I am in the search for a 4dr jeep with 3.5-4.0 lift and 35's . I know that is the look I'm wanting. I would use the vehicle for everyday commuting to work and to haul my UTV to the trails. I don't foresee offloading in it. Would it be a mistake buying a two wheel drive? Would that make it harder to resale later? Obviously it would be less to go wrong on my end.

 

You won't need the 4wd unless you maybe wanted to launch a boat with or seafood with it too. May be a little harder to sell, but I see lots of 2wd trucks around and I'm sure outside of this forum people drive 2wd.

 

Seadoos* I can't type

 

If I was never going to go off road, I don't know if I would even own a JK, to be perfectly honest. Have you spent much time driving a JK with a 4" lift and 35s? I would not want to commute in mine. There are just too many other options that are more comfortable and have better road manners. Get off pavement, and I loooove it.

I think that a 2wd will decrease the number of potential buyers if you choose to sell it. You would be competing with a ton of 4wds for buyers who want a 4x4. Actually, I didn't even know they made 2wd wranglers. How much cheaper are they?

Edit: after a google search I see they were made from '07-'09.

 

why 3.5-4 inches to run 35s?
that is a ton of wheel well gap...

35s fit factory with wheel spacers or correctly offset wheels.

I run 37/40s with 4" springs.

as for 2wheel vs 4wheel if you can find one go for it... but there is no resale value when you jack up a 2 wheel it may decrease the value.

food for thought.

 

I kinda agree with yeahbuddy... Jeeps aren't the most "comfortable" vehicle to drive with their solid axle design. If you're not really wanting a 4x4 there are a lot of other more comfortable rides out there. In my opinion though, none as cool as a Jeep.

I've owned 2wd trucks in the past, well... a 2wd truck. First I bought, and last I ever will by. I'll never again own a truck or suv that isn't 4wd. They're just useless if you ask me. Sometimes anyway. I sound like I'm trying to talk you out of a 2x4... Which I probably am. I'd go with the 4x4 cause it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

I'm sure the market for a 2x4 Jeep is much much smaller than those looking for a 4x4 Jeep. I would imagine is certainly wouldn't be worth near the amount a 4x4 Jeep would be either. Jeeps hold their value really well too. I just personally think a lifted Jeep 4 inches on 35's and only 2 wheel drive is kinda... weird. I wouldn't get it. Just sayin. I would imagine finding one set up like that would be near impossible. You'd likely have to build it yourself. To each their own though.


Edit:

Figured I'd edit this in real quick too. Once you become a Jeeper, you kinda make up excuses to run stuff over and throw it in 4 wheel drive. They're just too much fun not to.

 

First, it seems like you're buying a JK for its looks mainly, which is fine by all accounts. Just take note of what I'm about to tell you and sleep on it, -a JKU has a meager tow rating of 3500. That's meager compared to what's offered by way of some trucks and I believe even the other jeep offering (grand Cherokee, etc) having a higher tow rating.
-you will experience some power loss in a JKU riding around on 35" tires without spending the extra $$$$ on re-gearing both of your axles ( yes, even in 2wd you still have to re-gear the front if you do it to the rear). Also, being that the wrangler does not offer a power house in terms of power train, it will still be painfully frustrating towing your toys around, especially on inclines! If you don't believe me it's ok, you will confirm this for me later on.
-Being that JKs were offered in 2wd for a few years, and since '09 or '10 they have all come in 4wd, yes, your resale value would be lower than a 4wd model.
-finally, please understand that I am not trying to talk you out of anything. I am simply giving you something to consider before buying a vehicle based solely on the way it looks.
-POST SCRIPT, if you do end up getting the 2wd and end up catching the bug and want to wheel your jeep, I'm sure there are people on this forum that can help you with any questions regarding a 4wd conversion! :thumb: in any case, good luck with the purchase of your new vehicle.

 

Are you going to be towing your utv into sand or somewhere you might get stuck with 2wd?

 

Blasphemer.

 

the fact that jeep only offered a 2wd option in 07-09 likely means that it was a failed experiment. if it wasn't worthwhile for jeep to keep producing 2wd vehicles, my guess is that the resale on them isn't going to be very good either.

but that also means that YOU can probably get a really good deal on one, assuming that you really only want 2wd. so any resale issues would be a wash because you're paying much less upfront.

personally i'd never consider a 2wd jeep. if i didn't care about the 4wd capabilities, i'd probably get a convertible sports car.