Opinions Needed

[Showtime]

Hey guys, I recently posted a thread about the wrangler being used as a DD. I want to get some opinions from those of you who drive lifted wranglers as daily drivers.

I'm planning on getting an unlimited hardtop, throwing on a lift and 35's and maybe a truetrac in the front. My concern is that i drive on hwy 5 for 300-400 miles every once in a while. I'd rather not have a brick that wanders from lane to lane and shutters at every bump.

So do you guys who have unlimiteds or regular wranglers for that matter enjoy your lifted TJ or LJ on a daily basis?

And would you suggest a longarm lift even with the extended wheelbase of the LJ?

Any opinions appreciated.

Thanks

[Robert J. Yates]

I know I will probably hear it from all the DD guys on here about this but IMO, any TJ on 35's is not going to ride, steer, go, or stop as well as a stock TJ. You are probably a bit better off due to the additional wheelbase but once you lift it and toss 35's on......things change.

[?????]

Mine drives great. Not as good as a stock Jeep, but I still wouldn't have a problem driving it 10 or more hours on the interstate. I regularly drive 500 miles round trip on weekends to go home from college. The biggest thing is to get the right gears in it. I would also do a long arm lift.

[GPV4Me]

I think 35's might be a bit big for a long distance DD but otherwise, go for it. TJ's drive better lifted. At least mine does. I have a 2" lift with 32's and use it as a DD averaging 500 miles a week.

Go Bruins!

[dirtgrip]

Don,t forget to upgrade the steering & brakes.35,s tend to be hard on them.

[marcdmjeep]

Let me first say... I would say that if you are asking the question... you probably want to give it a boost... probably will... and will enjoy it... cause it is a lot of fun... makes it very capable... and lets face it... the second you get it... you want to mod it.... or a least I always have.

But is it as comfortable as a DD... I think that it is all relative... to say that it drives better then stock... by that one could mean that it is more fun. To that point I would totally agree.. But be honest... lifted with 33's let alone 35's... you are gonna get wandering... possibly bump steer... and I can tell you that in the windy sections of the 5.. (Particularly over ALtamont Pass) your higher center of gravity will also effect your ride.

That said... does it drive better?... well when I was 21 - I would say HELL YA... but approaching my mid thirties... I still lift-em... love em... and would not have it any other way... but I am also not gonna kid my self and believe that it does not wander, is not squirrlier, bumpier,... and get MUUUUUCH worse gas milage.. When I want a comfortable ride... I drive my wifes car.

Question is = can you handle YOUR daily driver, driving the way a lifted, modified jeep will drive?... For me... I can. Commute from Concord - Emeryville.. bumper to bumper sucks... except with the top and doors off!

But honestly the other side is... Not too many people get a Jeep because it is practical, comfortable ( thats relative too), or fuel efficient. But because they are fun as hell tonka toys that can be configured in a ton of different ways and can take you to beautiful places when it is not acting as your DD...

keep in mind... its just IMO...

[Rob 99TJ]

IMO I'd stay at 3-4" lift and 33's for a DDriver. A tall Jeep can really catch the wind.

[disturbed 1]

Keep it stock and it's a doable DD. Not perfect, doable. Lift it and toss on bigger tires and the doable aspect slowly diminishes after time.

[Showtime]

Well it is between the wrangler unlimited and a dodge ram 1500. I would probably not do anything to the ram.

Dodge 1500:
Pros - can haul dirt bikes, atv's, and tow trailers. VERY comfortable, great ride height
Cons - gas mileage, gas mileage, gas mileage

Jeep Unlimited:
Pros - cheap, seats four pretty comfortably, better gas mileage, 4x4 ability, size, and it's a jeep
Cons - cant haul much, cant tow much, not as comfortable inside or on the road

What do you guys think? If it was the dodge, i would have to debate if the truck was worth the sucky gas mileage.

[ehirner]

Originally Posted by Showtime

If it was the dodge, i would have to debate if the truck was worth the sucky gas mileage.

You'd think the Jeep would get much better mileage, but I can't see the Dodge getting much worse than the 12-15 the Unlimiteds seem to be averaging.

I pull 12mpg consistently, city driving. 12mpg brand new. 12mpg now with just over 7000 on the odometer.

[BillR]

I've been through this TWICE. (slow learner!) I had an '86 CJ and an '01 XJ that I bought stock and started lifting and modding. In BOTH cases (35s, 5"+ lift, etc) they became impractical and uncomfortable for a DD or for any long trips. I've (hopefully) learned my lesson and I'm approching this new TJ build MUCH more cautiously. This one won't see 35s at least until I have a BIG garage and another vehicle to drive daily.

[marcdmjeep]

I think the issue is in the belief that we can have the best of both worlds... Have the mods that we want to better the vehicles off road performance... and yet still maintain its DD functionality. And it really is up to each individuals tolorance for what they consider OK in a DD.. I know that having been in my friends rigs that get BIG lifts and 35's-36's... I would not enjoy that ride characteristics as a DD... Personally I have found 3 inches and 33's to be the perfect medium - And have put that on 2 TJs a CJ a bunch of Toyota PU's.. etc.. etc...

But then others are totally cool with the Giant lift and MTs... and will swear by it trecking down the highway at 70.. So it always comes back to your personal taste..

The one thing I would say is... BOTH get pretty crumby gas milage... Having ALWAYS had either a Pickup or a Jeep... I would say that one gives you a lot of utility... and the other is just a HELLLLLL of a lot of fun. Just figure out what is most important for YOUR needs... and there is your answer..

But with gas @ $2.75... they are both gonna drain your gas budget!