End of an era?

Jeep was never meant to be a commuter car wannbe or yuppie car and since Chrysler bought Jeep in 89 they did that and diluted what a Jeep once was. Everything AMC tried to do for Jeep and keep it a Jeep, Chrysler took it away and then some. You guy lift them and install big tires on them through romance and ego but fail to regear axles or upgrade them and the result is a wannabe that is less HD more slug like than it was stock because of added strain on chassis, stock axles and stock drive train working even harder with stock gearing. Yes there is romance but it is in the new ones dreaming that they are something that they are not. But, like I side before, unless you have been around them for over 40 years like I have and are new to the "sport" you would not know any better and would think you really have something.  

Thats a shame talking bad about any kind of jeep.  

monster_01:
Thats a shame talking bad about any kind of jeep.

The bigger shame is what Chrysler has done to Jeep over the years. They have exploited name/brand for profit while making it more car like too. They need to sell it or let it die before they degrade it further.  

Wow, with 40 years of experience you really haven’t provided any useful information, here or anywhere else.  Putting on bigger tires, and not regearing (blah, blah, blah) that goes for any jeep, CJ, YJ, TJ.   Stroked egos, yeah there’s a ton of people that do it for that reason (but it’s not limited to Jeeps, check out any Bro truck and you’ll see), but what you fail to realize is that there are those who know how to build a rig correctly, that addresses the weaknesses of the rig, no matter what year it was made.  As for the new JK Wranglers, they’re alright but they are still new and I’d never buy a new car just for wheeling.
If IH can make the Wrangler it better so be it, but I agree with George in that it may be a moot point if we aren’t able to drive any off-road rig nor have the trails to drive them on.  

Snoman your so full of "S"
you really have no clue. and i highly doubt you have even driven or seen a newer jeep offroad.  time to get real. its one thing to make fun or poke at something when it makes sence its another to have a dumb biased opinion based on nothing but a opinion.

Hey Andy I bet in your avatar when your jeep came down it fell apart and plastic went flying everywhere. lol  
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02 TJ with lots of extra junk

"Respect my authority"  (cartman)

Snoman there are a few of us on this website who have been Jeeping for 40 years. Mine is not new (3rd one) but did come with some plastic parts and weak Axel's for the abuse I intended to put it through. Thats what makes the jeep so versatile. There is the aftermarket and recycle yards so one can upgrade if so desired.
If someone wants to take a new LJ or Jk and beat it up it is theirs to do.
By the way they are pretty capable as they come off the show room floor, plastic and all.
My 2 cents worth  
94 YJ Spring over with custom springs.
44's both ends with 4:56 gears. Auto 3speed and Atlas 11 (4.3). 35" Mud Terrians.
Detriot in rear and Lock-Rit in front.
Warn 8,000

I agree with tdssd. and i dont think that snowman deserves to be put down, because he likes the older jeeps. i mean realy, you dont have to resort to just being rude. we all like our rigs.If someone else thinks differently thats fine.I dont recal him putting me down so i wont do that to him.but if chrystler had not done what they did with jeep then it wouldnt even exist anymore. and they are still verry capable from the floor. expecially the rubicon. i still dont think anyone should just go out and wheel a brand new rig though they just cost too much.....EVEN IN 1975..if you want to do that just buy and old beater like i did.  

well snoman is right in a way though, the ols jeep CJ's were much heavier than the newer jeeps. my dads old CJ5 came with stock D44 axles front and rear with a locking rear diff and a AMC 304 V8 bolted  a 4 speed w/ a granny. it was a much heavier build machine than the newer crysler jeeps. however the newer jeeps are still relitively stout machines, but the older jeeps were stronger and heavier built.  
[X] Give Er Hell [X]

Thanks country_boy, see that kind of logic or facts does bring up a valid point of arguement: what they came out with, what where they originally equipped with and then compare that to the rigs that are being produced now.  A V8 for a heavier rig vs. an inline-6 for a much lighter rig would be a great arguement.
And I also agree with George in that the wheeling we do, we've upgraded/replaced all of the weak points, so each variation of the Wrangler can be just as capable as the next.

Yep Kevin, it 'sploded all over the place.  It was plastic carnage.    

They have been slowly cheapening them up to make them more car like for yuppie sales while raiseing sales price at same time. Like poster said above there was a time when they had a good stiff frame with 4 corner leaves and sturdy axle and you could get them with a V8 and a sturdy "granny" tranny too. They dumped the leafs in four corners around 95 to make them ride softer and also to lower them closer to ground and make them wider to to make them more yuppie roll proof as they pushed Jeeps as a car replacement. Today the only thing really Jeep about a Jeep is its name and little is left otherwise of its roots. BTW, I also have a old J20 Jeep P/U which is all stock and pretty rare today. It is one stout truck and sturdier than any new truck though lacking in creature comforts and ride quality in true Jeep fashion.  

Sounds like someone is living in the past. Jeep is Jeep. If Im not mistaking, a Jeep for the public comes with everything to be STREET Legal (even 40 years ago), so its made for the paved road. Obviously they are off road vehicles as well, but they are not STRICTLY OHV's. Kevins Jeep has proved more than off road capable, i'd prefer his jeep over any 40 year old jeep any day. I bet if youd ask a ranger today if he'd prefer a brand new jeep from 40 years ago or a brand new one from today, he may laugh for a few minutes, they drive the "plastic" beast away.  
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2004 WJ-My Jeep talks to me

No, the problem is Chrysler is using Jeeps reputation of the past dating to WW2 as a simple sturdy and reliable vehicle to sell the cheep imitation they make today. What many do not understand it was Jeeps "history of the past and how it was built" that carried name in recent years but that name has been tarnished badly. This should come as no surprise though from a company that took the name "Hemi" that the 426 of 60's made  legendary and applied that name a wannabe 5.7 that dishonors the engine that "made" Hemi stand for something. Doing same thing with Jeep.  

but jeep is only evolving to meet todays standars and needs. they where the leader in 4x4 and offraod technolagy in the early years and they still are today.the army is who demanded simplicity and strength. if you realy want to say that its not what it used to be than what about when the put tops and doors on them. alot of old farmers said that was the end of jeep. Its all just about staying ahead of the pack. and if it is not what it used to be than thats what had to happen. but... the old cjs with the v8s and heaveir axles tcases and trannys are definatly missed. i think there is room for a little of both. the only thing that the new rubicon is lacking is the v8. it has the sronger axles and a 4;1 low. its way overpriced but they are selling.when you look at the  average prices versus average income , they are realy about the same as they where in the 60s and 70s mimus the rubi.  

I was actually looking at the new JK and seriously considering buying one - I don't mind the plastic parts, albeit few.  

Back in '91, I owned a 1st gen Wrangler '87 with the 4.2L, with a 4" TrailMaster (old school) lift and 3" body lift, 35" BFGs, re-geared to 4.56 and even had a locker in the rear.  Yes, I wheeled it and yes it was capable.  

I wouldn't buy the JK just for a commuter - I'd wheel it.  I like old school 4x4 - have an 82 K5 that I did the suspension install and axle swaps myself (If I can just drive it down from Tahoe!).  I actually like all the creature comforts that a newer 4x4 gives you.  

I have no problems with someone thinking I'd be wasting my $$ on a yuppie Jeep - after all, it's my $.  The issue I now have is the warranty.  If I do spring for a new JK, the Lifetime drivetrain warranty would have a lot to do with it.  

Maybe cheaper to throw in a new engine and tranny in the K5, fix the sideswipe damage and I'd be ready to roll  
82 K5 Blazer * 5" lift, 8-lug D44/14FF 4.56, Detroit, 35" MT

the only thing realy diluting the brand its self is the compus,patriot crap. these are realy not even jeeps there just cars. now if thats what you mean i cant argue a lick about that!