Would you buy a new Heep?--seriously

[DaveInDenver]

+1.
Toyota forgot me a long time ago it seems. I'm thinking I have upgraded nearly everything on the Chili that I would have upgraded on a 4-door Rubi.

A few years ago (OK, 13 years ago now) I bought a brand new Ford Ranger after driving beaters (1956 Plymouth, 1978 Ford, 1985 Chevy leading up to a 1983 Civic) for the first 9 years of my driving life. I was 25, single, good job, lots of cash. It had 6 miles on it's odo when I took it home. We brought it out here about 6 months after getting it. I owned it outright after 3 years, even. I sold it in 2000 with 70K on it and in that span it got a new transmission, 2 intake gaskets (the 4.0L V6, seems it had a poorly machined mating surface and blew out intake gaskets), both front wheel bearings, one hub (seized WB at 33K ruined the spindle), rear driveshaft u-joints, rear axle seals and a heater core that split a seam.

The 1978 FJ40 I got after it was much more reliable and that's not saying much (right Root?). In comparison my '91, well there is no comparison. And so far our 4Runner (which is at I think 42K) has had zero days in the dealer other than oil changes. And to listen to current Dodgechevyford owners the quality doesn't seem any better. No thanks, as far as I'm concerned the domestic brands had their chance and have lost me for good. The Rubicon might be a well spec'd truck on paper but I'll never know personally first hand. Heck, my dad is still anti-Japanese and has had 3 GM mini vans since I bought my pickup. The first one (Chevy Astro) had a tranny fail and the second (GMC Safari) had a rear end lock up on him on the highway. The one he has now has been fine so far, but it's only a couple of years old. Sorry, but a 33% success rate is exactly why GM is getting what it deserves for all I care.

Am I being too harsh? Maybe, but in around 9 years I've spent less time wrenching on my 18 year old truck than I did in 4 years on a 4 year old truck (it had a 36K warranty and so I did all the work on it after the first 2.5 years). But I also don't have high hopes that the 4Runner won't start being a PITA with all the electronics in it, so maybe I just expect too much. I do know that my truck will return itself to the Earth naturally with me as the last owner...

 

[leiniesred]

If/when my 4Runner blows the engine, I'll probably part it out and go get a Jeep JK 4door Rubicon. Saw one new for $26,999 yesterday in our parking lot.

Why? Well the top comes off. I think I have the newest possible USA Toyota truck that has that feature, and it is 20 years old already.

The made in USA Jeep Rubicon has a 4:1 T-case, front and rear lockers, solid front axle, coil springs, and $140 worth of "lift kit" later and I am clearing 35s. (Sure I'll want to regear too, but I can handle that.) After market parts are easy to find to add some beef to the Dana 44s. I'd have a winter commuter rig, respectable weekend wheeler, and the top would come off!

I understand that an FJ80 could come with a solid front axle, lockers front and rear, etc, but the top doesn't come off without some pretty SERIOUS mods and the effort ($) to fit 35s is a lot higher too.

I've paid my Jeep dues with a 1980 CJ5. My "expectations" of a Jeep are already set (low). One thing I remember is that we always seemed to have a great time in the old CJ5. I'm sure my father-in-law would appreciate me getting a Jeep JK. (He has a TJ he cut in half, added 10 inches, linked, locked Dana 60s, Vortec V8, Atlas T-case, 37s...)

 

[Red_Chili]

As a Jeeper said when he passed our group with a broken Toyota, and expected the normal hazing:

They all break.

Yup. They all do.



I like the 4Runner concept a whole lot more than Toyota does apparently. I would do a 4-door JK without much thought.

Except I would have to put an FJ grill on it so I could hang with y'all. Hey, if buggies qualify that would qualify!!

 

[Hulk]

The four-door Jeeps Rubicons are pretty sweet. A guy I work with bought one a few weeks ago. He just took it up Rollins Pass until the snow got so deep he couldn't go any further.

The annual "Auto" issue of Consumer Report came out recently. One thing that was interesting is that the quality of Ford vehicles is just behind Japanese vehicles -- they have gotten much better. GM and Chrysler still lag behind, but their quality has improved over the years; it's just that it's still behind the benchmark set by Honda and Toyota.

 

[Red_Chili]

Toyota is having their fair share of recalls however. I don't know if sludging is still a problem in '09 but it sure cost some low mileage engine replacements for some folks. Right out of Fordville.

Well, here is a thought... since Toyota has made some sweet running gear/chassis combos (none current IMHO), and Jeep seems to have come up with an interesting body with removable top... A JK on an 80 chassis? Still have the expensive lift to deal with.

OK, OK, I admit it. I have reached the stage where no one really makes a vehicle that I would be completely happy with. I will have to build my own. What will it be?

1) An FJ45 4-door soft top on a modern chassis a la Waggoner.
2) A 4-door 2002-ish Taco with some kind of weatherproof JK top grafted on. I guess. Don't think I could engineer that one satisfactorily though.
3) ...? Dunno.

I am at a loss. Hope the Chili doesn't slip into a black hole or something, I doubt I will ever beat that as far as fitting my ideal. I'm getting too old to try for that again.

 

[wesintl]

I drive a vw.. I might as well drive a jeep.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Well, here is a thought... since Toyota has made some sweet running gear/chassis combos (none current IMHO), and Jeep seems to have come up with an interesting body with removable top... A JK on an 80 chassis?

How about a 22R powered Rover?
http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/features/rover/0611_4wd_1957_range_rover/index.html

Xota...
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=69712

 

[Mendocino]

Bill, I think you need anything with a 400 hp fuel injected small block and appropriate drive train.

 

[RockRunner]

I would not mind the 4 door Rubi, we looked at it before and after we got the FJC. I liked several factors of the Jeep one being the top and the storage. Pull the rear seat and you can nearly sleep in there. One of the things that really turned me off as many others was the lack of power. If you do the $140 lift with 35-37" tires you better re-gear because it has a problem moving.

I really can't compare the FJC to the Jeep except for the fact that they were going after a similar crowd. There are too many differences to be the same or similar. Besides that was not the question.

I would buy a Jeep with a warranty! Some have had great luck while we have all heard the problem stories. I would have to get the warranty since I don't wrench on the engine or most of the drive train. I like the look of the Jeep especially lifted and the aftermarket support is crazy. So yep I would buy one since I do not see any other car company making a vehicle I would want to buy AND wheel for a real world price.