Can you show a link to the one for 6k?
Adding a good lift like the OME kit and tires will be in the 3k range. I just installed that lift with another forum member on his jeep and it is a great product.
Reliability. Ill start by saying I have always had a second car so the jeep never had to be a daily. When I was in college though I took the YJ to chico and used it as a primary for around 3 months. Clutch went out and had to drive without one for a month or so, more fun then you may think lol really makes you plan your shifts ahead of time. I bought the cheapest one on craigslist 2k. It needed a lot of work to get it to pass smog and to be a good driver upfront. After that I had to replace the valve cover, clutch, and starter. Drove it around 18k miles had about 130k on the clock
TJ - I bought knowing it had a leak which would either be a rear main seal or a valve cover. Since it is not my daily and I enjoy learning / working on the jeep I changed both. The only issue I have had with the TJ was that I needed a new radiator since the original developed a crack in the plastic near the drain after a day of mild offroading. Have driven it about 8k. Currently has 101000 miles.
How many miles are to many. The strait 6 is fairly bulletproof. So do you see new parts as repairs or upgrades? :risas3:
What is your price range, zip code, and miles willing to travel? I have a day off and will be watching the kid so I have some time to search CR lol.