I would like some feedback from the vast knowledge of fellow 4 wheelers.  I am looking to buy a new 4x4.  It will probably be one that I keep until I take the eternal dirt nap.  I have narrowed the search down to the new 07 FJ with the A-Trac & rear locker or the 2006 or 2007 Jeep Rubicon with the front and rear lockers.  Here is what I will be doing with it.  1. Commuting to and from work 50 miles a day.  2. I will take it on weekend trail riding with my family & friends.  I live in North West Florida so that means mostly sandy trails, mud & clay and fording through streams.  3.  Hunting & fishing.  I will need to pack some gear and some deer.  4. When I vacation I will be going to South West Ohio and my favorite place The Black Hills of South Dakota.  Now we are talking mud, hill climbs, light rocks & close quarter trails.  I am not into Hard Core Rock Crawling because I don’t have the time to fix a broken truck and I don’t like a daily driver that has a lot of lift and big tires.  Been there and done that.

     I like the traction control with the FJ coupled with the rear locker.  I think it is the best of both worlds.  I like Toyota reliability and longevity.  I like the body style and how it will seat 5 and have room in the back for stuff.  If it had a roll bar and a winch then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

     I like the Jeep because the parts will be cheaper in the long run, more aftermarket stuff, it comes with a roll bar and I can order one with a winch.  I think the tucked in body style is better for the woods.   I like the short Jeep but the Unlimited would be more practical.

     Sorry for the long story but I really would appreciate everyones thoughts.

Please get the rubicon 06 its the last good jeep rubicon. it has the 4.0, and man are they reliable. It comes with dana 44s that u can lock front and back and im am literally pleading with u to get the rubicon. if u need a little extra room in it get the rubicon unlimited. any more questions feel free to ask, because i really want your to get the rubicon. Im 17 and i want one.  

Thanks for the feedback.  What type of 4 wheelin do you do?  

me myself do trails and mudding. i also do hunting during the season. the only way my jeep could be better for this if it had an unlimited.  

Are you wanting the extra cargo room that the unlimited has or is there another reason?  I like the 2007 4 door model for the cargo space and the extra people it can handle but it seems like buying a Cherokee that looks like a Wrangler.  I have seen some nice Cherokee's get some body damage on some muddy hunting trails.

the new wrangler has a minivan engine and not the 4.0. untill i hear good things about it i wouldnt leave it in. Id swap the 4.0  

We had the New Jeeps at the Super Lift ORV Park a while back... I was not there but the guys that where, said they where the best "stock Jeep" ever built... And we've had lots of stock Rubi's and Unlimited's break axles on the same trails they took the 07's on...You'll have to find the Arkansas Crawlers web site to read about it... Jinx  

I myself would go with the '06 Jeep TJ with of course the 4.0 and the 5-speed.

I don't like the new look of the '07 Jeep or the fact that it has a V-6 in it. The engine would also be much harder to work on.

As for the FJ Cruiser, I passed one on my way to work one day and it looked like it would perform well on the trail. It had plenty of ground clearance. It looks alot better seeing it in person than from looking at a picture in the mag.

This is just my $0.02 on this topic.

Thanks for the feedback.  The I-6 does leave some room under the hood to work on things.  Thats a good point.  There is almost enough room under the master cylinder for a second battery.

Thanks

Thanks jinxed.

  That is good info.  I will try to find that site.  I am starting to swing toward the Jeeps.  There seems to be more of a "brotherhood" of Jeepers out there.

Hey guys,

 I just thought I'd let you know about this ahead of time... Jeep came back to the Super Lift ORV Park again...This time with a TV crew.... HINT: Name of the park... So I'll let you know when the show will air... It's to bad they "won't" put 1 up on the raffle next week.... Well keep an eye open, looks like the new Jeeps here to stay... Jinx

If I was looking for a Jeep to do what you are talking about. I would go with a '00 to '02 low mileage wrangler w/ the 44 rear, and take the 15grand that I saved and use it for quality upgrades from nth degree mobility, ARB, and warn.  I say this because  the 4:1 low range I feel is to much for mud and hill climbing type trails. You could also go this same route w/a tacoma trd '98 to '04  or 4 runner of similar vintage, not to leave out the 6 time 4x4 of the year jeep grand cherokee . A  '99 to '04 w/ 4.7 V8 and quadradrive( not to be confused w/quadratrac). The quadradrive has "locking differentals" front and rear that are part of the traction control that are phenomenal. Any way you go, 3" to 4" of lift w/ 32's or 33's w/ an arb (or toyota e-locker) in the rear , winch , rocksliders(work great in dirt also) , skidplates,and offroad lights should take you any where you would want to go. By the way I wheel a '02 grand cherokee w/ quadradrive,w/ 4" lift , 265/75/16 mtrs and rocksliders. It goes every where the guys w/ rubi's go, along w/ my buddies 01 tacoma TRD. just goes to show you there is no wrong choice. my overall suggestion, keep your options open and look for the most bang for the buck.    

Thanks.  Thats a lot of good info that I didn't know about.  

The Rubicon's are over priced for what you get.  Maybe it's the $10,000 front dana 44 that makes them so damn expensive.  It's pretty sad when you can buy a new F-350 4x4 for the same price as a rubicon.  The FJ is looking like a better deal.  You can buy it with a locking diff and full skid plates and all the extras you need for only $26,000(excluding the worthless shiny stuff).  You just get alot more with the FJ.  

u might be able to buy a ford f350 for 26000 but what do u get. Ill name it. I know u cant get the diesle b/c those are like 8 thousand more. but u can get a single cab gas guzzling v8 that wont do nothing compared to a rubicon. and with 26000 dollars u probally wont even be able to get a 4*4. I knw im gonna get some responds to this one.