BajaNomad - Looking for Jeep TJ or YJ and advice

Looking for Jeep TJ or YJ and advice

Tiomiguel - 12-15-2007 at 09:13 AM

I am a looking for a Jeep for down in Bahia Asuncion area for offroading and to use as a driver down there. Must be in good shape, reliable and capable on highway as well as offroad. I am thinking a removable hardtop but am looking for advice on the best options for light offroading down in Baja.
Any ideas and advice are welcome from all the experienced. Is this the best option vehicle for down there.
Thanks to all.

bajaguy - 12-15-2007 at 09:59 AM

how about a Suzuki Samauri or a Chevy Geo Tracker.....cheap, fun, take the top off, and relatively easy on the budget to drive or repair

comitan - 12-15-2007 at 10:06 AM

:yawn:

Tiomiguel - 12-15-2007 at 04:13 PM

Yeah, Somebody else suggested that, just that my kids are huge, 6'9" and 6'7" so don't fit so well in small vehicles. We need some room for them to ride or drive.

bajaguy - 12-15-2007 at 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tiomiguel
Yeah, Somebody else suggested that, just that my kids are huge, 6'9" and 6'7" so don't fit so well in small vehicles. We need some room for them to ride or drive.

How about with the top off????........ :lol:

comitan - 12-15-2007 at 06:53 PM

Isuzu Trooper lots of headroom, there is a reason Mexicans love them, well built.

Barry A. - 12-15-2007 at 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
Isuzu Trooper lots of headroom, there is a reason Mexicans love them, well built.

Yeah, but almost impossible to find, and they are not made anymore. And when you do find one they are expensive. I have an '89 4-banger 4 door that has 150K on it and I LOVE IT!!!! Also, not that good for somebody as tall as those kids.

Fatboy - 12-15-2007 at 07:19 PM

Why a TJ or YJ? If they are going to be sitting in back they are not going to like the SWB (Short Wheel Base) jeeps much better than a Suzuki. Having had many jeeps in the past, I have some idea on what works for me.

We done two 10 day trips to baja in a TJ and it was very crowded with two adults, two kids, two kayaks and all of our camping gear.

It sounds like it might be just a daily driver for you and if that is the case here are some thoughts on them...

YJ 1987 to 1995 (personally, would never buy another) you had several engine options -

2.5L 4cyl hard to find one with low miles and while they work OK they do not have the long term reliability the inline sixes do. Gutless on the on highways and hills, OK offroad and they well get better mileage offroad than the 4.2/4.0L engines

4.2L inline sixes - Avoid like the plague. the motor itself is fine but the carb. setup well give you nightmares.

4.0L inline sixes - Awesome setup, even better with an H.O. version. Only possible drawback might be offroad mileage. It is not bad, just not as good as the 4cyl.

Suspension - Leafs all the way around and not very smooth ride

TJ 1997 to ??

Several engines I will just cover the ones I have any experience with...

2.5L Pretty much the same as the YJ's with a small boost in power, sometime around 2000 they came out with a new 4 cyl with even more power. Can be picked for several grand less the 4.0L versions

4.0L Pretty much the same as the YJ again

Suspension- Here is were the TJ's really shine. Coil Spring over solid axles all the way around. Much better ride, much better offroad all other things being equal.

Price would be pretty close for a 4 cyl TJ versus any of the YJ's with some shopping.

TJ's also have all the creature comforts including Driver/passenger airbags.

Fatboy

cbuzzetti - 12-16-2007 at 12:41 PM

You are definetley not going to like the Jeep for head room even with a long wheelbase model. I have the 05 Rubicon Unlimited and there is no room for anyone bigger than 5'8" in the back seat. It is OK for a couple of kids but that is it.
On road and off road milegae is bad at best. That is why you always see a Jeep with gas cans on the back. I get 16 mpg at hiway speeds 10-12 around town. They lack power comfort and all other things that we take for ganted in other vehicles.
They are great for off road adventuring if that is what you will use it for alot then this is your vehicle. If not buy something else.
Yeah I own one, no I don't think they are great vehicles. Just a great way to get into the back country.

Barry A. - 12-16-2007 at 12:58 PM

I have a 2007 Nissan X-terra with the Calmini 2" lift all around accomplished by beefing up the rear leaf springs with add-a-leafs, and putting a spacer ABOVE the front coil-over spring/shock assembly--------ride is stiff, but not objectionalble at all.

I am 5' 10" and have about 3 inches of head clearance both in the front and back seat.

6 cyl gets 21mpg on the road, 16 off road. Lots of power. Very comfortable both on and off road (with the Calmini package) and my wife agrees. Stock, the springs are weak, both front and rear.

Very competant, with a rear elec. locker, and 11 inches of ground clearance.

Realiability has been rather good on the "X".

You might want to look at the X-terra's---quite a few used ones around, at least up here in the northland.

barry

Ken Cooke - 12-18-2007 at 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tiomiguel
I am a looking for a Jeep for down in Bahia Asuncion area for offroading and to use as a driver down there. Must be in good shape, reliable and capable on highway as well as offroad. I am thinking a removable hardtop but am looking for advice on the best options for light offroading down in Baja.
Any ideas and advice are welcome from all the experienced. Is this the best option vehicle for down there.
Thanks to all.

The inline 4.0l engine is reliable - yielding approx. 300K mi. The TJ has a coil sprung suspension that is more comfortable to drive, but is more expensive than the YJ - which is easier to work on yourself. The TJ is air-conditioned, and if you are looking for a hard top, you will definitely want the air conditioning. If you are doing simple trips into the desert, a 4.0l machine with 3.73 gears and 31" tires on a simple 2" suspension lift will do just fine.

If you have tall kids, you could go for the LJ which has a lengthened wheelbase.

I know that the Jeep does not get the best mileage, but it is built for off road travel rather than on-road driving. When you are looking for a vehicle this specialized, you have to make a decision...

Decisions...

Decisions...

[Edited on 12-18-2007 by Ken Cooke]

Gadget - 12-18-2007 at 03:52 PM

Just remember, if you by a rag top, you will be sucking any dust you make while driving around. Our folks have a soft top Slugzuki at BoLA and they are over it. They will be selling it off and finding a hard top something with AC so they can pressurize the cabin when driving around on dusty roads or windy days.

SiReNiTa - 12-19-2007 at 10:24 PM

not another trooper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

mtgoat666 - 12-20-2007 at 11:36 AM

Quote:

Jeeps are OK for 2 short people with no gear. Miserable for 3+ people or anyone with gear for car camping. Jeeps with removable or soft tops are dust suckers, so plan on carrying 10 gallons of water to take a showeer when you reach your destination. Jeeps are for drivers under 6'0" Anyone taller will get cramped legs/head in front, and back seat will not fit people taller than 4'3" :lol:

Japanese 4WDs are much more reliable :lol:

Hook - 12-20-2007 at 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Japanese 4WDs are much more reliable :lol:

I've owned both and the Jeep is alot more fun than a Taco. It'll go more places, too.

If he's just using it for a little running around at Asuncion/Tortuga, etc., the fun trumps the overall comfort and carrying capacity of a Taco.

Besides, you can get racks that will increase the carrying capacity of a Jeep dramatically. Off the back, off the top..........

But forget about a third adult in there. Heck, those kids are too big for probably anything but a full-sized pickup.

jimgrms - 12-20-2007 at 03:27 PM

If the kids are that big make them buy there own jeep

Ken Cooke - 12-26-2007 at 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Jeeps are OK for 2 short people with no gear. Miserable for 3+ people or anyone with gear for car camping. Jeeps with removable or soft tops are dust suckers, so plan on carrying 10 gallons of water to take a showeer when you reach your destination. Jeeps are for drivers under 6'0" Anyone taller will get cramped legs/head in front, and back seat will not fit people taller than 4'3"

Another falacy posted by our friend Mt Goat 6 6 6.

I stand 6ft0 and I have plenty of headroom and legroom thanks to my adjustable seats and adjustable steering wheel. I just flew to Colombia in Economy Class, so I know what Cramped feels like.

If you run a SAILCLOTH soft top, you will not get dust sucked into the cabin. These tops made by BESTTOP are of excellent construction and serve well in dusty environments. I sold mine when I bought the hard top, but I wish I still had the soft top for my daily commute. I do have allergies by the way, but with a paper element air filter placed above the air element between the hood and the windshield, you wont get dust in your cabin...period.

I also run the rear internal rack by AllJProducts, so I am able to carry the same amount of gear as when I had my single cab Ford Ranger pickup truck. I also run the Garvin spare tire carrier rack on the back of my Jeep where I fit my spare tire, hilift jack, Coleman ice chest, tow shackles, and everything works really, really well.

I do like Japanese vehicles, and I have nothing against them. I just like when people post true, unbiased accounts on whether something works or not. A Japanese vehicle is reliable, but the nonstraight axle rigs are problematic over time with CV joints needing replacement, and the eventual lift kit needed for running a taller tire.

On the runs I have hosted over the years, I have seen where a straight axle rig will perform better on slow action trails than an IFS rig. I have seen parts fail or need constant attention on the trail on an IFS rig when on a straight axle, these problems were nonexistant.

If you are driving down washboard dirt roads and want to get there fast and in style, a toyota or Nissan pickup will do the job well. If you are doing some intermediate trails and want to camp with a friend or two, the Tacoma will get you there without incident. But, if you are out to tackle the Pole Line Road, the rock quarry in Tecate, or the Rosarito Beach copetencias, you had better bring a Jeep, a straight axle Toyota (or one that has an All Pro OffRoad axle swap kit), or you better sit on the sidelines or stay at home.

People like Mt. Goat 666 just dont have a clue. He doesnt condone people running actual trails that have become overgrown because of his environmentalist crusade, he doesnt take his rig on challenging sections of trail, and he doesnt even have photographs of his rig posted on this site. For all we could know, he is just some poseur that cruises the streets of San Diego like the rest of those sport truck fags.

Ken Cooke - 12-26-2007 at 03:49 PM

Garvin Wilderness equipped Jeep Wranger TJ.

Smittybuilt Safari Rack

Kilby Enterprises TJ Interior Rack.

Kilby Enterprises has designed and developed a rack specifically for the Jeep TJ. The Kilby rack mounts inside the Jeep to give you two layers of storage space for those long weekend trips. The installation is quick and easy, allowing you to re-install the rear seat when you need it.

Measures 48" wide, 32.5" deep and 4" tall.
Constructed of 1" square tubing and expanded metal.
All joints are fully TIG welded on the outside and MIG welded on the inside.
It can be used with both the hard top or soft top without interfering with the soft top bows.
No drilling is required. We use two factory bolts on the sports bar and four factory holes in the rear.
Sits 17" off the floor giving you plenty of storage space below.
Powder coated in a Satin Black and use over sized hardware. Why? Because it's simply the best on the market!
Includes everything needed to install quickly and easily.

KE-TJ-R1: $449.95

This Tire Carrier System (Rear Bumper w/Returns and Shackles, Rear Tire Carrier, Rubicon Rack, Gas/Water Can Mounts and Holders, and the Hi-Lift Jack Mount was custom made for one of our customers. He needed a very sturdy and high quality Tire Carrier for his 40" Baja Claws! All J Products' Tire Carrier System is well known for being the ONLY tire carrier on the market that will handle all of this weight and still not rattle, shake, or bend under the pressure!

Clean Air for the TJ

I can't take any credit for this modification because my buddy, Scott Kruize, came up with this idea. I've not done it to my TJ so I really can't give you any additional information past what is in this write-up. Scott sent me the pictures and I told him I would put it on my web-site so that the other dust choked folks could appreciate the ease in which they too can become dust free. Considering how straight forward it is, I think you will be able to duplicate the results with just the help of the pictures. This is one of those mods that requires you go dig through the hardware store a bit (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) to come up with the pieces and parts, albeit there are not very many of them. Sorry, I don't know the part number for the K&N filter.

When you have a half dozen Jeeps winding there way down the back road that leads to the trail, it can get pretty dusty if you are near the rear of the group. If you would rather have dust free air blowing in through your vents, this low budget modification is right up your alley. Of course, if you routinely run topless or you leave the doors at home, then this will do little for improving the "in cab" environment.

Ken Cooke - 12-26-2007 at 04:07 PM

6ft0 and 226 pounds, and I wouldnt be smiling if i were cramped all the way to Playas de Tijuana where this photo was taken.

Avoid the BFG AT KO and BFG MT KM if you plan on real desert wheeling. Otherwise, bring a friend, a couple of spares, a hilift jack, all of your tools, etc. I am say this from experience, not some MT Goat bull-sxxt.

When you buy a Jeep, you also buy into a fraternity of friendly, like-minded folks that like comeraderie and dont mind joining other Jeep owners for trips into the desert. Toyota people arent this close knit on the trail, but are definitely brand loyal, however. I just havent witnessed any TTORA events happen in Baja...ever.

shari - 12-27-2007 at 08:48 AM

Wow...thanks for all that guys...I sure hope tiomiguel gets one....I wanna be in THAT club!!! Looks like a gas....he really just wants it for the family running around these parts.

Tiomiguel - 12-31-2007 at 11:43 AM

Thanks load for all of the information. I really appreciate it. I am down in Bahia Asuncion now, it seems with all the rest of the Nomads and will work on it for maybe next year. This forum rocks when it comes to getting information on this kind of stuff and it looks like I am right about the Jeep as being a good alternative and Sirena does not want another trooper around, even though they do work.
thanks again, will post when back.
Happy New Year to all.