I'm a newbie who just came across the JK forum.
Guessing this would be the right area for this post?...

Hi all,
Getting close to having to replace our old 2000 Ford Expedition that my wife drives.
Love the size & comfort of the Expy. It hauled all the kid's stuff while they were growing up and it was just a wonderful vehicle to travel in.
But now thinking about maybe a JK to replace it.
Wife does not put many miles on vehicle, mostly round-town use. But I like her car to be the nice one to take whenever we go out or on trips.
Here's my thinking....
My current stable: a company F150, the Expy, '97' TJ, Motorhome, & Motorcycle.
Replacing the Expy with a JK would allow me to sell the TJ & have one less vehicle to maintain & insure.
My '97' plows the driveway in winter & tows behind MH in summer (and top-down fun) - JK would still fill these needs.
JK would not be needed for off-road (other than maybe getting out on a beach), but definetly will give the 4wd use in the snow!
Towing the TJ with the MH was fine when kids were young, but now looking for something easier to fit a few other people in.
(My other choice is to just keep the TJ for plowing and go with a Ford AWD Edge that can also be towed.)

I haven't even gone to look at/drive the JK's yet, but I guess my questions are:
* Good/Bad years to look at? I was thinking 2010/13 range.
* Ride? Would you ever consider a JK comfortable for nights out & long trips at all?
I've spent lots of time in my old jeeps - CJ, Cherokee, & TJ. I know they aren't exactly luxury vehicles! Just expecting the new ones to be a little more refined??
* Models to look at? Coming from a completely loaded Expy, would like the JK to be as comfy/loaded as possible.
*Tops? Should I look to have both OEM tops included or are after-market a decent way to go?

Yep, I know, mostly a grocery getter, but like to have that little extra brawn available at certain times.
From what I've seen on the road, I'll be leaning towards an all white or all black 4dr hard top. Love tan leather interiors. Probably biggest upgrades would only be 33's & a front bumper to accommodate driveway plow & towing baseplate.

Any suggestions/comments appreciated! :cheers2:

My beloved '97':

 

Welcome. Go Sox!

The 3.6 is a better engine than the 3.8...more HP. Personally I would go with a 3.6. 2012 was the first year of the 3.6. Some people have had cracked head problems with the 2012 so I would avoid that year although Chrysler has extended the warranty on the head to 10 years I believe. That said, my wife's is a 2012 and we have not had any problems beyond the 2 recalls.

As far as ride, you will be surprised how much the ride has improved. When my wife was shopping for a vehicle I suggested the JK and she didn't even want to test drive one from her memories of riding in older Jeeps. She gave in to the test drive and ended up getting one.

If you looking for luxury, I think you would be happy with a Sahara. They have more convenience and comfort options than the other models.

I love the soft top. My wife never wants to remove her hard top. If you want a soft top then either go with the dual top or get an aftermarket top. I got a Bestop aftermarket. Bestop also makes the oem tops.

Good luck. Go test drive a few.

 

Whatever you decide...keep the TJ! I regret selling both of my previous Jeeps.

 

Thanks 14sport! That's the type of info on the 3.6 I'm looking for.
Scanning the ebay/autotrader ads I kinda figured that the Sahara looks like the way to go.
I love the soft top on my TJ too. Great heater keeps it plenty warm in winter. The only thing that sucks is not being able to just flip open the back window & the snow sticking too the windows plowing in a snow storm.

Price shock though!
Amazing what they're getting for these things.
(Although, from what I've seen, it also looks like my 97 would bring a pretty penny. Decent shape, garage kept, & only 60,000 miles.)

Lowendrider - The TJ is a real fun toy! Great plow too!
Will only sell it if I end up going with the JK. If I go another route, I'll keep the TJ for plowing & spruce it up a little with a used hard top and some upper doors with sliding glass.

 

Unless it has changed with the newer years, Sahara's have painted flares instead of black plastic, and some silver inserts here and there instead of black. The rest of the stuff you can find on the base models. If you want a sahara just for the bling pieces, go for it. But you could probably find a cheaper base model and get the bling off of craigslist for cheap.

All non-rubicons come with a D30 front axle. Rubicons come with d44 front. Both front and rear rubicon axle shafts are beefier than non-rubicon shafts. (the housings are basically the same strength, but the internals are better in the rubi housings). Rubi's come with electronic lockers. Non-rubi's are open, or possibly a rear limited (clutch based, not gear).

Rubicons have a 4:1 tcase, non-rubicons are 2.72:1

Rubicons come with 4.10 gears (some of the newer ones can come with 3.73, so verify if you go for a rubi). Either 3.21 or 3.73 for non-rubicons. (3.21 should probably not be your first choice if you are looking at larger than stock tires...)

The factory tops are fine (my opinion), but many people like the aftermarket slant-back options that are available. Take a look and see what you think. If you want factory, you can always check craigslist if it doesn't come with both, lots of people with the dual top group are selling one of them.

 

My wife's 2012 Sahara Altitude came with the stuff you mentioned as well as 18" black wheels, black leather seats with red stitching, heated front seats, body color 3 piece hard top and the rear defroster, wiper/washer. Some other stuff like special mats and decals, black gloss accents, etc. but that is just bling.

 

Do the Rubicon upgrades have any great benefit to a rig that will be on-road 99.9% of the time, or do they mostly just apply to the off-road crowd?
How bout helping in the winter/plow duty?

 

I'd go the Sahara if you want the body colored hard top. I have dual tops for my Sahara. If you're on-road 99.9% of the time, Sahara or Sport is the better choice $$ wise.

If you go Sahara, get the max tow package which I believe even today bumps it to 3.73 gearing automatically. I've got a 2012. No head issues with mine however I did get the extended warranty from Chrysler since my rig falls under the suspected VIN range.

Don't let the Sahara badge fool you. It's more than capable for even the Rubicon trail if setup right with a few moderate upgrades. For winter, you'll have the limited slip diff in the rear. If you really need the extra traction you can always install a selectable locker for the front axle.

Pics of mine still on stock axles, 3.73 gears, rear limited slip diff, front open diff, 2.5" lift, skids/sliders, beadlock wheels....

 

I agree with DJ the Rubi is over priced for your needs, which is why I didn't suggest it in my first post.

 

Ya bling decals etc aren't really my cup-o-tea, but the other items are in-line with what we'd be looking for.
Soooo tell me.... Four or five people, jump in your wife's Altitude & cruise highway @ 70-75mph for 3-4 hours in Summer heat - Would it be fairly enjoyable trip? or are you ready to jump out a window by the time you get there?