Jeep Wrangler Question...

[Jim28730]

I'm about to go TOAD shopping. My co-pilot thinks we should geat a Wrangler for ease towing and the obvious "fun factor". My issue is that this vehicle will be a daily driver for me for the next couple of years until retirement. I commute about 15 miles one way, mostly highway.
Since I have never owned a Wrangler, I'm curious whether it will beat me to death on my daily commute. Test driving doesn't always give you a good indication so I'm relying on the forum experts to guide me.
Any insight will be appreciated!

[Jim28730]

I'm about to go TOAD shopping. My co-pilot thinks we should geat a Wrangler for ease towing and the obvious "fun factor". My issue is that this vehicle will be a daily driver for me for the next couple of years until retirement. I commute about 15 miles one way, mostly highway.
Since I have never owned a Wrangler, I'm curious whether it will beat me to death on my daily commute. Test driving doesn't always give you a good indication so I'm relying on the forum experts to guide me.
Any insight will be appreciated!

[Route 66]

Jim, welcome to iRV2.

Many of our members tow Wranglers, and I'm sure they will soon chime in.

You can click on "Find" above and search on Wrangler to find quite a bit of info.

[Romer1]

I have an 02 that has been modified for offroad (body lift & 33" tires) that I drive daily for the last 6 years. Certainly not as smooth as a car, but not unbearable. I belong to a volunteer group that does a lot of driving and almost everyone wants to ride in the Jeep, so it can't be all that bad.

[Mike Canter]

I first had a 1994 Jeep Wrangle which had leaf spring suspension. It beat us to death and didn't have airbags or airconditioning. A big mistake. We then bought a 1997 Wrangler with coil springs and it was 100% better. This oone has A/C and airbags. Be careful if you change shocks and stay with the OEM versions or the ride will get harder. If you get the 4 cylinder motor is weighs just under 3000 lbs so if you want you don't have to have an auxiliary braking system in the toad. One thing to watch out for is that the Wrangler sits high so the towbar angle can be going at a down angle towards the MH which is dangerous in heavy braking. I had to get a Blue Ox offset receiver adapter to make the towbar level.

[Latitude]

Hi Jim

Welcome aboard IRV2!!

I have about the same commute have NO isuues with the ride and or handling. Its not a Cadillac Esplanade But I am enjoying driving the Jeep!!

Mine is a 4 door with the 6 cyl. which all 07 and up are, about 4300Lbs.


The Towbar was perfect, Coach about 2" higher!!

Rick

[Eddie Foy]

Get one with a hard top. It is alot quieter.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

I had a 1999 Wrangler (4 Cyl) 5 spd. Put 65K miles plus 50K towing. It was not as smooth riding as a car yet was a lot better than many pickups. I would not hesitate to commute in a Jeep. My new Jeep is much better riding, more comfortable and roomier. If buying used remember suspension changes were made in 1997.

Ronnie

[sullivan9162]

I have owned a 97 Wrangler, a 04 Wrangler and presently own a 2008 Wrangler Sahara, there is a marked difference in the "on pavement" ride in the 2007 and up Wranglers....I would have no problem with a 15 mile one way commute....We recently put over 2500 miles on the 08 Wrangler on a MH/jeepin trip out west to Moab, Utah, and Ouray CO, which included a trip to Telluride among other places over the Ophir and Imogene passes, rated moderate and difficult...was well pleased with the "off road" performance...the only thing I would do different is that, since we like to go on more difficult trails off road, is that I would get the standard tranny vs. the auto which I have, as when coming down steep grades even in low range and first gear in the auto you will still have to ride your service brakes, more than I like to, as the engine will not provide enough braking, I am sure others will have other views on this but this is my experience.

[Boris and Natasha]

I had no real desire to ever own a Jeep, much less a Wrangler. All that changed when we rented one in Hawaii and decided we just had to have one at home. With that, I was out of my comfy sedan and into a 2005 Wrangler. It's been my daily commuter for 2 1/2 years. (Commute is about half yours, but all highway.) The only downside is you definitely need a lid on your coffee cup.

The upsides are many. When we bought our first motorhome this year we were thrilled to discover we already owned the perfect toad. And, it makes me feel like I'm on vacation for a little bit every day.

Hope this helps,
Boris

[Hitchhiker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm curious whether it will beat me to death on my daily commute. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I bought a new "JK" Unlimited in September and it rides and drives much better than the 2000 "TJ" that I traded in.

[AL]

Hi Jim,

Welcome to iRV2 !!

I had a 95 and now have a 2004 Jeep, both Wranglers, both auto trans, and both lots of fun and great toads! The 95 was a 4 cyl and on some hills, I did not think it would make it to the top, sometimes I would even turn off the air! The 2004 is a 6 cyl and has plenty of power! had both hard top and soft top. Hard top is more quiet, soft top more fun, and with no top and doors you have one heck of a sightseeing vehicle! For a little over a year I had a 60 mile each way commute, and I am still hear,LOL!! Hope this helps some and Best of Luck with what ever you end up getting for a toad!

I also see that your from Asheville, NC so I wanted to mention, that if you did not already see it, there is a Rally in April in Mt. Airy,NC with a Great group of Folks !! More info on the Rally, in the Southeast RegionArea of the Forum!

[Jim28730]

Thaks so much for the great insight. Sounds like my co-pilot wins!

[redboots]

One last thought,Jim. I've had Jeeps pretty much all my life, about 5 of them. Over the years I've come to some conclusions about them. Auto. trans. or Manual dosen't make much difference, the engine does. Go with the 6 cylinder and you will not be disappoionted, the 4 cylinder only gets fractionally better mileage but is really wimpy in certain situations, especially with the auto trans. Get a hardtop, way less noise and better comfort & visibility. Treat yourself to A/C. Buy a '97 or newer with the coil spring suspension instead of leaf springs, you will never get a leaf spring Jeep to ride like one with coils no matter what you do. Consider a 2004,'05, or'06 Unlimited. They are about a foot longer, ride better, and no downside to them in terms of turning diameter, etc. Shocks are a big issue, don't get talked into some of the ultra HD ones on the market, they ruin the ride, and that's about all. Try to find one with the Dana 44 rear axle, 3.73 ratio, and Trac-Lock (posi). Many have the Dana 35 axle and they are very prone to breakage. Have fun with your new Jeep, I don't think you will be disappointed, just remember it's a Jeep with its main capabilities focused on off road use. When something breaks, (it's a Jeep thing)try www.jeepforum.com for advice.