Greetings y'all. Name is Brian and i'm from So-Cal. I'm headed back to the Jeep world having given 2.5 years to another brand who shall remain nameless. 
Honestly, it was a great rig, but it wasn't a jeep and was biased too heavily towards on-road use even with some extensive mods. I have had MANY jeeps in the past (CJ2a, 2 CJ5s, 92 XJ, LJ, J10 pickup, Jeepster commando, etc) but we're specifically looking at clean, low mile Jeeps (with A/C and heat) to tow behind our F150 on trips. Here's some thoughts we have:
Anyways, I welcome your input - and thanks in advance for all the great information on this site.
Honestly, it was a great rig, but it wasn't a jeep and was biased too heavily towards on-road use even with some extensive mods. I have had MANY jeeps in the past (CJ2a, 2 CJ5s, 92 XJ, LJ, J10 pickup, Jeepster commando, etc) but we're specifically looking at clean, low mile Jeeps (with A/C and heat) to tow behind our F150 on trips. Here's some thoughts we have:- We want this to be a capable rig, but do not want to move away from stock components - no plans for an Atlas or anything. Got burned using an aftermarket crawl box in our previous rig and I don't think we want to go that route in our next jeep.
- This needs to be an all-arounder offroad, we live near dunes, rocks, wide-open desert, long single track climbs into the mtns, etc.
- small (BFG) 35's max (but more likely 33-34's)due to storage height limits, and also mobility issues getting into a tall rig. LCOG (within reason) is a consideration for us.
- Cost wise, it's hard to beat a 4.0L/32RH/NP231 running 4.10-4.56's dual locked on 33's-34's. Trick for me is finding something with a Dana 44 - not very common with an auto around here. Dana 35's with aftermarket 30spline axles and locker is an option, but not sure I want to put that $$$ into a Dana 35.
- I do like the rubicon models, but
- man, they command a premium around here ($8-10k more, easily)
- Not a fan of the 42RLE (we had an 04 LJ)
- While I think the NV3550 is a great unit, and i can drive stick very well, we want to rock-crawl when the opportunity arises and preferred an auto in Moab, but still chewing on this. My wife isn't opposed to a manual, and is willing to learn - just have to see what we find.
- LJ's are cool and a good solution for some, but wheel way different than a TJ. If i decided we just need more storage and interior space, I might just pay less than half the cost and grab an XJ?
- 4.0/AW4/231/Dana 30/C8.25 on 33's is a pretty sweet setup - no real downside drivetrain-wise.
- Basically, same wheelbase as an LJ
- $5-10k cherokee's are readily available around here
- Anyone else make a similar decision? I've had both, and while the XJ is more streetable, it doesn't give up much offroad, in my recollection.
Anyways, I welcome your input - and thanks in advance for all the great information on this site.
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