Daily driver/weekend camp-mobile

[Paul R]

TRD 4runners will sport the e-locker in the rear

I believe it is the limited option... not TRD like the tacomas

But yeah the Runners have a rear locker option that is why I suggested it...

 

[allterrain]

I just had a perfect weekend in Moab. We braved the weather scare and had overcast skies but dry conditions after Wellington. NO OTHER rigs on the trails!!
The wife rented an '08 JK Rubicon 4 door with tera lift and 35's as a real world family test drive for my birthday. It was the first run for it from Farabee's.
We did Gemini Bridges, Bull Canyon (sand hills were fun) and Poison Spider.
The eLockers front and rear worked great. We had room for 5 and our gear in back and it ran smooth on and off road. More power would have been nice, but overall, a great family rig. This one was no luxo frills except for the XM radio.
Driving home late Sat. was a nightmare weather wise, but no problems...
Even the wife is sold on the JK when the Durango finally dies.

 

[Paul R]

I wonder if they'll start looking less "cartoonish" anytime in the future? I really thought the older ones looked pretty nice, but haven't liked them for about 5-6 years now.

Well the H3/FJC/JK definately aren't cartoonish...

 

[Greg]

Hmm,, I didnt know that the Runner had a locker option.... interesting...

We had a '99 4Runner Limited with the 3.4l V6, Auto & e-locker in the rear. It had a 2" OME lift & 265 BFG A/T's & was very capable in that form. The only thing I didn't like about it was the mileage, it averaged about 14-15 MPG. It had a hard time getting more than 250 miles out of a tank, while my 5 speed Tacoma with the same sized, less-aggressive tires easily got 300+ miles. I wish we could have kept the 4Runner, but I had to have a tow rig.

I'd say that 4Runner was good for 3 to 3+ trail in Moab, it could have used some rocker protection but it was plenty capable to go where you pointed it. It was very cushy too, leather, power everything, etc. It made a great daily driver / exploration rig. I loved the factory coilover suspension too, that front end allowed the 4Runner to baja like a champ!

 

[Milner]

None of the above....

To me, JK's are just to big, H3's belong in Valet parking, and FJ's are having issues with body cracks....If you must out of the 3, JK hands down!

For the money, time, reliablity I would look for a pre WJ Grand, latelmodel XJ, LJ, Cruiser wagon, 4dr Taco, etc....

 

[Maverick]

I just had a perfect weekend in Moab. We braved the weather scare and had overcast skies but dry conditions after Wellington. NO OTHER rigs on the trails!!
The wife rented an '08 JK Rubicon 4 door with tera lift and 35's as a real world family test drive for my birthday. It was the first run for it from Farabee's.
We did Gemini Bridges, Bull Canyon (sand hills were fun) and Poison Spider.
The eLockers front and rear worked great. We had room for 5 and our gear in back and it ran smooth on and off road. More power would have been nice, but overall, a great family rig. This one was no luxo frills except for the XM radio.
Driving home late Sat. was a nightmare weather wise, but no problems...
Even the wife is sold on the JK when the Durango finally dies.

Very cool birthday present.

Regarding the poll: Last June I rented the lowly JK X with 2" budget boost and 33's...and LOVED IT.

I also spent a day "wheelin'" an H3, and have been on the trail with FJ's, and I'll take the JK anyday and twice if it's a Rubicon model. (yes, I'd even take the JK X over those other two.)

The H3 interior drove me nuts, especially the visibility. It did better than I thought it would. Checkin' out the FJ's on the trail (with Yota factory people there giving rides) the interior and lack of visibility drove me nuts.

Thinking about having my family in either the FJ or H3 compared to the JK? No way. I had my 4 boys with me in the JK for 2 days on the trail with all our gear and had plenty of room for coolers, food box, bags, tent, tools, recovery gear, etc. One thing I really liked was being able to stuff stuff under the rear seats.

Have fun with your decision.

 

[xjshorty21]

i think i ether read this or dreamed it but isnt the jk coming out with a v8? ... but i say the jk hands down soild axles and dont have to deal with the IFS...

 

[Bart]

I just had a perfect weekend in Moab. We braved the weather scare and had overcast skies but dry conditions after Wellington. NO OTHER rigs on the trails!!
The wife rented an '08 JK Rubicon 4 door with tera lift and 35's as a real world family test drive for my birthday. It was the first run for it from Farabee's.
We did Gemini Bridges, Bull Canyon (sand hills were fun) and Poison Spider.
The eLockers front and rear worked great. We had room for 5 and our gear in back and it ran smooth on and off road. More power would have been nice, but overall, a great family rig. This one was no luxo frills except for the XM radio.
Driving home late Sat. was a nightmare weather wise, but no problems...
Even the wife is sold on the JK when the Durango finally dies.

Cool, great to hear you're actually wheeling again. Do you still have the green machine?

 

[allterrain]

Cool, great to hear you're actually wheeling again. Do you still have the green machine?

I sure do. Although Simon and Maddie have pretty much claimed it...

 

[gijohn40]

according to JP mag the jk is going to be possible getting a diesel in 09-10... that would be great... but I'm still not holding my breath

 

[d-stumph]

Well, the JK is a distant option in my mind.... I am a little worried about the depriciation the H3 and JK will suffer vs. the FJ

I dont know, Jeep has a recent history of very strong resale value, just look at the majority of TJ pricing around, and i think it was petersons magazine that said that the jeep was in the top 5 of vehicles holding there value. (i cant remember exactly what was said, but it was good). I see 97's and 98's selling all the time up here for 10-15 grand