howdy



later

jason

howdy

this too...

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6123350#post6123350

later

jason

Looks better than the tracker/sidekick looking pictures that have been shown some places. Won't know until I test drive one though.

I freakin love it.
I really like:
the removeable roof panel over the driver and spotter seats
the door handles
the rocker guards
removeable fenders!!!!!!!!!that's awesome!!!!
lower profile tail lights
electronic disconnect front sway bar

If you go back and study history, you can learn some things. And those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Back in 1972, AMC bought Willy's and everyone predicted the end of Jeeps. For the first year or two, everyone bought and continued to drive the older ones. Then someone figured out that the 304 V8 really was an improvment, even if the D20 cases were a problem because of terrible gearing. And the front D30 open end axles were a real blessing.

By 1976, the CJ7 came out and they were unmittigated junk. Cheap steel and poorly designed body supports guaranteed they almost all fell apart if driven. Worse, the change over to AMC corporate rear ends was a disaster, as was the move to Ferd trannys.

Again in 1980 doom and gloom was predicted, with an untried transfer case (D300) and a really junk tranny (sr4). Soon those of us with any sense bought the T178/D300 combo with a 304 and probably had the best CJ yet. Yes, all the rear ends twisted hubs and we replaced them with bolt in Commando 44s or moved the spring perch and used /72-75 44s.

When the media got hold of the fake/fraudulent test on CJ5s, it was the end. The recession and that test ended the CJ5 and who would want an long jeep like the Scrambler? Worse, a wide track! ug! But they eased the pain a little by 86 with the reintroduction of the 44.

The YJ was a disaster. It pretty much ended up that way, too. About the only good thing was the strong running 4.0 engines and the AIX15, along with the 231 Tcase. What made those liveable was Patrick Fagan's 4:1 transfer case conversion (I bought serial #14).

We all predicted the worst when the TJ came out. Boy were we ever wrong. The early ones at least shared the good engine and after only a couple of years aftermarket parts appeared that made them very worthy vehicles.

Now we have a new sissy jeep. It won't be worth squat for a few years. The first ones will appear and they'll step on their dxxks, and we'll all laugh. But about 2009 someone will have one that works. Thats a long time from now.

With the exception of the YJs that never managed to equal the earlier CJs, each step has ended up being a step forward.

If the computer prevents us from making our mods, then you won't see a rapid adoption by off roaders. The width will hurt in narrow woods trails, in severly rutted places, and on rocks where the trail picks your approach, not you. The V6 will help on the highways and in sand. It'll hurt in the rocks.

You can probably mod the V6 by having a flywheel made that weighs 50# or so. That'll hurt the highway driving a little, but make it unstoppable on steep climbs. My 83 had the heavy flywheel and Holley FI(junk) on its 360. Not sure the brakes ever managed to stall the engine! That 4wd Hardware extra was great.

If the computer balks at changes, hold on to your TJs.

In all this remember that we're not a very big market segment. We may be vocal and very important to the jeep image, but they sell a lot more jeeps to young girls than they do to off roaders. I'm used to being behind the curve on this. I had an 86 CJ, a 95 YJ and now have an 06 LJ. For the first few years our old ones drive rings around the new ones.