Someone school me on Jeep Wranglers

[Moondog1]

1990 was the last year of the carburator on a Wrangler. It was on a 4.2 6 cylinder. Wranglers went to the 4.0 fuel injected 6 cyl after that. Not sure whats in them today, but thodr straight 6 motors last a long time, and havegood bottom end torque.

V-8s were available till the late 80s.

I think the last CJ's were 86.

I'd definitely only buy something like a stock TJ or newer. I work on my CJ all the freaking time. Also, I would NOT put a daughter in something that's lifted and/or experience death wobble. I don't think I'd trust anyone's modifications for a child without thoroughly inspecting and going through them.

I think most people love driving Jeeps because of the look(most of these new lifted Jeeps and Rubicons are 100% mall crawlers on their 35" tires), like they go off road or do exciting stuff, but it's a very expensive way to get poor fuel economy, go real slow, and not be very safe for a kid.

 

[potenza]

Really, are you buying one that she wants or you want, you can over modify them. They are not fuel efficient. And they tend to want to roll over.

 

[ShooterG]

Keep it simple...
Buy the newest, lowest miles and least modified Jeep you can afford.

Avoid anything with lifts and tires, most are low budget lifts that will ride like ****, handle poorly and cause driveline issues.
Without re-gearing, those cool looking 35's will eliminate 5th gear in a manual and overwork an automatic to death. Plus your speedo will be off, not something you want with a new driver.

This was my learning experience. Bought a TJ with about 6" of lift and 35s. Only test drove it on fairly flat 45mph roads(doing maybe 55). As soon as I started driving it on rolling hills and above 55mph I realized it had NO power at speed, and struggled to do more than 60. Re-gearing cost me about $2k (added rear trutrac as well).
After that it was a whole bunch of fun doing some beginner off-roading, meeting up in north ga with other jeep people, and generally waving my whole commute home. I bought it because I wanted a convertible, not because I was a jeep guy. I enjoyed the off-roading but couldnt justify it vs. the horrible commuting and breaking stuff on my daily driver. Sold it quickly.

One day when I have $10k sitting around with nothing to go towards - I'll buy another Jeep as a weekend and summer toy.

 

[InTune]

This was my learning experience. Bought a TJ with about 6" of lift and 35s. Only test drove it on fairly flat 45mph roads(doing maybe 55). As soon as I started driving it on rolling hills and above 55mph I realized it had NO power at speed, and struggled to do more than 60. Re-gearing cost me about $2k (added rear trutrac as well).
After that it was a whole bunch of fun doing some beginner off-roading, meeting up in north ga with other jeep people, and generally waving my whole commute home. I bought it because I wanted a convertible, not because I was a jeep guy. I enjoyed the off-roading but couldnt justify it vs. the horrible commuting and breaking stuff on my daily driver. Sold it quickly.

One day when I have $10k sitting around with nothing to go towards - I'll buy another Jeep as a weekend and summer toy.

Mine is a toy. Would hate to be a daily driver. Went through the same with the re gearing. Quality parts and an eaton locker and it was 3 grand. Tires, another grand. Sound sys. to drown out the wind noise, 500 and my labor. It eats more money than a boat but hey, its a Jeep. 3 inch lift on 32's geared 4:56

 

[Moondog1]

Mine is a toy. Would hate to be a daily driver. Went through the same with the re gearing. Quality parts and an eaton locker and it was 3 grand. Tires, another grand. Sound sys. to drown out the wind noise, 500 and my labor. It eats more money than a boat but hey, its a Jeep. 3 inch lift on 32's geared 4:56

I think if my 3 speed CJ on 32's had 4.56 gears it would only go about 45 mph lol.

 

[InTune]

To the O.P. .... New driver? Jeep? No way. Usually a fender bender or 2 before they learn and pray no one is hurt. If she were mine, a Crown Vic or F-150. To get some experience behind the wheel

 

[potenza]

She needs something like a Honda, Toyota

 

[DinkyDau]

She needs something like a Honda, Toyota

Bingo!

 

[InTune]

She needs something like a Honda, Toyota

Accord or Camry all damn day

 

[troutman]

My insurance agent told me that for a new driver, Jeep insurance was the most expensive with Mustang being a close 2nd. We bought my son an old Nissan Xterra.