Choices, choices, choices

[Lowfill]

Hello again all: My search for a Jeep Cherokee continues. :confused: I'm looking at 2 Cherokees. Both have inline 6, automatic, 2001, and approximatly same miles. Difference is one is a Sport, the other a Grand. Does anyone have opinions on which one would be better for moderate trail use, and DD.
Thanks Phil

[zukrider]

Why a cherokee? just curious.

are you considering other potions? whats the budget? overall use for vehicle? hardest trail planned?

[Lowfill]

Mainly budget, and parts availability. Vehicle will be used as weekend warrior, and daily driver. Right now running trails up to 7 on traidamage scale. Need 4 doors for convenience. Immediat budjet in the 4 -5K mark for vehicle.

[94ToyBear]

4.0 is a great engine ! But what's the mileage on them.

[Serious Offroad]

The Grand Cherokee is a ZJ, not an XJ.

Does your stated budget include planned upgrades or is it just the amount you're willing to spend on a rig itself?

[Hypoid]

The Grand Cherokee is a ZJ, not an XJ.2001 would be a WJ, but yeah, still not an XJ.

the WJ will have a nicer ride, but the simplicity of the XJ makes it easier to modify and upgrade.

[Serious Offroad]

D'oh!!
Missed the year.

Nice catch Mike.

[Lowfill]

yeah my bad with the XJ, WJ. Have just read to look out for 2000-2001 inline 6, because of head problems. Any truth to that. The XJ's do appear to be easier to work on, and a little less electronics to worry about.
As far as cost goes 4-5k s what would be spent on vehicle, any mods would be n addition to that. But the less I spend vehicle the quicker I can do Mods.

[dscowell]

Both would have a low pinion Dana 30. It'll do for moderate wheeling. WJs are nicer like Mike said but the aftermarket for bumpers and stuff isnt as much as XJs or atleast what I have seen. An XJ would also be easier to work on.

[Stu]

Both would have a low pinion Dana 30

99 and earlier XJ's have high pinion 30.


Have just read to look out for 2000-2001 inline 6, because of head problems. Any truth to that.

97-99 are great years for XJ's. I've heard in 2000-2001 there were some bad head castings, but not sure how prevalent that problem is.

[ExplorerTom]

Actually those have the high pinion D30 axle.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Dana30.shtml

I put a D30 under my Explorer. When trussed and gussetted, it's plenty strong.

[dscowell]

00-01 have low pinion 84-99 are high pinion

[Java]

all the TJs and LJs have low pinion 30s and many of them do great with lockers and 35s. You break everything with your right foot! I met a guy a couple of weeks ago who scored a 2002 WJ, 4.0, white with a gorgeous interior. It had about 80,000 miles on it, owned by an older couple with records from the dealer back to new. I love XJs, for a trail rig you can't beat them, but based on your criteria, IMO a 2004 WJ is the way to go. I say 2004 because it's the newest / lowest use year. the refinements for a DD are so far above an XJ and a small lift and 31-33" tires will get you on just about any trail you want. There are a lot more of them out there than XJs too, guys like you have picked apart a lot of the local XJ crop... :)

[Java]

good article on what to do right after you buy a used 4x4

http://intentsoffroad.com/5-things-you-must-do-after-buying-a-4wd/

[Robert B]

that is an extremely misleading article as i read nothing that pertains to 4x4s particularly. that is stuff EVERYONE should do on EVERY vehicle so it has no good info for 4x4 specific things. good stuff to do but sadly the standard things to do

[Adaa60]

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5138747075.html