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09-19-2009, 01:38 AM
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon
Posts: 8
| |  which jeep do you think is the better buy for off roading???
1992 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 S
Price
$4,876
Body Style Sport Utility
Mileage 150,972
Exterior Color Red
Engine 4 Cylinder Gasoline
Transmission 5 Speed Manual
Drive Type 4 wheel drive - rear
Fuel Type Gasoline
Doors Two Door
or a
1995 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 Rio Grande
Price
$4,877
Body Style Sport Utility
Mileage 130,177
Exterior Color Black
Engine 4 Cylinder Gasoline
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type 4 wheel drive - rear
Fuel Type Gasoline
Doors Two Door
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09-19-2009, 07:51 AM
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Belleville, Illinois
Posts: 9,618
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Welcome to the board! Your question should start an interesting discussion. To me there's no doubt whatsoever. The only difference between the Jeeps is the transmission, and a manual transmission wins hands down. I'm not real strong in the particular transmissions that Jeep used in those years, but I think that the '92 5-speed was a pretty poor box. But it still wins over an automatic in my book. If it goes bad it's easier to swap to a stronger manual than to convert an automatic to a manual.
A lot of guys prefer an automatic to a manual for off-roading, but I don't get it.
Good luck, which ever you choose! Either one is a great off-road machine, capable of doing things that will amaze a noob. 
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09-19-2009, 11:06 AM
| | Way Outta Control | | Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: The Palouse
Posts: 13,158
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If this Jeep will be dual purpose see both on and off road usage, IMHO, do yourself a favor and look for a Jeep with a 4.0L engine.
The 4 cylinder can be seen as a little underpowered for highway use; many owners regret the purchase. They long for a 6 cylinder engine. Also, the little 4 bangers are like 4 angry squirrels when the owner starts to modify the drive train with lifts and larger tires. These issues aren't as impacting with a 4.0L 6 cylinder engine.
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09-19-2009, 06:48 PM
|  | Can't Get Enough | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: S. CA
Posts: 1,333
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I have to agree with Leve....and Jim....You will understand why auto's are so good when I take you for a ride in my CJ.....IF I ever get it up your way....
The MPG difference between the 4 and 6 is minimal....but the power difference substantial.....
I would take it a step further....look for a wrangler (TJ) with coil suspension....the coil over is by far much better than leaf's....yea, it costs a bit more to lift a coil over, but the articulation is so much better......I believe TJ's started in 97....
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AKA DDawg16
84 CJ7, SOA, 5.7LTBI, 4L60E, 32"x11.5 (35's on order), 4.10 gears, F/Det, R/ARB, Full Roll Cage,
D44 Flat top in progress...
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09-19-2009, 07:56 PM
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon
Posts: 8
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So I wouldn't be able to make a cool little off road rig out of any of those. I got a few Cherokees in mind should I try with those. Why do u guys think
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09-20-2009, 01:30 PM
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Killeen, TX
Posts: 9
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If its a choice between those two Jeeps, I would pick the 1995 Rio Grande. The 95 Jeeps have a slightly stronger U-joint (297X vs the 260X in the 1992 YJ). AFAIK, all 4 cyl have the 4.11:1 axle ratio which is much better than the 3.07 or 3:54 offered with the 6 cylinders. The Rio Grande Jeeps also have a color scheme similar to the Sahara's, which I think look awesome. (BTW I used to own a 95 Rio Grande 5 Speed)
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Jay Sullivan '88 Laredo
258 - BA 10/5 - NP231 - D30 (4.11, Permaloc, Open) - D35 (4.11, Lockright) - 30" Dueler A/T's - 2" Energy BL - 1" MORE MML - 1/2" MORE Boomerang Shackles - Hand Throttle - Herculined - Fabtech Tire Carrier
3/4 Elliptical Rear in progress
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09-21-2009, 12:08 AM
| | Way Outta Control | | Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: The Palouse
Posts: 13,158
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Define "cool little off road rig"....
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09-21-2009, 12:18 AM
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon
Posts: 8
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Just something I can take out to the sand dunes or play in the mud. Every now and then.
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09-21-2009, 08:03 AM
| | Way Outta Control | | Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: The Palouse
Posts: 13,158
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Now you're starting to talk usage, and that's a whole different critter. Sand and mud both require power. The 4 cyl may not cut it in those environments. Even a 6 cylinder can be a underpowered in deep mud and sand. If you're planning on wheeling slow, fine; otherwise there is no replacement for displasment.
Also, automatic transmissions and water don't mix unless you take measures to seal them so water can not enter inside. Otherwise it's full rebuild time.
Tell us more about the type of wheeling you want to do with the Jeep.
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09-21-2009, 10:42 AM
|  | Veteran | | Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 980
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JeepNoob  Just something I can take out to the sand dunes or play in the mud. | I do not play in the mud too much. However, I do run sand dunes a few times each year. I have a 6 cylinder auto and it works very well in the sand. The trick to running dunes is keeping your momentum up and the automatic transmission helps that a lot. If you are running a manual and have to downshift halfway up a tall dune, you lose a lot of your momentum, where the automatic downshifts seamlessly.
On the other hand, I have a friend with a 95 4 cylinder 5 speed and he runs the dunes also, just not as easily as I can.
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"The devil is red, but his money is green."
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