"Reliable and long lived" to me depends partly on luck, and how hard you wheel it. Unlike most vehicles, the aftermarket for Wranglers is huge. The only think I could think of that would probably make a Wrangler unfeasable to fix would be an accident that destroyed not only the body, but also the frame.

I figure if I am in it and that happened, I may no longer be worried about such things.

Besides no longer having a Jeep, I do not see how you will switch vehicles to one of the models you have discussed without losing a chunk of money.

Also, do not assume another vehicle will be more reliable, especially if you take it off road. Some people are having problems with JK front axles....and some FJ owners are having the front body and frame crack apart.

Good luck and enjoy SoCal. I spent some years in that area and it is nice.

 

There seem to be just a few problems that show up more often if you wheel. Also, these are taken just from this forum and represent a small part of the total user base.

1. 40,000 mile spun bearings. I've heard of a few people on here that have had their engines develop bad pings around the 35,000 to 40,000 mile mark. This is luck. Fortunately, locating slightly used engines seems to be inexpensive.

2. Auto transmission issues. If you have larger than stock wheels, definitely invest 75 bucks in an auto tranny cooler. It seems to exponentially extend the life of the transmission.

3. Dana 30 issues. I've only ever seen one cracked housing, and I've only heard of a few other issues. However, if you're planning on regearing, go the extra mile and install sleeves and gussets to protect your front axle. Alloy shafts are also a good idea.


Other than those issues, I haven't come across anything that seems to be a widespread issue. Jeep has one of, if not the best, aftermarket parts supplier base in the auto industry. I don't think a different brand vehicle will cost less in repairs if you wheel it off road - and if you're doing the same kind of wheeling as the Jeep, it will almost certainly cost more.

Micah

 

THe problem with upgrading the jeep is when you make one part stronger, another part becomes the weak link. It's hard to say what that will be but something is always ready to break. But that is true on anything you wheel.

If you get an FJ or a Taco, do you plan to do the same kind of trails you did with the jeep? If so, you will probably have to toss a bunch of mods on it. If you are moding a 'yota, can you do the work yourself or are you gonna pay a garage.

I used to have an XJ, did almost everything myself, got a mazda, was scared to touch the damn thing so I traded it and got an X. Now my X is growing from a baby stocker to a trail rig and I am doing all the work. You are are going to save money in the end if you keep the jeep and do the mods yourself when you need to replace stuff. The 'yotas are going to be a money pit as well. You just need to decide which one you like better.

Personally I'd get a JKU if I was going to start a family. The FJs are pretty nice but they just aren't a jeep and a jeep is more than a vehicle, it truly can be a way of life. /end dissertation