Hi all! I just signed up to this forum. So I finally decided that I'm ready for a jeep. Im looking at the unlimiteds. Is there anything y'all can tell me to look for and what not to get? I'm looking at an 08 Sahara right now. But want some opinions first. Im an adventurer and go camping and to the snow a lot and it will be my daily driver also. I'm not gonna be doing any rock climbing or anything. But it will get dirty and will be off road. And I'm not too concerned about the engine they come with as I plan to put a hemi in with in a few years
And I keep reading that those things have bad hwy manners but I've rented them before and they seem fine to me. Does anyone think they r bad on the hwy?

 

Won't do any rock climbing huh? Lol.. Famous last words.. I've said it and heard it said all too many times. You will and u will like it... Get the Sahara, you'll love it. Even stock these machines are amazing. U say u like camping.. Well this is the perfect jeep for u. Anyone who appreciates nature should doesn't need a roof in the way or doors for that matter. :-) welcome

 

Oh- btw- I too have a 2008 Sahara unlimited. Only issue I've had that other 2008's (and even some newer models have) is my clock spring went out and the recall only covers the 2007 models even though it's the same exact part number. Other than that... Highway was an improvement in my case compared to my old silverado with 38's. I've towed to pismo beach with a trailer with quads on it and averaged 20mpg stock. Now that I'm lifted I don't see those figures.. But like anything else, I can regear, reprogram and regain some of that.

 

Right on!! Thanks!

 

Welcome to the JK-Forum Jmfasc

 

Welcome the the forum... and the addiction! My first JK was a 2008 JKU Sahara auto. When I bought it, I never intended to rock crawl... boy has that changed!

If you get an auto, you'll want to look into adding an aftermarket trans cooler to keep the overheating down when in 4-HI. They range from $40-300 bucks depending on which one you go with, and they're easy to install yourself.

The 4 doors have a decent tow rating, so you should be fine with trailers, campers, or other Jeeps (I towed an 87 YJ with my 08 a few times)

Check for any possible oil-guzzling symptoms. You'll find tons of threads about the "oil-sucking 3.8L" in some of these models, but of course you only hear about the jeep with issues, hardly ever about the ones working fine. I never had an issue with mine. When I took it in for the 5-year inspection, all that it needed was a new water pump.

With so many aftermarket parts available out there to suit a wide variety of needs, you'll find whatever it is you think you'll use or need to equip your jeep. If you want better performance, there's some options like regearing, using a tuner (Superchips, diablo, procal) that will help some.

-Mike

 

I see you are looking @ an 08 Sahara... I would recommend taking a look at brand new ones with the Pentastar engine. You might be surprised how close in price they are, plus you get a full warranty.

 

Don't buy one that has the pos auto transmission. Look for a 2007 with a 6 speed and 4.10 gears. You can even find some of them with a rear factor locker.

 

Welcome!

I had a 2007 JKU Sahara and used it as you described and it worked perfectly. Was 100% satisfied. Recently switched to the Rubicon so I can pursue more challenging off-road adventures. I went with automatic for both, not for some deep technical reason, but simply because I prefer auto over stick.

Pull the trigger!

 

Thanks for y'all's input!! I'm still kind if stuck between a stick or auto. It seems like it would be wrong not to have a stick on a jeep but sometimes It's nice to not have to shift. Right now I have an 03 mustang gt that's supercharged and has 410 gears in the back and I'm always shifting haha!!