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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Jeep Unlimited-I'm shopping around
Can anyone give me their opinions on the Unlimited models of the Wrangler? I understand they have an 8 inch longer wheel base and more cargo capacity
behind the rear seat. Are there any other options associated with this or is it dependent on which model (X, Sport, Sahara, Rubicon) this chassis is
on?
Is the on-highway ride in the Unlimiteds considerable better, all other things being equal (shocks, wheels, tires, suspension)?
I am looking at a Sport Unlimited that has a 6 speed manual, 4.56 gears in front and back, 35 inch tires. It also has some aftermarket modification to
the steering up front to accommodate the increased tire and wheel sizing. Is that very advantageous? I'm also concerned at how well the power steering
pump will handle the increased turning friction, the weight up front (also has an aftermarket bumper up front that is heavier). Is this an issue?
This is a later model Wrangler with the four coils. It's got a Pro Comp 4 inch lift on it. What is the ride gonna be like on the highway with this
setup? I dont plan on driving great distances with it............just commuting my 7 miles and toodling around on dirt roads in the desert and mtns.
Will it beat the living crap out of me if I take it over 100 miles on road? Of course I plan on test driving this thing.
Any issues with these manual trannys OTHER THAN THE SYNCRO RECALL THAT THE OWNER ALLUDED TO?
In fact, this is a 2005 model. Any issues with these I should know about? Owner claims that this year has a TRANSFERABLE 8yr/100k drivetrain warranty
that is not offered in later models. True or false?
Finally, the owner talked about some kind of driveshaft or driveshaft coupler modification it has that he says solves the problem of a lifted
tranny/transfer case being higher than the pumpkins in front and back. What is that thing?
Thanks for any advice..............and I hope the moderator wont delete this purely offroad post.
If so, I'd like to add the question of how this might handle on the Pole Line Road?...........
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David K
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Hook, as a former Jeep owner (but still a big fan) I would seriously consider the Rubicon package to make it more off road ready from the get-go. Do
check out http://www.Jeep.com to look at it (new models, of course). The Wrangler TJ became even bigger in '07 with the introduction of the JK model and the
longer Unlimited now has four doors.
See Ken Cooke's trip report photos from his Baja Grande, Mission Impossible, and Pole Line Road group trips... seems to me there was an Unlimited
Wrangler in there.
[Edited on 1-9-2008 by David K]
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Hook
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I should have mentioned that I am not in the market for a new one, David. I never buy new unless they are about giving them away.
Definitely considering the older two-door Unlimiteds.
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David K
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Understood, however the longer Unlimited wasn't made on the YJ (square headlights) Wrangler, just on the more recent TJ (round lights) Wrangler as an
option. The Rubicon was available on the TJ Unlimited...
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Bob H
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Does anyone know what year the last Jeep with a V-8 motor was made? I'd look for one of those if you can find one.
Bob H
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Hook
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190 horses in a vehicle that light is plenty of power for me, Bob. It's not about going fast; it's about getting there...........wherever THERE
happens to be. I think gearing and traction stop Jeeps long before lack of power does.
Besides, I thought all the V-8s in the Wrangler style were drop-ins and generally only fit in the really old ones. The ones with crappy suspensions.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
Does anyone know what year the last Jeep with a V-8 motor was made? I'd look for one of those if you can find one.
Bob H |
1986 was the last year of the CJ Jeep (CJ-7) and the 304 (5.0 litre) V-8 was available in the CJ-5 and CJ-7 (usually the Renegade models). Baja Angel
had a 1979 CJ-5 Renegade V-8. I think 1981 was the final year for the CJ-5.
The new, wider, square headlight 1987 YJ Wranagler and later Wranglers did not offer a V-8.
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Cypress
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Jeeps are like those Timex watches, they just keep on going.
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Hook
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Jeeps are like those Timex watches, they just keep on going.
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Yeah, but my kidneys dont. I want coils on all four wheels!!
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Cypress
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Hook! That's a good point to consider.
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Ken Cooke
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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The Unlimited LJ rides much, much more smoothly than does the short-wheelbase TJ. The difference is night & day. I know this because I drove
this rig pictured below.
This is Victor Chacon's LJ pictured just south of the Summit road in December '07. It has 4" of Rubicon Express suspension lift and 35" Mickey
Thompson MTZ tires. You won't get the "head bob" on the freeway since the wheelbase is much longer, tameing those inherent Jeep characteristics.
The coil suspension is soft and is not bumpy like the front and rear leaf spring suspensions of yesteryear.
Mickey Thompson 35" MTZ Tires on Pole Line Road.
That's Victor in front & TW in the back the day before he trashed his rig:
As for steering, you definitely need this beefed in order to run 35" tires. Tires of this size require 1-ton running gear.
That's Victor and I posing in front of his 7-foot tall Rubicon 
There aren't any issues with the manual trannys to worry about. I drive my '03 DAILY and with 85,000 mi., the vehicle is very dependable and has not
given me any trouble. Not with the transmission, nada. I do have the fluids changed regularly as anyone should.
Your Jeep won't beat you up on a 100 mile drive. I take mine to Tijuana and it doesn't hurt my back or neck. I run Load Range 'C' tires at 30 p.s.i.
with MX-6 ProComp adjustable shocks. The front axle is set to 'medium' and the rear axle is set to 'soft' - I run the shocks valved for the HARDTOP
application.
Your modified driveshaft relates to there being a new fixed yoke output shaft at the transfer case instead of the slip yoke unit that came standard
with the 'X' model. The Fixed Yoke is stronger, and the CV-style driveshaft allows for you to run the transfer case elevated rather than dropped
which will provide additional clearance on the trail.
The Chassis is the same with the 'X' as with the Sahara and the Rubicon. These are just equipment packages.
The aftermarket bumper and winch will add another ~200# to your frontend. Your coil suspension will soak this up, but will cause the frontend to sag
if there are not coil spring spacers up front or or the ACOS Adjustable Coil Over Spacer system. If the rear is matched with the frontend, there's
nothing to worry about. This is just a cosmetic issue, nothing more.
I don't know about there being a transferrable warranty. Check with the dealership to verify.
Pole Line Road? This rig will run the Pole Line Road without any breakage - provided that you do not do anything 'SPECTACULAR' for everyone to watch
(i.e. - jumping your rig off of boulders, etc.).
As for me leading additional Baja runs, my days are numbered. My soon-to-be esposa in Colombia is already costing me lots of Colombian pesos, and
this is coming out of my "Off-Roading General Fund". I'll keep
everyone here posted while this develops...
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Hook
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Thanks, Ken. Very helpful info.
Now, what is the guy trying to show me here?
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Ken Cooke
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
Thanks, Ken. Very helpful info.
Now, what is the guy trying to show me here?
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JKS swaybar disconnects with frame-mount in place, 35" X-Terrain tires, steering dampener, Currie(?) steering componentry, and possibly extended
bumpstops. That's my guess...
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Hook
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So, are all the things you mentioned with respect to that photo a good thing?
I plan on giving it a look-see this Saturday, if it isnt sold. Anything else I should look for?
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8946
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
So, are all the things you mentioned with respect to that photo a good thing?
I plan on giving it a look-see this Saturday, if it isnt sold. Anything else I should look for? |
Possible issues:
Beefed up brakes - 35" tires will need additional stopping power.
How is the steering? Does it track straight? What aftermarket steering componentry does it have?
Upgraded axles? Dana 35 (front) housing? It will need beefier axle shafts - Alloy, Superior, Yukon, etc. Dana 44 (rear) housing? It will also need
stronger axle shafts. Does rear axle have Limited Slip? Locking differential? If so, which one? ARB (best), OX Locker (next-best), Detroit (very
good, but full-time, not selectable like ARB or OX).
Shock absorbers: They all work well, but ask what have been installed. Old Man Emu ride smoothly, as do Fox Racing, Edlebrock, Pro-Comp MX-series.
That's about it. With the economy the way it is, don't worry about it already being sold - unless he is asking $10,000.00 for the entire package.
People selling Jeeps try to make it sound like you are landing the deal of a lifetime with their pampered pets. Don't fall for the b.s. Just
negotiate and ask to see receipts on work completed, maintenance records, etc. Call me on the cell phone if you have any additional question. PM me
for my number.
-Ken
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Ken Cooke
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So...did you get it??
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Hook
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I did. It's an 05 Unlimited Sport with a hardtop. Very street oriented, really, no off road accessories.
Didn't like how the one's tricked out for offroad road. Hated the way they "walked around" on pavement as well as the way the tires seemed to absorb
responsiveness of the drivetrain. Remember, this will not become my wife's commuter vehicle for the next 6 months till we hope to retire.
REALLY love the added space compared to my friends' standard wheelbase Jeeps.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8946
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
I did. It's an 05 Unlimited Sport with a hardtop. Very street oriented, really, no off road accessories.
Didn't like how the one's tricked out for offroad road. Hated the way they "walked around" on pavement as well as the way the tires seemed to absorb
responsiveness of the drivetrain. Remember, this will not become my wife's commuter vehicle for the next 6 months till we hope to retire.
REALLY love the added space compared to my friends' standard wheelbase Jeeps. |
Congratulations. The ride is better than the short wheelbase Jeeps, also, the straight axle is both sturdy and easy to align. Those bigger tires do
absorb input from the throttle and can make braking are more difficult. With the hard top, dust will not be a problem as with a soft top messing up
the zipper element.
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Hook
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Ken, after test driving several in my search, it seems that many suffer from a looseness in the steering that, based on other vehicles I've driven,
seems like a failing steering stabilizier/dampener. One late model Rubicon I drove actually developed a serious front wobble while decelerating on an
offramp in neutral. It felt just like the issues I've experienced in older VW bugs.
Do the Jeeps have steering stabilizer issues? Mine appear to be stock, as well as the shocks which are also shot after 40k miles. I'll be upgrading
the shocks in the next two weeks.
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Ken Cooke
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Got any photos of your new baby???
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