I have the 96-98 style dash but in the UK we didn't get the airbag so where that goes I have an extra storage compartment  . There are two threaded holes above the door for a grab handle. An SJ interior handle fits just right.

The first thing you need to know is that a Kick does not ride like a car.  The height and the short wheel base combine to give a bumpier ride than a car.  On a long commute that can get old.  The gas mileage will be around 22-25 mpg, at least that is what I get.  The 99+ models have a bigger engine and more creature comforts, but weigh quite a bit more.  Also they have terrible resale values.  I wouldn't pay more than 10,000 for a 2 year old one.  I paid quite a bit less.

I'll have to disegre with you on the ride. My 94 soft top rode great. It rode better then this rentle impala (03)were driving right now. I spent the money and bought the emu kitt for it and it was the most comfortable riding thing I've ever owned. My truck would drive a whole week on a tank of gas 40 miles a day also. I would recomend any one to buy a tracker. There a great DD and a great trail rig.

I'll have to disegre with you on the ride. My 94 soft top rode great. It rode better then this rentle impala (03)were driving right now. I spent the money and bought the emu kitt for it and it was the most comfortable riding thing I've ever owned. My truck would drive a whole week on a tank of gas 40 miles a day also. I would recomend any one to buy a tracker. There a great DD and a great trail rig.

I saw on Rocky Road's site a set of rear shocks that are supposed to be softer.  Is that what you have with the Emu kit?  How much different is the EMU kit from stock?

I have the 98 in 2door ragtop 4X4 with 4spd overdrive auto trans and AC.  1.6 16V engine.   P235 15 AT tires on upgraded OE alloy rims.  Tires are about 30"dia.  2" Rocky Rd body lift.

I dont mind the low power output, it is fine for city traffic and the light duty off roading I do.  Gravel, sand, muck, mostly flat swampy land in FL.  In 4WD low I climbed a decent size sand dune without any effort.  It even upshifted from 1 to 2 as I climbed at a pretty steep grade (imagine a typical sand dune about 30 feet high). With even lower aftermarket low range gears available I think there is no power issue in serious off road conditions.  

The AC puts a big drag on the power but I dont use it that much even here in Florida, just open the top and widows and instant AC!  The AC does cool the whole car OK.

The only thing I dont llike about the auto is the high RPMs at 65 or faster.  Its like 3500 to almost 4000 at those speeds even with the overdrive which kicks in at 45mph.  I also get some rpm improvement with the oversize tires but its still too high for my taste.   I believe it really drops the miles per gallon at the high speeds.  

I really wish I had the 5 spd manual.  
(When I found mine it was an auto but such a cream puff in almost new condition at a good price that I couldnt walk away from it)

One important factor I learned is that there have been a number of recall orders for minor things on the 95 models, some on the 96 models , a few more on the 97 models and none on the 98s.  Tells me they got the bugs worked out by 98.

I take my wife and teen daughters on short road trips for some open cruising but I wouldnt want to take them on a 4 hour vacation road trip in it.  (They are girly girls)

So far I love mine!  I really like the soft top and the neat ways you can configure it compared to a regular jeep.  Parts are cheap, tops are cheap, fun to mess with, reliable, tough, and I think it looks cool.  

I would bet the  4door hard top would be nice too.  Might be a bit more sluggish due to weight but I have no first hand experience.

I dont like the 99 and newer soft top models but I do like the hard top models.  I believe on all 99 and newer models you cant lift thim as well and the wheel well is smaller so some bigger wheels wont work.  I would seek opinions on those years, I'm not experienced on them.

Hope that helps.

Dave

I really wish I had the 5 spd manual.  
(When I found mine it was an auto but such a cream puff in almost new condition at a good price that I couldnt walk away from it)


I dont like the 99 and newer soft top models but I do like the hard top models.  

Dave, what was the price and in when did you buy it?  Also what do you find different about the 99+ tops?