The family dilemma...

[jpljpl]

. I recommend a long-arm setup. For instance:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-Wrangler-WE-FINANACE-2006-Jeep-Wrangler-Unlimited-4-1-2-RUBICON-LIFT-34K-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem414ec45f70QQitemZ280494366576QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

I agree with all of the info posted so far, but I would take a short-armed JK over a long-armed TJ any day.

You only need 2" on a JK to run 35's, and the stock arms are fine for that.

 

[ChesapeakeRover]

I'm am envious of my buddy's set up, running 35s and a 3" lift on his JK, although he has a Sahara so I got more lockers than him (With the HD package + the standard center), and oh I can comfortably ride a speeds higher than 70 without the steering wheel vibrating like a jackhammer lol

I view the JK as a compromise in a way because although its "streetable" it will never ever be like the LR3 in that sense, and yet the jeep could go places the LR3 could never go, but since around here there is no Moab equivalent, I've been able to do everything he has done... To each his own i guess

 

[schafari]

Oh no. . . "Not sure I want to scratch up the LR3 off-roading. . ." I think I heard your LR3 cry a little bit. . . It is odd with the LR3. I sill park it away from everybody, fret when I get a "city" scratch. . but smile when I see a scratch here or there that bring backs the fond memories of all the exploring the LR3 allowed and made happen in supreme comfort.

Having an LR3 but not take it off road. . .is a bit like having a Golden Retriever but telling him not to be happy and playful. . .

 

[Mr.BigsLR3]

Oh no. . . "Not sure I want to scratch up the LR3 off-roading. . ." I think I heard your LR3 cry a little bit. . . It is odd with the LR3. I sill park it away from everybody, fret when I get a "city" scratch. . but smile when I see a scratch here or there that bring backs the fond memories of all the exploring the LR3 allowed and made happen in supreme comfort.

Having an LR3 but not take it off road. . .is a bit like having a Golden Retriever but telling him not to be happy and playful. . .

Think of it this way. When I had a nice 911 Carrera 2, I would track it. Beat on it really. One day I spun that car and did about $700 damage to it. Well, as much as I loved that car, I sold it and bought a $6500 944 to turn into a track beast. Why? Because if I balled it up on the track, I would not feel bad about scrapping a $10K car versus a $45K car.

Same scenario here. Buy a cheaper Jeep and beat on that in woods versus a $35K+ Land Rover. Makes more sense to the wallet.


My old Carrera....(sniff, sniff.... )

 

[jesus_man]

That said, I need to tinker on something.

You know, I got an old bronco that could use some TLC for the "meanwhile".

jpljpl - I am not a jeep guy by any means, but nearly everyone I have ever wheeled with owns one and I have worked on them a lot. So I know more about them than I care to admit, but my experience really stops at the TJ. I don't know much about the JK's, so I am glad you pointed that out. I should also note that my Dad owns an '05 Rubi with a short arm suspension lift (3" maybe??) and it flexes out pretty darn good:

I think he's even got a fair bit more than that. I guess I would edit my comment to say, get a QUALITY lift. Do your research and tailor the suspension to what you need and what works.

J.D.

 

[nwoods]

Buy a cheaper Jeep and beat on that in woods versus a $35K+ Land Rover. Makes more sense to the wallet.

Nice Porsche, but what makes you think the Jeep is cheaper? That certainly has not been my experience, nor the experience of anyone else I know in the Jeep community.

 

[Mr.BigsLR3]

Nice Porsche, but what makes you think the Jeep is cheaper? That certainly has not been my experience, nor the experience of anyone else I know in the Jeep community.

Thanks. I miss her. She was a rare one.

Domestic parts are waaaaaaay cheaper than imports. Ask me how I know. (ugh)...

Example - Corvette brake rotors = $42 a corner at every NAPA. '99 Porsche brake rotors = $250 a corner at various online parts shops.

As I investigated parts for the JK, I was pleasantly surprised by the cost of the aftermarket suspension goodies. Versus the LR3, much...much more cost effective to tweak the JK in the long term.

 

[Mr.BigsLR3]

BTW - Wifey reminded me over the weekend that she likes the idea of the Jeep.

 

[jesus_man]

I agree that a Jeep is cheaper to build into a more capable wheeler.

$35k for a used stock LR3. On Autotrader right now is a bone stock rubi unlimted for $25k, that's ready for mods. Smart spending of $10k in mods would put the JK well above the LR3 in trail performance and still be quite streetable. The jeep will NEVER match the LR3 on the road tho. But even just spending $3k, I could get a Jeep to outperform an LR3 offroad.

Or if you prefer to not modify yourself, you can spend the $35k on one already outfitted and ready to roll.

I do agree, that for an off-road rig, the jeep is cheaper to build, with FAR more options. You want to run Dana 60's and 42" tires, there's a kit out there for that. No so for the LR3.

I'm not bashing the LR3 in anyway. Out of the box, and compared to other stock rigs, it's awesome! But once the modifications start, you hit a brick wall quick.

J.D.