You can get the single rear wheel base model crew cab 4x4 with the diesel engine for only $32,000.  If you buy the reg cab it is only $29,000.

I am not going to waste $33,000 on an over priced jeep and I will not buy any Jeep or Dodge products because of that (including that damn Town & Country minivan that my wife wants).  I guess that I will just give my money to Toyota......it's too bad that Chevy and Ford don't have any capable family cars.

but i tell u 1 damn thing a rubicon is the most capiable stock viehicle. and thats a fact plus it seats 4. u can pimp in it. take the top off. and jack it up.  

I drove the FJCruiser two weekends ago at Rockport Offroad Park in Illinois.  The FJ Trail Team was there with three models, and allowed anyone/everyone to take a spin.

I was very impressed with the room inside, especially the front driver/passenger space.  The ride was very impressive too, very comfortable on trail/gravel road, then in 4Lo over rocks, logs, mud.  Well mannered, and handled great on the rough stuff...almost intuitive.

Check out toyota.com/fjtrailteams to find out if they'll be near you, and you can take a dirt test drive.  Given the factors you listed (commute, trails, long haul to the Dakotas, trails) the FJ would be my choice.  But I'm partial--I have an FJ80 and FJ60!!!

buy an 86 CJ7 for the trails and a 07 TK Rubicon as a daily driver  

not a problem  

First off I have yet to see a fj under 29K , and doesn't include the "shiny" stuff like rock rails and roof rack. Now for the rubicon that cost the same as a new f350 4x4. I have yet to see that also. You could possibly buy a f350 4x4 work truck(ie: nothing but a seat and steering wheel inside)with the 5.4 L V8 (can we say turd), no lockers no skidplates no nothing. Now for the $10,000 dana 44 in the rubicon, did you forget the 4.10 gears from the factory ($200 w/install kit for each axle),airlockers ($765 ea plus $ 220 for the compressor) , the rockrails ($250) ,4.1 for transfer case($1000) not to mention the labor for all of that which is about $2500 to $3000. Don,t forget the factory warranty. grand total for the parts and labor would be 6000 to  6500 and that doesn,t include the shipping on those parts. Your 28k f350 just hit 33k with no warranty. The rubicon is about $3500 more than a wrangler sport not 10k. However the fj is good deal and a sweet ride.  

JEEP WINS!

Last week I went out and bought a 2006 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited.  I appreciate all the input from fellow wheelers.  The deciding factors were the Dana 44 front & rear axles with lockers, 4:11 gears, the roll bar and availability of accessories.  Jeep employee pricing helped me with the affordability issue.  I also liked the organized Jeep Jamborees that they put on through out the country.  They seem to be family oriented and that was my purpose for going with the LJ.

  I love it so far but it does high center easier than a short wheel base model.  The lockers rule.  My winch & bumper come in next week.

Long live the JEEP!

The Rubicon's a sweet ride dude.  Dana's are the best in my book too. I priced one too a while back, but it was too steep for me with the other toys I'm workin on.  Good luck with your new toy!

Thanks.  It is a blast.  

FJ