Luxury wheelin platform

[OldGreen]

So, you wanna hang with the big boys but you have to keep Wifey happy and be able to visit the mall in style once in a while? You have some cash, but don't live at the mint.

What is the best rig for the job.

Personally, an AEV JK350 on 37s with aftermarket axles and a big Hemi sounds perfect.....except for the 100k price tag and the fact that many places, like Rimrock, are out of the question in a giant JK.

My personal opinion would be to find a 1998 or 1999 XJ Limited and throw some high end parts on it along with a set of 35" floatation tires.

What do you think? This was inspired by a hijack of a run thread in the member's area.....

[79chevy39.5's]

daves white xj looked like it would be nice and comfy in the pics of the last run, i would highly agree with you on the cherokee platform being a great start point for that but the luxury part may be lacking slightly, is a wj any wider body wise? the interior just seems a might nicer in my opinion


something very similar to this is highly appealing to me
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-che ... arine.html

kept full body with slightly wider than stock +3 inchs total on 35 mt/r with hp for 44 and 9inch keep it simple with just long arm off the shelf kits with the axles built to fit with beefy trac bars and a good hydro assist system

[OldGreen]

I own an XJ, a WJ, and a WK2 (plus 1.5 CJs). The WJ is a GREAT platform, but it is a tad too wide for my taste. I'd consider one with a 4.0. After all of the trouble with the 4.7 V8, I'd never own another one.

[iaccocca]

This was inspired by a hijack of a run thread in the member's area.....

A hijack? Oh my!

Good split. That other thread should be reserved for the menu... err... I mean wheeling, I meant wheeling.

But in respect to the new thread subject, I must ask, "Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon?"

[Lud]

I always wanted a Land Rover Defender 90 for that purpose.

[OldGreen]

I like Defenders too... but they have about as many creature comforts as a CJ7.

[Grumpy]

I just made the mistake of looking at D90 prices...

[White trash]

96-05ish 4 runner with a 3.4 backed by an auto. Gold trim, leather and every creature comfort under the sun with a factory rear electric locker and a ruffstuff driver drop housing set up with factory fj80 high pinion e locker diff, knuckles & shafts along with the stock radius arms, coils and links. That with a nice set of 35's will spank the stank off most any trail in pure comfort for decades to come. With the bonus of not falling apart after a few years when the unibody fatigues and starts falling apart.

[OldGreen]

I like it. . .

[Lud]

I like Defenders too... but they have about as many creature comforts as a CJ7.

I agree with you the creature comforts aren't exactly there but I guess its more my idea of a luxury rig, lol. And what's even worse I'd want a 1997 the rarest and most expensive with the 4L V8. They've gotten pricier over the years of course.

Cj7's never came with external roll cages from the factory or 4.70 gear ratios. The solid axles were stout from the factory and it rode on coil springs. Add lockers and a winch and you're done. And you'll turn more heads than a CJ will.

Wow for the prices I'd be better of with a Rubicon and 35's...oh wait

I agree with White Trash's rig though as being cool choice.

[OldGreen]

I was more thinking luxury. . .like: Wifey will like the seats, interior, ride quality, etc.

Leather, air, power options, etc. AND will fit on our summer trails and not be too big/heavy for snow wheelin'.

Trashy's choice is spot on. . .If you can stand owning a Toyota. Jeep XJ Limited/ZJ/WJ would work. . .Maybe an SRS Pathfinder. RR Discovery w/solid axles MAYBE. . .Anything longer than a ZJ is marginal. Maybe a first gen Exploder with a few mods. . .

[Wrench]

I have been toying with the idea of turning my Mountaineer into a "luxury" wheeler for several years now. SAS front, open the wheel wells to accept 36" Iroks, and give her a good tcase. It's nicely loaded inside, but could use a set of seat warmers to keep the leather warm. Whatcha think?

[OldGreen]

I think that would be sweet. . .already has a good rearend and a good engine. The tranny will live unless you rod it (but I forgot who I was talking too. . .oops).

[SPR]

Wouldn't a TJ with nice seats and A/C be about as good as it gets for a dual sport (Mountains&Malls) rig? The few trips that I've done as a passenger in a TJ were super comfy and secure feeling. I guess the TJ would'nt work well for a 4 passenger rig.

[TJDave]

Wouldn't a TJ with nice seats and A/C be about as good as it gets for a dual sport (Mountains&Malls) rig? The few trips that I've done as a passenger in a TJ were super comfy and secure feeling. I guess the TJ would'nt work well for a 4 passenger rig.

...and that brings us back to a TJ Unlimited like Lee's. Longer than SWB TJ's, same width, but way more room to pack in a lot of stuff. Alot!

I have seen a couple builds on the internetz that has turned a TJ Unlimited into a 4 dr. With enough funding, anything is possible I guess.

What about a Toyota FJ Cruiser? Last year at Liberty, it was so dusty, my buddy left his open YJ at camp and our wives piled in the FJ with him. My daughter rode in the Jeep w/me. The FJ did really well, completely stock with one size larger tires and the factory rear locker. The goofy rear doors and small back seat makes it hard for rear passengers to get in though...and it's really fugly.

I really like Rich & Laura's Lexus too.

[OldGreen]

The ONLY issues that I have with TJs are:

1. 2 doors only
2. That's it. . .no other issue. In fact, the LJ Rubi might be the best invention evar.

[79chevy39.5's]

i too root for the fzj80's factory elockers but never really been in one, hellfire knuckles and a steering and longs make for some really strong axles and steering, or double arms with full hydro, seen a few of them at naches and they seem to just cruise right along in stockish form

[TJDave]

So speaking of FJ Cruisers....I finally figured out one of the reasons I think they are so fugly.

It's the big white melon cap on top of those things...no matter what color they are.

I was at the Toyota stealership today getting the wifey's car serviced and saw one in the showroom. It looked pretty good for some odd reason.

It was white, and matched it's own melon! The small lift and cool wheels didn't hurt either.

It was only $36,000.00





And since we are talking about trail cows snow wheeling......