Keeping dumping money vs 392

[JPHikr]

Our boy is a tech at a Jeep dealership.
He says NEVER buy a jeep later than a TJ, they just are not good, his advice get a CJ.
I tried that but CJ8's with AT and Full hardtop were out of my budget.
I like the story he tells of replacing a clutch on a brand new JK with Fifty miles on it.
Or the rear axle seals that were bad, axles sealing surface was ground to small and the seals just leaked.
The one where a batch of them had bad computers and the 4wd would not disengage.
It goes on and on.

 

[RangerTJ]

Everyone has their own likes/dislikes, but for a family wheeler I'd take the Bronco over any Wrangler.

The on road drive and handling is FAR better and for a family wheeler, that's where the vast majority of its time will be spent.

But that's just me and you have to spend your $$$ on what makes YOU happy.

 

[AndyG]

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

View attachment 458358

What a stable- I bet that 392 is more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

 

[AndyG]

I get the quandary-

Time and energy in the TJ, the emotional attachment and the fact you built it-

An LJ is an improvement - no question, but not as far as passengers, although they get 2” more leg room.

As a dad with grown kids, spend all the time together you can. Do it for you. Do it for them. You will cherish the memories later and now is the time to shape them into who they need to be - the best version of themselves.

My kids would have loved a Jeep, big mistake missing those years with one when the 3 were little.

If you can swing it, park the TJ for romps, get a Bronco or 392 and more than anything, drink it all in.

Surprise them with a bbq, a bonfire, backyard games or anything you can any time you can. Go. Get out there. Make memories.


Trust me. Don’t blink.

 

[Rickyd]

Isn't the unlimited larger than the bronco? I have a friend who doesn't like his new bronco with only 2 kids.it doesn't look big inside.He's selling it to get an f150

 

[RangerTJ]

Isn't the unlimited larger than the bronco? I have a friend who doesn't like his new bronco with only 2 kids.it doesn't look big inside.He's selling it to get an f150

Bronco has more interior room, though not by much.

Bronco 108 cu ft of interior room vs Wrangler 104.

Bronco has more cargo room as well.

Bronco 38 cu ft vs Wrangler 31.

 

[Longhorn84]

I get the quandary-

Time and energy in the TJ, the emotional attachment and the fact you built it-

An LJ is an improvement - no question, but not as far as passengers, although they get 2” more leg room.

As a dad with grown kids, spend all the time together you can. Do it for you. Do it for them. You will cherish the memories later and now is the time to shape them into who they need to be - the best version of themselves.

My kids would have loved a Jeep, big mistake missing those years with one when the 3 were little.

If you can swing it, park the TJ for romps, get a Bronco or 392 and more than anything, drink it all in.

Surprise them with a bbq, a bonfire, backyard games or anything you can any time you can. Go. Get out there. Make memories.


Trust me. Don’t blink.

hits deep! Wise advice, thank you. I haven't considered the LJ, only JL, likely don't need a 392, maybe a cheaper older JL.

 

[ColoJeep]

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

There are more affordable family friendly 4X4's under the brain dead 392 JL price point.
And beside which one would your kids flip over a JL or ?

 

[Longhorn84]

There are more affordable family friendly 4X4's under the brain dead 392 JL price point.
And beside which one would your kids flip over a JL or ?

Kids love top down doors off and dad loves going fast, bronco raptor doesn’t do it for me so the dream would be 392, stupid pricey but I think they knocked it out of the park with that jeep.

 

[Apparition]

Kids love top down doors off and dad loves going fast, bronco raptor doesn’t do it for me so the dream would be 392, stupid pricey but I think they knocked it out of the park with that jeep.

At least the Raptor doesn’t have the neutered shock travel of the 392.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

hits deep! Wise advice, thank you. I haven't considered the LJ, only JL, likely don't need a 392, maybe a cheaper older JL.

If you're looking to sit 3 across the back the LJ isn't gonna help. It does have what I consider to be enough legroom for fun purposes for adults. Maybe not a cross country road trip. But it's the same seat you have in a TJ.

Ever the practical one, transportation logistics played a role in my preference for stopping at 2 kids. I realize that doesn't help you at this point. but to echo what has been said, family comes first.

 

[Jezza]

Not sure what county you live in Houston, but if you have emissions a v8 swap is difficult to pass.

 

[Longhorn84]

Not sure what county you live in Houston, but if you have emissions a v8 swap is difficult to pass.

I did mine as an 04 tj with an engine from an 04 suburban and kept all emissions, passed with flying colors!

 

[Viking Jeeper]

hits deep! Wise advice, thank you. I haven't considered the LJ, only JL, likely don't need a 392, maybe a cheaper older JL.

There are dealers offering below invoice on ordering 392 as well as other models of other jeeps. Check out www.jeep392.com for posts from dealers. Many with several happy customers. Often their offers are great even when considering travel/transport cost.

 

[suicideking]

I have a friend that I wheel with that had a VERY built TJ on 40's. He bought a 392 and sold the TJ. At the time, he was deciding between the 392 JLUR or an LJ. He said it ended up being 51% for the 392 JLUR and that's what he bought.

He has had it over two years and is having LOTS of problems with it going into limp mode on the trail. He usually doesn't have any passengers other than his wife, and I haven't seen her lately. So not quite the same situation, but he does seem to have countless problems with it.

I wheeled with another guy that has a pretty basic setup with a JL 2 door with the 3.6. Went wheeling with him a couple months ago. Doing some pretty normal trails, his also went into limp mode for a bit. Then wouldn't even start. We had to tow it back to camp. Hours later it started up like normal, but he was afraid to take it out wheeling the next day, so he rode as passenger with me.

So I like the JL for street use, just don't think I would buy one intending to have it as a dedicated trail rig. They're more like a modern street car in a Jeep body.

I bought a second TJ for DD use. I have 3 kids, but only take two of them to school now. They complained about the 2 door at first, but are used to it now. Not ideal if you have passengers all the time, but doable. The third kid is turning 15 in December and the TJ will be his. I have mixed feeling about giving it up to get a newer vehicle, I really like the small size.

 

[Rickyd]

I have a friend that I wheel with that had a VERY built TJ on 40's. He bought a 392 and sold the TJ. At the time, he was deciding between the 392 JLUR or an LJ. He said it ended up being 51% for the 392 JLUR and that's what he bought.

He has had it over two years and is having LOTS of problems with it going into limp mode on the trail. He usually doesn't have any passengers other than his wife, and I haven't seen her lately. So not quite the same situation, but he does seem to have countless problems with it.

I wheeled with another guy that has a pretty basic setup with a JL 2 door with the 3.6. Went wheeling with him a couple months ago. Doing some pretty normal trails, his also went into limp mode for a bit. Then wouldn't even start. We had to tow it back to camp. Hours later it started up like normal, but he was afraid to take it out wheeling the next day, so he rode as passenger with me.

So I like the JL for street use, just don't think I would buy one intending to have it as a dedicated trail rig. They're more like a modern street car in a Jeep body.

I bought a second TJ for DD use. I have 3 kids, but only take two of them to school now. They complained about the 2 door at first, but are used to it now. Not ideal if you have passengers all the time, but doable. The third kid is turning 15 in December and the TJ will be his. I have mixed feeling about giving it up to get a newer vehicle, I really like the small size.

Same story with my uncles JLUR. He disconnects the battery a lot to get it to shift right and other problems offroad.

 

[ColoJeep]

I have a friend that I wheel with that had a VERY built TJ on 40's. He bought a 392 and sold the TJ. At the time, he was deciding between the 392 JLUR or an LJ. He said it ended up being 51% for the 392 JLUR and that's what he bought.

He has had it over two years and is having LOTS of problems with it going into limp mode on the trail. He usually doesn't have any passengers other than his wife, and I haven't seen her lately. So not quite the same situation, but he does seem to have countless problems with it.

I wheeled with another guy that has a pretty basic setup with a JL 2 door with the 3.6. Went wheeling with him a couple months ago. Doing some pretty normal trails, his also went into limp mode for a bit. Then wouldn't even start. We had to tow it back to camp. Hours later it started up like normal, but he was afraid to take it out wheeling the next day, so he rode as passenger with me.

So I like the JL for street use, just don't think I would buy one intending to have it as a dedicated trail rig. They're more like a modern street car in a Jeep body.

I bought a second TJ for DD use. I have 3 kids, but only take two of them to school now. They complained about the 2 door at first, but are used to it now. Not ideal if you have passengers all the time, but doable. The third kid is turning 15 in December and the TJ will be his. I have mixed feeling about giving it up to get a newer vehicle, I really like the small size.

I look at a new Gladiator forum , it seems this is more common than I would ever guess. What drives me nuts is see owners on the forum making up bullshit excuses for the half ass operation of their Jeep. Let's just say the mechanical aptitude on the Gladiator forum is about 5% of the TJ Forum group. I mean come on , they are actually saying it's ok for the computer controlled front axle electrically controlled actuator not to work , leaving you in 2 WD. Until it gets " Broke in ". This is why I don't want a $ 60,000 ( Mid Trim ) P.O.S.

I had to do a double take to make sure I wasn't on an Audi forum site with all their German induced delusional excuse fabrication . Can you imagine what a JT , JL Jeep will be dealing with when it's 20 years old.

 

[5632]

If you do your own engine swap consider a Chev LS.

 

[RangerTJ]

I look at a new Gladiator forum , it seems this is more common than I would ever guess. What drives me nuts is see owners on the forum making up bullshit excuses for the half ass operation of their Jeep. Let's just say the mechanical aptitude on the Gladiator forum is about 5% of the TJ Forum group. I mean come on , they are actually saying it's ok for the computer controlled front axle electrically controlled actuator not to work , leaving you in 2 WD. Until it gets " Broke in ". This is why I don't want a $ 60,000 ( Mid Trim ) P.O.S.

I had to do a double take to make sure I wasn't on an Audi forum site with all their German induced delusional excuse fabrication . Can you imagine what a JT , JL Jeep will be dealing with when it's 20 years old.

Some Gladiator owners assume that the reason you don't have one is obviously because you can't afford one.

I'm sure it's not just limited to Gladiators.

I got some Jeep parts off the marketplace once.

I went to get them in my Ranger.

Seller is in a Gladiator.

We chat a bit and he's intent on telling me how successful his business is, how big his house is, etc.

Then he says "That's a nice Ranger but my Gladiator payment is probably not much more than yours"

So I replied that mine didn't have a payment, so his probably was indeed a little more.

 

[ColoJeep]

Some Gladiator owners assume that the reason you don't have one is obviously because you can't afford one.

I'm sure it's not just limited to Gladiators.

I got some Jeep parts off the marketplace once.

I went to get them in my Ranger.

Seller is in a Gladiator.

We chat a bit and he's intent on telling me how successful his business is, how big his house is, etc.

Then he says "That's a nice Ranger but my Gladiator payment is probably not much more than yours"

So I replied that mine didn't have a payment, so his probably was indeed a little more.

Sounds about right. O well enjoy your Ranger just like We enjoy our 04 Taco.