Jeep Convert

[mv7007007]

Jeep convert as well. Prior to my 2008 4Runner, I had a 2004 Rubicon built with a lot of goodies (I'll post a pic at some point). I was researching either a 2dr JK or TJ to build up a secondary offroad toy when the Mrs informed me that we'd be needing a 3rd row. So I had to delay that idea, but I'm building up my '16 SR5 Premium instead.

I may keep my eye out for a budget build TJ or even a CJ that I can abuse later this year.

 

[jswilliams]

I started off with a YJ. I loved it dearly but due to where I live and where I want to offroad the 55mph top speed and space to haul day's worth of gear didn't cut it. Someday when I move and will be offroading with fewer people I'll probably convert back to jeep.

 

[dweh54]

For my own knowledge, can I ask what the warranty issues were?

It was bad parts combined with how it handled by dealers.

2 months after owning it, go to dealership complaining about a harmonic vibration at 50 or above. Dealership says cannot replicate.
I go back to dealership saying I want mechanic to ride with me. Service writer says that the dealership does not do that, but he would go. I point out the vibration and make an appointment a week later. End of the day, dealership says it is fixed come get it. They diagnosed it as loose fender liners, put some washers on to tighten up. Of course I know that is crap, and the vibration was not fixed. I also know they didn't even drive it because I recorded the mileage, and it only went up by .2 miles.
Called Jeep Cares, complained repeatedly, and they finally set me up with another dealership, who actually put a mechanic in the Jeep with me and agrees there is a problem. I would have went to this dealer myself separately but they have a backlog. The Jeep was there for 10 working days, threw parts at it, and ended up that the front driveshaft was bad.
I had to fight for a repair, on a factory part, fight for a rental when out of service for 13 days on a vehicle that is 3 months old, under 3k miles, and bought brand new.
Then a few months later I complained about a loose softtop (mind you only on the Jeep for a few months since I had a hard top for the winter) and the frame needed replaced. Some of the hardware holes were wallowed out...again less than a year old and barely used...on the upgraded twill top. But, of course, no rental but out of service for 2 days.

For the cost of a wrangler, the QC from the factory is horrible, and lost faith in it. Then I knew it had the bad radiator issue that people discussed on the internet. A slight coolant smell right after turning off the motor when hot.

I will own a Jeep again, but something from the 80 or early 90s that will be only for warm weather fun. I had a '96 XJ, 5 speed, I6, manual windows and locks and it was bulletproof.

 

[RTCarlin]

[MENTION=17656]RTCarlin[/MENTION] - How do you like your ORP? The red and black looks nice. I've got the same color scheme, just opposite. I just got an '18 myself in black and I absolutely love the thing. MPG is a bit less than my '07 SR5 but I am not complaining one bit.

We are loving it! It feels a little bigger than I remember my 4th gen feeing, but not enough to be a bother. Definitely love the updated interior. We are going to swap out the front and rear valence with black ones. Never understood the use of silver on every colored vehicle.... and we may switch out the front grill with the TRD Pro look. Other than that, I think we’re going to leave her as is. Really like the wheels, tires, and rock rails/steps that came with the ORP. It’s nice to not have to worry about problems with a vehicle. I loved our Jeep, but you had to live with knowing that over time, you’d come to know your service advisors well. Lol


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[wadle5]

I don’t know about dweh54, but we had axle issues and transmission issues that we had to have covered under warranty. We didn’t beat on it a whole lot, my wife was the primary driver.


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It was bad parts combined with how it handled by dealers.

2 months after owning it, go to dealership complaining about a harmonic vibration at 50 or above. Dealership says cannot replicate.
I go back to dealership saying I want mechanic to ride with me. Service writer says that the dealership does not do that, but he would go. I point out the vibration and make an appointment a week later. End of the day, dealership says it is fixed come get it. They diagnosed it as loose fender liners, put some washers on to tighten up. Of course I know that is crap, and the vibration was not fixed. I also know they didn't even drive it because I recorded the mileage, and it only went up by .2 miles.
Called Jeep Cares, complained repeatedly, and they finally set me up with another dealership, who actually put a mechanic in the Jeep with me and agrees there is a problem. I would have went to this dealer myself separately but they have a backlog. The Jeep was there for 10 working days, threw parts at it, and ended up that the front driveshaft was bad.
I had to fight for a repair, on a factory part, fight for a rental when out of service for 13 days on a vehicle that is 3 months old, under 3k miles, and bought brand new.
Then a few months later I complained about a loose softtop (mind you only on the Jeep for a few months since I had a hard top for the winter) and the frame needed replaced. Some of the hardware holes were wallowed out...again less than a year old and barely used...on the upgraded twill top. But, of course, no rental but out of service for 2 days.

For the cost of a wrangler, the QC from the factory is horrible, and lost faith in it. Then I knew it had the bad radiator issue that people discussed on the internet. A slight coolant smell right after turning off the motor when hot.

I will own a Jeep again, but something from the 80 or early 90s that will be only for warm weather fun. I had a '96 XJ, 5 speed, I6, manual windows and locks and it was bulletproof.

Like I said just wondering for my own knowledge. Used to work for a Ford and Dodge dealership as well as have several friends/family with Wranglers new/used. The reality is the build quality on them is insane. From oil consumption issues, to just brakes going out in their entirety for no reason. As others have said unless the jeeps is 90s or earlier, they seem to just be problematic.
Anyways welcome over from the dark side. Although more expensive to mod than jeeps, you will see how truly capable they are with minimal modifications, but also don't ride like a lumber wagon. Offroad ON!!!

 

[OldRigNewParts]

Welcome to the dark side! I have owned a few jeeps before switching to Toyota. I was very surprised by how tough and capable these trucks are stock. Hope you plan on keeping it forever, because they don't die.

 

[BchBum]

I'm a Jeep convert, too. I had a 2011 JK lifted w/ 33s and many bells and whistles. It was a fun ride, but never comfortable for me. Very much enjoying my new 4Runner and already done a couple mods, like new tires.

Welcome to the T4R family!

 

[kale2s]

Jeep convert here as well! Have done the wrangler and Cherokee thing and decided it was time for something new. :wave:

 

[George718]

Welcome from another noob!

...but don't you miss those big square Jeep mirrors?

I know I do.

 

[Skrrt]

Welcome From ID

 

[951grappler]

I’m a Jeep convert too. I’ve owned 4 Jeeps in the past. A 1996 Jeep Cherokee, a 2001 Grand Cherokee, a 2008 Grand Cherokee, and a 2012 Grand Cherokee. The funnest, most reliable was the 96. That 4.0 engine was bullet proof and would go anywhere. The reliability of the last two had us looking elsewhere. And, well, here we are.

 

[TRT87]

Welcome!

I'm a first time Toyota owner myself after years of Chevy and one Jeep. I'm loving the new runner so far!

Welcome to the forum!

- Tyler

 

[phatjoe]

I'm hoping to purchase a 4runner soon. It will be my first.

 

[maguro]

Hi,

I'm currently on the fence between a JLU Rubicon and a 4Runner.

They're surprisingly similar in price and it seems like the customer base is similar as well.

I really had high hopes for the JL but I find myself questioning the purchase of a new generation JL in its first year as I see the owner reviews roll in.

It's tough because I love the looks of the new JL and dream about driving through the mountains without any roof and doors.

But it'll be my daily driver and I'd like to use it for overlanding as well. Including a 10,000km road trip to the Arctic ocean later this year. I'd have no hesitation taking a tried and tested 4Runner but I'm a little wary about the JL...

 

[Nklxwcyz]

Is there somewhere that sells mods for 4runners?

I'm fairly new to 4x4s, having picked up my 4R about a year ago, but have definitely noticed way more aftermarket options for Jeeps. Not to mention aftermarket Toyota parts seem to carry a premium compared to options for the domestic crowd...

That said, there are some great vendors offering high quality products for our rigs. I've found the Group Buys page to be a good spot to pick up leads. What are you looking to do?

 

[Horsethief]

Welcome. I have always been a Jeep fan/owner myself. I have not yet pulled the trigger on a 4runner, still researching and deciding used vs new, CPO used, trim, etc.

Jeep started going downhill after they discontinued the 4.0. Nothing beats the mid-90s 4.0 HO engine. We had a '96 Cherokee Country and a '93 Wrangler S with 4.0 and they were both built like a brick shit house.

I had a 97 ZJ with the 4.0. Not a day went by where I didn't kick myself for not holding out for a 5.2. Not only was the 4.0 a slug, but it also got crappy gas mileage to boot. Coulda, shoulda had a V8.

Maybe the 4.0 was adequate in the little Cherokee, but for anything else it was underpowered.

I'm a convert too, I guess. Was dead set on a JKU for the longest time, but recently decided that for what I wanted, it was just too much $$, and finding what I wanted used was going to take ages. Decided a 5th gen 4R may be more suited to my needs, and easier to find used as there are only like 3 major options, haha. SR5 or Trail, and then Premium version of either.

Since deciding on a T4R, I've since decided I don't want a giant car payment, and I could buy a half dozen 3rd gens for the price of a 5th gen, so I'm currently looking for 3rd gen with a locker. Plus, IMO the 3rd gen looks the best anyway. And after doing research here, it's interesting to find that a 3rd gen with multimode has a more versatile 4wd system than the new ones.

 

[ByeJeep]

also a convert...

I've recently converted from jeepland as well. Had a '93 Cherokee that I bought in 98 and that served me well until 2012. Did some minor mods to it, just a lift kit, wheels and tires. It ran really great up 'till the end, but the floor started rusting out. I had been cavalier with a "it's a Jeep, it gets washed when it rains" attitude so that was a lesson learned, especially in New England.

The Cherokee got replaced with a '98 Grand Cherokee that I inherited in 2012. I discovered that that one had been pretty poorly maintained and gave me problems from the start. Noticed some funny shifting early on, had the tranny replaced. Not 3 months after that I heard what I thought was a squeaky belt, but when I had my mechanic look at it he informed me the motor was shot. Fell for the sunk cost fallacy and had a rebuilt motor installed. I don't think a year went by after that when something else didn't go wrong. Was glad when, last month, the ABS died and my Dad's mechanic (was visiting from out of state) told me it wasn't worth fixing.

So I was pretty disillusioned about Jeep reliability, to say the least. Reddit couldn't stop singing the 4Runner's praise and so here I am, new owner of an '06 SR5. It only had 95k miles so I'm hoping this is the start of a long and beautiful relationship. :biggrin2:

 

[1fast_e]

On my fifth 4runner and third wrangler.

 

[Digital Man]

Welcome!


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[mlrff]

Hi from another jeep convert ...i had jeeps for the last 20 years went to an fj and now a 2014 limited