Potential new Jeep owner..

[froop]

Hi all,
Since thinking about finally giving up continually borrowing my dad's Discovery, I've been lurking around these forums looking for info on the KJ.

I'm looking to buy in the next 6 months or so, and so far from every 4x4 I have seen in the market is either too big for my liking, or doesn't seem capable on anything except light off-road. The KJ is the exception.

So .. I thought this would be a good place to get a little advice. I'm liking the 2.8TD Limited, due to fuel economy but mainly for towing my boat around. One question I have which is impossible for me to answer myself from a test drive, is just how well does the KJ tow? The Discovery struggles maintaining anything over 90-100kph on even the slightest incline.

There also seem to be a few people posting with problems with a KJ, and having to take them to be repaired under warantee or otherwise. Are services/repairs much more expensive compared to your Toyotas and Nissans? I know the Landie's repair costs can be excessive at time.

And just one last question to pick your brains with - Obviously a slightly used '02 or '03 model can be had for cheaper than a brand newy, but is there anything worthwhile with an '04 over an older one? (Only examples I know of are the 2" drop from 03-02, but the 2.8L wasn't available in '02, and its easy to get the 2"+ back, and I think the '02 also had rear drums rather than discs).

Happy for any help!

Thanks.
Mark.

[Jeep Fan]

Originally Posted by froop

There also seem to be a few people posting with problems with a KJ

I've had my KJ since March 2003 and some 14,000 km's on the clock. During that time I had to have the drive shaft realigned to stop a rattling problem and I had a persistent transmission oil leak.

Both problems are now fixed 100%. The car is a dream to drive and is quite capable offroad. My only advice in the short term is to replace the rear mudflaps with shorter ones as they drag on everything. Long term look at getting a lift done as the ground clearance could be better.

[Walker]

I have a 2003 V6 KJ. I can't tell you how the diesel tows but the petrol tows fantastically. I have taken a heavy camper trailer on a few trips without a problem. I have heard that the standard suspension is a bit (very) soft for towing but I have the OME lift with the heavy duty springs in back and it great with hepas of power.

[froop]

I have heard that the standard suspension is a bit (very) soft for towing but I have the OME lift

Yes, I've been following your KJ through its journey, but I don't think I'll be giving mine as much off road abuse as you seem to hand out!

When I buy, it will be through salary sacrifice, which means that any extras that get fitted by the dealer are in on the package, but add-ons later will attract top tax dollar. That means I'll at the very least get an ARB bar on the front, and possibly a lift (if they'll do it). I was originally looking at Rancho shocks, but it seems that OME are more popular with the Jeep crowd. Not ever having used them, are adjustable shocks worth the dollars, or are they generally considered overkill?

I doubt that I'd be doing anything more than some leisurely, but challenging off-roading (no comps, etc), and beach (including mud) launches with the boat.

PS. If I'm not asking these questions in the right place, just tell me to go and bugger off

[Walker]

Not sure about the adjustable shocks, I never really looked into them (or if they are available for KJ) but just went with the package ARB had.
The rancho's are very popular in the States for use on the KJ and they all love them.

[cherokee94nz]

Pay the money get the Ranchos.

[Jeeps]

The KJ is no offroad beast but is a lovely vehicle and seems to be quite capable offroad - with commonsense of course.