New from Peoria

[kpfetz]

Hi Everyone,
I just found this site and I'm impressed with the knowledge here. I don't own a Jeep yet but am thinking seriously about it. I currently have a dirt bike but recently broke my ankle so my wife thinks I'm getting too old for bikes(65). I had thought about a side-by-side or dune buggy but it sounds like Peoria PD is really cracking down on street licensed off-road vehicles so Jeeps are sounding better and better. Could anyone tell me whether it makes a big difference between a 4 or 6 cyl.? The 4's seem to be cheaper and I would think more economical with gas prices the way they're going. This vehicle would just be for dirt roads and easy jeep trails so I don't think I would need a lot of power. Any info and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Pete
kpfetz
Peoria:)

[Tom Schenk]

economical :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:

But seriously, I've never heard anyone with a 4.0 say- man I wish I'd gotten a 4 cylinder. ;)

Where you at in Peoria?

[RandyT]

I have heard the the savings in fuel is not sunstantial. Get a 6 you wont be sorry.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Welcome, Get a I-6!! More torque for the trail and 4 bangers have bad resale.

The word Gas Milleage and Jeep can never be used in the same post!

Jason

[Wayco]

Welcome, Get a I-6!! More torque for the trail and 4 bangers have bad resale.

The word Gas Mileage and Jeep can never be used in the same post!

Jason

Unless you add the word "BAD" to it!
Just in case you didn't notice, Jason sells Jeeps, and from what I hear, will work his :asshole: off to get you a good deal....

[YJINAZ]

Yea

I never heard someone say the 6 cylinder was much power:D

If you ever want to go to Flagstaff you will wish for at least a 6.

Glendale at 59 and T-Bird

[howhypno]

Pete, welcome aboard! I'm at 75th and Camelback. I agree with everyone on the 6 cylinder. Not a huge amount of power there but really good torque for the trails. Too bad I just sold my 91 Cherokee last week!

[kpfetz]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the quick replies. So it sounds like I should stay away from the 4 cyl. and go for the 6. Any preference as far as auto or stick? I think I'd prefer stick unless there's a good reason to go with the auto. Could anyone tell me the overall length of a Wrangler? I'm trying to decide if it will fit in my garage and still have room for two street bikes. By the way, I live near 91st between Union Hills and Beardsley.
Pete
kpfetz
Peoria:)

[cosninocanines]

Welcome! Here is a link to another jeep forum with all the TJ specs 98 to 06 Wranglers.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452871

When I was shopping around several Jeep people told me to look at the TJ,s for various reasons mainly the ride. I was always looking for an unlimited for the additional cargo space with a large dog to fill it up. Got the 4.0 (6cyl) and 6 speed tranny, I love it, don't really do the heavy rock crawling but up here in Flag theres plenty of hills and canyons and never have any problems with clutch or finding the right gear. I must admit I'm partial to standards and the auto folks will have as many good things to say as well in the end it's your preferance for how you like to drive.

[OlneyJeeps]

largely depending on what you are going to do, but from my experience (53 Jeeps), Auto no question. Recently acquired 99 TJ 6cyl w/5spd and hate it so much drove to CA to purchase 32RH which hopefully Ademster will be helping me install. Why? traction loss on steep hill = near death white knuckle ride; solid hookup (aka clutch) between wheels and engine= broken parts (since AT conversion in CJ7 ZERO broken parts). Torque converter = torque shock absober.

BTW 78 CJ7 V8, AT, d300, 44 rear, locked f=R, LOTS of upgrades for sale CHEAP (see "old blue" thread)

99 Sahara 6cyl, currently 5spd (but could include AT), hard top, detroit locker front, auburn elec locker rear, chrome moly axles + more $8500 (gotta pay for divorce)

[Offroad Rubicon]

If you are looking to relax and drive... the Auto is the way to go without a doubt.

[Offroad Rubicon]

Hey Guys,
By the way, I live near 91st between Union Hills and Beardsley.
Pete
kpfetz
Peoria:)

Hi Pete,

I live North of Jomax off 67th Avenue in your neck of the woods... if you are ever looking to hit some trails around the house let me know.

Brian

[kpfetz]

Hi Brian,
Sounds like there are quite a few Jeep owners in this area. I'd love to go out with you and some of the other experienced members when(and if) I get a Jeep. Unfortunately I have to recover from a broken ankle from a dirt bike accident and then sell two dirt bikes(mine and my wifes) before I can start looking. I don't think it will be too hard to sell the dirt bikes and then I'll be raring to go. Too bad it'll probably be 100 degrees by then but I'll have to get a Jeep with air. Looking forward to meeting you all!
Pete
kpfetz
Peoria:)

[Offroad Rubicon]

Hi Pete,
Good luck with the healing! I saved my Rubicon from a garaged life in Oregon... the poor thing had never even seen a trail. :) Keep us in the loop when you get up and rolling.
Brian

[PerilousCustoms]

Welcome Pete,
I used to live in Peoria around 83rd and Deer Valley (parents still do) from '89 to '99. It was a lot of fun in those days when you could just jump on a quad or dirt bike or Jeep and ride anywhere between there and Lake Pleasant without a hassle. Those days are long gone.

On the Jeep, I would also recommend the 6 cyl over the 4. I have a TJ with 2.5L 4 cyl, 5 sp, Atlas 4.3:1, and 4.88 gears w/ 35-37" tires. I never really needed more power for crawling over rocks, but everywhere else, it's underpowered. I bought it with a 4 cyl only because I had planned to swap in a V-8 later and didn't want to waste an extra $1000 for the I-6. Like someone else said, you don't hear anyone say that the 6 has too much power, but you will hear that from people with the 4.

Auto vs. manual is really a personal preference thing. There are many pros and cons to each. If you search on it, you'll find many many opinions on that topic. Personally, I feel that a manual with low enough gearing gives you more control, especially down hills. I just starting wheeling with an auto and haven't adjusted to it yet. So far, I still prefer the manuals.

What dirt bikes are you going to be selling? My wife works with someone that is looking for a bike and I didn't like the look on her face when she asked me what mine is!

[kpfetz]

Hi Scott,
Appreciated your comments along with all the others that have responded to my questions. Everyone on this forum seems very friendly and helpful which is really great(especially for someone like me that knows next to nothing about Jeeps). My dirt bikes are a 2005 Honda CRF450X which is fully dual-sported and street licensed with turn signals, brake light and horn; my wife has a 2006 Yamaha TW200, the one with the fat tires. Both are lightly used, hers has only 504 miles and we bought it new.Hope to meet you on the trails,
Pete
kpfetz
Peoria:)

[AZXJ]

Welcome aboard!


Dave

[kpfetz]

Hi All,
Turns out my sister-in-law has a Wrangler Sport she bought new in 2000 and is thinking of selling. It has the 6 with manual shift, AC, 80,000 miles and appears to be in good shape. It has never been off-road and I don't think she ever put the top down. It's never been in 4 wheel drive- could this be a problem after 8 years? The price is $9,500, in looking in Autotrader that sounds like a pretty good price(though more than I wanted to spend). Could you give me some opinions on this, both price and the non-use of the 4-wheel drive system for so long? Thanks for any info and I may be seeing you on the trail sooner than I thought(though still have the 2 dirt bikes for sale)
Pete
kpfetz
Peoria:)

[PerilousCustoms]

That would be a good model to get, IMO.
The 4 wheel drive not being used for long periods of time can cause problems. I bought a CJ once that had not been in 4 for 3+ years. I found that the needle bearings in part of the transfercase had worn grooves into a shaft from sitting in the same spot for so long. It made a chattering sound and vibration in 4Lo. The TJ transfercase are less likely to do this since the front axle and front driveshaft are turning at all times since there are no manual hubs to un-lock the axle shafts. I'd put it in both 4Hi and 4Lo and see if everything sounds & feels ok. Otherwise, the parts should be in good shape since it hasn't been "broken-in" yet off-road. :) I haven't priced one lately, so I'm not sure on that part of it, but that sounds reasonable since you said it looks good.

[cosninocanines]

Sounds very reasonable IMO the 4 wheel issue shouldn't be a problem. Engage the high range and drive around the block (don't worry about pavement for this short test) listen and feel (hand on shifter) for uneven or jerking vibrations. Going around corners or turning while backing it is normal to jerk or vibrate. If you do buy the first thing I would do is drain and replace the transfer and transmission fluids. Most of all remember the Jeep moto "Just Empty Every Pocket".

[htpr]

Hey kpfetz! I have a 97 TJ Sport that's in good shape. Just shy of 123K miles, 6 cyl, 5 spd man. A little dusty from the breast run and it was first time seriously off road in AZ rocks but it has had its share of off/on road both east and west.

I live in Goodyear and we can meet somewhere between if you'd like to see it. I've been thinking of selling it in the $5K range, per Autotrader and BB values, and may even be interested in some type of trade with your CRFX. PM me if you're interested.......thanks!

Rod

[Offroad Rubicon]

Hey kpfetz, keep us posted on what you do. Post some pics. See you on the trails!