Megawatt
Well-Known Member
This GC followed us on the hells revenge trail all the way to the end when we were in Moab for a jamboree. He pumped up the air suspension to the highest setting and had the time of his life.
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Well..it appears that there are a LOT of people on this forum that feel the same way about the Ranger. Just look at the number of people who claim they are buying extended warranties. Some have paid over $2k for them. The only time you buy the extended warranty is when you do not trust reliability.It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand ?
Jeep makes some very highly rated SUVs, but they seem to frequently start having issues around the time the warranty runs out.
One of my co-workers leases a new GC every 3 years so he never runs into any serious issues and has nothing but praise for them.
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Not all that impressive, a Kia Sorrento can do that. (smirk, smirk)
This GC followed us on the hells revenge trail all the way to the end when we were in Moab for a jamboree. He pumped up the air suspension to the highest setting and had the time of his life.
How cute a video clip of one obstacle. Hells revenge is an all day 8+ hr trail. Pull up the videos of a old dude driving a crown Vic in Moab, that’s a good one.Not all that impressive, a Kia Sorrento can do that. (smirk, smirk)
Thanks, now I'll have to look! You're right though, many outback tracks here were done in 2WD sedans in the 50's and 60's before 4x4 were widely available ( and considered essential) of course cars were simpler and sturdier then. It's not what you've got but how well you use !How cute a video clip of one obstacle. Hells revenge is an all day 8+ hr trail. Pull up the videos of a old dude driving a crown Vic in Moab, that’s a good one.
Here is my 1980 CJ7 hardtop. Renegade Package. Wish I’d kept her too. But I did keep the 1960’s model that’s on my arm. ?It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand ?
Jeep makes some very highly rated SUVs, but they seem to frequently start having issues around the time the warranty runs out.
One of my co-workers leases a new GC every 3 years so he never runs into any serious issues and has nothing but praise for them.
A Jeep, well at least the Wrangler anyway, is a bit of a lifestyle statement as well as transportation.
Currently owning a Jeep from the Daimler era (2004 Grand Cherokee) and having owned a 1979 CJ7 (should've kept it) and a 2017 Wrangler (glad to see it gone), a Jeep is a fun vehicle.
A Wrangler is like dating a hot psycho girl: Great to look at, great to be seen with, fun to be with, but a PITA to actually live with.
Some people are willing to put up with the "quirks" and will defend to the death that they are a perfectly acceptable for a vehicle that spends 98% of its time on pavement. Just don't compare MPG, ride quality, noise, or water sealing (my hardtop always leaked).
I discovered that I wasn't a Wrangler person. I like my near 20 year old GC better than I ever like my Wrangler. It's more capable (Quadradrive that is perfectly functioning. Gerotors in the front and rear axles) than any stock Wrangler other than a Rubicon, and far more comfortable and practical. The same trails that My Wrangler (Big Bear with 3.73 gears, 265/70/17 tires, and rear L/S) used to work at, my GC simply walks through them, though I did have to install a slight lift to clear the 265/70/17 tires.
Whew, long winded post. If you made it this far, let me close with this.
I decided I was going to build myself a V8 overlanding SUV and had narrowed my choices down to a V8 4Runner (2006 -2009) or a Lexus GX470 from the same era based on all the raves on Expedition Portal.
Many were waxing poetic about the power from the Toyota V8. So I drove one and my first response was "Where's the power I was expecting? Maybe it's just this one?". So I drove a few more (8 total, 4 of each) and they were all the same. So I expanded my net to include the WJ Grand Cherokee with solid axles front and rear, specifically only the 2003 and 2004 models since most of the "quirks" were worked out by then.
The standard 4.7 V8 felt about like the Toyota, it was OK but not that impressive. Then I drove one with the 4.7 HO and THAT was what I was looking for. My search narrowed to an Overland from those 2 years until I found the one I have.
I have no doubt that one of the Toyotas would be more reliable. I also have no doubt that my Overland is much more FUN to drive. I've spent a lot of time and $$ getting mine to where it is both a great DD and an impressive off roader.
So, it's a Jeep thing, and I do understand.
That's a great post Dennis and I love that comparison to dating a hot psycho girl! Been there and done that, unfortunately!It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand ?
Jeep makes some very highly rated SUVs, but they seem to frequently start having issues around the time the warranty runs out.
One of my co-workers leases a new GC every 3 years so he never runs into any serious issues and has nothing but praise for them.
A Jeep, well at least the Wrangler anyway, is a bit of a lifestyle statement as well as transportation.
Currently owning a Jeep from the Daimler era (2004 Grand Cherokee) and having owned a 1979 CJ7 (should've kept it) and a 2017 Wrangler (glad to see it gone), a Jeep is a fun vehicle.
A Wrangler is like dating a hot psycho girl: Great to look at, great to be seen with, fun to be with, but a PITA to actually live with.
Some people are willing to put up with the "quirks" and will defend to the death that they are a perfectly acceptable for a vehicle that spends 98% of its time on pavement. Just don't compare MPG, ride quality, noise, or water sealing (my hardtop always leaked).
I discovered that I wasn't a Wrangler person. I like my near 20 year old GC better than I ever like my Wrangler. It's more capable (Quadradrive that is perfectly functioning. Gerotors in the front and rear axles) than any stock Wrangler other than a Rubicon, and far more comfortable and practical. The same trails that My Wrangler (Big Bear with 3.73 gears, 265/70/17 tires, and rear L/S) used to work at, my GC simply walks through them, though I did have to install a slight lift to clear the 265/70/17 tires.
Whew, long winded post. If you made it this far, let me close with this.
I decided I was going to build myself a V8 overlanding SUV and had narrowed my choices down to a V8 4Runner (2006 -2009) or a Lexus GX470 from the same era based on all the raves on Expedition Portal.
Many were waxing poetic about the power from the Toyota V8. So I drove one and my first response was "Where's the power I was expecting? Maybe it's just this one?". So I drove a few more (8 total, 4 of each) and they were all the same. So I expanded my net to include the WJ Grand Cherokee with solid axles front and rear, specifically only the 2003 and 2004 models since most of the "quirks" were worked out by then.
The standard 4.7 V8 felt about like the Toyota, it was OK but not that impressive. Then I drove one with the 4.7 HO and THAT was what I was looking for. My search narrowed to an Overland from those 2 years until I found the one I have.
I have no doubt that one of the Toyotas would be more reliable. I also have no doubt that my Overland is much more FUN to drive. I've spent a lot of time and $$ getting mine to where it is both a great DD and an impressive off roader.
So, it's a Jeep thing, and I do understand.
You mean the watch ???Here is my 1980 CJ7 hardtop. Renegade Package. Wish I’d kept her too. But I did keep the 1960’s model that’s on my arm. ?
So did I. And it was great for the same reasons, the only thing I had left stock was the 4.0L engine and the roll bar padding. Oh, and the carpet. The trouble is that once you build a jeep for nothing but trail use, it begins to suck in new and intesting ways as a daily driver. And then one day, you end up on a trail that's just a *bit* meaner than your build and realize that you're going to end up spending a lot of money, again, to redo what you've already spent a lot of money on. And if you do, you're going to need a truck to start trailering your jeep to and from the trails..Had a jeep. It was great, after I replaced every stock suspension component. The Jeep was biggest money pit I ever had. Maybe they were better back in the day before FCA/Stellantis
People underestimate how far you can go with a stock Jeep, and most often spend tons of money on mods for very little gain in capability, and even less gain (most often, a loss) in durability. I’m certain that the same can be said about our Rangers. It’s good to know when to get out and walk.So did I. And it was great for the same reasons, the only thing I had left stock was the 4.0L engine and the roll bar padding. Oh, and the carpet. The trouble is that once you build a jeep for nothing but trail use, it begins to suck in new and intesting ways as a daily driver. And then one day, you end up on a trail that's just a *bit* meaner than your build and realize that you you're going to end up spending a lot of money, again, to redo what you've already spent a lot of money on. And if you do, you're going to need a truck to start trailering your jeep to and from the trails..
Ah yes but that 4 litre engine is a gem of sturdiness and durability! I read a story (may be true, sounds not unlikely) The reason that engine and the 265 it is derived from are so good dates back to the early 1960's when American motors wanted to realease an economy version of their sedan with a I6, the engineers were told to make it thick and sturdy so it had a similar ball park weight to the V8, and that meant they wouldn't have to build two different front suspension specs. When Chrysler took over AM they looked at that engine, kept it on, and changed very little.So did I. And it was great for the same reasons, the only thing I had left stock was the 4.0L engine and the roll bar padding. Oh, and the carpet. The trouble is that once you build a jeep for nothing but trail use, it begins to suck in new and intesting ways as a daily driver. And then one day, you end up on a trail that's just a *bit* meaner than your build and realize that you you're going to end up spending a lot of money, again, to redo what you've already spent a lot of money on. And if you do, you're going to need a truck to start trailering your jeep to and from the trails..
As long as you avoid the 1999-2002 models of the engine where cylinder heads cracking and piston skirt failure are pretty common.Ah yes but that 4 litre engine is a gem of sturdiness and durability!
And fuel efficiency too!Ah yes but that 4 litre engine is a gem of sturdiness and durability!