Newbie Questions about Unlimited Ownership

[jasper234]

Hello All.....

I am very excited to have found this board!!!! I am in the market for a new car and have my heart set on a new Unlimited - it would be the fourth CJ/YJ/TJ I have owned so I guess I'm just a newbie to the Unlimited thing.

Anyway, I was hoping to get some help with some general questions about the Unlimited buying/ownership experience from those of you who have already been there (especially those who use the vehicle as a daily driver). I have read a bunch of the very informative posts in this forum but still have some questions before I pull the trigger. Any help/wisdom you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Some background - I am married, the father of two small children (2 year old boy and 8 week old girl) and the Unlimited would serve as our only "second" car as well as my daily driver – our "first" car is a suburban which my wife drives with the kids. Here it goes:

1) Do you drive your kids around in your Unlimited - i.e. car seats in the back seat? Have you "tied" the car seats down using the hoops on the floor behind the back seat? Is it safe? I keep telling myself that with the car seats tied down and with a full roll cage, the kids would have to be safe. Plus, they will very rarely be traveling in this vehicle. Am I right in justifying it this way?

2) I rarely ever carry anything of much value in my car - except for my beloved golf clubs. I am worried that they will get jacked with the soft top (Hard top is not an option for me). 90% of the time, the jeep would be in a 100% safe environment (my garage or work garage), but the 10% has me worried. Has anyone installed something like a Bestop Extendatrunk? Does it fit behind a folded up back seat in the Unlimited, or does the back seat have to come out? Will a golf bag fit in it? Is it easy to get in/out in case I do have to cart the kiddies around? What is the solution?

3) I live in Phoenix so soliid A/C is a must when it's 110 degrees out. Does the A/C blow strong enough to keep the whole jeep (soft top version) cool even in the middle of the summer?

4) I will be getting just the base model (not the Rubicon) since the vehicle will rarely be off road (until my son is old enough to go camping). If I get a six-speed with just a couple of options (7-speaker, cruise control) how much should I pay? My local dealer has four units in stock which fit the above description and he is preliminarily quoting $24,400 out the door including taxes, title, licensing, etc. Is this a good deal or can I get them down more?

5) And finally, has owning an Unlimited been everything you hoped it would? Any suggestions as to options, etc. that you think might have made it a better experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your comments. Sorry for the long post, hopefully your answers will convince me to go through with the purchase of one of these awesome vehicles.

Steve

[treeofliberty]

I've had mine (here in Phoenix) since October. It was above 100 at the time, but not in the humid 110's.

#1) Bestop makes a swing-out tire carrier with a mount for two baby seats. Just kidding...

#2) Even with the Unlimited, your golf bag would be a tight fit with the Extendatrunk. I can take some measurements if you like, with the seat in (a rarity in ours).

#3) I think the A/C is going to be fine for you. If you're making a lot of stops, never letting it cool down much, it may be better to take the Suburban (especially for entry and exit). Getting the kids strapped in is going to be a hassle, even with the newer folding front seats.

#4) The price you mention is in the ballpark of what we spent, with similar options. We wanted the auto tranny, because I spend 80 miles on I-10 every day and was tired of shifting.

#5) Ooohhhh yes. This is my first Jeep, so the high may not be as strong with you. After 7 months and 15k miles, I still spend most of my day coming up with excuses to drive somewhere in it. I love it as a daily driver (even with the 33's and 4" lift), even though the mileage sucks. With soft half doors, I can configure it to whatever mood strikes me. There's nothing like walking out of the office, after a 10-hour day, to a top-down doorless jeep and 80-degree weather. In July, it will be a different story.

I've talked with enough folks who've owned the SWB and LWB wranglers. You're going to love the ride. It's smoother and quieter.

If you've liked your other three Jeeps, you'll really like this one. And off road, even with an open diff up front, this rig rocks.

[jasper234]

Tim -

At times that swing-away carrier wouldn't be such a bad idea - you got me laughing good with that one...

It sounds like the extendatrunk fits in the Unlimited with the seat folded up, is that true? Is the extendatrunk easily removable?

A/C sounds like it will do the job - I would only make a stop for gas on the way to work and usually get in by 8 and leave by 6 or so - not the hottest points of the day and it would always be in garage shade.

I still have a 1980 CJ-7 that I use as my Friday/weekend car - no other car (even the BMW M3 I had a while back) evokes as much emotion and driving pleasure as this Jeep does. It's now our 3rd car behind a Pathfinder that is coming off lease in a month. I have decided to go to being a two-car family so unfortunately, the CJ has to go (this kils me). The only thing worthy of replacing it in my opinion is another Jeep! Saw pictures of yours in prior posts, very nice. Thanks for your response.

[wunlimited]

treeofliberty said:

I've had mine (here in Phoenix) since October. It was above 100 at the time, but not in the humid 110's.

#1) Bestop makes a swing-out tire carrier with a mount for two baby seats. Just kidding...

Holy cow THAT is funny ;D

How about fitting a wind jammer in at the rollbar to hold AC (or heat in the winter) up front???

[treeofliberty]

I'm glad you guys have a sense of humor. I was afraid of offending somebody. Oh, wait, those guys drive Hummers. Nevermind.

Come to think of it, most of the kids I see on trail rides would LOVE riding on the Bestop carrier. Something about mud in the blood, I guess.

[LTJ04]

Hey I live in Louisiana and the AC works fine for me, at least for now! It’ only May and we have had a “cool” spring. But with the soft top on I was surprised at how cool it got. Folks in the back seat may have a harder time in the heat. With a black top and no real provisions for getting cool air to the back it could be uncomfortable for the kids but my dog never complains, he just stares at me with his tong hanging out

[TJeff]

treeofliberty said:

I'm glad you guys have a sense of humor. I was afraid of offending somebody. Oh, wait, those guys drive Hummers. Nevermind.

True, very true.

Steve
I just sold my 00 TJ and picked up an 05 LJ rubi.
I too have two kids, a 3 year old and another one due with in the next few weeks.
It was a bitch fitting my 3 year old (when he was an infant) in the back seat AND his carriage.
That's the main reason I went with the LJ.
The carriage should fit nicely with all that extra room back there.
As for the car seat, you just have to tip it a bit to get it inbetween the door and roll bar, but I don't remember it being a big deal.
I do remember my wife had to sit very close to the dashboard with the infant seat in, but the LJ is supposed to have 2 more inches of leg room for rear seat passengers (so I've read) so I hope that helps.

For the insta-trunk, I haven't seen one for the LJ being sold yet, but when it comes out, it will fit in with the seat in. Not sure if clubs will fit in there, it's big, but not that big.

We had a snowy winter so the AC is yet to go on here in Massachusetts, can't help you there.

It drives unbelievable compared to my SWB TJ 4" 33's.
This one is in the shop now getting 7" and 35's.
Not sure how it's going to drive, but since the auto seemed like a dog with the 31's, I'm sure it will be even slower.

I went with the auto and most likely would go with it again since I work in Boston and just sick and tired of the clutch. The 6 speed would be more peppy, but that's a personal opinion, there has been too many threads on other sites taking about auto vs stick that I can't remember. It's a personal opinion, go with what you want to drive, not what others tell you that you should drive.

Hope this helps
(sorry it's so long)
Jeff

[Jefferson1964]

I purchased an Unlimited Rubicon for $25,500 and like it so far and I have 3K and all is well. I must say i was able to drive a regular unlimited and it was quieter and had a better ride due to the tires, imo of course. The Unlimited is my 3rd auto in the family as my wife has an envoy and i drive a GC as my daily driver. I do have a 2 1/2 year old the just luv to ride in the Unl. I must say its kinda a hassel to strap him in as there is not much room to manuever in the back seat. The car seat fits fine and we use metal hoops just under the back cushion for added security for the seat. The car seat tended to stay a little loose and we purchased a clamp the fits onto the shoulder strap and tightens it down very well. We have taken it on a camping trip and were able to load up everything with no problem the extra room in back really is nice. The AC is very cold I live in texas and it gets very hot and so far this spring its handeled the heat just fine. If i had to do it over i woulda probably just purchased the regular unlimited auto, 7 speaker sub and cruise and hardtop. I coulda picked up a new one in september for $20,500 but didnt like the colors. I purchased the rubi unlim. off ebay, yes ebay from a dealer in Kokomo Indiana that knocked off $6K and brought it down very close to the price of an 05' regular unlimited and is why i purchased the rubi.......oh one thing i would get the dual tops, i purchased the soft top only which is nice, however, the hardtop is better insulated and cuts way down on road noise while on the highway......

[MNZLNGR]

Well I have had my Unlimited for a little over a year now and I love it more everyday.

My husband and I have 3 kids, ages 8, 5, and 1.5. They all fit in the Unlimited (we bought and installed a 3rd seatbelt). The youngest is in the big carseat now and how I got it tight, was by putting my knee in the seat and tightening the seat belt. We have a minivan too and I drive the Unlimited with all 3 kids in it more than the van. My kids love rides in the jeep, the baby has been going since she was about 6 months old. With the 3rd seatbelt, infant carseat can go in the middle and solves the problem of the leg room in the front, but I never had an issue with it.

The AC works great in mine with the soft top on and off.

I have a budget boost, 1.25 body lift and 1 " motor mount lift, aftermarket steps, awesome seat covers that are just as nice as the wet okole ones and some other odds and ends stuff.

The experience of owning an Unlimited has been unbelieveable! I wouldn't own anything else (except maybe the Rubicon Unlimited)

My Unlimited is in the process of going through a transformation now. I've decided to go with the black widow theme and I have a red hourglass decal on the hood, painted the diff covers red in the front and the back, painted the inside of the hub red, changed the plates from MNZ LNGR to BLCK WDO.

Looks awesome!

[jmorrisjr]

Wow. lots of feedback.

I've been thinking about the clubs issue. not a whole lot to do when you're looking to completely secure the clubs within a lockbox of some sort. perhaps a better option would be to use a locking case (the kind you use to carry your clubs on an airplane) in combination with a bicycle lock (the flexible wire kind).

You could lock the case, and use the tie down loops in the back to wrap the wire through the handles, in order to secure the case to the floor of the jeep.

its not a perfect solution, but it would keep the clubs from walking away easily.

Jack

[MNZLNGR]

Well my Unlimited was broken into a couple weeks ago sitting in the driveway. Funny thing is, my cell phone (in the charger) and my new stereo was untouched. Apparently they were looking for cash and left the drivers side door open(it was unlocked). They also broke into my husbands Rubicon, broke his center console and glove box trying to get them open.

Bottom line, don't keep anything in your jeep you can't replace or don't want stolen. If a thief wants to get in your jeep, they will, whether they open the doors or cut your windows. We never lock our jeeps because we figure if someone wants to break in, we'd rather have them open the door than cut the window. We keep nothing in our jeeps of value. What my husband does keep is the extend a trunk that comes from his backseat. Once the tailgate is closed, it locks and no getting in there. He keeps his valuables in there (tools, recovery stuff). Also his hi-lift is bolted to his spare tire carrier

[2hi2cme]

hello
sorry to here about that what a drag, it could of being worse they could of stole it. glad to here it's OK
i have owned my 2004 unlimited for 3 month now.and were august 2005.
it was a left over model that the dealership have to get rid of
it was going for $33,000 i paid $26,000 for mine Canadian dollars a little much, but a good deal,and well worth it,and it's loaded automatic,air,chrome bumpers front and back big stereo
but that's what you pay for when you want it right away.
i remember seeing it last year can't believe no one didn't snatch it up.
couldn't afford it back then just dream about it.
and now I'm the proud owner of it.
now I'm the only one with one in my area,and i was told 2006 0r 2007 will be the last year they will be making them.

maybe being a collectible some day.

and for me the ac works fine cold enough to give me goose bumps.
i to have a baby girl 17 month old and it is a little tough getting her in there, I'm talking about the back seat.
i have to raise up the passenger seat up the hop on the console and my wife has hand her to me,but once she in no prob........
anyways by the time she 2 or 3 years old she'll be able to walk in and hop in to her sit..........
and we do have a second vehicle a 2004 dodge caravan.
when we go for drives with the baby its mostly in the caravan.
and jasper234 I'm like you my beloved golf club.
we need room for them.
you golf clubs will still fit just fine when the back seat is fully folded back.
and the 7 speaker think,is a must.
sounds aw some,
with the sub woofer right buy your hips on the console.
and like you said CJ/YJ/TJ/ and now LTJ it looks like you being a die hard jeep owner you deserve it why not buy one won't be many left,and you won't be disappointed.


2hi2cme