Jeeps

Can't say much on the Jeep specifically, but I drove a 1980 FJ40, daily, for 10 years. Took the top off in April and put it bach on in Oct. for the first few years. Married and had another car, but I loved that Landcrusier. It was loud, hot/cold and just loved gas. 11 to14 MPG and it had 9.50x31s on it. Would go anywhere I wanted. I think everyone ought to have a CJ or similar at least once in their life, and college age is the best choice. Now, they have a hi CG and are very unforgiving in the handling dept ,and that is stock. A lift can make them plain terrifing to drive. A friend had a pretty hi CJ5 and I did not like the on pavement behavior. Thays why my FJ40 stayed stock. Go for it, but get ready for a gas bill, it may be 2$ now but it's not going to stay there. UP side is there is always a marhet for Jeeps, they are FUN

Oh, paid 3000$ for the FJ40 in 1984 and sold it last year to be restored for ....3000$, 120,000 miles and untold smiles later!

Lifted jeeps can be a terror on icey roads, as has been mentioned.
If he goes lifted, make certain the pitman arm and idler arm are the ones needed for a lifted vehicle, as otherwise steering and stability take another hit.
A lot of them still need vibration dampners on the steering, as they start to shake without ovbious cause. Just like the old Ford twin I beams did.

CompTrex said:

Ok gang.
My son (18 in a few weeks) wants a Jeep. All he wants is 2 door, lifted a bit, and big wheels. Plans to take it to school in the fall where it'd be better in the snow than his Mustang.
Thoughts on Jeeps?

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Is a worse vehicle possible? Get him a Subaru for the snow.

Joshua Caldwell said:

Is a worse vehicle possible? Get him a Subaru for the snow.

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He'd love that as well, a wrx...

Bert said:

Lifted jeeps can be a terror on icey roads, as has been mentioned.
If he goes lifted, make certain the pitman arm and idler arm are the ones needed for a lifted vehicle, as otherwise steering and stability take another hit.
A lot of them still need vibration dampners on the steering, as they start to shake without ovbious cause. Just like the old Ford twin I beams did.

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Bert is correct on the stability on a lifted Jeep. Mine was only 1.5", and was 'pretty stable' as far as Jeeps go, but a good friend of mine, Denny, had his little brother killed when he rolled his (Denny's) 6" lifted CJ5. Kind of apples and oranges from the CJ's and YJ's, but high CoG and short wheelbase is a recipe for disaster at higher speeds.

Joshua Caldwell said:

Is a worse vehicle possible? Get him a Subaru for the snow.

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+1 there Josh! My daily driver is a '92 Subaru SVX. Always AWD, and laughs at snow.

Edit: If for some strange reason my Elio falls though, my next DD will be a WRX (maybe even an STi )

CompTrex said:

Ok gang.
My son (18 in a few weeks) wants a Jeep. All he wants is 2 door, lifted a bit, and big wheels. Plans to take it to school in the fall where it'd be better in the snow than his Mustang.
Thoughts on Jeeps?

Click to expand...

I have a 1995 Jeep Wrangler, 4.0 litter high output, automatic, AC, hard top, PS, PB. Bought it used in 2000. Run BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A standard size.
I have about 165,000 miles on it. It has been a good reliable car. It's tight coupled so it takes a little getting used to. If he wants a lift kit and big wheels, make him get it done by a professional.

I've been driving a 95 Jeep Wrangler for about 20 years now. I couldn't ask for a more reliable vehicle. However, it's just stock and has never been lifted. I think it sits high enough as it is. The mpg is so-so, but it's been paid for about 15 years, so the cost of driving it is far less than a new vehicle!

Oh, and it just went over 240,000 miles all put on my me!

I have had a few jeeps in my life. The last was an 89, it was a good car that I had for 10 years. It was killed in a crash, it got totaled by a red light runner. It was mostly stock and had a hard life but still ran fine. I even took it to Spain for 2 years when I was stationed there. I also drove it across country 2 times from Cape Cod to San Francisco. As for driving they take a bit getting used to being so short you felt everything. On snow or ice it did want to spin and I did one time driving to see my parents on 95 just outside Providence RI in a big snow storm. The newer ones ride better than the ones before the late 90s. I also liked having the top off and the half doors which made for a very nice open feeling. But keeping people from stealing your items left inside it does not work very well. I made a welded aluminum box that took up the rear of my jeep to keep items in that I did not want stolen that I bolted to the floor with the bolts made to go.d the rear seat in. I also installed an 8 track in the dash and left Elvis tapes laying on the floor to keep thieves away. My real stereo was in the front of my aluminum box.
So if your son wants to keep his things stick with a car with a real roof, but an old jeep is a lot of fun.

My daughter has a 2014 Unlimited; bought it new and paid cash for it.
It's the 4dr, she has a 6" lift on it and some monster tires (I think 36 or 38's). It has every creature comfort in the world on it.
I normally drive my 2008 Dodge Nitro. The 2 are about the same length & width; but mine is stock height and stock tires.
After driving mine then driving hers I'll take mine for street driving and hers for off road ONLY. Hers is so much work on the streets and highways, you're tired by the time you've driven 30 miles.
She feels the same way and that why it is now for sale. She decided to sell it 3 months after she got it.
Anyone that thinks they're fun to drive full time doesn't own one.