if i were you i'd buy this. http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=23335 low miles (25,500 ish) straight 6... . runs and drives great.. and cheap (make me an offer and we'll deal)!.. comes with a ton of extras new top.. and so on

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2006 Renegade. Completely stock.

I agree with the change, personally. if that 3.8L minivan engine puts up with soccer moms not changing oil for tens of thousands of miles at a time, then it's perfect for a Jeep. I'd rather have the 3.8 than the 3.7, myself. Older is NOT always better IMO.

In case you do finally find your dream CJ check out PowerblockTV on the spike channel the show Xtreme 4x4 did what they called their CHEAP JEEP for one and other different mods on Jeeps from daily drivers on a dime to some real hairry rides. Check out this link:

http://www.powerblocktv.com/sites/xtreme/xt_ep.php

It should if anything else give you some ideas and sources for you CJ.
Hoped this helped and good luck in your search.

I'm with you. I don't need a purpose-built mountain-climber (right now). Maybe some day I'll have the space and free-time for a trailer-hauled buggy that could climb K2. Right now, my perfect world would be a Rubicon with maybe a 2" lift. As it stands, Rubi's aren't under $10K though. So I'll get as close as I can I rekon.

I like the idea of having a stress relief truck. I think I'd rather beat on an old Datsun or something though. Seems a shame to punch a CJ.

2006 KJ, we might be talking if you had a CJ7. That CJ5 is sweet! But I need the rear seat and a bit of room for beach-chairs. Plus...I think my wife might ride with me more if I have more air conditioning than a fan on the dash.

ThunderbirdJunkie, at first I was in the "I can't believe you put a minivan motor in the JK" group...then I drove a couple JKs. That motor gets the job done just fine. And you're right...if it can live in a minivan, it must be pretty bullet-proof. Not saying a bolt-on supercharger wouldn't make me smile, but I wouldn't turn down a JK either.

Thanks for the link Rush345. I love Xtreme 4X4. What a cool show. I was watching it one time (they were building a budget H1 starting with an old Suburban chassis) and my wife came in and sat with me for a little while. On the first commercial break she looked over at me and said, "That's really weird." "What's that honey?" I asked her. "Seeing that cute little blonde talk about lockers and gearing and stuff....just weird." I just wish I had their shop. Man that place is nice. Maybe one day....after I grow up?

Found a 6cyl, 5-spd 97 TJ on Autotrader.com for $8k at a dealership. Probably pick that one up for $7k or so. They're in Jacksonville, FL, but I'd make a road-trip for the right vehicle. But I'm not ACTUALLY shopping now. It is nice to see that a used TJ is in my budget range though.

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and that's a PLUS? ha, J/K

ThunderbirdJunkie, at first I was in the "I can't believe you put a minivan motor in the JK" group...then I drove a couple JKs. That motor gets the job done just fine. And you're right...if it can live in a minivan, it must be pretty bullet-proof. Not saying a bolt-on supercharger wouldn't make me smile, but I wouldn't turn down a JK either.

I proly need to drive one before I take a stand...but I sure do enjoy being able to stand on the brake almost to a dead stop (high range 1:1, 1st gear is like 3 something :1, 3.54:1 diffs; It has the the highest gear configuration in the history of CJ's) and she still pulls through...I am sure it is just my preference rather than what is best, I just love the manners of the I6's though...

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77 CJ5 - sold

05 Lt Kaki CRD sport - OME HD FLII - Als UCAs - 255/70/R16 Grabber AT2
3/4 Mopar skids and hooks - Aux lighting F&R
no muffler - Sirius- Browning buckmark mud flaps
$2.76 walmart compass - and a big Black Lab in the back - sold

80 CJ7 4in springs etc.

06 TJ Unlimited

I understand, but it seems like most people want to pretend that the 3.8 is an enormous junkpile because it's not the old I6...and i REALLY like that motor (and never cared much for the 4 liter, honestly)

I just wish they offered the 3.8 and a bigger variant of it in the KK. IMO no reason to have 5 different families of V6 within a manufacturer...

The more she wants to ride...the more I get to drive!

I just wish I could have my 2.8CRD in a CJ7 or Wrangler.

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