sound advice

 

One question for the previous post if I may; Would you get in your Rubicon with 37" tires and drive it across the US (2000 miles)? What kind of gas mileage can you get?

 

if you are asking me i would. i would get about 14.5 MPG.

i have to say i would not tow shit that distance.

 

I had a Tacoma before the jeep and I loved it. It has more power it is more refined and comfortable, but I love my jeep alot more. The jeep is alot more capable and easier for me to work on. I started with an x and slowly upgraded. I have been on several wheeling trips where I have driven 5 hours to the offroad park, wheeled 4-5s for 3 days, and driven back without a problem. You would need to regear and I highly recommend rcv shafts. They are expensive, but well worth it. No more u joints and a very strong shaft. If I was only staying with 35's I would have stayed with a dana 30 and put rcv in and wheeled the shit out of it. If you wheel stuff will break no matter what vehicle you are in, but you just build it stronger. I would keep the x and slowly upgrade as budget allows.

 

If I was going to keep it, I'd definitely want to upgrade to 37s, and to make the trip to SoCal I'd probably need to regear to 5.13 or 5.38 (what do you guys think?) to make it feasible for towing and to stage parts for my wheel/tire/lift upgrade. Do you guys think a regear would be my best bet at surviving such a long trip with a trailer? Pretty spendy though right?

I'd also considered getting the Unlimited Rubicon, but I've already got 4.10s and would likely upgrade the axle to what was mentioned previously, during which time I'd probably put in the rcv shafts mentioned earlier. Having those and the weld-on C gussets would've completely survived the damage I did previously. Plus those new parts would likely last me the 15 years I'm looking to make my Jeep reliable for. But holy $$. Thanks for the suggestions on parts though!

I'm also wondering if, to make this trip and start the family, that it would be more cost effective to trade in my Jeep for an FJ or Tacoma, then trade back for an Unlimited Rubicon. This would also let me get the options I originally wanted but couldn't get. I'd lose less value over time with a Toyota for my trade-in... A small part of me wants to talk myself into going the trade and trade back route so I can get the options (color, power doors/windows, transmission) lol. Pretty inane, but if I AM gonna keep it that long in the future I want exactly what I want, y'know?

Geez what a painful decision to have to make. After my move I do expect to have a decent amount of more income, so maybe that'd be a good time to trade BACK a Taco/FJ for an unlimited Rubi with the new higher-horsepower engine I'm hearing about. Hmmm...

 

Go with your gut.. Sounds like you wanna stick to a Jeep.. In the long run, what will make you happier? There's your answer.. My Jeep sucks on gas and is not very pratical for my location, however, it's what I want.. Do you buddy!!

 

Sorry if this comes across smart assish. Do not trade the jeep for a single trip from alaska to california...you will never get your money back. would it not be more cost effective to take your time driving/towing whatever you are towing. I live in Germany and constantly see VW Golfs towing Drag cars to the strip. its all about taking your time and not straining your equipment. Sounds like if you were going to trade you are only going to keep said vehicle about 2 yrs at the absolute longest. You are willing to lose...conservative WAG... $8000 in depreciation between your current vehicle and the vehicle you trade in for the Rubicon. For that you couldve had high pinion RJ 60s put in the X. I say stay with what you got it only makes sense when you really start thinking about it..../end rant. Ive learned alot from my dad lately when it comes to this subject...ive done this exact scenario before. dont do it. it aint worth it.

 

That's the thing though, I MAY trade in. You're right though, trading with the plan to just trade again is foolish. I need to go do some test drives before I try to argue this with myself anymore. I am 6'3" 215, and the JK fits me well, the FJ does too, but the Taco seems a little cramped. But driveability will tell me a lot. I'm still kinda glad you guys are giving me good arguments for the jeep haha.

But if I _could_ do some performance enhancement to make my drive easier, what'd be the most effective and cost effective?

 

Other than trade it, why not just sell it and buy what you want in California? Seems like that is a very long tow.

 

Try this out...

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/

It will give you all the info you want re; the FJ. A very active site with MANY owners...