Jeep brahs

[M-17]

The Wrangler and Cherokee are the 2nd option on my list as winter beaters and taking either one of them off road would be a plus.

Why an automatic? Maybe for a Cherokee, but I probably wouldn't look for it I was going for a Wrangler.

Thanks for your input @Skippman.

[Chewie4299]

@M-17

I agree completely with what @Skippman said aside from the "must be auto" part. I whole heartedly agree that it is definitely a more comfortable drive. My TJ (Wrangler - 2006) was a 6-speed. It took a serious amount of adjustment driving that when I was coming from a 2003 Evo.

Basically had to get used to shifting at 3k RPMs max since the 4.0 (great motor) is built for low-down grunt and the upper half of the RPM range is an afterthought and just harsh.

My current 98 XJ (Cherokee) is auto.

The reason auto is preferred is because when it comes to serious off-roading you can very easily find yourself perched in a position where you need to manipulate braking, throttle, and clutch all at the same time to climb safely. Some of the MT guys actually go as far as mounting a secondary hand throttle to the shifter that they use with their thumb.

These situations are much easier to manage in an auto but can be handled with an MT as well. I'd typically drop into 4-Lo (these vehicles will climb a tree in low range.... very handy) and then slowly let off the clutch with my foot on the brake until the I could feel the idle start to inch the car forward then I'd let off the brake slowly while releasing the clutch and switching to the gas pedal when necessary.

There were times when driving my TJ, especially in traffic, sucked and I wished I had an auto since between the powerband and gearing the low gears are pretty harsh. Also the clutch pedal travel is absurd.

Outside of traffic it was enjoyable and the manual tranny/clutch are VERY durable and reliable. I did require that my XJ be an auto when shopping for it.

MAN.... I JUST realized how much I really do miss being able to go topless.

[M-17]

The reason auto is preferred is because when it comes to serious off-roading you can very easily find yourself perched in a position where you need to manipulate braking, throttle, and clutch all at the same time to climb safely. Some of the MT guys actually go as far as mounting a secondary hand throttle to the shifter that they use with their thumb.

Thanks @Chewie4299. That makes a lot of sense. I've seen a few shows of off-roading (climbing) competitions on ESPN and wondered what that was.

All of this info will definitely be put into my consideration for either vehicle. That is if I don't keep my Legacy around.

[Skippman]

@M-17 what Chewie said is exactly what I was going to. He gave you some rock solid advice. I prefer an automatic after owning two manual YJ's. I damn near flipped one of them because of the manual tranny on Poughkeepsie Gulch, one of the tougher trails outside Ouray, CO. If I'd had lockers I might have been ok. Stalled it and the thing lost power. By the time I got the brakes locked in and stopped sliding I felt sure I was going end over end. Not a good day.

[Chewie4299]

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjACMq2s

Here's s some pics of my 2006 Wrangler.

I do miss it. I hate that I don't have any pics from the period where I had big MTs on it. They all look stock.

[Chewie4299]

Here's a really low res one!


0405072023 by Chewie4299, on Flickr

My buddy's XJ and a YJ that showed up that night both got stuck because wrong tires. YJ had a winch so we were good.

[bdub85]

If you want a rig for wheelin, get a TJ. You can literally get any part you can think of, and you can set them up to do pretty much anything. My TJ runs black trails all day with no problems. It is not a daily driver though. I'm lucky to get 15-16 mpg. lol

[Skippman]

Originally Posted by bdub85

If you want a rig for wheelin, get a TJ. You can literally get any part you can think of, and you can set them up to do pretty much anything. My TJ runs black trails all day with no problems. It is not a daily driver though. I'm lucky to get 15-16 mpg. lol

Thats what my JK gets. You know you're in trouble when you're buying a sports car to get better mileage.

[EZWood]

Speaking from experience my grand Cherokee is awesome and very capable. Being coils all the way around it is very comfortable offroad, but being so heavy and coming with a Dana 30 and 35 stock the drivetrain is very weak and requires a lot of upgrading if you are gonna do any real 4 wheeling. I have over fifteen thousand in upgrades for my zj that have been done including labor for the stuff I didn't feel comfortable doing, but that's something else to take into consideration when choosing a rig. Do your research for what you are thinking about getting, and if you have any questions I can be of help.

[Chewie4299]

Heading outside to do an oil change on my XJ.


I was a little surprised yesterday when I checked my notes from 1/28/13 to see when an oil change will be due and realized I'd done 4000 miles since then.

I'm using full sythetic so I SHOULD be fine but I'm doing it anyway.

[BlaineWasHere]

I used to have a 99 WJ. Been thinking about getting a 97-99 XJ to do something similar with but I know It's not the best thing for my spare cash right now...

[Chewie4299]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsQ_jr8bvWg&feature=share&list=SPEF0E157AE 97E1954"]2012 Jeep, Red Jacket Edition - Jay Leno's Garage - YouTube[/ame]