I don't understand why people ***** about people selling out. Jeep was not surviving economically when it was in the market with AMC, and then was sold to Chrysler to allow them to market to more of a niche. You want the "ideals" of custom Jeep products, go to something like www.icon4x4.com/

Times change, and Jeep had to change with them.

 

I'm sorry to hear that you don't like the new Jeep lineup. The Jeeps being built now by Chrysler are just as good if not better, than the Jeeps built by AMC. You need to understand that most of the stuff that AMC made was CHEAP. The XJ was really one of the only solid products from them. With that being said, the early XJs built by AMC were not nearly as good as the ones built by Chrysler. I mean think about it, AMC built the XJ with a 2.8 V6, Chrysler took over and threw the 4.0 in it. That's just an example. The new Grand Cherokee is a pretty competent off roader even while stock. The Liberty isn't the best wheeler in the world, but it still has more ground clearance than a stock XJ. The Wrangler is probably the most impressive one in the lineup. It has tons of ground clearence, and can clear 32s without a lift, it's just as much as Jeep as a CJ is. The Compass and the Patriot aren't the best, but you need to realize that Jeep is appealing to different demographics. People that usually buy those, never have the want or need to go off roading.

 

Dude, you really need to know what you're talking about before saying something. Who exactly do you think created the 4.0?

 

I don't think the issue is off-roadability, per se, but the difference between a 98 wrangler (4.0 Manual) and a 2007 wrangler (3.8 Manual) are astounding. It's not that the 07 couldn't perform as well off-road, it's just that it's built cheap with bad designs, substandard materials, goofy electronic systems that shouldn't be in a Jeep, and poor workmanship.
For Example:
The 98 at our house has 300k and has eaten two headers and a rear end. The JK has already received an entire front end (a partially succesful attempt to cure death wobbles), a rear break caliper that broke for no obvious reason other than faulty design, and a steering stabilizer. It has a little under 50k on it.

The 98 has never had death wobbles, or any other handling issues other than being a short-wheelbase vehicle. The best part? When the JK has death wobbles, all the obnoxious electronics take control from the driver so they can't drive out of it. It also occasionally unexpectedly brakes itself going into turns.

The 98's vinyl seats finally cracked enough to require seat covers a couple of months ago. This is the only interior problem it's ever had. The JK already has the padding in the driver's seat broken down and a broken air vent.

The 98 has never had a recalled item. The JK is about to have the entire gas tank assembly replaced under factory recall because it spews gasoline when it fills to quickly.

I won't even get into the pos minivan 3.8 V6 or the disrespectable 6-speed tranny with an extra gear that you only use going above 70 (You would thank that they would make a granny low or shorter gears or something useful with that extra gear, but no). I understand that Chrysler is building better vehicles now than they were even then - they'd better be, or there won't be a Chrysler much longer.

 

The jk's are much better quality than the tj/yj/cj. You can't even argue that. They are safer, quieter, more stable, more room, they entire suspension is BEEF compared to any of the stamped factory crap on a tj. And amazingly simple to work on.

You should find the cause of your death wobble. I build 2-3 jk's a week and never have death wobble issues.

And that 6th gear is a dream when it comes to gearing. It allows for much more aggressive gear options while still being able drive 70mph without screaming. Which is a big complaint with a lot of my tj customers with low gearing.

 

Uh I do know what I'm talking about.... My mom works for Jeep. I've lived and breathed Jeep since I was born. AMC created the 4.0.
But, AMC DID NOT but the 4.0 in the XJ. Chrysler was given the rights to all of AMC's engines and drivetrains after they bought the Jeep brand. Chrysler was the one to introduce the 4.0 to the Cherokee line back in 1987.

 

That thing is sick!

 

Agreed. I've owned a 93 YJ 2.5 5spd 4x4. It was a POS, the cooling system and A/C compressor both failed at 120k due to the A/C pulley freezing up, causing the belt to shear, and the radiator overheated. Now what should have happened in the situation was, the radiator pressure cap should have blown and let excess coolant out... Nope. Instead it stayed on and the radiator split right in half. P.O.S. The JKs are a million times better than any wrangler as far as creature comforts, quality, and driveability on and off road. He must have received a lemon or something because the JKs I've been around are great vehicles. I seriously don't know why some people hate the "new" Jeep. It doesn't make sense to me noticing that they're better vehicles than they were when AMC owned them.

 

True, but if amc had not gone bankrupt they would have actually put it in. Sorry, I misread your previous post.

 

Buzz wrong I know this might upset you a little bit but AMC did put the 4.0 in the xj and mj they appeared mid summer of 1986 and they also campaigned xjs and mjs in many racing series... Chrysler did not take controling shares of Jeep until 1988. I know this for a Fact becaue of my Dad (miss him very much) Worked for AMC Jeep eagle at the time.. the Renix motor is all AMC... the first year of a all Chrysler Jeep is 1991-1992

 

S**t I'm surprised I didn't know that. You're wrong on the ALL Chrysler Jeep thing though. I know this because my 92 XJ has tons of AMC parts, my steering column is a GM part, and so on. It had to be somewhere between 93 and 96 when Chrysler ditched most of the AMC stuff and started to install their own parts because my 96 has the chrylser POS steering column lol

 

haha its alright man don't worry about it.

 

i ment motorwise

 

Haha

 

They dont want to go that fast.... they way a **** ton.
I really wish my dad hadnt sold it..... he even regrets it.
But he needed something more practical and something that could tow more...