Buying 1st Jeep. Need input.

[mbikersteve]

Hello all. Plan on spending $8 to $10K. Like CJs and Wranglers (especially X). I do not plan any significant off-road. My wants:

- Small lift (3 to 4)
- Big tires
- 2 door

I would like any guidance on making my selection. What to look for. Known trouble spots. Etc. Thanks in advance for helping me make this decision.

 

[TerryMason]

Welcome Steve.

Will this be your primary vehicle, or a weekend toy?

I've had an 80 cj5, 85 cj7, 87 yj, and 2005 TJ. I really loved owning the CJ7, and that was probably my favorite Jeep, but you had better love working on Jeeps, as well as body work / rust removal if you go that route. I spent as much time working on it as driving it, but that was part of the fun.

If this is your daily driver, I'd say get a newer fuel injected YJ (the square headlight Wrangler), or a TJ (these run from 95 - 2006). The YJs are simpler, but the TJ will give you better onroad handling (they use a coil suspension sytem).

With that budget you could get anything from CJ up to about a 2002 TJ. Since you want a lift, I'd buy one that already had it installed. A good 4" lift can run you $1000 if done properly.

 

[blkrubi88]

Welcome to JEEPZ! Good luck on finding the jeep you're after!

 

[1ATony]

Welcome to the site.