Getting back in a K5, or an XJ?

[lathode]

I had a couple of K5's in the past. An 80 and an 89 or 87 I believe. Currently I have a Cobalt which is going to my wife and I will be getting an SUV. I currently live in WA and will be moving to AZ in the summer. I wanted something I could tow with but also have 4WD if I needed it in snow or whatever else. I don't plan on doing a lot of off roading, but would like to do some easy trails and what not. My price range is about $3,000. I've never owned an XJ or driven one, I know the 4.0 and AW4 are a solid combo in reliability. The TH700 not so much. Obviously the gas mileage will be pretty bad in the K5, what's a realistic number for 60% hwy? 33" tires, 3.71 gears. 10, maybe 13 MPG? Where as the XJ would get 15-20. There's also the fact the XJ is 10 years newer and likely more reliable.


home.comcast.net/~lath0de/k5/k5.JPG
home.comcast.net/~lath0de/k5/k52.JPG





The info I got from the seller so far is that it has 3.71 gears, blocks in the rear (2.5"?) probably needs a dropped pitman arm, high idle, needs a t stat, cut in the sidewall right front tire. Also the rear glass tailgate lock doesn't work but the dash switch does. There is also some damage to the right front fender when the tire hit it going over a curb. He's asking $3,500.

 

[supersize75k5]

Hate to say it but I would wait till you are in az to pick up a 4x4.


The market is pretty well saturated with them here and as an added bonus they will not be rusty and many have never really been used.

Also if you are not going to wheel it much id look more at creature comforts, you will want a nice cold ac system here that I promise

Id look more for a 99-01 laredo

this is from a dealer but they can be had for 3k, friend just picked one up.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/2663474783.html

 

[lathode]

Thanks for the suggestion. It is a beautiful K5, but I should be more practical and look at a K5 as an extra vehicle, not DD. I think I might also look at 4Runners.

 

[supersize75k5]

Hate to say it but I would wait till you are in az to pick up a 4x4.


The market is pretty well saturated with them here and as an added bonus they will not be rusty and many have never really been used.

Also if you are not going to wheel it much id look more at creature comforts, you will want a nice cold ac system here that I promise

Id look more for a 99-01 laredo

this is from a dealer but they can be had for 3k, friend just picked one up.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/2663474783.html

edit..


just re-read it and noticed the wife will be driving the car. Either way, a xj or laredo would be a solid choice for light trails, their suspensions and t-case are different though and if you try to build one it gets pricy to go over a 33 and do it right.

 

[gotblazers]

My dad just picked up our 2nd jeep grand cherokee laredo. 04 in mint condition with 68k on it 2wd with a straight 6 4.0l. 7500 total. Now im driving our 00 jeep grand cherokee laredo and i've driven it all over including down in johnson valley during the hammers and i can attest that they are truly awesome heeps.