I was going to post my own thread about this, but yours is spot on.
The Moose is my DD. At one point, was thinking I needed to grow up and get something more plush. After test driving the latest Sensory Deprivation Machine (i.e., not a Wrangler), I discovered a new-found appreciation for this vehicle. Started watching tons of overlanding videos and got the bug to upgrade below the floorboards. After 2 years, (and whining about money), this Jeep is 99% complete. It's got around 125k and I drive it daily about 8 miles round trip to work.
But I still have the overlanding/exploring bug. Maybe this is not the vehicle for that, but it's what I got and frankly I'm happy with how it rides. Took it on a longer road trip this weekend. Put about 500 miles up to the north shore then over to Gilbert and the Iron Range ORV park. This was a first for my wife and I. I've driven off road quite a bit. I was a land surveyor years ago and we took the company's Wagoneer through some pretty hairy terrain. Wife was very nervous and apprehensive about doing anything too crazy. I wanted to do more, but I respected her concerns. Which means I have to go back!
The main takeaway from this trip was that it worked. After all the suspension upgrades, this Jeep has terrific road manners. Much better than stock. On the highway, the ride was smooth. A steady 70mph wasn't a problem. Off road, the thing was a beast on the limited stuff we went on. Used the lockers to make sure they still work since I rarely use them. The only failure was the clutch pedal. The thing's been broken for a couple years. I never really thought much of it as it still functioned normally. But on the trail with bumps and bounces, the pedal came out. New clutch master/slave will be here this week
I can't say I'd have the same enthusiasm with my old '97. That short wheelbase was a rattler and a bit twitchy. Ok for city driving and awesome in the snow as long as you didn't over power. In which case the thing would spin like a top. The longer wheelbase on the LJ makes a huge difference on the hiway.
The Moose is my DD. At one point, was thinking I needed to grow up and get something more plush. After test driving the latest Sensory Deprivation Machine (i.e., not a Wrangler), I discovered a new-found appreciation for this vehicle. Started watching tons of overlanding videos and got the bug to upgrade below the floorboards. After 2 years, (and whining about money), this Jeep is 99% complete. It's got around 125k and I drive it daily about 8 miles round trip to work.
But I still have the overlanding/exploring bug. Maybe this is not the vehicle for that, but it's what I got and frankly I'm happy with how it rides. Took it on a longer road trip this weekend. Put about 500 miles up to the north shore then over to Gilbert and the Iron Range ORV park. This was a first for my wife and I. I've driven off road quite a bit. I was a land surveyor years ago and we took the company's Wagoneer through some pretty hairy terrain. Wife was very nervous and apprehensive about doing anything too crazy. I wanted to do more, but I respected her concerns. Which means I have to go back!
The main takeaway from this trip was that it worked. After all the suspension upgrades, this Jeep has terrific road manners. Much better than stock. On the highway, the ride was smooth. A steady 70mph wasn't a problem. Off road, the thing was a beast on the limited stuff we went on. Used the lockers to make sure they still work since I rarely use them. The only failure was the clutch pedal. The thing's been broken for a couple years. I never really thought much of it as it still functioned normally. But on the trail with bumps and bounces, the pedal came out. New clutch master/slave will be here this week
I can't say I'd have the same enthusiasm with my old '97. That short wheelbase was a rattler and a bit twitchy. Ok for city driving and awesome in the snow as long as you didn't over power. In which case the thing would spin like a top. The longer wheelbase on the LJ makes a huge difference on the hiway.
