Jeepositelock Help Needed!

"Quadradeuce" (quadradeuce) 11/30/2016 at 16:07 • Filed to: None

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My 70 yr old parents are in need of a UTV on their farmette to help haul firewood, garden soil, mulch, etc around their 25 acres. Whatever they choose, it needs to be 4WD, small enough to get into the woods, and durable enough that they won’t have to take it to the shop too much (they live on an island) My mom currently has $2k saved up, and I think her realistic budget is about $3500. Naturally, vehicles like John Deere Gators and Yamaha Rhinos come to mind. But around our area, UTVs are in high demand, and used models typically demand $5-8k. This got me thinking about Jeeps, specifically the old CJs. Let’s compare:

Basic 4x4 Gator:

Image taken from www.deere.com

Wheelbase: 75.2"

Overall Length: 113"

Width: 60"

Payload: 1,400 lbs

CJ2A Jeep

Image taken from Wikipedia

Wheelbase: 81"

Overall Length: 132"

Width: 59"

Payload: 800 lbs

As you can see, the Jeep is about the same width as the Gator, while quite a bit longer. Width is more critical when trying to maneuver in the woods, especially since they will probably just drive straight in, then back straight out. I’m not sure my parents will ever need more than 500-600 lbs of payload. Around here Jeep CJs can be had for under $4k all day in “good” condition, “good” meaning free of major rust on the body and frame and in good mechanical order.

What say you Jeep fans? Would a CJ be a better vehicle than an modern UTV?

HammerheadFistpunch > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 16:11

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We bought one of these. Does the trick

we paid about 2 grand and another $1100 getting it up to scratch (full service, replaced some electrical parts, replaced the manual starter chord, etc)

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 16:16

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Subaru Brat, small 4wd and available with t-tops

vicali > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 16:18

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Sammy

My Inlaws have a Sunrunner on their farm - it rocks, plus it can run to town for coffee if you need to.

BritishLeyland™ > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 16:18

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Can someone please explain to me why UTVs are not cars? Because they are definitley cars.

HammerheadFistpunch > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 11/30/2016 at 16:20

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for $3500?

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > HammerheadFistpunch 11/30/2016 at 16:24

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Sure

1986 Subaru Other Brat
1986 Subaru Brat GL

Item Ends: Dec 3, 2016, 6:51:38 PM

HammerheadFistpunch > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 11/30/2016 at 16:25

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dead link, but if true. DAYUM

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > HammerheadFistpunch 11/30/2016 at 16:27

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The one from my name is earl only went for $5000

HammerheadFistpunch > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 11/30/2016 at 16:28

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well there you go. I didn’t realize they were so cheap...I might look for ones as my daily to save wear and tear on the cruiser then.

Censored > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 16:39

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As a Wrangler Rubi Owner, I’d say a gator all day long for this type of service.

CJ Pros - Cheep and parts are cheep

CJ Cons - Ride, Ingress/Egress (look at those door openings and height), Ride, Economy, Ride, Steering weight

Gator Pros - Ingress/Egress, Smooth Ride, smooth power steering, Fuel Economy, short wheel base for much tighter turning radius.

Gator Cons - Cost

RutRut > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 17:03

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My parents have a Polaris Ranger 570 and I have owned a YJ and TJ, for what you are describing I would say that a UTV is substantially more capable. Smaller, better turning radius, some come factory with push button locking 4wd, fuel injection. And, a warranty.

Nonster > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 17:11

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I love CJ’s and I used to have one, but for a cheap farm truck I’d go for the YJ. They’re less prone to rust than the CJ’s and they’re usually cheaper. Especially the pre-1991 one’s that don’t have the 4.0. The 4 bangers are even cheaper

Frenchlicker > HammerheadFistpunch 11/30/2016 at 17:24

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I remember when these were expensive. I guess many saw them as undesirable, but j didn’t think they were that cheap.

Wacko > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 17:36

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Ask any jeep or former jeep owner.

Jeeps are not reliable in any way.

Either something is gonna break or is broken.

It’s a jeep thing.

HammerheadFistpunch > Frenchlicker 11/30/2016 at 17:37

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ours is cosmetically challenged, but it always fires right up and gets on its merry way.

Frenchlicker > HammerheadFistpunch 11/30/2016 at 17:38

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That’s all that really counts. Plus a majority of its plastic is shared with another four wheeler so if you really wanted to look good you could fix it

Wacko > BritishLeyland™ 11/30/2016 at 17:40

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No air bags for one.

No standard safety features except roll cage

I wouldn’t want to be on the highway on mine.

I got a Kawasaki teryx 750

HammerheadFistpunch > Frenchlicker 11/30/2016 at 17:41

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yup. I’m actually really impressed with the quality of the hardware and the built. top notch stuff.

Quadradeuce > HammerheadFistpunch 11/30/2016 at 17:52

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She was looking at a setup like this, but both my parents are TERRIBLE with any kind of trailer. I’ve literally seen my dad walk a trailer tire up a tree and be totally oblivious.

Quadradeuce > vicali 11/30/2016 at 17:54

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I’m not sure the island mechanic would know what to do with a Suzuki. He’s pretty good at screwing up even basic maintenance on domestic brands, much less low volume imports.

Quadradeuce > RutRut 11/30/2016 at 17:55

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Something with a warranty is most likely way out of their budget.

Quadradeuce > BritishLeyland™ 11/30/2016 at 17:55

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Some cost as much as a car, so....

Quadradeuce > Censored 11/30/2016 at 17:57

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My dad is 6'10", so entry height isn’t an issue. Fuel economy doesn’t matter either. Power steering could be a huge issue though. Hadn’t thought of that.

Quadradeuce > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 11/30/2016 at 17:59

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As a mentioned to the samurai suggestion, the island mechanic sucks and would be lost with a Subaru. He has a hard enough time with my parents fleet of Chevys.

HammerheadFistpunch > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 18:02

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This isn’t a trailer, its a 6x6

Quadradeuce > Wacko 11/30/2016 at 18:02

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I don’t understand.

Quadradeuce > HammerheadFistpunch 11/30/2016 at 18:05

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I’d still get a frantic call from my mom after my dad got it stuck between two trees like so:

vicali > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 18:08

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haha, low volume import...where are they?

You know the Jimny has sold across the world since 1970 right? It’s replacement was the sidekick/tracker/sunrunner/vitara.. I bet there are a dozen to choose from under your price range no matter where you are..

I think they need to find a new island.

Quadradeuce > vicali 11/30/2016 at 18:12

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An island in lake Michigan. It is what it is. Only 600 people live there year round, and the mechanic is seriously shitty. They usually take their cars off island for service if they can do so safely (nearest big town is 3 hours away). But this vehicle will have to be maintained on island since it won’t be safe for highway driving and I don’t feel like driving up there with my trailer for every service call.

HammerheadFistpunch > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 18:13

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Well, as hilarious as that mental image is, its actually smaller than the two options above in every way, and still has 800 lbs payload and a tipper bed.

Quadradeuce > HammerheadFistpunch 11/30/2016 at 18:30

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There are two of these on my local Craigslist, one for $8k and one (new) for $11k. These are in high demand in my area. Lots of farmers, lots of hunters. That was the main reason to look for alternatives.

Interestingly, my grand parents used a 3 wheel Harley golf cart for this application on their 100 acre Apple orchard. Worked great, never broke down, and I still have it 35 years later. Again, my dad would kill himself on it due to the 3 wheels and they really need 4wd.

HammerheadFistpunch > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 18:32

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fair nuff . we looked at the traditional stuff, but settled on this for cost . Have you like into Kei trucks? They might be a little cheaper and they are 4wd

Censored > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 18:57

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Your dad is a tall dude, wow. Will he actually fit in either? I have a TJ standard wheelbase, and the tallest person I know is 6'6 and he doesn’t fit (comfortably) in the front passenger seat much less drive it. CJ’s are significantly smaller than TJ’s.

Quadradeuce > Censored 11/30/2016 at 19:17

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At 6'5", I’m the shortest guy in my extended family.

I was thinking an open top CJ. They have a double deep the car garage, so they could store it inside.

Censored > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 19:27

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That covers from the seat up, leg room would be my biggest concern. My buddies head is about an inch from the hardtop, but his knees are the problem. In a tj, the way the dash is, his feet can’t make it into the foot wells. His shins have to set on the airbag vertical, hope that makes sense. The cj’s dash is pushed further back so maybe it won’t be an issue.

Quadradeuce > Censored 11/30/2016 at 19:34

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There are a handful of CJs on the island. I’ll have to have him ride in one to test the legroom. I’ve never been in one, but I would love to own one as a weekend car. I really don’t like the current Jeep scene, but those old CJs appeal to me. Maybe i watched too much MASH....

Wacko > Quadradeuce 11/30/2016 at 20:39

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Even more than some cars, and that’s before you start putting a windshield, doors, mirrors, heater an de tracks. You can easily double the price.