Why Jeeps?

Honest question: Why are Jeep Wranglers considered the top tier off roading production vehicle? Other than the Rubicon, which I know has serious off road capability right from the factory, are other models really superior to other 4x4s?
Is it because of the massive after market scene? Something inherent to the design? Do they have something from the factory I don't know about that makes them better?
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Easy to park.

 

@chris4x4. This should be fun!

 

They are narrow, short wheel base, and have a solid front axle. You can fit large tires with minor modification. They look cool. The have history. They have a massive aftermarket. They are easy to work on.

 

This sounds about right

 

All that makes sense. I didn't realize a solid front axle was superior to IFS for off roading.

 

Well I think that answers my question. I didn't realize lower tier Wrangler models had so much "stuff."

 

Short wheel base. Solid axles front and rear.

 

Yeah I had an unlimited base model when they first came out, and it's pretty surprising what it could do. Bone stock on Street tires, and no locker.

 

Before I bought my first toyota I owned a TJ Wrangled and to this day it's the only vehicle I truly miss. I laugh at all the "What's this wind noise or this rattle" drive a Jeep as a daily for a year or two and a Tacoma is basically a Rolls Royce. They are great off-road by design. Tacomas are built to be a good daily truck that is capable off-road. The Wrangled was designed to be great off-road and o.k.'ish as a daily. I will own another TJ! But not as a daily.

 

If you're into serious offroading it's way easier and cheaper (to do it in what most people would call the "right" way) to throw 35s on a JK than a Tacoma...

Buy a Rubicon, put on a couple basic upgrades, put 35s on, then crawl through black diamond trails like they are fire roads.

For a Tacoma? Rear gear is basically mandatory, chop up or replace fenders, add a front locker (to match the Rubicon's) replace front and rear bumper since the approach/departure angles are shit. Find someplace to throw your spare 35 since it won't fit in the stock location. And I could go on and on.

And that's not to say IFS can't crawl, because they definitely can, just shorter wheel base with a solid axle opens up more options on trails.

 

Apparently carried over from the Ram. My last one had that feature, quickly pulled a fuse to stop the smoke. Should of let it burn...

Mike

 

Just pulled the trigger on an 04 TJ Unlimited (LJ) with Currie D44s front and rear, chromo shafts, 488 gears, Genright longarm lift, Detroit locker rear, ARB locker front, tummy tuck and fuel skids, SYE, Warn winch, 35" MTs. Thing is an absolute beast. It makes my Tacoma look like a fragile ungainly toy anywhere other than on the easiest offroad terrain or for towing. Of course it sounds and feels more like driving a tractor than a truck. But for easily getting to the top of a mountain on a tight rocky trail there just isnt a good substitute.

 

I stand by a slightly rear stretched LJ is the perfect wheel base for wheeling, nice Jeep you picked up.

Myself in my Tacoma and my best friend is his built TJ have been the two active wheelers around Lubbock for some time. We had the most bro looking Jeep you could imagine want to join our off road club. 18" rockstars with 35" pro comp wheels on a JKU Rubicon with 5.13s, modest 3" lift and a bumper. That thing goes anywhere, no driver skill needed. 4lo and lockers with 35s is all any weekend warrior could ever want/need. He can do stuff I can't even touch and i've been wheeling twice a month (at least) for the past four years.