What year do you think is good reliable Wrangler 4x4 ?

Hello,
I'm not a jeep owner, but I'm looking for information on jeeps. I might buy one and I want to be informed. Whats the best year? what is the most reliable? How hard are they to repair?

I look forward to interacting with all of you.

 

YJ, 87-95, pre OBDll, can do practically anything and not worry about passing yearly inspection...
At least here in NC..
But I'm biased...

 

I have always been partial to the '62-'65 Willys Jeep Trucks myself....Just love that body style.

Welcome to the site!!

 

Yeah I'm in cali Smog check city. I need it to pass smog.

Thanks for being so welcoming. I'll be looking around.

 

No offense meant but, your question was a bit open-ended. And I really do like that body style...but Jeeps come is all sorts of models and years from 1941 to the present. You might wish to narrow your questions a bit...like are you looking for new or used? And if used...HOW used? Do you have a price cap? Will it be a daily driver or a trail buggy? 2 doors or 4?

Heck...are we talking Cherokee or Wrangler or other? We need a bit of help to help you....

Will help if I can...

 

No offence taken. It was an open ended. But that might be because I'm not familiar with Jeeps. I guess I meant to say Wrangler? but are YJ or CJ also a wrangler? This is why I'm new here. Let me try clarify. I would Like to purchases not now but in the future a 4x4...See I want to say Jeep, but i think I mean to say wrangler. Am I the only one that wants to call wranglers jeeps?

I'm sorry for being a newbie to the Jeep site.

So a used 4x4 wrangler I can use as an explorer on the weekends. That's really what I want.

 

Wrangler will do for an answer. The CJs were not designated a "Wrangler" but we still lump them together too. And no, you are not alone...for much of my life, if you said Jeep everyone knew what you meant. However, those days are gone now with all the different models available. And honestly, some of the older Cherokees makes some darn fine off-road rigs. So...You have to be a little more specific now. haha

I will try to give a bit more answer later...short on time at the moment. Thanks for the clarification...it helps!!

 

Thanks I'll get the lingo right, sooner or later. I like the Wrangler type body style but I'm open to suggestions.

 

No need to look beyond the wrangler given your needs and liking that style. It is the original Jeep and the reason for the fame of the brand.

Everything comes down to opinions but given your information...I would be looking for a late model (1991-1995) YJ (not before) or a good TJ with the in-line six engines if you can get one. You can run around with a 4 banger too but that limits what modifications you can do..the 6 is simply better and easier to get parts for.
With a TJ you don't have to take crap about having square headlights. lol

CJs are for those who love building their own these days due to age. Love 'em. My first was a 74 CJ5. Personally, I love my JKU but that would be a bit of an expensive rig given your just wanting a weekend toy.

As always...JMHO.

 

I think a tj would work well for what you specified. They are pretty easy to work on with tons of aftermarket support. Try to find one with the 6 cylinder instead of the 4 as mentioned above. The 4 cylinder leaves a lot to be desired.... There's also tons of good info out about the tj's, so should you encounter a problem I bet you could find a solution pretty easily.

 

I haven't had enough experience with all of the jeeps out there, but my pre-computer (1979 and older) CJ-7 has been very reliable once I added fuel injection and HEI distributor deleting all of the Ford ignition electronics, and fixed all of the electrical issues of a 38 yo jeep. I see tons of potential in the 1994 YJ that I just bought It has the 180HP HO I6 & 5spd. I'm having fun with the leaf sprung jeeps. If you are planning on doing some Hard rock crawling in a jeep, nothing beats the stability of the 2007 and newer JKU. I drove my father's JKU in Moab. I also like the Idea of a TJ. Tons of aftermarket parts out there for it, and the parts are a lot cheaper for a TJ over the JK. It is all about your preference and what you want to be doing with it.

 

TJ all the way. no leaf suspension that would jolt you around because they went to springs, the headlights are round instead of the "what in the world were they thinking) square. And, there are so many parts and mods you can find. try to find one with 1/2 doors and you will feel like you are truly in the outdoors with the top down. I tend to feel a little claustrophobic with the JK full doors and the top down. Not really an open feeling.

 

4.0 Best motor

 

I know this is an old post. Ran across it. Awesome read. Curious as to what happened to a few of the members that posted here including the OP. Yeah I know.....to much free time on my hands. Especially on a Saturday night.