I like jeeps, particulary CJ7s. But, as with all jeeps, the new D44 equipped ones included, you still need several thousand dollars to make them seriously worthy offroad. A lot of this is body armor and underplating to be able to subject it to serious abuse. The new ones are the best 4 wheeling package offered to date IMO, but I think I'd skip em all except for the Unlimited version prior to the most recent body change.
I've always had long term plans to buy a CJ8 Scrambler and move all my parts over combined with bobbing the back end to match the reveal of the typical jeep like a wrangler or cj. This is the concept and spec of the unlimited models. 10" longer in the middle w/o the truck like tail drag that causes issues.
I'll face my jeep against a truck on PNW trails any day, everyday. Sometimes wheelbase is great, like climbing steep hills. Solid axle equipped Toyotas kick butt in this regard. However, most the time, that short wheelbase and superior approach and departure angles are key to superior handling of the narrow twisty trails. And the flex offered with a solid axle setup is always superior to IFS systems on those trails. Out in the desert going fast, IFS is the ticket.
Remember two things
"real jeeps have round headlights"
"real jeeps are built, not bought."
Here's mine the first time I used my winch. U-joint caps in the mud, both drivelines out. What a day. I don't want to repeat, I've had two worse, but no pics to share. If you're serious about getting a jeep, any jeep. Go ask some questions on jeepforum.com for advice, any advice. Good helpful folks on that forum. I'm pretty much only in the CJ forum.
