Keeping dumping money vs 392

[Longhorn84]

Talk me off the ledge. I completed a v8 swap with an automatic transmission a few years ago on my 04 TJ and it's been a lot of fun to drive. I originally did a currie 4" lift and replaced all the steering linkage along with rancho shocks, the ride is tolerable with 35s. The jeep has 125k miles and was clearly beaten up in it's prior life. I have three kids so fitting the whole family for a joy ride barely works (while they're still small) but you can forget about even bringing a freaking folding chair to a soccer game with no storage. Following the classic trend of throwing all disposable income at the jeep and still having more to do, I have dreams of a body off restoration, new rear axle (to take more HP, right now is stock Dana 35), long arm lift (for ride quality), more HP from the engine (which means probably going from 4l60 to 4l80), new paint job, etc etc etc. I am not a rock crawler, I am a nostalgic mall crawler (first vehicle was a 91 YJ) with pride in my rig. I do love working on the jeep.

All that being said, should I sell my rig and just get a JL for the size upgrade and creature comforts? My family loves going for rides around town but the ol TJ is only so practical to take around. I could even go crazy and sell my jeep, sell my daily driver (yukon xl) and just buy a 392 that would be a ton of fun and likely retain a good bit of resale value. My wife currently believes I am delusional. Am I?

 

[Camdenst]

Go big or go home...

 

[Irun]

The TJs biggest limitation for families is interior space. Regardless of what you do, short of buying an LJ, you'll never overcome that. Even if you did buy an LJ, you're still limited in seating space, along with ingress and egress. Family is, and should always be, the priority. At least with a JL you get 4 passenger doors, 5 seats, and have room for cargo. That said, what about a diesel JL instead of the 392? I know two people that have them and love them.

 

[Longhorn84]

The TJs biggest limitation for families is interior space. Regardless of what you do, short of buying an LJ, you'll never overcome that. Even if you did buy an LJ, you're still limited in seating space, along with ingress and egress. Family is, and should always be, the priority. At least with a JL you get 4 passenger doors, 5 seats, and have room for cargo. That said, what about a diesel JL instead of the 392? I know two people that have them and love them.

There's just something about that 392. The 4xe is actually interesting and doesn't look slow by any means, but 0-60 in 4 seconds in a "stock" jeep just feels right! My TJ works right now since it's a fun jeep, not my daily driver, the diesel JL would probably make more sense as a daily driver.

 

[P man]

Even an LJ won't be enough to be a family rig. I'll get razzed for this but it's time to go Jk or JL

 

[macleanflood]

Keep both. We have my TJ and my wife has a JKU...4 door. It's nice being able to self recover each other.

-Mac

 

[Apparition]

We have 4 kids so we needed 2 LJ’s

 

[P man]

We have 4 kids so we needed 2 LJ’s

Good lord tie that thing in a not would ya?

 

[CreepinDeth]

I do not see the value in the 392 or 4xe

I can buy or build anything I want, but their prices to what you actually get are absurd. Cheaper and wiser to buy a 4 door Jeep in primo used condition with higher mileage, gut it, and just do a V8 conversion yourself

392 prices are approaching RAM TRX territory
Not even close to the same motors either

The 4xe is the most ludicrously priced “hybrid” on the market for how it actually performs

 

[Apparition]

I do not see the value in the 392 or 4xe

I can buy or build anything I want, but their prices to what you actually get are absurd. Cheaper and wiser to buy a 4 door Jeep in primo used condition with higher mileage, gut it, and just do the conversion yourself

Its approaching RAM TRX territory

If it’s mostly for having an enjoyable experience on road, I’d probably go with a Bronco.

 

[Longhorn84]

I do not see the value in the 392 or 4xe

I can buy or build anything I want, but their prices to what you actually get are absurd. Cheaper and wiser to buy a 4 door Jeep in primo used condition with higher mileage, gut it, and just do a V8 conversion yourself

392 prices are approaching RAM TRX territory
Not even close to the same motors either

The 4xe is the most ludicrously priced “hybrid” on the market for how it actually performs

I have definitely thought about this aspect, even a wrecked JL and do the work. However, I could stomach a gen 3 v8 into a TJ but something more current into a JL feels out of reach in terms of electronics and wrenchability. I don't have a lift so I feel like I have to work twice as hard on some of these type of projects.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Keep the LJ and get a 392. Best of both worlds.

 

[Longhorn84]

If it’s mostly for having an enjoyable experience on road, I’d probably go with a Bronco.

My wife would actually prefer the bronco, so this may be an option, we sell her 4runner and get her a bronco.

 

[Longhorn84]

Keep the LJ and get a 392. Best of both worlds.

View attachment 458358

Come on now, you're messing with my heart! So bad ass.

 

[CreepinDeth]

I have definitely thought about this aspect, even a wrecked JL and do the work. However, I could stomach a gen 3 v8 into a TJ but something more current into a JL feels out of reach in terms of electronics and wrenchability. I don't have a lift so I feel like I have to work twice as hard on some of these type of projects.

I dont have a lift either
Just a 3 car garage and 4 jack stands
Ive done 2 LS conversions into 2 GM classics
I can show you how to make inexpensive 2x4 DSE stands

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/45721-Dse-Stands
I just did my TJs all new suspension gut out and rebuild in my driveway also

Point being, ya dont need a lift
It can be done

 

[Danarch]

We own two JKU and a LJ (have 5 kids, youngest in HS). If doable keep the TJ and get the 392 if that’s what needed. The TJ still would be fun for other outings, date nights etc.

 

[Longhorn84]

We own two JKU and a LJ (have 5 kids, youngest in HS). If doable keep the TJ and get the 392 if that’s what needed. The TJ still would be fun for other outings, date nights etc.

Just takes money, can’t take it with you and who says kids need to go to college!

 

[bbaldwin237]

Not going to lie, I love my TJ, but if a JL Rubicon had been an option (especially in Mojito or High Velocity Yellow) I probably would've gone that route. I actually tried to talk my wife into a JLU Rubicon back when we got her GC but they were pretty new and quite a bit more expensive than the GC. Plus, it's her car and I would've wanted to dump a bunch of money into the Rubicon lol

I think they're a great looking rig, super capable and a few small mods adds to that. I still love the simplicity and classic-ness of the TJ, plus everyone has a JK/JL.

 

[Longhorn84]

Not going to lie, I love my TJ, but if a JL Rubicon had been an option (especially in Mojito or High Velocity Yellow) I probably would've gone that route. I actually tried to talk my wife into a JLU Rubicon back when we got her GC but they were pretty new and quite a bit more expensive than the GC. Plus, it's her car and I would've wanted to dump a bunch of money into the Rubicon lol

I think they're a great looking rig, super capable and a few small mods adds to that. I still love the simplicity and classic-ness of the TJ, plus everyone has a JK/JL.

I like the color of your Jeep, is that factory?

 

[bbaldwin237]

I like the color of your Jeep, is that factory?

Thanks! No it's not, it's a Land Rover color called Arles blue. The PO did a ton of work/restoration on it and had it painted. I believe his wife picked the color and I love it. Definitely caught our eye when we were shopping.