Buying my first Jeep! I need some advice

[Rod.D.]

Originally Posted by Banshee

If you are planning on a lot of beach driving or towing, budget for an aftermarket secondary transmission cooler. Many have mentioned overheat issues when the transmission is stressed like that, but with the aftermarket added, they say they longevity is fantastic with much lower temps.

(I have a manual 3.8 but would go with an auto if I was to replace it...)

Cheers! I'll search the forums for some more info on this.

[Snort]

Would you recommend me upgrading tyres even if I'm mainly doing beach/sand driving one the odd weekend and 85% on the road? Don't get me wrong, I do like the look of the ATR or muddies but I'm already stretching the budget if I get a new JKU so not sure if it's really necessary.

I think the stock tyres on the Sport would probably suit me fine.
What tyres would you suggest instead?[/QUOTE]

The stock tyres would be fine. I am still running the stocks and have had no problems keeping up with mates with bfg a/t's and mickey t muds.

[warnabrother]

So if this is going to mainly be a "town car" with very little offroad and you are stretching the budget, why not look at something that is MUCH better onroad like a Cherokee or similar.. the Wrangler is not a great road car.. they are a great offroad vehicle but the solid axle characteristics can be a pain on the bitumen.. if you are buying it because you like the "lifestyle vehicle" thing, well thats ok too I suppose, but I think there are other vehicles in the Jeep range that would better suit your needs

[samft]

Originally Posted by warnabrother

So if this is going to mainly be a "town car" with very little offroad and you are stretching the budget, why not look at something that is MUCH better onroad like a Cherokee or similar.. the Wrangler is not a great road car.. they are a great offroad vehicle but the solid axle characteristics can be a pain on the bitumen.. if you are buying it because you like the "lifestyle vehicle" thing, well thats ok too I suppose, but I think there are other vehicles in the Jeep range that would better suit your needs

I disagree, the wrangler is fine on the road, especially in an auto. speed limits are so slow in Australia and roads are generally wide and straight so it really makes little difference what car you drive.

Also, having a wrangler will encourage you to spend more than 15% of the time offroad! I get the feeling that want to head off and explore every time i look at my JK

I have a CRD auto and would probably get the 3.6 if i was buying now (it was either the old 3.8 or a CRD when i bought)

I don't know what other people's opinions are, but I think the rubicon is probably worth the extra $s. It's a really good base to start with, especially if you only end up doing a handful of mods (comes standard with diff locks, better front axel, rock rails and better gear ratios for slightly larger tyres)

All wranglers are very capable though and they're all a lot of fun

[Rod.D.]

Originally Posted by warnabrother

So if this is going to mainly be a "town car" with very little offroad and you are stretching the budget, why not look at something that is MUCH better onroad like a Cherokee or similar.. the Wrangler is not a great road car.. they are a great offroad vehicle but the solid axle characteristics can be a pain on the bitumen.. if you are buying it because you like the "lifestyle vehicle" thing, well thats ok too I suppose, but I think there are other vehicles in the Jeep range that would better suit your needs

The only reason for being mainly a road car is purely time. I don't get to go away on an off road trip every weekend but when I do, I want something that can take me anywhere.
I've been driving a Grand Vitara which is a similar type of car to the Cherokee but not my type of car.
I don't really care about the ride on the road, I just want something that can take me from A to B monday to friday and to XYZ on the weekends

I've been wanting to do a trip to Fraser Island for a while but my Vitara just didn't cut it (too low, needed a lift, low powered, etc).
I know that a stock JK will take me anywhere I want to go and I can add mods later if I feel more adventurous!

[Omar]

Originally Posted by Banshee

If you are planning on a lot of beach driving or towing, budget for an aftermarket secondary transmission cooler. Many have mentioned overheat issues when the transmission is stressed like that, but with the aftermarket added, they say they longevity is fantastic with much lower temps.

(I have a manual 3.8 but would go with an auto if I was to replace it...)

Hi

The 3.6 L Pentastar already have a Transmission cooler and the 3.8 lacks that. I have not heard that any one ad a secondary transmission cooler to a Pentastar, but what do I know

"A stand-alone transmission cooler was added to keep the auto tranny cool and all Wrangler models will receive a new variable-speed electric fan.

From http://www.fourwheeler.com/vehicle-r...-pentastar-v6/

[YamahaDOC]

I second that. You won't need to change or add an additional transmission cooler, just keep it in 4L when on the sand. It was the 3.8 with the small incorporated trans cooler that would overheat, causing the transmission fluid to spurt out the dipstick hole and all over the exhaust header. A fire and burning to the ground was sometimes the end result....

Regarding the Rubicon I agree it's a pretty good package but after spending some time with my Sport I'm actually glad I went with it. For me the rubicon transfer case would just be too low for beach work and the trails I do. I actually have really good control in 4L and the auto when crossing logs and the ltechnical stuff, never once wished for a lower gear. if I did have a rubicon I think I would be forever going from 4L to 4H and always wanting something right in the middle. What a pain it is going from high to low range, Toyota FTW there!

But looking at the terrain our state side friends drive on, I can see the merit of the rubicon transfer with all the rock climbing they do.

I do wish the lockers were available as a factory option though, that would be handy with a lease.