Mickey85
New Member
- First Name
- Matt
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2021
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 5
- Location
- Valparaiso, IN
- Vehicle(s)
- 1983 Jeep CJ7
- Thread starter
- #1
Hey all. I just finished restoring my Dad's old CJ7, and while I love it, it isn't exactly the best thing for family trips and such.
I also have a 2012 Mustang GT that, while absolutely a blast to drive, isn't all that conducive to comfortably fitting my 3 month old son's car seat (we can do it, but it really isn't the greatest). It's a wonderful road trip car however.
I bleed Jeeps (Dad brought me home in the CJ, I've had an XJ and WJ), and am aware that they're quirky critters, and that live axles are a whole different experience than independent suspension.
Given the used car market, I've been seriously considering trading in the Mustang for a 2 door Wrangler. TBH, I'd like it to be pretty much a newer version of the CJ - manual trans, 6 cylinder, hard top, limited slip rear, and all terrain tires.
In reading the message boards, I have some questions. I'd love to test drive a 2 door manual, but there are absolutely no JL's in my area that tick both of those boxes (and the 2 doors are really hard to find anyway).
1. The manual trans. I know it's double overdrive, and I have no illusions about a Jeep being a race car - is it really as bad as not being able to use 6th gear below 70mph? With my CJ, 120hp and 2.73 gears means that it never sees 5th gear. Like ever. Same idea?
2. Can you stick a rear facing car seat in one while having the front seat still usable?
3. Longevity - is the 3.6 the same as that in the JK? Are there common problems that haven't been addressed yet? (I'm seeing head gaskets being a thing)
4. I hear the clutch is pretty garbage - are there any other known issues to watch out for that would cause it to fall on its face?
5. I also understand that the double battery for the start/stop feature is a potential issue. Is the second battery replaceable? Is there a way to disable the system? I know that message boards are like automotive WebMD's, so in real life, how many failures actually happen?
Thanks guys. I don't want to trade the mustang for a mistake here...
I also have a 2012 Mustang GT that, while absolutely a blast to drive, isn't all that conducive to comfortably fitting my 3 month old son's car seat (we can do it, but it really isn't the greatest). It's a wonderful road trip car however.
I bleed Jeeps (Dad brought me home in the CJ, I've had an XJ and WJ), and am aware that they're quirky critters, and that live axles are a whole different experience than independent suspension.
Given the used car market, I've been seriously considering trading in the Mustang for a 2 door Wrangler. TBH, I'd like it to be pretty much a newer version of the CJ - manual trans, 6 cylinder, hard top, limited slip rear, and all terrain tires.
In reading the message boards, I have some questions. I'd love to test drive a 2 door manual, but there are absolutely no JL's in my area that tick both of those boxes (and the 2 doors are really hard to find anyway).
1. The manual trans. I know it's double overdrive, and I have no illusions about a Jeep being a race car - is it really as bad as not being able to use 6th gear below 70mph? With my CJ, 120hp and 2.73 gears means that it never sees 5th gear. Like ever. Same idea?
2. Can you stick a rear facing car seat in one while having the front seat still usable?
3. Longevity - is the 3.6 the same as that in the JK? Are there common problems that haven't been addressed yet? (I'm seeing head gaskets being a thing)
4. I hear the clutch is pretty garbage - are there any other known issues to watch out for that would cause it to fall on its face?
5. I also understand that the double battery for the start/stop feature is a potential issue. Is the second battery replaceable? Is there a way to disable the system? I know that message boards are like automotive WebMD's, so in real life, how many failures actually happen?
Thanks guys. I don't want to trade the mustang for a mistake here...
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