07 KJ a good option for upgrading from 4x2?

rlanda · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:15 am

Hello all, it's been a while since my last post, but checking the forum frequently and staying up to date with all the information you provide.

Now I come to all of you asking for your opinion in this matter:

My KJ is a '04 4x2 and when tried to go off-road with it, I found that could'nt go almost anywhere and I think is because of:

1. No 4x4
2. Open diff.
3. Tires not for off-road (Goodyear Eagle RSA)
4. And most important: a completely unexperienced driver (me of course).

So, in the last 11 months I've been thinking to upgrade to 4x4 and been waiting for the new KK to arrive. I've been reading all the reviews, comments and opinions about it in this forum and finally last week arrived to dealership and saw it thorougly.

My conclusion is: KJ much better in my opinion, and looks too much better too. Let me say that I'm really very very happy with my KJ, it's an outstanding vehicle and I wished to get a 4x4 since the first time if I knew (I bought mine thinking any Jeep could go everywhere).

So, since there are a few KJ '07 4x4 at dealerships yet, I'm thinking seriously in getting one of those and I want to know what do you think or what would you do about these:

1. I've heard this advice: "Your 4x2 will be fine: with a locker, all terrain tires and a winch you'll go everywhere you want to". In the other hand, I've heard this too: "Nothing can substitute 4x4 capabilities, forget about modding your 4x2". So, I'm really confused. Since I'm completely unexperienced, maybe don't know exactly what I need; the truth is that I'm not looking for extreme off-road, just getting places with family. But on the other hand, almost every place I tried to go in the past, I found myself (and my family) in some kind of trouble because of the losing of traction even in light mud or slippery surfaces.

2. Other advice received: "Go out there with your 4x2, get stuck and learn how to get out of trouble, then, when you get a 4x4, you'll be an experienced driver". (I'ts clear to me that I must increase my habilities by experience).

3. Is it wise to get a model that is about to leave the market? Here in Mexico, a 07' KJ is offered at $22,700 USD and a 08' KK has an introductory price of $29,000 USD, sincerely, too much money for an SUV that I don't even like it.

4. When I say that the KJ is really a nice vehicle I'm serious: before I bought it, I've waited a long long time looking for something that satisfied me in almost every aspect (riding, comfort, engineering, the look, etc.) I'm very, very pleased with mine, upgrading to 4x4 is the only reason I'm
thinking of selling it. And by watching the market trends, I suspect we'll not see another truck like this in the next years. Am I completely wrong with this?

5. To all of you that own a 07' KJ, what do you think about yours? Any thought you may share?

As always, thank you very much for your input, and let me say that I've learned a lot in this forum, now I know my KJ much better and enjoy it much more because of the knowledge spread in this pages.

Jeepman56 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:46 am

I have had my '07 Sport 4x4 for 2 months now. It is my first 4x4 and/or off road vehicle. I love it and living in Wisconsin having 4 wheel drive is a nice feature not only for recreation but I cannot wait to utilize it in the snowy months. If the KJ is what want then pull the trigger and get one of the last ones, I am sure glad I did.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:02 pm

I have an '02 and an '07.
I love them both.

The '07's have the same issues that most of them have. I have had troubles with the windows, just like many others have. I do not like the 42rle tranny in the 07 as much as i like the 45rle.

Not crazey about the no dipstick for the tranny in the 07's, but...

get a sport, with 16 inch tires. Limited have 17 inchers and they seam a bit tough to find tires for, so far.

I have 6,100 miles on the 07 and aside from the above issues i love it. I will NEVER look at a KK.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:33 pm

I work on vehicles for a living(25 years)and don't let anyone else tell you that a 4x2 can be modded to be as good as a 4x4.
You can make 2 wheel drive better,but never to compare.I'm not afraid of change,but I believe the better spent money will be on the 07 KJ.If you buy one,they should be considered "Left over models"and could probably get another couple of thousand off asking price.Be smart when you buy,and let them know that you don't have to have one.Tell them to give you their bottom dollar,and then offer 2 thousand less.They need to clear their lots to make room,so just be patient and they will deal with you.Whatever you choose....Good Luck,and don't be a stranger to the forum.

Ron

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:07 pm

LiLredLibby wrote:

I work on vehicles for a living(25 years)and don't let anyone else tell you that a 4x2 can be modded to be as good as a 4x4

x2 cept for the 25 years for my mechanic skills :lol:

But this is true, a 4x2 is a WASTE of time IMHO if you wanna offroad at all. Granted for those of yall who say well wait a minute what bout them rally trucks and such, well this is different terrain that a jeep wasnt specifically designed for. Jeeps are for trail ridin not Baja draggin. Havin said that, I dunno who you talked to who told you tossin a locker and a set of ATs on a 4x2 would let you do anywhere cause that is so much BS its comin outta their nose!! 4x4 is the way to go if you wanna experience the real capability of a jeep. I find it hard to believe that you thought a 4x2 would take you anywhere cause it had a jeep tag on it, BUT thats another issue :roll:

My vote, go 4x4...

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:13 pm

rlanda wrote:

2. Other advice received: "Go out there with your 4x2, get stuck and learn how to get out of trouble, then, when you get a 4x4, you'll be an experienced driver". (I'ts clear to me that I must increase my habilities by experience)

My best adivce is to join a jeep club and get some experience points that way. Going out in a 4x2 and purposly gettin your stupid stuck IMHO is another BS bit of advice :roll:

Yes you gotta get experience up but going out by yourself, or even with a group, in a 4x2 and finding out how to get stuck aint gonna make you a better 4x4 driver. Course you learn from mistakes so that above statement is somewhat correct, but believe me havin to call buddies everytime you get stuck on purpose (assumin you aint gonna get out under your own power) is just gonna piss em off after a while...believe me, growin up country Ive had to pull out SOOOOOO many stuck trucks of my buddies that had no business going in the bogs they went into, it just gets annoyin after a while...good luck and join a club!! Best advice for that above statement

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:17 pm

I agree with kj in a tight spot,if you want to go wheeling get a 4x4.High speed desert offroading is best left to well modded buggies and pickups with the correct suspensions to handle the abuse,sadly a KJ will not.

detroit_doc · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:21 pm

If you're taking the plunge, make sure you check out all the options... If I were you I'd go drive...

Nissan Xterra
Toyota FJ
4-door Wranger
KJ

Nothing worse than getting into something new and realizing, "darn I could have had a Rubicon JK for the same money". The FJ isn't my style, but I was pretty impressed with it when I drove it. The Xterra was also very impressive (awesome motor). The JKs are great if you can live with it's minimalism.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:18 pm

Amigo, you have some good advice. Think it all over and get the KJ!

Terry

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:58 pm

detroit_doc wrote:

The JKs are great if you can live with it's minimalism.

You aint ever been in a CJ then I figure huh? :lol:

The JK is a luxury wrangler, compared to my Rubi, not minimalist from the ones ive seen

jason thompson · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:00 pm

IMO
Go 4X4
I dont care if it is an Xterra FJ JK or KJ ,even dare I say KK
the 4X4 on ANY one of those will be better than the best 2wd out there
look at it like this I have seen guys with 35" tall mudders on a 2wd pick up with the big honkin V8 and loud pipes get stuck where my wife drove a stock 4X4 KJ with AT's it makes that much diff. ,also the fact that I knew the right line and they did not helped a bunch

dirtykj · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:23 pm

Well ... a 4x2 is good candidate for SFA upgrade if you wanted to throw in a new transfer case as well

detroit_doc · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:52 pm

kj in a tight spot wrote:

detroit_doc wrote:

The JKs are great if you can live with it's minimalism.

You aint ever been in a CJ then I figure huh? :lol:

The JK is a luxury wrangler, compared to my Rubi, not minimalist from the ones ive seen

LOL yeah I know. I had a TJ, my girlfriend had an XJ and my friend has the new JK. Yes, in terms of wranglers they're very plush. But to someone coming from a Limited Liberty, it might not be their cup of tea.

chero37 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:08 am

I do not understand why they make 4x2 Jeeps? In Europe you can not buy them. We only have 4x4.
So go for the 2007 KJ 4x4! 4x2 Jeeps are just for the show.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:30 am

chero37 wrote:

I do not understand why they make 4x2 Jeeps? In Europe you can not buy them. We only have 4x4.
So go for the 2007 KJ 4x4! 4x2 Jeeps are just for the show.

I know! Its like if you want 2wd jeep just buy a station wagon, better gas mileage etc. everything about a 2wd jeep is wrong......(cartman voice) "its wrong!"

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:20 am

detroit_doc wrote:

kj in a tight spot wrote:

detroit_doc wrote:

The JKs are great if you can live with it's minimalism.

You aint ever been in a CJ then I figure huh? :lol:

The JK is a luxury wrangler, compared to my Rubi, not minimalist from the ones ive seen

LOL yeah I know. I had a TJ, my girlfriend had an XJ and my friend has the new JK. Yes, in terms of wranglers they're very plush. But to someone coming from a Limited Liberty, it might not be their cup of tea.

O ok gotchya

rlanda · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:33 pm

Thanks to all of you that replied. Now it's clear to me. 4x4 is the way to go!!

rlanda · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:38 pm

[quote="kj in a tight spot]... but believe me havin to call buddies everytime you get stuck on purpose (assumin you aint gonna get out under your own power) is just gonna piss em off after a while...believe me, growin up country Ive had to pull out SOOOOOO many stuck trucks of my buddies that had no business going in the bogs they went into, it just gets annoyin after a while...good luck and join a club!! Best advice for that above statement

[/quote]

... And that already happened and yes... It's frustrating for me and perhaps for everyone else.

Thanks for the advice!

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:39 pm

rlanda wrote:

[quote="kj in a tight spot]... but believe me havin to call buddies everytime you get stuck on purpose (assumin you aint gonna get out under your own power) is just gonna piss em off after a while...believe me, growin up country Ive had to pull out SOOOOOO many stuck trucks of my buddies that had no business going in the bogs they went into, it just gets annoyin after a while...good luck and join a club!! Best advice for that above statement

... And that already happened and yes... It's frustrating for me and perhaps for everyone else.

Thanks for the advice![/quote]

Not a problem

Have fun!

rlanda · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:07 pm

Thanks for your comments detroit_doc, I didn´t ever considered the Toyota Fj, not my style neither.
JK discarded, too large and wife didn't like it. Nissan XTerra: this one I loved it, test drove it and impressed me... but to pricey; here in Mexico is almost $40,000 USD (As incredibly as it may appear, amost twice the price of the KJ).

KJ is by far the best rig for the money you can get. It's even priced below other SUV's like Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV4, Suzuki Grand Vitara... And man, there is no comparison between them and the KJ.

07 KJ a good option for upgrading from 4x2?

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