What older Jeep Wranglers to avoid

Jackalope wrote:
I don't know that I'd be that nailed down.

Yes, the Rubicon is indeed the king when it comes to off-road. But unless you plan on doing serious off-roading, any of the standard Wrangler's will do fine. Believe it or not, even the four-cylinder is a fine off-road machine. The limitations of the 4-cylinder have more to do with keeping up with highway traffic on interstates than off-roading...and if you're towing it on interstates, I don't know that this would be a major liability.

My point here is that the Rubicon will cost thousands more...as well it should for such a great off-road platform. But it's one that only 1% of Jeep owners ever need. Only you can assess just how much off-road you'll be doing.

That's a good point about the Rubicon. The opposite is also true. If you plan to do any serious modifications, the Rubicon isn't really necessary either. For example, if you're going to regear, then you're better off doing your own lockers than the Rubicon lockers. The same is true of mode of the upgrades that the Rubicon TJs come with. I specifically looked for a non-Rubicon, as I've replaced most of the parts anyway, and it wasn't worth paying the premium for the stickers on the hood.

I would, respectfully, disagree about the 4-cylinder. We use our 6-cylinder as our toad, and yes, the majority of highway miles are when it's being towed. But we do a lot of day-trips in it, some of which require an hour or more on the highway. The 4-cylinder is less than ideal for that. The 6 cylinder is acceptable, but by no means great on the highway. I've been working with Banks on their new Sidewinder Turbo for the TJs & LJs, and it's awesome. But I would avoid the 4-cylinder if I were looking for a TJ.

trnfla wrote:
Wow... Thanks everyone, it seems like I will stick to the TJ Rubicon model.

I don't know that I'd be that nailed down.

Yes, the Rubicon is indeed the king when it comes to off-road. But unless you plan on doing serious off-roading, any of the standard Wrangler's will do fine. Believe it or not, even the four-cylinder is a fine off-road machine. The limitations of the 4-cylinder have more to do with keeping up with highway traffic on interstates than off-roading...and if you're towing it on interstates, I don't know that this would be a major liability.

My point here is that the Rubicon will cost thousands more...as well it should for such a great off-road platform. But it's one that only 1% of Jeep owners ever need. Only you can assess just how much off-road you'll be doing.

Jeepforum is a good place to start your research. The link below takes you to a page with sub forums for YJ, TJ, and JK. Each of those has a FAQ thread. Start educating yourself there.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f113/


Also - a key decision is auto or manual transmission. I like auto's, but don't want to start a debate on that (kind of like gas vs. diesel, the debate will never end). My point is decide which type of trans you want, then investigate the transmissions choices per year. In general, 2002 and earlier had a 3 speed auto (the 32RH, well regarded, but only 3 speeds). 2003 brought the 4 speed auto which allowed broader gear choices, but some don't like the shift points on the 42RLE. I think there has been a transmission change somewhere during the JK run also (probably came with the new Penstar engine in 2011 or 2012)

I bought a new 79 cj7 with 304, in spring of 1979. We towed this jeep all over the country, coast to coast, behind our rv for about 4 years. Never had a problem created by towing, of any sort. Like most, used a straight towbar with bumper brackets. Loved it wish I could afford to buy another.

ArcticDodge wrote:
.... and I've driven or rode in several variations over the years.

One was my 2004 TJ, the other was my 2012 JKU-R (JK unlimited, Rubicon)

I used to have a 1991 wrangler with the 4cyl soft top. When everything started to either break or leak, I traded it for a new 1998 with a 4.0l 6 cyl hard top and it was a huge improvement in every way. Gas mileage was the same, much more power, better ride/handling, and much more comfortable. Our family outgrew it and sadly had to sell it. If I was to get another it would be an unlimited. Good luck and enjoy!

I was told that only the 1979 CJ7 used that particular transfer case.
I really don't know the truth of the matter, just what I was told. That, and the solution to the problem; disassemble the transfer case and weld fins on one of the sliders.
For other opinions, go here:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/one-more-d300-flat-towing-question-1333245/index2.html

Interesting... I towed my '85 CJ7 for many years without any issues at all, yet I've heard several times in recent years that doing so would have killed the trans or transfer case. Was I just lucky?

I agree with the comments above - the coil springs and the extra length of an Unlimited are well worth the extra cost if you're looking to pick up a TJ. And just FYI for the OP - as you may have seen - TJ Unlimited's are often referred to as LJ's.

mowermech wrote:
"Some "Nam" versions were what's known as the M51 "MUT". Those jeeps were a disaster."
Almost, but, sorry, no.
It was the M151. It was so dangerous that special training was required before one was allowed to drive it. I know, because I was sent to the class, and was licensed to drive the original M151. I don't know where the "MUT" came from, we never called it that.
The M151A1 was somewhat better, although still kind of dangerous if not handled correctly.
The M151A2 was a much more civilized version, and could be safely driven by almost anybody. Of course, there were ALWAYS exceptions!
Many of the M151 series vehicles were built by Ford.

Just for the fun of it, I dug out my 1977 Jeep Owners Manual, and looked up "Recreational Towing":
Manual transmission; ignition key to OFF position to unlock steering, transmission and transfer case in Neutral, selective drive hubs to LOCK (if equipped).
Automatic Transmission Without Quadra-Trac Low Range Reduction Unit; Ignition OFF to unlock steering, transmission in Neutral, disconnect both driveshafts and secure to underside of vehicle or remove completely.
Automatic Transmission WITH Quadra-Trac Low Range Reduction Unit; Ignition switch to OFF to unlock steering, auto transmission in PARK, Low Range Reduction Unit in Neutral. NEVER TOW WITH THE EMERGENCY DRIVE CONTROL KNOB IN THE EMERGENCY DRIVE POSITION OR THE LOW RANGE REDUCTION UNIT IN LOW RANGE!

Mowermech,
Sorry about the incorrect terminology. I'm not sure where the term "MUT" came from either. In many of our camp fires while at Moab for the zillion years we attended the Easter Jeep Safari, that term was associated with that M151. I forgot the "1" too that goes in front of the M51 so it is the M151. In any case, as long as we "endured" Jeeping, about 25 years in many western states, I don't think we ever saw ONE of those M151s being used on any trail.
Scott

"Some "Nam" versions were what's known as the M51 "MUT". Those jeeps were a disaster."
Almost, but, sorry, no.
It was the M151. It was so dangerous that special training was required before one was allowed to drive it. I know, because I was sent to the class, and was licensed to drive the original M151. I don't know where the "MUT" came from, we never called it that.
The M151A1 was somewhat better, although still kind of dangerous if not handled correctly.
The M151A2 was a much more civilized version, and could be safely driven by almost anybody. Of course, there were ALWAYS exceptions!
Many of the M151 series vehicles were built by Ford.

Just for the fun of it, I dug out my 1977 Jeep Owners Manual, and looked up "Recreational Towing":
Manual transmission; ignition key to OFF position to unlock steering, transmission and transfer case in Neutral, selective drive hubs to LOCK (if equipped).
Automatic Transmission Without Quadra-Trac Low Range Reduction Unit; Ignition OFF to unlock steering, transmission in Neutral, disconnect both driveshafts and secure to underside of vehicle or remove completely.
Automatic Transmission WITH Quadra-Trac Low Range Reduction Unit; Ignition switch to OFF to unlock steering, auto transmission in PARK, Low Range Reduction Unit in Neutral. NEVER TOW WITH THE EMERGENCY DRIVE CONTROL KNOB IN THE EMERGENCY DRIVE POSITION OR THE LOW RANGE REDUCTION UNIT IN LOW RANGE!