watchamakalit Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 After back to back road trips, first one in the WJ second in the MJ. I have come to realize that maybe its time to give up on the the MJ being a daily driver and buy a newer full size truck. The wife and I have really taken to the camper and will be pulling it or possible a travel trailer around for a fair amount of the foreseeable future. It is impossible to see around the pop up camper even with the wj let alone the mj. Money is not a factor in this decision as I have the funds to buy a suitable truck cash outright. So the decision becomes what will I be happier driving long term. I have owned several MJs over the years and kicked myself every time I sold one. That said I can't justify the space to store a truck I am only going to use weekends and fun rides. I have a CJ that has been neglected by me for too long as my attention has all been on making the mj capable of dd status. If I buy another truck I will most likely sell the mj and devote the tinker time to the full resto my CJ so desperately deserves and it will become the wheeler/ weekend cruiser rig. My dilemma is basically all personal preference but I am seeking some advice from those that understand my love for these little trucks. I would love to be able to keep and fully restomod the MJ but just can't justify it and the CJ if I have a newer truck to drive. And before any one thinks of suggesting it the CJ aint going anywhere. I will NEVER part with my first Jeep. So if you were in my shoes, what would you decide? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torq_Shep Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 I have been in your shoes. I sold the MJ, regretted it, bought another, sold it, regretted it, bought another, sold it, regretted it, bought another, am contemplating selling it... With that being said. I don't think I can go back to dailying an MJ unless it was in excellent condition. The reliability of modern vehicles and creature comforts (heated, very comfortable seats), make modern trucks/vans better for daily duty imho... On the same token. I did just buy a GMT800 Tahoe. It is old enough that it is starting to be cool, new enough to have a really solid drivetrain, and cheap enough that I don't care about tinkering on it occasionally. So maybe something like that would be an option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 Don't be a sissy. Fix your jeep and drive it. Fix the car and drive it. Buy a tow pig and use it. If you need opinions about keeping your mj your just silly.... cause you know you want to keep it. Really no space to keep the mj? Your lying. Go get a truck note and up insurance if you gots the money to throw away. Right now the mj has proven to be a good investment in owning one and parts even. Be real with your laziness, get off your butt and make it happen. Side note, I dd mine but I'm nobody and you are somebody. And this thread is worthless.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 how big is your camper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted May 24, 2021 Author Share Posted May 24, 2021 Currently a 14ft popup. Which is on the larger size for a popup. The mj and wj handle it well enough. Just can't see around it. I have a set of mj tow mirrors just havent committed to drilling holes in the doors. Id sleep in the back of the mj myself but the wife...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted May 24, 2021 Author Share Posted May 24, 2021 55 minutes ago, MiNi Beast said: Don't be a sissy. Fix your jeep and drive it. Fix the car and drive it. Buy a tow pig and use it. If you need opinions about keeping your mj your just silly.... cause you know you want to keep it. Really no space to keep the mj? Your lying. Go get a truck note and up insurance if you gots the money to throw away. Right now the mj has proven to be a good investment in owning one and parts even. Be real with your laziness, get off your butt and make it happen. Side note, I dd mine but I'm nobody and you are somebody. And this thread is worthless.... It won't have a note on it. Insurance won't be bad due to a cash purchase and only state minimum insurance. I'll fix my own $#!& if I wreck it. I'm trying to keep it real. I won't leave the mj outside to rot away. Id rather sell it to another than leave it stored outside again. I don't have room to store it inside. And here is a picture for you @minibeast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 I bought these for our Durango. They are Dometic brand but are the old generation that aren't made anymore (had to order them from England). but there are other options that attach in a similar fashion. honestly, unless I had a real need for a big truck, I'd rather have a modern Grand Cherokee or Durango. I've been very pleased with ours and the Hemi tows wonderfully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 1 hour ago, watchamakalit said: Currently a 14ft popup. Which is on the larger size for a popup. The mj and wj handle it well enough. Just can't see around it. I have a set of mj tow mirrors just havent committed to drilling holes in the doors. Id sleep in the back of the mj myself but the wife...... Understood. Sell it, get the truck and fix up the damn cj so your wife can ride with the top off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyyank Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 Personally the cost of most new vehicles is outrageous and I wouldn't go that route. No reason a basic truck needs to be 40-50k. Not sure what your budget is but assuming around there. Have you thought about just renting a truck when you need one? Keep the MJ maybe get a Honda or something easy to just daily. Take all that cash restomod CJ and keep a decent MJ. Have a Honda because you own jeeps and need something reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 11 hours ago, Smokeyyank said: Personally the cost of most new vehicles is outrageous and I wouldn't go that route. No reason a basic truck needs to be 40-50k. Not sure what your budget is but assuming around there. Have you thought about just renting a truck when you need one? Keep the MJ maybe get a Honda or something easy to just daily. Take all that cash restomod CJ and keep a decent MJ. Have a Honda because you own jeeps and need something reliable. I am shopping in the 20-30k range. Looking at 4wd 3/4ton. I am not buying new. Would never take a hit like that. Thought about renting but it seems to me I can never justify it financially to rent anything. Lol. Part of the issue becomes when the cj is "done" ,to the point I want it too be, I will need a rig capable of transporting it cross country. I feel as a jeep owner it is my duty to ensure my jeep sees Moab at least once during my ownership. Its like taking a Christian to the Holy land. It just seems lime the right thing to do. Lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiserman Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 Keep the MJ, buy a J-Series truck. MJ's are pretty tiny. They weren't meant to be workhorses. Jeep still sold the J-Series for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 7 minutes ago, Kaiserman said: Keep the MJ, buy a J-Series truck. MJ's are pretty tiny. They weren't meant to be workhorses. Jeep still sold the J-Series for that. Yeah that's another project I don't need. Lol. That's kinda the thought being a newer truck is to hopefully lower the amount of time spent on maintenance/repairs. I spend a fair amount of time on my mj and it's still not to the point in super comfortable with the dependability. Still have nervous moments cruising down the road when the harmonics change. Will swapping to factory tow mirrors on the mj make a noticeable difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 1 hour ago, watchamakalit said: Will swapping to factory tow mirrors on the mj make a noticeable difference? The will make a huge difference. I have a truck with tow mirrors and one without. The mirror glass is about twice the size and having it sticking out farther gives you a much better viewing range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 I have a set of tow mirrors and brackets. Thought about trying them. But when I hold them up on the truck it doesnt look like much difference. But ive never driven one with factory tow mirrors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyyank Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 2 hours ago, watchamakalit said: I am shopping in the 20-30k range. Looking at 4wd 3/4ton. I am not buying new. Would never take a hit like that. Thought about renting but it seems to me I can never justify it financially to rent anything. Lol. Part of the issue becomes when the cj is "done" ,to the point I want it too be, I will need a rig capable of transporting it cross country. I feel as a jeep owner it is my duty to ensure my jeep sees Moab at least once during my ownership. Its like taking a Christian to the Holy land. It just seems lime the right thing to do. Lmao I guess the one advantage of renting would be not having the deprecation factor along with any mechanical burden, but I can still see the point. Are you looking at diesel or gas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 Gas for sure. If I was constantly pulling I might consider a diesel. But it won't always have a trailer on. 6.0l ls or nothing for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiserman Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 5 hours ago, watchamakalit said: Yeah that's another project I don't need. Lol. That's kinda the thought being a newer truck is to hopefully lower the amount of time spent on maintenance/repairs. I spend a fair amount of time on my mj and it's still not to the point in super comfortable with the dependability. Still have nervous moments cruising down the road when the harmonics change. Will swapping to factory tow mirrors on the mj make a noticeable difference? Just buy one that's in very good shape. My FSJ's hardly ever break down. Just need regular maintaining that's all. I daily drive them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 Not sure I want to go back to carberation. Hell I even fuel injected my cj. Way more reliable and efficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scaleless Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 8 minutes ago, watchamakalit said: Not sure I want to go back to carberation. Hell I even fuel injected my cj. Way more reliable and efficient. I daily a carbureted car and you're right - if I could go back and build it with fuel injection I would in a heartbeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollin_Coaster Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 I don't know how many people you need to sleep.... Have you considered a slide in camper? My first was a Palomino B600 replaced with a newer (2yr old) Palomino SS550. Both are in the 1200lb range and fit between the wheel wells.. I have made mods to the rear suspension: airbags, and upgraded the stock Dana 35 to a 44. Custom made tie downs. It fits inside the 7' box, Also fitted 2in sleeve mounted bike carrier at the stern (bumper) and an additional spare tire carrier on the front mounted 2in. sleeve . Solar panels make this an excellent boonie rig. I get a lot of interest in this setup. We never "camp" on pavement I could post pics of the suspension in a few weeks if your interested. It's out for a "pretty me up" paint job. regards from the west coast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted June 8, 2021 Author Share Posted June 8, 2021 On 6/6/2021 at 8:00 PM, Rollin_Coaster said: I don't know how many people you need to sleep.... Have you considered a slide in camper? My first was a Palomino B600 replaced with a newer (2yr old) Palomino SS550. Both are in the 1200lb range and fit between the wheel wells.. I have made mods to the rear suspension: airbags, and upgraded the stock Dana 35 to a 44. Custom made tie downs. It fits inside the 7' box, Also fitted 2in sleeve mounted bike carrier at the stern (bumper) and an additional spare tire carrier on the front mounted 2in. sleeve . Solar panels make this an excellent boonie rig. I get a lot of interest in this setup. We never "camp" on pavement I could post pics of the suspension in a few weeks if your interested. It's out for a "pretty me up" paint job. regards from the west coast. we have discussed the idea of a slide in. Most time its just me and the misses with her small dog. The trouble I have found is finding a slide-in to fit my swb. I know I can buy brand new slide ins but she wants something bigger anyways. Like I said, if up to me the topper would go on the truck and away I would go, but happy wife=happy life. Ok so a little update. Evidently my tcase has been leaking and I was unaware. The trans and tcase have been eternally coated in a film of engine oil from the many leaks I have been chasing. So now you can imagine how the tcase sounds. I have it out and ready to disassemble and see If I can rebuild or if I need to hunt another. I am still actively , but not aggressively, shopping trucks. I have come to a potential solution to the problem. I purchased a 14' aluminum fishing boat that I have no qualms with storing outside. Now the bass boat can be sold and open up a parking space in the shop. Anyone see where this is leading? Hopefully this will end the issue of what to do with the MJ and also my want for a new truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 I'm thinking 🤔, the fishing boat can be hauled by the mj no problem.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted June 8, 2021 Author Share Posted June 8, 2021 both the current boat and camper can be towed by the MJ or the WJ. I have an occasional use for a 3/4 ton truck, I currently borrow friends when needed. But really don't like having to borrow and depend on someone elses equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 6 hours ago, watchamakalit said: both the current boat and camper can be towed by the MJ or the WJ. I have an occasional use for a 3/4 ton truck, I currently borrow friends when needed. But really don't like having to borrow and depend on someone elses equipment. Yeah and thats where people 🙄 differentiate life, some understand the true cost of ownership and other understand having a community of friends that all can all benefit by working together in a means of a community, sharing is caring and respectful responsible friends understand in a group your buying power is far greater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted June 9, 2021 Author Share Posted June 9, 2021 9 hours ago, MiNi Beast said: Yeah and that's where people 🙄 differentiate life, some understand the true cost of ownership and other understand having a community of friends that all can all benefit by working together in a means of a community, sharing is caring and respectful responsible friends understand in a group your buying power is far greater. Yes you are correct. However "Neither a borrower, nor a lender be". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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