Old timer advice

[agpr2016]

For those that have had their jeeps for a while and have been a part of the forum community for a long time, what advice would you give to those looking to order their first Jeep within the next year or two?

What's something you would have done differently in your Jeep journey?

Obviously how we order our wranglers from the factory and how we MOD it depends on our end goals which are individual and differ from others, but still, what's the most important thing you have learned that would benefit new comers?

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[Traveller128]

Really do usage analysis of what you actually EXPECT to do with the Jeep, not what you THINK you will want to do with the Jeep. 90% use case, not speculation on future gung ho offroad trips.

Figure out your mechanical skill set, be realistic, and order things you won't yourself realistically install yourself, unless you have deep pockets and can pay others to put your accessories on.

Order the gearing you need for your expected use. Don't order a sport with the intention of putting 35's and 37's on it, that will need better gearing.

 

[Tncdrew]

Find yourself a really nice low mileage, one owner TJ, and never look back! ?

Edit; 4.0L of course! ?

 

[davewald]

Don't over estimate what you plan to do with it, but also don't under estimate what you will do with it. I bought my latest one with the intention of pulling it behind a motorhome but wound up running the Rubicon Trail and other BoH trails, as well as using it for mall crawling and hauling grandkids around. Thus, a JL Sport would have sufficed for my initial intent, but the JL Rubicon was what I wound up needing (and bought), but I still wound up with many upgrades.

 

[NPC 20883467]

 

[Heimkehr]

For those that have had their jeeps for a while and have been a part of the forum community for a long time, what advice would you give to those looking to order their first Jeep within the next year or two?

1. Don't wait any longer than is necessary. The recurrent Wrangler price increases have at times been punishing. They actually caused a family member to walk away from a planned purchase due to literal price fatigue.

2. Be honest with yourself as it regards Need vs. Want. The former might be the most overused word on this forum. If you want something, get it, but don't let the misperception of "need" distract you from making sound budgetary decisions.

3. Purchase the Wrangler for yourself, not for the next owner. Don't think or worry about resale valuations until it's necessary to do so.

4. The competent DIYer will likely have a better ownership experience than will the person who depends on the CDJR dealer network to maintain and/or repair his Jeep. While this isn't necessarily fair, it is a sober acknowledgement of the community's collective and well-documented experience in such matters.

And finally,

5. If you don't post photos of your Jeep purchase and travels, then they didn't happen.

 

[Dusty Dude]

The KISS rule applies here. How long do you plan on keeping it? How do you plan on using it? Commuter, mall crawler, beachcomber, rock crawler? What percentage of each? Is this or that option something that you will really use?

 

[davewald]

Also, buy some ducks. You'll make most other Jeep owners smile and piss off the rest. Both are gratifying.

 

[BRuby]

For those that have had their jeeps for a while and have been a part of the forum community for a long time, what advice would you give to those looking to order their first Jeep within the next year or two?

What's something you would have done differently in your Jeep journey?

Obviously how we order our wranglers from the factory and how we MOD it depends on our end goals which are individual and differ from others, but still, what's the most important thing you have learned that would benefit new comers?

a) What advice - Make sure a Jeep will do what you need
b) Done differently - Nothing
c) Important thing learned - Expect to deal with issues

While being a vehicle that has been at the Dealer the most for TSB and warranty work - this JL has been the most enjoyable to drive in the toughest of conditions.

If you can live through the issues that crop up - and can overcome that - you will be good. Just read through the threads that have 50-100+ pages and you will understand the issues that can crop up.

At the moment - after 5 years of pros and cons - our Jeep is near perfect. Haha! Not many can say that after 5 years. Would we switch to another comparable or newer or more costly 4x4 - No.

That says something. As this little beast does everything we need it to. And really a lot more if we pushed and needed or wanted more from it.

 

[AcesandEights]

Two-door, manual trans, 4.88 gearing and 3.6L is the answer. I don't remember the question, but that's the answer.

 

[rcadden]

In addition to @Heimkehr's awesome advice above, I would add:

1. Resolve not to buy any performance-related mods until you've owned it for at least 3 months, or have taken it wheeling at least twice.

When I bought mine, I was all ready to throw on a 2" lift, 35s, and a bunch of other junk. Thankfully, I was involuntarily handcuffed by budget, because it turned out I didn't need any of that stuff to use my Jeep exactly how I want to. A 1.5" puck lift installed in my garage and 33" Rubicon take-offs have covered me just fine. I've not yet found a trail that I actually want to tackle that I couldn't. Haven't felt held back at all.

Set up a tracking spreadsheet, add stuff there as you find it, and then revisit it a few months later. You'll be surprised what you don't actually need or want.

2. Don't get sucked into the Rubicon hype.

If you need a Rubicon, then of course, order one. If you don't know what the Rubicon-specific features are for, then you probably don't need one. Whatever money you save at the dealership is money you can invest elsewhere (either on your Jeep or otherwise).

3. Join your local Jeep club(s).

Yes, clubS. Your area may vary, but there are no less than 5 legit Jeep clubs in my local area, plus a handful of more generic offroading groups. You don't need to be active in all of them, but give them each a shot - go to a meetup or a trail run with them, see what they're like. Narrow it down to 1-2 groups that you really click with, and engage.

4. Invest in tools and knowledge

Jeeps are like LEGOs for adults. There are very few things that you need to do that you really need a shop to do. Not a knock on shops - there are times and reasons to let a professional handle it, but having your own tools/knowledge will help you be a better educated consumer. You'll be able to better gauge when a labor estimate is padded too much, or if it's something you can do on your own in your garage, etc.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Value mechanical options over luxury. Fancy stuff wears poorly and breaks easier.

If resale value is a consideration, then take the best care of it possible. A well cared for 10 year old Sport is worth more than an 10 year old average Sahara or beat up Rubicon.

And as stated above, pay upfront for bigger tires and lower gearing if that is the plan anyway. Doing so after the fact costs more and those mods ad nothing to the resale or insurance value, so in the end you lose out twice.

 

[DwnSth]

Get the 392 loaded out and be done with it. If you want a crawler to beat on the trails look for a used TJ or JK. That being said we do wheel our JLURD but not to the level I would with our TJ even though I know the JL is probably just as capable as the TJ in thier current configurations (JL on 37's with mopar 2" and full skids and diff armor - TJ 4" currie on 35's lockers front and rear).

 

[five9dak]

Go wheel a rented jeep or ride shotgun in a nearly stock one offroad. You'll probably realize the sport is more than you need and save a boatload.

 

[TrailScooter]

Don't ever join a Jeep forum.

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