My first Jeep was a YJ. Loved it went everywhere.

 

[Jeepjk16]

We have a 2016 JKU Rubicon Hard Rock and love it for kids and travel plus space. But for a cheaper route find a good TJ 1997-2006 with 4.0L 6cyl. They run around for 7k-10k and lots of options for modifying it. My opinion go with a TJ if you're not worried about space as many kids as me. But if you need like I said space, travel, kid space go with a JK unlimited 2007-2018. Either way I know you'll love the Jeep as much as we did.