98' XJ Sport.. Another XJ Thread

[V1GiLaNtE]

It's been three years since the black one got totaled?! Damn.

+1 to what Rex said. Caring for it while using it as the gods and Jeep intended.

Right? It was totaled only a few months after graduation. I think this Jeep has done everything I have asked of it without hesitation.

It's in a really weird place now. It's such a Swiss Army knife of vehicles doing most everything decently enough. That's mostly the nature of the beast when you begin to heavily modify a vehicle. It rides well enough on the highway but the 3.55 gears it really suffers in the enjoyment part of long drives. It crawls most things well enough, but a step up in a larger and more aggressive tire with a rear locker it would become unstoppable.

It's a decent cargo sized vehicle, but I keep looking for more creative ways to store gear without sacrificing passenger space. However more gear means more weight which impacts the ride/handling/etc.

TLR I completely plan on keeping it, but I'm finding the "old man" in me looking to sacrifice capability for some more creature comforts. Seems obvious given I only really get on the trails 2/3 times a year.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Would now be a bad time to say I've been looking at Toyota's...? (Taylor is probably giggling now).

I've been pretty all over the place with looking at cars these days. I don't have enough need for another or different car right now, but I could see myself getting something in a year. The decision just comes down to what.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Get a Toyota and I'll castrate you.

[ScottyB]

man, that cylinder head is spotless. nice job. synthetic oil or regular dino juice?

[Jake]

Would now be a bad time to say I've been looking at Toyota's...? (Taylor is probably giggling now).

I've been pretty all over the place with looking at cars these days. I don't have enough need for another or different car right now, but I could see myself getting something in a year. The decision just comes down to what.

I won't start my usual Toyota rants because it's you and I know you're not considering like a Prius or some bullshit.

Could you get away with a newer 4Runner or Tacoma, modified less, and still go play the few times a year but have a nicer DD?

[V1GiLaNtE]

man, that cylinder head is spotless. nice job. synthetic oil or regular dino juice?

Regular ol' dino juice every 3k. Every once in a while Kaan would throw some BG synthetic my way when he and Sylvia were still in the area.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Would now be a bad time to say I've been looking at Toyota's...? (Taylor is probably giggling now).

I've been pretty all over the place with looking at cars these days. I don't have enough need for another or different car right now, but I could see myself getting something in a year. The decision just comes down to what.

I won't start my usual Toyota rants because it's you and I know you're not considering like a Prius or some bullshit.

Could you get away with a newer 4Runner or Tacoma, modified less, and still go play the few times a year but have a nicer DD?

Oh no... Forgive me if I gave you folks a heart attack. I was referring to Toyota Trucks/SUV's... That what I've been sorta looking at Jake. I'm willing to have a more DD friendly vehicle that's on the "milder" side. I've driven the 2Gen Tacoma's (my Dad has one). I haven't driven any of the other years/models, but I've been eyeing the 1st generation Tundra's. Certainly less desirable than the Tacoma's which brings the cost down a bit and the V8 could be put to good use if I ever decided to trailer the jeep OR other 4wheel/2wheel/4legged toys. Just because I'm not in the race Kah game now doesn't mean I won't ever be..

:Spoiler Alert: I will be tag teaming the Integra Type Dickbutt at November Fall Finale in HPDE 1. :thumbup:

[Kaan]

Tundra or bust!

[V1GiLaNtE]

Took the time to satisfy my own curiosity and took a look at a 2005 Tundra Ext. Cab. I walked away from this particular specimen for a variety of reasons, but my overall impressions of the truck left me very happy.

Ride: LOVED the ride of the truck aside from some qwerks that had me definitely not considering that particular truck. The ride is firm which is very different than 2nd generation Tacoma's that rode too soft and squishy for me (even with the TRD package/Bilsteins). This truck did have the TRD package with Bilsteins. Easy to drive and blindspots were minimal. It had a truck box which made looking back a little difficult, but I would have removed that anyways.

Storage/Comforts: It's a truck. Look at all that bed space! The Ext. cab left plenty of room in the back for gear/groceries. People? Meh. Maybe if you're small and skinny it would be ok. Interior cargo space was fantastic. Cup holders just about everywhere. I think about 6 in total? Center console was a huge selling point. The upper tier was perfect sized for little things you would need quick access to. The lower tier I think I could easily fix two 6 packs of beer cans down in there. A LOT of space that could be put to good use. Two 12volt plugs right in front with a flat space to hold electronics to charge made a big impression on me considering I usually have my personal/work phone with me and on trips we take generally bring our camera + GOPRO (or some combination).

Seats: This deserves it's own category. Jake will probably tell you I have a huge thing for seats (still love those ST seats to this day). I loved the "Captain's" Chair like feel. Great bolsters, great lumbar support, cloth seats kept me from moving around, and the flip down arm rest was titties. These are the kind of comforts I'm looking for on longer drives. Very plush seats that combined with the storage/comforts helped make this a big contender.

Power: This bitch will get up and go. In 2005 Toyota upped the 4.7L V8's power from 245hp/315lb-ft to 282hp/325lb-ft. A quick right out of the dealership road onto 28 I put my foot to the floor. I was happily rewarded with a quick downshift, rear tires chirping, and launched to 60mph in no time. Now that's some torque. Combine that with the 7,100lb towing capacity? That'll do pig, that'll do.

Overall, very pleased with the Tundra platform. I will file this experience away for the future.

[Senor_Taylor]

Would now be a bad time to say I've been looking at Toyota's...? (Taylor is probably giggling now).

Teehee.

I would like Tundras a lot more if they didn't look like retarded pigs. I enjoyed riding in Kaans and I fit my tall ass in the backseat no problem. (Except for hitting me head on the handle on the ceiling a ton of times. I'm a sucker for mid-size trucks, so I'll always try to argue that a Tacoma will do everything you need, but I also support a Tundra.

My personal taste is American or bust when it comes to full-sizes, though.

[Jake]

It'll only tow 7,400 lbs?

Let me know when you need that other 1k moved around

[Kaan]

First Gen Tundra... if you find a clean one, the brakes will make you cry. they are terrible.

My second gen tunrda is rated for 10k lbs... its not Diesel but i doubt i'll need to tow much more than that in the foreseeable future.

[V1GiLaNtE]

First Gen Tundra... if you find a clean one, the brakes will make you cry. they are terrible.

My second gen tunrda is rated for 10k lbs... its not Diesel but i doubt i'll need to tow much more than that in the foreseeable future.

I didn't find them to be too terrible considering what I'm used to the XJ. Now, that will change based upon towing something.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Would now be a bad time to say I've been looking at Toyota's...? (Taylor is probably giggling now).

Teehee.

I would like Tundras a lot more if they didn't look like retarded pigs. I enjoyed riding in Kaans and I fit my tall ass in the backseat no problem. (Except for hitting me head on the handle on the ceiling a ton of times. I'm a sucker for mid-size trucks, so I'll always try to argue that a Tacoma will do everything you need, but I also support a Tundra.

My personal taste is American or bust when it comes to full-sizes, though.

I haven't driven your gen Tacoma yet Taylor. So I'm not sure how it compares to the 2nd gens. Again, I thought the 05-15 Tacoma's were a bit too soft for my taste.

I'm not particular to any Full size American made truck except maybe the 12v/24v 2500's from 98-05.

[Senor_Taylor]

Stay away from a first gen Tacoma. Second gens are better in every conceivable way except for the composite bed and how big they are on the outside.

Better interior, better gas mileage, more horsepower, better ride, better towing, better crash test ratings, better brakes, better features. I've been thinking about getting a second gen when I graduate.

First gens all day for wheeling, though. Then again, I've never driven a second gen with stock suspension either. I'm not going to be a fanboy and pretend that you don't need a fullsize to tow your Jeep. Well, you don't, but you'd be sacrificing a lot by towing it with a midsize.


I feel as though the 12v prices are going to be inflated because they're getting to be "that age" where they're tough to find. Plus, they're so outdated now. Even the famous 7.3 shows its age.

If I was to go with a new full size, I would get a new Silverado. My roomie's 2015 isn't even near the top trim and it is swanky as hell. The extended cabs have 4 doors that all open the same way and the rear windows go down as well. Such a nice interior for a truck.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Stay away from a first gen Tacoma. Second gens are better in every conceivable way except for the composite bed and how big they are on the outside.

Better interior, better gas mileage, more horsepower, better ride, better towing, better crash test ratings, better brakes, better features. I've been thinking about getting a second gen when I graduate.

First gens all day for wheeling, though. Then again, I've never driven a second gen with stock suspension either. I'm not going to be a fanboy and pretend that you don't need a fullsize to tow your Jeep. Well, you don't, but you'd be sacrificing a lot by towing it with a midsize.


I feel as though the 12v prices are going to be inflated because they're getting to be "that age" where they're tough to find. Plus, they're so outdated now. Even the famous 7.3 shows its age.

If I was to go with a new full size, I would get a new Silverado. My roomie's 2015 isn't even near the top trim and it is swanky as hell. The extended cabs have 4 doors that all open the same way and the rear windows go down as well. Such a nice interior for a truck.

My only thought on that is I know that better suspension can be purchased. I just wasn't interested in buying a "new" vehicle and then ripping out the suspension to replace. I'd only be looking at a modest 2" lift to accommodate weight in the vehicle without sacrificing road manners. Keep in mind I'm looking for less of a "wheelin" rig and more DD capable one. Again, who knows where the Jeep will be in a years time.

[Jake]

The extended cabs have 4 doors that all open the same way and the rear windows go down as well. Such a nice interior for a truck.

Are those your two criteria for "swanky?" :lol:

[D_Eclipse9916]

First Gen Tundra... if you find a clean one, the brakes will make you cry. they are terrible.

My second gen tunrda is rated for 10k lbs... its not Diesel but i doubt i'll need to tow much more than that in the foreseeable future.

And ya know, the bed frames that rust and bend at the sight of...air. :lol:

That said, the 1st gen Tundra is a good small truck that does real truck things. Size of a Colorado but can actually...ya know...do things and not drive like crap. If you plan on towing just an open, the 1st gen Tundra will do fine, just make sure you use a weight distributing hitch.

[Senor_Taylor]

Swanky for a pickup.

Don't be one of those people that calls your SUV a truck. Sure it's a similar frame and engine, but no, don't call it that.

[Jake]

Swanky for a pickup.

Don't be one of those people that calls your SUV a truck. Sure it's a similar frame and engine, but no, don't call it that.

It's literally a Silverado with a bed cap and some seats.