I need a Jeep -

[iceman]

It's the short wheelbase that will give you more trouble than the power in a 4.0 wrangler. Those are actually pretty stout engines but if the trailer starts to get squirrelly you've got problems with the jeep for sure. Plus an atv will go places a jeep never will, and if you tip it over you can just put it back on its wheels and ride home. Yeah you lose the around-town fun part, that is a bummer but to me it's a matter of setting priorities and you have to make your own, no one can help you with that part.

[itsnowjoke]

Check your towing capacities on the TJ: max weight, max tongue weight, max combined gross vehicle weight. I got rid of an '08 JK because it couldn't handle towing what I wanted. Because of the short wheel base they are very limited. I now have a JKU and it's awesome for towing.

[east or bust]

Shop hard and travel to buy if you have to.

This is something that every smart buyer practices. It's not very expensive to ship a vehicle and sometimes it takes several months to find what's right.

[digitaldeath]

You don't have a jeep already, you pussy?

Half doors! You stupid poser

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Buy a Samurai and an older 3/4 ton pickup, you'll get both for less than what you're looking at and they'll do everything you want. Really there aren't that many legal roads that you really need a vehicle like a Jeep for.

[wooley12]

As I expected, there is good info here to filter. And then there is DD.

Poser? Moi? Pas. Poseur Magnifique. Oui. Life gets way more fun when you don't give a shit.

I used to visit a ski/alpine shop once a year on my trip west. Owned by the renowned Swiss guide M.V. The shop was the size of a 3 car garage at the time and I got to know the shop manager on my visits. Well I stopped by one day and Martin himself was in and working with one of the several customers. "Can I help you" he asked. "Nah, I'm just a poser and came in to buy a tee shirt." The place broke up.

[digitaldeath]

I have a 5 speed tj. It is bulletproof.

[east or bust]

I have a 5 speed tj. It is bulletproof.

No jeep is bulletproof, I can assure you of that.

[iceman]

No jeep is bulletproof, I can assure you of that.

http://www.jgms.com/products/armored-vehicles/

[warthog]

I have a TH400 auto trans on my '79. It is pretty nice. The 304 would tow your load, but I am already at 8.5-9 mpg, so take that into consideration. If you can find a decent one with a 350 in it, go for it. Doubt it will be unlifted though. If the lift is done right, it is not a problem. Mine has a 4 inch OME with 2 inch body. The body lift actually helps the trans breathe, and keeps the floor boards a tolerable temp.
For reference, mine will do 70 on the highway, no problem. 90 if it needs to. Never have felt sketchy at those speeds. Evasive maneuvers would be questionable though. It is on 35X 13.5's.

Love the FJ's, but parts and service on the older Jeeps are much more available. You should be able to find a cheap square headlight YJ, or a TJ in that price range. Give it time though. Know what you are looking for. It took me 5 years of searching to find my CJ, and it was 9 hours away in Myrtle Beach.

[wooley12]

Actually, here is what planted the seed at a very young age

[digitaldeath]

No jeep is bulletproof, I can assure you of that.

I don't come here for assurances

[sb]

An older Blazer that can take a soft top is not a bad pick. Lots of mods available and its got a tad more wheel base which is helpful in many circumstances.

Then again those old flat fenders are pretty kewl.





one of these might break the bank but how kewl is that

[ill-advised strategy]

this one was made for your situation:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4530110482.html



Plenty of other options abound:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/4528612269.html



http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/4566542960.html


http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4530417779.html


http://yakima.craigslist.org/cto/4566886857.html


drop a 350 in this:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/4554877375.html


Think outside of the box here....these trucks are tough as fuck and do anything you'd want. Skilled driving, 6" lift, lockers, and some 38's get you wherever you want to go.
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/4563291387.html

[Meadow Skipper]

That ^CJ looks bitchin.

[warthog]

Yeah, that CJ5 is sweet. Even shorter wheelbase than the CJ7 or YJ though.
For everything but the towing, that would be a sweet ride. Price is good too.

[Meadow Skipper]

Yeah, that CJ5 is sweet. Even shorter wheelbase than the CJ7 or YJ though.
For everything but the towing, that would be a sweet ride. Price is good too.

Yeah, not so much for the OP, it just tickled my own toy gland.

[ill-advised strategy]

Can't tow with a short wheelbase.









Yeah you can't tow anything with a short wheelbase.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

That Dodge would be the best option. One of my most frequent ski partners still uses one like that, except it's whit, as his daily driver. That truck will take you up any open FS road.

[ill-advised strategy]

That Dodge would be the best option. One of my most frequent ski partners still uses one like that, except it's whit, as his daily driver. That truck will take you up any open FS road.

That's my personal favorite of the bunch as well.

[adrenalated]

^^^ perhaps short wheelbase + light weight it what iceman should have said.

Towing two sleds with a Wrangler would suck so hard.

[sb]

kewlest jeep evar

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1944-Ford-Je...itary_Vehicles

[snoqpass]

The elevation is certainly a factor, but I think most 4L Jeep owners will agree that, while they are indisputably great engines, they're just not powerful enough to two 2000# of sleds uphill to the TH in anything that even remotely resembles comfort. Even so, if your budget allows for a beater Jeep then for god's sake man, go get one. Rambling around on a sunny day with the top/doors off and the soundbar cranking out some crappy 80's rock is pretty damned nice.

A 700 RMK weighs @ 500lbs

[adrenalated]

A 700 RMK weighs @ 500lbs

Yep. So two sleds plus trailer plus fuel in sleds are going to weigh in at about 1500-2000#, depending on the trailer.
Pretty sure Cruiser has a slight typo; "not powerful enough to tow 2000# of sleds" is what I'm sure he meant to say.

[flatlander#2]

I had a 79 CJ-5, that lime bastard is the sexy. They are so quick turning, you have to have your shit together. We were out wheeling it one night, drunk as Lords, bouncing around and it just dies. Oh shit. Problem. Get out, pop hood and strap holding battery down had broken, battery fell over and grounded out. Tip up, borrow a belt and away we went.

I drive a 12 JKU daily. Not even sure I'd put a trailer with two sleds behind it.

But really, $7k for the lime beast is awesome.