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01-06-2007, 07:48 AM
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Help needed here please!
Last time I was in Berlin I got stranded with my truck. That problem fixed, still a couple others. Rear main seal is starting to go, brakes need work. BTW this is the SECOND seal to go... I have about had it with this truck...and am looking for any excuse to get 4wd.
Don't have much money to spend, I have two kids in college at the same time. I am thinking along the lines of a Jeep, Cherokee or Grand Cherokee. I need to use this vehicle for my business and everyday driving also. It will be tight for space for my business but I think I can get by. What I am looking for is something to get me by for a few years without too much trouble and of course beach access! The questions are... I keep hearing about how jeeps run forever, you guys go along with that? I keep hearing about the 4.0 straight six in the older models, is it the engine to look for? I don't really know much about cars.....Wish I had some of you guys around when trying to pick something out. I can pick something up pretty cheap with around 100,000 miles on it. Other than a Jeep is there something else to recommend? That is about as small as I could go interior space wise. A 4wd truck would be perfect but probably too much for my budget right now.  
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01-06-2007, 09:39 AM
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Jeeps Jeeps Jeeps....man, now this is a topic I know about. The old 4.0L Fuel Injected I6 is a great engine, however don't rule out the older 4.2L 258CI I6. This is not Fuel injected, but it is bullet proof. The were only available early on. The older tranny/transfers on the other hand were pretty much junk, I think they were made by mitsubishi. 95% of my Jeep experience deals with the 86 and earlier CJs. Once you start getting into the cherokee and grand cherokee you start dealing with newer, fuel injected, computer controlled vehicles, you'll find them harder to work on, but better on gas. (which these days is a defenite plus). They run forever???? Well most vehicles will run forever if you maintain them properly. Oh...on that note...you don't like Rear Main Seal issues? You may want to stay away from the older AMC engines...they had a 2 piece Rear main that leaks bad. Onto your budget and a truck? If you look, have patience and hold out you can find what you want. 3 years or so ago I bought a 1990 F-150 Super Cab, 8' bed, 351, 4x4 ladder rack, all for $1900, then I turned around sold it and found my Dodge for $800. Both of those are gas hogs, but I'm sure with some patience you can find EXACTLY what you're looking for.
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01-06-2007, 09:47 AM
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Why do you need an SUV for your line of work?
Why not a pick up truck w/ a Cap? I'm sure someone will chime in here - But, there is a motor to STAY away from on the Jeeps. I owned a Jeep Cherokee for one of my salesman - Great vehicle for the company but, we had tons of problems w/ the motor. When I sold the Jeep - I soon learned the motor we had in her (Which was rebuild eventually) was one of the WORST Engines out there. My 1st wife and I purchased a real nice 1996 Jeep Cher Sport - New. The Jeep was a nice ride and great in the snow! Look at the Explorer also. You can't kill those 6cyl engines Ford has in their vehicles. My brother had an Explorer w/ 150K and it was Strong. I have a Ranger for the business w/ the 6cyl in it and she has around 250K on her But, the tranny needs to be replaced now. Good luck R
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TOO EZ / NOT RIGHT Indian River, DE
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01-06-2007, 10:08 AM
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I learned the hard way the explorer is call the EXPLODER for a reason
 Talk to randy, he can tell you which to stay away from, I know I should've listened to him. and the 2.8L???? thats a 4 banger, why would you want that in a 4x4 anyhow
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01-06-2007, 11:47 AM
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Thanks for the help here guys! The ranger that I now have is the one I want to get rid of. The rear seal went at 20,000 miles. Didn't have to pay for that. Put 1300.00 in a faulty transmission at 39,000 miles. Now the seal again. Truck has 87,000 miles on it.
The real problem is I really want something with 4wd. Just don't wanna put more money in this truck with the seal and brakes. I am just starting the looking around process....I figure to have something when those stripers head north again.  That is IF they ever head south.The jeep does have possibilities for me...but still looking at a truck also. The next problem I will have is when I want to stay on the sand for 3 or 4 days straight while leaving the wife in Berlin!  Anyone got a solution for that one?:confused2: :confused2: :confused2:
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01-06-2007, 09:46 PM
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Phil - funny you should bring this topic up - I was having dinner with my father tonight and he asked about vehicles for the OSV - he has a subaru outback right now he's hardly using, he figures he has a prius already for when he needs mileage, wants to replace the subaru with something that can do more hauling AND..would be willing to use it on the beach!
I told him i'd be MORE than happy to help him research (he is afraid to buy used, so it would be a basic, but new model). He's looking for a smaller 4x4 truck (tacoma, ranger sized) with a cap. So if we're both lucky Phil and I can leave the ranks of the walkover fisherman by spring! WOOOHOOO! Btw - i'm curious ...since he asked at dinner and I didn't have an answer for him - what are the MINIMUM requirements for a vehicle on AI? Does it have to be 4WD? or can it be AWD? For instance - could he use his outback technically? It has 9" of clearance. Or does it need to be an SUV or pickup?
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01-06-2007, 09:47 PM
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Jeep Liberty
We have a 03 jeep liberty, don;t know if that's enough space for you or not for work... but we haven't had too many problems - it's great on the beach tho!!!! We did have to have the transmissions rebuild but it was under warranty, other than that not-so-minor problem it has been great.
I am assuming you live in the delmarva area? We bought the jeep before we moved to MD. We got from a place in northern PA - the bank booked our liberty at $16,500 ish, and we only paid $12,500 - Simmons and Rockwell is where we got it.
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01-06-2007, 10:10 PM
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Thanks for the information everyone!
 Steve, about the restrictions in orv. For the record they say 2wd IS ALLOWED on the sand! Gotta have something like 8" of tire on the ground and something like 8" mininum clearance. I have heard of some trying it with 2wd.....some people tell me a light pickup will go on the sand. I have no idea if this is really true however. At one time I was thinking of trying it but everyone here says not to. Good enough for me.
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01-07-2007, 09:37 AM
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EZ,
It's a 2001 long bed with cap.
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01-07-2007, 09:46 AM
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Steve, to answer your question about AWD's
 Barbara's Escape is a AWD and is OK to use on AI and her Escape works GREAT on the beach. most of the time Im not even in AWD mode  and best of all, it's now paid-off now if only I could convince her to let me install a grill-guard and a rod rack  oh and Phil, if you have any questons on 4WD or AWD,(esp Ford's or Linc-Merc's) feel free to ask or give me a call on my cell 
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 GOT FISH need tackle:  www.binnacletackle.com proud member: www.ocmarlinclub.com www.ocreeffoundation.com Last edited by Randy Stinchcomb; 01-07-2007 at 09:49 AM..
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01-07-2007, 11:17 AM
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You can pick up a Ford Escape for a fair price. Find a 2004-05, they are pre-hybrid and are decent. Folks are unloading them to get the newer Escape hybrids. They have a nice ride, tight front end and operate fine in moderate snow. I haven't had this one on the beach.
Head over to a Stealer or Carmax and look over one. Should be ample room for your purposes. Most already have a roof rack you can convert to holding poles.
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