Corpusfishing.com

sandollar_sa · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:46 am Post subject: OT Jeep Unlimited owner(s)?

Now that the property issue is settled (well kinda. We know what we're not doing. :spoiled: ), the next issue is trading my minivan for something more beach worthy. My Wrangler (90 YJ) was literally the best vehicle I've ever owned in every way. No modifications, just perfect for me as it was. (except no AC...still perfect) It never got stuck once.

Does anyone here have an Unlimited (4 door) & how does it work for you? If you have towing, are you happy with it?
I'm inclined to manual vs automatic & have real reservations re the limited slip differential thing. My only familiarity with that is with 3 wheelers (Honda & one of the reasons we chose Honda over Kawasaki). I'd rather have a live axle. Am I all wet (enlighten me, por favor)?
The only modifications will be possibly the tires/ wheels & some kind of AC set up for the dogs. Anything else would be on a lightweight trailer.

Any thoughts?

medic6 · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:29 pm Post subject:

I have a 2000 Grand Cherokee Limited Edition with quadra drive and tow package. It is an automatic. Tows like a champ. I have used it in some very rough and steep terrain at the ranch, but it has never seen the beach. I would actually hesitate to use it in deep loose sand. I have used it in deep mud, but that has always been out of necessity and try not to do it to often if at all. I just keep letting my wife use it as her everyday SUV and take my Z71 to the beach.
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"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize what you heard is not what I mean."

chuck · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:16 pm Post subject:

Around here you got a bunch of Suburban owners

You could ask just about anything on a suburban an get an answer.

ward438 · Horse Mullet Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 102

I have a 2000 Jeep wrangler Sport. 4.0l six. It's a beast in the sand. I've never been stuck. I've pulled every make and model truck and suv out of the sand with her. I'd jump on a LJ (Unlimited). But be sure to go for a Dana 44 rear. The D35 ( the one I have) is garbage. I haven't broke it yet, but in the future I'm sure I will.

Wranglers aren't good for heavy towing. But if it's a light tow, you'll be alright. If you get an 07+ you can fit 35's stock.
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Not much motion in the ocean...but hey, I'm the captain!

sandollar_sa · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen.
Ward, yes, light as in less than 2000 lbs. The Dana 44 is standard on the rear & 30 on the front. Unless I go for build (which we're considering), I'm stuck with the LSD. :-/ That will undoubtedly add to maintenance after I get back home, but whatever.

Chuck, a Suburban would be great- no trailer required! But I need something more my size. I loved DH's trucks but I hated driving them.

ward438 · Horse Mullet Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 102

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150092686811642&set=a.439018991641.234108.599991641&type=1[/img]
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Not much motion in the ocean...but hey, I'm the captain!

chuck · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:18 am Post subject:

oh don't get me wrong i am just saying a lot of burban owners here

i love those unlimited's, awesome off road machines, you can do so much with them

i have always wanted to do the 4x4 camping trail at big bend state park, but i would need to get a lift and much heavier duty tires for my yukon, a jeep would be better much shorter length than my 800 foot long beast

good luck

just make sure you get one you love, it's good to be in love with your ride!

BluffYakker · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 5:13 pm Post subject:

ive got a 97 wrangler and love it to death. in fact im sure most of the people have seen it driving since its the only one is corpus thats purple and has a rod rack on the front. in the sand its a beast and i even tow my 18 majek with it and it handles it pretty good except for going up hill. id just on and jeep you could find newer that 97. you just cant beat em

sandollar_sa · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:35 pm Post subject:

Bluffyakker, lol I guess you can never get away with anything then.

"just make sure you get one you love, it's good to be in love with your ride!"

Amen.
Sanderson is my second most favorite place in the world, Chuck, so I kinda know what you mean.

(one of the dogs hit submit...not really. but they did distract me)

Ward, your fb page didn't come through even though I signed in. I don't get there much & I understand they changed a bunch of stuff.

We better behave. (lol It's hard not to get carried away with Jeeps)
The topic of this forum is CorpusFishing & the minute this little transportation matter is done, I vow to stay solidly on topic forevermore.
(well, hopefully before that)

delliott00 · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 11:18 am Post subject:

If you're looking at a newer one, wait.... there's a brand new drivetrain coming out in them in 2012 that should be a huge improvement. The current engines are really slow and get terrible mileage.... although they still make excellent beach rides. My buddy had a 2009 auto, it was slow to start out with but after he lifted and added a wheel package he had to upgrade the diff gearing to get it to go up the hills. It felt quicker but then he would get like 11-12mpg. The older ones feel quicker it seems?

I am really digging my FJ cruiser though. Got a good deal on a used 2007 4x4. Gets 20-22mpg in mixed hwy/city and has a great motor. With the locking diffs I suspect it'll go anywhere on the beach I need it to... so far it has plowed through some deep stuff with no issues, and I have yet to need to go 4-lo and lock the diffs. No removable top though.
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-Dave

'06 Century 3200WA, F250s, aka "SuperFishal"
'02 Mitzi 15 Skiff, Yamaha 40
Hobie Outback Angler (his)
Hobie Sport (hers)
Hobie Adventure Island (wind powered!)

sandollar_sa · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 10:03 pm Post subject:

We've thought about it, but I want to get to the beach a few times before winter. The Pentastar is supposedly the same engine that's in my minivan. Maybe it's a weight difference. Maybe I'm just used to 4WDs, but even after my 90 (which was a quick little critter), they don't seem as sluggish as they're portrayed. I drove an automatic 2011 yesterday & it wasn't bad at all.

Toyota makes a great 4WD. I had 2 SR5s in the 80s & loved them. lol The 83 was *really* slow, but it would probably have pulled up a stump. They were great in sand.
That's not bad mileage for a truck.

"I suspect it'll go anywhere on the beach I need it to".
This is what really matters. I rather imagine you're right.