Thinking about a Jeep to drive on the beach. We have great access. Obviously it would be driven on the pavement as well. Mostly 2 lane but very occasionally freeway. Thinking a used Jeep would be a good vehicle for that purpose. My F350 is heavy, and pretty front heavy. My Dodge diesel is also heavy and not a vehicle that is close by and not really wanting to get it there. So thinking I might sell it and use the $ for a Jeep. I miss a manual tranny so that would be awesome. But I would also take and auto. I would like to hear some thoughts on a 4 banger vs V6 and what I should be looking for and things to avoid. I am not a jeep guy so there is that. If this is a bad idea that is fine too. I am not really interested in wrenching on one all the time either. Thoughts? Thanks guys.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

Had a TJ, SE, 4-cylinder, 2-door, 5-speed manual prior to my current JK, 6-cylinder, 4-door, 6-speed manual. 4-cylinder is fun on flat land, but really under-powered, IMO. Extra room in the 4-door is nice as well. You pretty much had to choose between AC and power in the 4-cylinder as well.

How about a Toyota FJ Cruiser?

If you’re not married to the idea of Jeep exclusively, another consideration might be a Taco crew cab if a pickup isn’t outside the realm of possibilities. They are light-ish and with higher floatation tires will perform quite well in sand.

I was in the same situation as ORC. Have a F-350 SRW diesel and while I did take it on the beach it is not an ideal vehicle. Ended up getting a new Gladiator and have been very happy with it.

The issue is finding any vehicle under $10K that is reliable… if you do your due diligence and find one you should be happy. I would suggest a 6 cylinder over a 4 as the extra torque will be a benefit in sand but depending on the conditions where you are it could work.

I have been driving on the beaches of NC for over 50 years, am a long time member of the NC Beach Buggy Association, and can assure you that more engine displacement is always better than less. Also 4WD is required, AWD will not cut it. Tire deflation is also critical, I take mine down from 35 to 20, and lower when necessary.

I see more Jeeps stuck than any other vehicles, but attribute that to people who are unfamiliar with the requirements off beach driving, and use their regular highway jeeps on the beach, maybe for the first time. Hope this helps some.

How does more torque help in sand? I wish I controlled the torque I had better more times than I care to admit.

You want a jeep TJ. They were produced from 96 to approx. 2005. You want the 6 cylinder. Maybe add a rear locker if you are really worried about being stuck. Just air down your tires and make good decisions.

Just my opinion/ experience

Finding a problem free jeep under 10K is probably close to impossible

If you are mechanically inclined and don’t mind a project then a “ cheap jeep” is realistic

Just remember jeep stands for just empty every pocket

quote:

I am not a jeep guy so there is that. If this is a bad idea that is fine too. I am not really interested in wrenching on one all the time either.

The coolest Jeeps, IMO, were the early to mid-80's CJ7s, made just before Chrysler bought Jeep.

But... for something that old rust is the big issue. Many have had the body restored using an aftermarket tub, but then they get expensive.

The newer ones are cool too, but definitely go with a V6 and not the 4 banger.

https://www.autotrader.com/car...ode=TRUCKS&zip=77554

find one you like.

quote:

Originally posted by Apphunter:
You want a jeep TJ. They were produced from 96 to approx. 2005. You want the 6 cylinder. Maybe add a rear locker if you are really worried about being stuck. Just air down your tires and make good decisions.

Yeah! Here's a nice one:

Thanks guys, Apphunter that is good info and I appreciate that.
What do you guys say about miles. I know it has as much to do with the type of use they see.

What about being towing in terms of miles.

IF you are close enough and they are legal a nice side by side, 4 seater if needed with wide tires and lifted would be my choice.

Plus you can use it for other stuff around the house..

Yes, look for a TJ that is in good shape and with the straight 6cyl. They are as close to bullet proof as you can get in an engine. You will want to watch closely for frame rusting out. Next is floor rusting out and under seats. Back corners on body is another place for rust to be. Easily hidden if someone puts “armor” on the corners. If you can get one that has spent more time in southern states will be best bet. Under $10k will have high miles and need some love. Just remember also, it is the most customizable vehicle you can ever own. Find one and make it yours.

I have n 04’ I bought couple years ago to use on my land instead of a SxS. Got lucky and had about 73k miles on it. Think I have put 200 on it since. Not the most practical decision I have made. But have put a lot into buying fun things to make it more what I like. Mostly cosmetic to get it back to what a Jeep should be. Not into lifts or big tires. I just like classic looking Jeeps. I miss my 85’CJ7. Dumbest thing I ever did was to sell it. but I moved to Dallas after college and worked for a bank. I needed air conditioning.

Good luck in your search.

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
Just my opinion/ experience

Finding a problem free jeep under 10K is probably close to impossible

If you are mechanically inclined and don’t mind a project then a “ cheap jeep” is realistic

Just remember jeep stands for just empty every pocket

Yes and no.
Don’t expect a 2015-2020 Jeep.
If you look for something from 1990’s, early 2000’s, you’re going to find what you’re looking for.
Older stuff, consider it a score! (Easier to work on as well!)
Yeah, you’re going to have to do some work on them, but making it your own is half the fun.
They’re out there, and so are the parts.
And Just like the Captain said, if you’re mechanically inclined, don’t mind a project…
But the “Cheap Jeep” is up to you. There’s a bunch of people that dump $40K in extras and add-ons on a $45K Jeep. Depending on what you want to do, it can go from $ to $$$$ pretty quickly.

4 banger vs 6 cylinder?
What do you want: More horse or better mileage?
How much torque do you really need? You’re driving on sand / mud. How much hill climbing and towing are you going to do?

Manual vs Automatic- it’s up to you, they’re both out there.
Im just done drinking coffee, smoking a cigarette/cigar and shifting. Not that I can’t, I just don’t WANT.

I will say that Jeeps like to rust. You’re playing around salt water. Undercoating spray!
One of the cooler and practical things I’ve seen was someone “Rino-lining” their entire Jeep.
Undercarriage, engine compartment, interior and exterior! Aint no way that is gonna rust out!
(Rino-lining = pickup truck bed lining spray, you can get different colors and grittyness to the spray)

There’s Jeep forums and clubs out there.
Im not on any of them, but I’m sure there’s something close to what would be the “Sig Forum” for Jeeps. Complete with a “classified” section / parts swap / part’s locator for whatever you need.

Soft tops are loud, but come off easily by one person.
The hard tops come off easily, but it’s a 2 - 3 person job.
The newer 3 piece hard tops: the front 2 pieces come off in less than three minutes, no tools and a one person, easy job, the back? Well, tools and an extra person to help lift.
Doors- two bolts, and they’re off. The only thing is- the side view mirrors are attached to the doors, so get the $50 set of mirrors that bolt into the door bracket.

Storage of tops & doors take up room when they aren’t on the Jeep.

At some point, they are going to leak.
Either oil from somewhere, or the motor is going to slowly burn oil.
The top (hard or soft) is going to leak from somewhere.
Hard top- a seal, but that’s an easy fix.
Soft top- worn canvas, worn stitching.

They are fun to snow plow in, but are you willing to beat your jeep up for that?

I’ve had this discussion about a SxS vs Jeep for hunting in the mountains.
Definitely not the same topic as the OP posted.
For the price of a Jeep, you get a closed vehicle that won’t drown someone in dust, and it will likely be cheaper than a SxS if you buy a basic used model.
(This is a mountain road/forest road problem but might very well transfer to sand…I don’t know.)
You get a heater, and something that’s very off road capable and can go just about anywhere.

The plus is you can drive it to your mountain hunting area, the downside is driving a Jeep to your mountain hunting area.
I HATE driving a short wheelbase Jeep at freeway speeds. To me it feels like driving a squirrelly snake.
I know a family member that has a good trailer just for the asking. I’d tow it to my hunting spot with my truck.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the thoughts and advice. After looking some I do not think this is all that great of an idea in the $10k budget. I have seen a very few mid to late eighties low mileage gems in that price range. But by in large most are high mileage rigs that most likely will have issues and I do not want to spend tons of time and $ on one. So canning the idea or doubling the budget seems like the solution. Again, thanks guys.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I have seen a very few mid to late eighties low mileage gems in that price range.

THIS is what you're looking for!
Mid - Late 80's Jeep! Perfect!
Easy to work on, not a lot of computer stuff, everything is pretty straight foreword!

If you do go kid to late 80s avoid anything with the 4.2. The mother is great but the carter bbd carburetor is horrible. I think they switched in 89 or 90. Anything with the 4.0 should be fine. They started using a renix efi system in the late 80s or early 90s