I built a 2 door Rubicon

They say Jeeps break all the time. Wish they were reliable. I have no experience with them, people say so.
This build has a V6 and 8 speed automatic with all 4WD bells and whistles, and no other unneeded stupid stuff. It is cheaper than TRD Pro.
If I buy this, will I be really screwed?
It looks such a beast, the offroading king.

 

@Thatbassguy @Trail Runnah @kmeeg @McSpazatron @Doubleduty @PhantomTweak

 

@Sandbuster
@GrantA @Kilo Papa

 

@LandCruiser

 

If I baby it, religiously service it, can I get 200k miles and 15 years of life out of it?

 

@ElectroBoy @4R21

 

My buddy has a 5 speed manual rubicon 2 door. He’s happy with it. He cant sleep in it or take much more than recovery gear along, but he’s happy with it

A work steering damper shock gave him a death wobble the other day. But he kept it on the road. Just have to keep an eye on that damper and replace it when necessary. He knew it was coming as it slowly got wobblier and wobblier over a few weeks. Thats just a solid axle thing…

I dont know how reliable those 8speeds are

 

So only transmission can die, other stuff including the V6 are solid, right? I will keep saving some money in case transmission dies.

 

I am at 7/11 right now to grab a soda and this thing is parked next to me

 

It’s little on the inside, big difference from 4runner. But they are the king of off road.

 

I have no experience with Jeep. I’ve daily driven three 4Runners for almost 500,000 miles. Only failures were a stuck thermostat and a leaking A/C line on a 1st Gen.

 

It will be too optimistic to expect anything like that from a Chrysler Jeep

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwSts2s4ba4

 

Apples to oranges.
2 doors so less room
Soft top
13.5K miles a year wouldn’t be realistic for me. Would it be for you?
I can’t even imagine it as a daily driver and my work commute is not very long.

I would have to have a reasonable expectation that it would hold its value and I don’t see it in todays market. Long term value retention is one of the 4 Runner’s strongest suits and I would still be hesitant to pay what dealers are asking for one today. It’s not an investment but it is an asset that I want to retain value long term. I have a 2001 gen 1 Tacoma TRD that still has a book value in excess of $8000. There’s just not much out there that holds value like Toyotas do.

 

Nothing holds value like a 4Runner... except a Wrangler. I think they're at least close enough in that regard that it doesn't matter.

 

52k is too damn high.

 

If I was single and want to go wheeling I can't think of any better new vehicle than a Wrangler Rubicon with the 35in tire package. Yes I would 100% add the 35in tire package for $4k.

Edit -

Almost forgot my neighbor also got a new 4door Wrangler yday. Probably after seeing my buddy coming to my house with the new Wrangler often could have tempted him..

 

The 4Runner just feels like a more stout and complete vehicle than the Rubicon. I always loved Rubicon's and wanted one, but after test driving some Wranglers, they feel cheap and tinny. Granted half the body can be removed, that's probably why. I felt more comfortable and safer in the 4Runner.

 

Dealership says if I order one they sell at MSRP. It will take 6 to 12 weeks to get the Rubicon. So tempting. I dont know what to do

 

I sent you my contact which I was working when I was planning for a Wrangler. See if he can help you. Don't forget the 35in tire package, that's a big deal.

 

Your vehicle status before said “I will own a TRD PRO one day “ and based on reading your posts you end up answering your own questions …transmission will die and you will save for that etc . It sounds like you want to be convinced and that the Jeep is available quicker. I get it , Jeeps are nice but they aren’t a 4Runner and you won’t see posts like above with Runners going hundreds of thousands of miles trouble free with a Jeep. Very cool rig the Jeep but it sounds like you want to be convinced and usually somewhere in there you’re asking for trouble.

 

Which do you WANT?

Personally I think with proper care 200k shouldn't be an issue for the Jeep. The 3.6 has been around quite a while now and is considered reliable, and the 8 speed is made by ZF and is a terrific trans, from what I understand.

Sure you may have to fix little things here and there, but most likely no major failures. Since you're buying new you'll have a good warranty, and Jeeps hold value as good or better that 4Runners, though the 2 door may not be as good as they're not as popular.

I know of some videos I think you'll find interesting, I'll pm you later.

 

If the Jeep can be trouble-free, then I would absolutely want the Jeep. I have always loved the Jeeps, but I will always heard that they are money pits

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n5E7feJHw0

 

Just keep in mind, you're asking a bunch of 4Runner fans if you should buy a Jeep instead of a 4Runner. Go ask this same question on the Jeep forums.

 

Answer this. If you died in 3 months would you give two cares about that 200k miles or 15 years ?

 

True. But $50,000 is a lot of money, one should be careful

 

Why? You gonna have it buried with you? You’re buying something right. A 40-50k 4R or a 40-50k jeep the money is the same

 

And if you finance it and then die we’ll guess what they aren’t pulling out a ouija board and collecting after the dead.

 

Hey by the way, who gives the news to the banks that the person is dead? lol