Five Jeeps

[neohic]

Christian Hazel of Four Wheeler recently put out an article about five Jeeps that we should all own at some point. Here:

 

https://www.fourwheeler.com/news/features/5-classic-jeeps-you-need-to-own/

 

Can’t say I totally agree but it totally got me thinking. What would be my list? Do I need to have at least driven everything on it? While I’m not 100% set and I might even regret a decision or two, here’s my list:

 

1.) Intermediate CJ5 (1972-1975)

 

 

Yup... I’m absolutely being bias here as this is currently my daily driver. I agree with the article that the intermediates were that magic era where AMC took over and put their engines in them, but also before the build quality fell off the map. The ‘72-‘75s were just modern enough that simple bolt ons or 4.0 swaps are easy enough to really make a good driver out of them. They keep the vintage feel and bare bones vibe of the original Jeep yet still have the option to enjoy driving it everyday.  Definitely #1 on my list. 
 

2.) Any Wagoneer

 

 

I’ve never owned one but I’ve driven a few. These Jeeps are all too easy to make up memories that never actually happened to you! One sit in the driver seat (especially the early models) and all the sudden it’s 1966 and you’ve got the family loaded up on your way to see Mount Rushmore or you’re on your way back home to surprise the family with this years Christmas tree on the roof. These things are just beautiful cruisers regardless of what drivetrain it has and are the purist form of “road sofa” I can imagine. 
 

3.) Willys edition JK two door

 

 

I’m just as surprised to see a JK on my list as you are. That said, not a Rubicon?... too much hype. The Willys edition was a bit of a throwback for me in terms of stock equipment and options. Sure, they could be completely dripping in all the whiz-bang things but the Willys package was offered as a bit of a stripper model but with the right parts where it counted. They had the later 3.6 engine, the six speed manual, and limited slip 4.10 gears. I think the Rubicon transfer case is overrated behind a manual trans as is the front Dana 44. These little rigs in stock form with the addition of a cheap mechanical locker in the front is easily on my list especially now that JK prices are finally starting to come down. 
 

4.) Any cheap XJ

 

 

EVERYONE needs to experience a cheap XJ wheeler! Scratches?... pinstripes. Dents?... plungers fix the big ones. It finally died?... get another. I loved my Cherokee before it went off to the Grim Jeepee in the sky. That thing went everywhere it was pointed and I like to think it had a big, dumb smile the whole time getting bounced off rocks and hung in trees. 
 

5.) Any flat fender CJ

 

 

These things keep you humble. At any point you’re having a rough day you can hop in a flat fender, put the windshield down, and putter along at 45 mph all while feeling at least a smirk creep onto your face. The first run of CJs had more in common with tractors than they did with any other vehicle when they were new and now. Simplicity is key here and I’d take it a step further in saying that I’d rather have a completely original flatty than a restored one just because of how every rust hole, dent, and farm engineered modification tells a story. 
 

That’s my list! Suppose I should put the Comanche as at least an honorable mention. They’re odd and now they’re really getting hard to find a good example, but, as far as driving them, I’d put it on par with a first generation XJ. My personal Comanche is full of personal memories but I think I could’ve had those in so many other vehicles just the same. 
 

Anyhow... what’s your list?

[derf]

Off the top of my head

 

1. A flat fender.  It's iconic.  Takes you back to days past.

 

2.  A full size Wagoneer or Cherokee.  It's fun to drive those old tanks around.

 

3.  An XJ.  They are a true utility vehicle that is easy to drive and it fits in parking lots easily.

 

4.  TJ/LJ Rubicon.  It's the last of the evolution of the CJ series before they did a clean sheet redesign with the JK.  It's a nice bookend to the old flat fender.  The 4.0 is probably the best Jeep engine offered and this one has the last generation.

 

5.  A Forward Controls truck.  FC150 or FC170.  It's a unique Jeep that you just don't see any more.

[WahooSteeler]

I'll play........not necessarily a true order but probably close. If I didn't own one, Comanche would replace the flat fender. 

 

1. Scrambler......really no explanation needed IMO. That's what I was looking for when I found my MJ. 

2. 60's Gladiator.....love the old grille and round headlights

3. 70s Cherokee Chief

4. FC truck....one of a kind

5. Flat fender........old and cool, hard to come by

[87MJTIM]

1. Flat fender

2. CJ8

3. Willys pickup or wagon

4. early CJ5 (including 6s)

5. (not sure about #5)

[89 MJ]

1. Flat fender

2. scrambler

3. LJ Rubicon

4. MJ

5. FC

[PCO6]

Assuming that an MJ Is at the top of everyone's list and doesn't need to be 1 of the 5, I would go with in no particular order ...

 

Willys Wagon

Cherokee Chief

Cherokee XJ 2 dr. 

CJ5

Wrangler LJ

 

 

[Jesse J]

1. cherokee chief

2. j20

3. mj comanche

4. yj 

5. cj 7 like my granpa had

[NHMJXJ]

1. Short box MJ 4x4 with AC, Auto

2. Long box MJ 4x4 with AC, Auto

3. Scrambler, V8, removal hard top, with AC, Auto

3. LJ Rubi with removal hard top, AC, Auto

4. 2 door XJ 97+ with AC, Auto

5. 4 door XJ 97+ with AC, Auto

 

I added an additional 3 to keep it to 5.     NO form of red, brown or yellow.

[Pete M]

1. 715

2. 715

3. 715

4. 715

5. 715

 

 

[Jesse J]

2 minutes ago, Pete M said:

1. 715

2. 715

3. 715

4. 715

5. 715

I want one to pete

[Eagle]

3 hours ago, PCO6 said:

Assuming that an MJ Is at the top of everyone's list and doesn't need to be 1 of the 5, I would go with in no particular order ...

 

Willys Wagon

Cherokee Chief

Cherokee XJ 2 dr. 

CJ5

Wrangler LJ

 

 

I agree with this list. Pretty much spot on.

[Eagle]

3 hours ago, NHMJXJ said:

1. Short box MJ 4x4 with AC, Auto

2. Long box MJ 4x4 with AC, Auto

3. Scrambler, V8, removal hard top, with AC, Auto

3. LJ Rubi with removal hard top, AC, Auto

4. 2 door XJ 97+ with AC, Auto

5. 4 door XJ 97+ with AC, Auto

 

I added an additional 3 to keep it to 5.     NO form of red, brown or yellow.

 

Not my first choice, but I'll give you MJs with automatics. There's just something completely wrong about the notion of a Scrambler or an LJ with an automatic transmission.

[NHMJXJ]

22 hours ago, Eagle said:

There's just something completely wrong about the notion of a Scrambler or an LJ with an automatic transmission.

 

I get that, but I'm tired of shifting.  In the same vein, I feel the same about two wheel drive Jeep vehicles.   

 

At any rate, it's a wish list and I was limited to 5 (couldn't even get that right).  

[CMMagnussen]

MJ swb 4.0 4x4 auto (owned)

J-20 auto (owned)

YJ 4.0 5 spd (owned)

Willy's Wagon 

SX/4 4.2 5spd (owned)

 

Yeah I know, cheating on the last one.

[89 MJ]

27 minutes ago, CMMagnussen said:

MJ swb 4.0 4x4 auto (owned)

J-20 auto (owned)

YJ 4.0 5 spd (owned)

Willy's Wagon 

SX/4 4.2 5spd (owned)

 

Yeah I know, cheating on the last one.

I love Eagles! I had an 86 Eagle Wagon as a first car. 

[Dzimm]

Personally I'd go:

- Kaiser M715

- XJ

- flatfender, prefer MB but any would do

- Wagoneer

- at least one of any specialty such as a dispatcher, fleetvan, forward control, ect.

- cheating but 6th would be a modern Wrangler.