Georgia Trail Riders Forum

MEMBERS DISCUSSION AREA => General Discussion => Topic started by: JeepSh on March 05, 2014, 08:21:35 AM

Title: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 05, 2014, 08:21:35 AM
So I want to plan an over landing trip to take place in three years time. My goal will be from east to west and north to Alaska. Then back south through the mid west.

Besides planning I know my TJ rubicon will not be the best vehicle for a family of 4.

I'm leaning towards selling it and getting a JKU sport with max tow package and putting a locker up front.

Or finding an Xterra or Tocomma with factory lockers (rear only).

So should I sell the TJ and get a JKU or Xterra or taco?


Guado
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 05, 2014, 08:35:55 AM
Oh and what is a fair asking price for the TJ

Od: 97750
New fluids at 95500


04 rubicon
Old man emu heavy kit
JKS mml
JKS qd
JKS 1.25" body lift
Uniden 520xl pro
33" toyo oc mt

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/05/uvy4uha6.jpg)


Guado
Title: Re:
Post by: Raisinhead on March 05, 2014, 08:37:16 AM
What else are you planning to do with the vehicle? I've owned all three. I'd go jku or Taco. Jeep is my favorite and most fun, but Toyota makes great vehicles.

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Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: Matt on March 05, 2014, 08:37:29 AM
Get ready for it.

JKU incoming 3...2...1....
Title: Re: Re: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: Raisinhead on March 05, 2014, 08:39:00 AM
Get ready for it.

JKU incoming 3...2...1....
too late. Lol

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Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 05, 2014, 08:44:06 AM
I don't plan on "hitting the rocks" I want a comfortable vehicle for the family and I to enjoy the outdoors in. Small lift to help clear larger tires for Gc, trailer with roof top tent, onboard air for tires and onboard water storage, dual battery monitoring, fridge. Almost an offroad RV.


Guado
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: clark123456 on March 05, 2014, 08:57:19 AM
Of those vehicles, my vote would be a Toyota Taco. 

I would go for a full sized SUV for comfort and space. 
Title: Re: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: Raisinhead on March 05, 2014, 08:58:54 AM
Family of four with gear will fill up a jeep quickly. (Family of 6 here) and the gas mileage will suffer even more with the rack and rtt. I would hate to get rid of such a nice tj. What about getting something like a smaller rv and pulling the jeep? If not, tacoma seems like a better choice. Or this sick tundra! (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/05/abypudyp.jpg)

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Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: Matt on March 05, 2014, 08:59:37 AM
Jeep Grand Cherokee, leather, nav, etc.
Title: Re:
Post by: Krawler00 on March 05, 2014, 09:10:26 AM
with a jeep you sacrifice space. whether a JK or not. Bigger is better.

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Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 05, 2014, 09:44:09 AM
Size will be a concern for tight spots. Mid size is where I want to be. Trailer will hold most gear but rear end of SUV will be galley. I plan on staying away from a roof rack. No one even said  Xterra ....


Guado
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: clark123456 on March 05, 2014, 09:45:45 AM
Can you post the actual path you are considering?
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 05, 2014, 09:47:22 AM
Not yet. Still researching. Taking advice etc.


Guado
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 05, 2014, 10:26:42 AM
What should I ask for the TJ ?


Guado
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: Matt on March 05, 2014, 10:32:29 AM
15k //cheers2//
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: jgerhard on March 05, 2014, 10:47:02 AM
This trip sounds pretty awesome but getting out of the TJ would be really a bummer.  I think you could use a JKU to do the trip.  I travel with a fair bit of stuff with the kids and you can pack it all into nooks and crannies, much more than any TJ - you have to see it to get the mental image.  The rear area is quite large if you go vertical, and then there is underseat storage in the back.  A small trailer or a hitch mounted storage rack would get you very far if your family can travel light.  Then you stay in a Wrangler and get to do the trip.  I've read about similar journies as to what you are planning and any vehicle will have to be very well organized to do this, and traveling light. 

Overland journey, concern is reliability right.  SO I'd be going newish Toyota 4Runner or new Jeep.



Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 05, 2014, 11:12:42 AM
We won't go alone, wanna join us?


Guado
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: jgerhard on March 05, 2014, 11:24:44 AM
That would indeed be awesome.  I would think on it, just keep it posted...


So tell me, you don't want to do any rock crawling?  I think you need to hit Gulches park before you decide that!  I am certainly not driving my nice shiny JKU over a rock PILE soon, but riding these east coast parks always involves some rock, creek beds, ledges etc.

Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: clark123456 on March 05, 2014, 11:32:22 AM
I had not heard of doing this in the US, so a quick google search yielded:  http://pangaea-expeditions.com/5-best-north-american-overland-vehicles/
Title: Re:
Post by: cudruln on March 05, 2014, 11:39:14 AM
Jk for the win. Just pack smart and make reasonable upgrades. Should be a very reliable vehicle with lots of potential.

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Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 05, 2014, 11:55:44 AM
I say rock crawling. I do not plan on going to any extremes. I consider myself fairly conservative and I would rather explore than articulate.


Guado
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: jgerhard on March 05, 2014, 12:17:37 PM
I hear you.  Try out Gulches at GATR fest this year!  JKU will do this overland stuff very well and keep you in a Jeep for fun with our club.  Looking at Clark's link Tacoma is good 2nd choice, I have one and haven't done a single repair in 130K miles, but actually about as expensive to buy and less capable and less aftermarket price point choices.  The cabin interior is a hair smaller, but you get the bed.  Hard to say. 
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: tcdawg on March 05, 2014, 12:25:41 PM
What should I ask for the TJ ?


Guado

about $8500...I'll go ahead and take it
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: tcdawg on March 05, 2014, 12:29:02 PM
Jeep Grand Cherokee, leather, nav, etc.

I know this wasn't on your list but the Jeep GC seems like a good choice depending on how big a tire you wanted to go with. 

Otherwise, I would say 2012 or up JKU and pull a small trailer.
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: jgerhard on March 05, 2014, 12:42:38 PM
Look on pinterest for Jeep trailer and you will find many expedition modified rigs, or expedition portal website on pinterest.  If you look around for related pins/topics you'll find a zillion things to do.  I love browsing this stuff.

Here is an example:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/docmoab/6106133457/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/docmoab/6106133457/)
(http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f9/f9/2b/f9f92bb6f40d6f0b841364f23fabd76b.jpg)
(http://www.seeksolitude.com/images/xterra/rooftent.jpg)

http://www.pinterest.com/source/expeditionportal.com/ (http://www.pinterest.com/source/expeditionportal.com/)
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 17, 2014, 09:54:18 AM
So maybe a good start?


http://donwhites.vinmanagersites.com/AutoDetails2.aspx?ID=16329489




Guado
Title: Re:
Post by: clark123456 on March 17, 2014, 10:00:57 AM
How big are you planning to take the tires?
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 17, 2014, 10:02:32 AM
35 after a lining the 30 and reinforcing the c's


Guado
Title: Re:
Post by: clark123456 on March 17, 2014, 10:05:12 AM
Are you opposed to a Rubicon?
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 17, 2014, 10:06:50 AM
If I can find a rubicon at this price I'll jump all over it. I have an 04 rubicon now. Just need more room.


Guado
Title: Re: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: clark123456 on March 17, 2014, 10:14:10 AM
You won't find a Rubicon at that price, but consider two things:  1) how much money and time you'll spend setting that Sport up to be like a Rubicon; 2) resale value of a built Sport versus a near factory Rubicon.  You don't need to do a lot to run 35s on a Rubicon.

Edit:  you also get a much more capable transfer case.
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 17, 2014, 10:33:51 AM
Agreed, but for over landing would a rubicon not be overkill?


Guado
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: clark123456 on March 17, 2014, 10:59:24 AM
Agreed, but for over landing would a rubicon not be overkill?


Guado

That is something I do not know.  I figured lockers would be standard item on a long term off highway trip (apparent ignorance), but I just looked a couple of 101 sites and did not see it mentioned.  Heck, they were discussing the possibility of doing the trip in 2wd.  If you're not going to lock it and/or regear it, then a non-rubicon should be a nice vehicle.  Based on the prices I'm seeing for used ones on Carmax, that seems like a heck of a deal.

http://www.carmax.com/search?AsY=2013-2013&D=50&zip=30152&N=4294963010+4294962920+4294961453+4294961130&sY=2003-2013&Q=83e71d0d-a738-44b0-8b5d-30cde4c32e1c&Ep=search:results:results%20page

Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: jgerhard on March 17, 2014, 11:53:25 AM
That is not a great deal, its the base unlimited.  I believe when I shopped for mine at that level you didn't have power windows.  The steel wheels etc....   A Sport "S" is the next step up with 17 inch allows and power windows, mirrors etc....

The ride height and springs are better on the sport S from casual observation, base model is good if you really are going to build a jeep up from the ground for offroading. 

Not 100% sure of this hadn't looked at 2013s.



Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: clark123456 on March 17, 2014, 01:08:01 PM
That is not a great deal, its the base unlimited.  I believe when I shopped for mine at that level you didn't have power windows.  The steel wheels etc....   A Sport "S" is the next step up with 17 inch allows and power windows, mirrors etc....

The ride height and springs are better on the sport S from casual observation, base model is good if you really are going to build a jeep up from the ground for offroading. 

Not 100% sure of this hadn't looked at 2013s.



That makes sense...it seemed strange to get a new one, even the older model year, cheaper than the used ones.  Are they telling untruths by claiming it as a Sport instead of a base?
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: JeepSh on March 17, 2014, 01:17:27 PM
It did look low to the ground.


Guado
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: 94xjsport94 on March 18, 2014, 06:28:48 AM
Look on expedition portal at overland builds, lots of expedition themed builds/ follow threads.
Title: Re: Had an idea, let me know your thoughts
Post by: jgerhard on March 18, 2014, 08:18:28 AM


That makes sense...it seemed strange to get a new one, even the older model year, cheaper than the used ones.  Are they telling untruths by claiming it as a Sport instead of a base?
Sport is base, sport S is power options and alloy wheels, better springs