Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Ok. (I have done some reading and am ready to sell my soul and swap from Toyota to Jeep.

So new play thing is on the cards, the lux project is over.
Wanting to buy 2nd hand, and something thats already modded, I'm over starting a new project.

I want simple, TJ, Wrangler of sorts.
33's, lockers, winch.
Something for weekend club trips in Vic and camping.

Questions:
What models to look for?
What models to stay away from?
Manual/Auto (Is there a preference in Jeep world?)
How old is too old, at some point age is killer on all cars, so at what year range should I look at.
What price am I looking at? (Is $15,000) achievable for something useable and reliable?
Hardtop/Softtop, pros cons?

Really after real users info on what works and doesnt to help me with my search of a new car...

I dont really use a car during the week, so it will go to the shops, church on sundays, a couple of long highway trips skiing over winter and weekenders to toolangi and the like...

school me people.

only schooling you need with the purchase of a Jeep is how to hip thrust correctly with your pants down in a conga line at mardi gra.

I have a JK, not a TJ. it has a hard top and a soft top. I use the soft top. It is louder and hotter in the sun and I also get soaked when opening the door in the rain as the air pressure pushes all the water off the roof dumping it on me. But knowing that if you tap or slide into a tree (which i have done now twice) you won't crack the hardtop is worth it enough. Plus every so often you get to do the whole open top thing and I have to admit, it is kinda nice.

don't know much about them but Look for a TJ with the 5spd manual as the 6spd is not a long living unit. The 3spd auto hangs down less than the 4spd. Lockers are good - they will strengthen the diffs considerably leaving the weak points on a non abused vehicle the Uni joints. But as per usual Jeep fashion there's about a zillion upgrade paths.

my personal observation is that Jeeps simply do no last as long as a Jap car. 150,000km is a walk in the park for the Jap 4wds but on a Jeep this sort of mileage makes them feel old and clunky. A jeep can often feel much older than it really is, but the issues are usually minor and easily resolved. That's just american motoring i think.

PS: despite all the negatives and basic common sense I have to suggest you do go down this route. they are alot of fun.

i now have a new sig line

who would have thought that just one nut would have such an affect on your hormones!

The TJs are essentially the same from 97 through to 2007.

The engine had a slightly different head and coil pack from 2000 on - otherwise it pretty much the same 4.0 straight 6 that has been around for ever.

The gearbox is the main change...you can google for the changes. Some people say the AX15 5 speed used until 99 is not as strong as the NVG3500 from 2000 onwards until the 6 speed came out but plenty of people run then with big tyres no problem. Manual / auto your choice...I think one of the auto's was prone to getting mud into it and you had to make a extended breather - I have a 5 speed manual but would probably go auto if 'my time over.

The diffs are D30 front, D44 rear on all TJs.

Your budget will get you what you are looking for in the earlier models. There's two locked/lifted TJs on AusJeepOffroad right now that are all spec'd up with good gear...around your budget.

My pref is for a hardtop. Comes with full doors / glass rather than 1/2 doors with zipper windows for a start. And it's cheaper to unbolt the hardtop and get a bikini top than shop around for a second hand hardtop and doors.

Looked after the TJs are very reliable IMHO. A common complaint is cracking the factory exhaust manifold (especially pre-2000) hence a few around with extractors anyway.

I would definately encourage trying to find an auto. Allows you to be nicer to the rest of the drivetrain, and is just more pleasant to drive when in low range travelling between obstacles. In fact, i reckon the auto is almost as much of an advantage as a locker when it comes to climbing stuff. Cant say I know if the same would apply to Vic terrain, but certainly true here in NSW.

Take your time and find the right rig, your budget should give you plenty of options, and as always with modded 4by's, its a buyers market!
Good luck with it mate!

Rick.

Before you buy a car you always test drive it first!!! be nice if you could drive a jeep at your liking off road first to make sure thats what you really want????

Hey all,
good info from all the Jeep guru's - so to bump up again -
if the Jeep guys had a pick of the bunch (wrangler swb) wich would it be??? also which would you guys steer clear of ???????
Looking at MAYBE buying wrangler $15 - $20k range, I have been around them in the past so know how good the moded ones are offroad - but will be looking more into tuff tourer and towing a small camper - keep the info coming guys
Cheers Toby

Yom wrote:only schooling you need with the purchase of a Jeep is how to hip thrust correctly with your pants down in a conga line at mardi gra.
I have a JK, not a TJ.

Yom seems to get confused between the TJ & JK
As mattC said generally the TJ's proved to be pretty reliable units unless abused (and even then sometimes).

Personally I'd say look for a stick not an auto for the TJ. the 3spd simply is outdated and 3 gears isn't enough. The 4speed auto hands down too far without a lot of work. Plus it's easier to convert a 5speed manual to a 4speed auto (eg XJ AW4) than it is from a 3 speed auto.

I like the hardtop - but I detest fulldoors compared to half doors....although window sliders are definately recommended.

Don't worry, I have one now!

ToNkA wrote:Don't worry, I have one now!

Pics or ban

I would strongly suggest looking at a jeep rocsta, These are a great vehicle out of the box and are very capeable.

The fuel savings over other jeeps makes mods more affordable and they are unstoppable on the trail.

RUFF wrote:

ToNkA wrote:Don't worry, I have one now!

Pics or ban

This is the Jeep section Tony, get out of here!

It's currently on a truck down from FNQ.

It's killa's (from OL and AusJeep) old jeep....

Will be changing a few things, and will put it up in the members section soon enough, but this is a pic from the previous owner...

Thats a nice TJ.

Have fun with it.

ToNkA wrote:

RUFF wrote:

ToNkA wrote:Don't worry, I have one now!

Pics or ban

This is the Jeep section Tony, get out of here!

It's currently on a truck down from FNQ.

It's killa's (from OL and AusJeep) old jeep....

Will be changing a few things, and will put it up in the members section soon enough, but this is a pic from the previous owner...

Wasnt that the guy that had all the dramas with it after the floods up there?

Yeah, its a total lemon.

Floods? What? haha

Nice Jeep

ToNkA wrote:Yeah, its a total lemon.

Concidering how bitter you have become you should make a good couple

Love you too Ruff.

Wooders wrote:

Yom wrote:only schooling you need with the purchase of a Jeep is how to hip thrust correctly with your pants down in a conga line at mardi gra.
I have a JK, not a TJ.

Yom seems to get confused between the TJ & JK
As mattC said generally the TJ's proved to be pretty reliable units unless abused (and even then sometimes).

Personally I'd say look for a stick not an auto for the TJ. the 3spd simply is outdated and 3 gears isn't enough. The 4speed auto hands down too far without a lot of work. Plus it's easier to convert a 5speed manual to a 4speed auto (eg XJ AW4) than it is from a 3 speed auto.

I like the hardtop - but I detest fulldoors compared to half doors....although window sliders are definately recommended.

Ok so a 5 speed hard top (i like the hard tops too) window sliders???, Anything I should steer clear of ??

big_slart wrote:I would strongly suggest looking at a jeep rocsta, These are a great vehicle out of the box and are very capeable.

The fuel savings over other jeeps makes mods more affordable and they are unstoppable on the trail.

I didn't know Jeep made a rocsta model - do you mean ASIA rocsta - anyway sorry if I'm going to convert I want a real JEEP

Ignore Slart, Colin got to him and he thinks the Tooth Bunny and Easter Fairy are real still..