Topic: What is the "Red-Headed Step-Child" of Jeeps?

[chrisfranklin]

What is the red-headed step-child of Jeeps (namely Wranglers)?

I'd say mine is pretty close:

1.  4 cylinder
2.  YJ  (square headlights)
3.  29" tires
4.  No lift
5.  D35 rear-end
6.  Stock wheels

Could be worse, though.  I could have
7.  Automatic Trans.  (I like the 4 cyl 5spd better than the 4.0 with the 3spd auto, early 90s - trust me; 4 cyl with auto is  )
8.  Renegade body (course that evens out 'cause you get the 4.0)

Course some might argue that the red-headed step child of Jeeps is actually the Compass.  

[Jeffy]

Hmm, I don't know...  I'd maybe go with an 1987-90 Wrangler auto, 1984-90 Cherokee auto, 1991-2002 Wrangler/Cherokee Auto w/AC for more modern choices.

The Renegades were kinds lame BUT they were still 4.0L's which gives them a leg up.  Not to mention you can convert one to a regular YJ.

There is something to be said for a relatively stock Jeep running 31's that is wheeled be it 2.5L, 4.2L or 4.0L.

Although a 40's era Surrey 2wd CJ-2A are kinda feminine.  A 40's Jeepster would also be a bit feminine.  At least compared to the other Jeeps.

[chardrc]

wow i knew there was a cj8 and liberty renegade but man the yj renegade now thats brafalisus.

[chrisfranklin]

Geez, I forgot about the 87-90 Wrangler auto. With that you get the square headlights, the D35, the carbed 4.2 and an auto tranny.  Get some 205 tires and stock 15" wheels and I think you might have a winner there    

[Chad]

was thinking compass when i read the title of this thread

[Jeffy]

Geez, I forgot about the 87-90 Wrangler auto. With that you get the square headlights, the D35, the carbed 4.2 and an auto tranny.  Get some 205 tires and stock 15" wheels and I think you might have a winner there   

Well the 2.5L back then was a TBI.

The 4.2L is actually a decent engine.  Not high on HP but really high on torque.  Fairly easy to convert over to MPFI with the MOPAR kit or else go TBI with many other kits.  The I6 Auto's are actually pretty robust and were the tougher trans for the YJ's.  I don't really see the Compass or Patriot as Jeeps.  I guess they're like the old VJ and DJ's.

Actually, the one Jeep that wasn't liked very much was the second generations Commando.  They made the grille square and looked almost like a Scout.

The other Jeep that was never really appealing was the FC's.  Those are a big ugly and not in the M715 kind way.

[chrisfranklin]

"Well the 2.5L back then was a TBI."  Could you get that with an auto transmission? Actually what about the renault(?) 5spd   


Don't if it's yikes, just wanted to use a new icon 

[Jeffy]

"Well the 2.5L back then was a TBI."  Could you get that with an auto transmission? Actually what about the renault(?) 5spd   


Don't if it's yikes, just wanted to use a new icon 

Nope no BA-10/5 for the 2.5L's.  In any case with the power output of the 2.5L, I don't think it would break as often.

The Auto was a RH30 aka: TF907 for the 2.5's.  The auto for the I6's was the RH32 aka: 999.  Both are known to be tough, but the auto saps a lot of power, which the 2.5L doesn't have.

[chrisfranklin]

"87-90 Wrangler, TBI 2.5 Auto."  I'd still drive it, but that does sound like a fairly "challenged" Jeep product     

[Jesse-James]

I'd drive that before I'd drive a compass.

[chardrc]

id drive  any jeep before a compass