How do u think a limited 04 4runner compares to an 04 Grand Cherokee Overland stock off-road and on-road.

*04 Jeeps are still the old body style, not the new Hemi redesigned body.

hmmmm I used to had GC but it wasn't '04.. Now I own 4Runner and I can only say one thing..

Friends don't let friends drive Jeeps...

Underneath the 04 Jeep is 10 years old. The on-road ride/handling/cornering/stability is not nearly at 03+ 4Runner levels, particularily not Runners with X-REAS. Off-Road, both are at the top of the mid-size SUV heap. Tho the Toyota's 4WD system is much more sophisticated; less binding/jumpind during tight corners, hogs less gas-mileage, less clunky transmission. With V8's, the power is comparable, but the Toyota's motor is so damn smooth it's a tough act to follow.

i have been looking hardcore at overland for the past few months, and i just found about about the new v8 engine commin out jan 5th for 4runners. so i started looking at them more closely and im liking them more and more by the minute. Wondering...

1. how does the 4runner's 4wd compare to jeep's quadra drive.
2. does the 4runner have both solid front and rear axles?
3. other than the "you get what u pay for excuse," why are 4runners starting around $33k average and with 30k miles on them they are still at a high price of about $27-28k. wondering why their value stays so high?

forgot one thing...off the subject...

Does the 05 limited come with anything that the sport edition doesnt other than various interior bells and whistles? Meaning: engine/4wd/major performance options or advantages.

1) toyota's 4wd system is much better and reliable... made by torsen that is owned by toyota. the jeeps quadra system is crap. it has lots of problems... there are some posts on this site from previous jeep owners and the quadra trac breaking down and what not.

2) front is independent, rear is solid(more reliable for offroading than independent)

3) they are priced high because they have, like it or not, become more like luxury vehicles and have set the bar for other suvs. they are able to retain their value because toyotas are known to be the most reliable trucks and many have driven their yotos past 200k or even 300k miles.

4) the only things i know the SE model has that the limited cant get is the hood scoop and larger front brakes. other than that the limited comes (or can come with) all available options, whereas the SE cannot such as leather or heated seats.

i appreciate your comments. i have one question though. isnt IFS (independent front suspension) a set back offroad. wondering if it henders the 4runner's flexibility any.

here is my next set of questions lol...

1. do Sport Editions have a leather option?

2. what are the popular aftermarket "fixes" for 4runners....?

a. do most ppl lift any or just slap on 265/70/17 AT's and go with that...if so, do 265/70/17's rub any on a stock height 4runner?

b. anyone use flowmasters or aftermarket exhaust? If so, how does it sound...ive never pictured a 4runner to have a deep roar, but then again, im new and used to tahoe's and jeeps.

c. anyone use winches or go with just grille gaurds?

by using a front independent suspension the 4runner gives the best of both worlds, on road performance(handling/comfort) and off roading performance from the rear solid axle(reliability/strength)

1) no

2) common fixes are moonroof and sulfur smell... aftermarket wise people get non oem bull bar/grills and i guess lift with larger wheels for extreme offroading

3) not sure about that. i know im gonna upgrade to TRD 18" 8spoke rims when the original tires wear out.

4) people say trd exhaust is better suited since it doesnt have a idle drone that some aftermarkets have. probably quieter than aftermarket to since trd is in-house performance division.

5) most people seem to like the T&H bull bar for front and rear. i will also invest in them later on down the road since i dont want cars jacking up my bumpers from parallel parking, etc. imho the grill guards that covers the entire front and doing the lights in the rear are over the top unless you really do go off roading.

Check out the horror stories about QuadraDrive and JGC:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...s=&threadid=57

In terms of off-roading effectiveness, the QD system on JGC is no better than 4runner's ATRAC system...it may in fact be less effective. The QD system is far less efficient than what Jeep leads you to believe!

Read the above links...it will scare the crap out of you! :nervous:

BTW, there's a new Edmunds review of the new Grand Cherokee...they are NOT impress with it and actually favor the 4runner!

All I can say is go test drive both.

The 04 Jeep drove like crap on the road and was far more noisy and bumpy than the 4Runner. It is also smaller inside than the 4Runner.

Off road I have not seen any GC's, just Wranglers and a few Liberty's. Maybe there is a reason why I dont see them off road but I honestly dont know how well they will do.

Leather is an option on a Sport and SR5 based on the region you live in. SE Toyota offers leather for all Runners. It is not a factory, but port install.

In my recent Road & Track the author testing the new Mustang GT compared the rear live axle to the 4Runner. That is pretty impressive.

I'll say one thing... RELIABILITY


Chrysler (and now Jeep) have some of the worst reliability ratings in the industry. You can definitely see a trend of Jeep's reliability and resale going down after Chrysler bought the company back in '91.

Overland edition is likely to be much more plush than the 4R Ltd. Real wood trim, overstuffed leather captains chairs, and a higher quality carpet than the Ltd would have. But that means you will be more comfortable listening to the squeaks and rattles over time.

4R Ltd has a better suspension, better braking, more backseat room (leg room, hip room, head room), and will be faster with approximately the same fuel economy.

What I found when comparing the two last year was that 4Runners hold their value for a reason. That is also why they don't discount much on the vehicle either. a 4 year old 4Runner will still sell for well over $22k. I have a couple of 2 year old JGC Limiteds in my town selling for under $18k.

I bought a grand cherokee a few years back. I had so many problem(oil leek 3x first 5oo miles, front bushings went out,abs went out,power windows went out, air bag system failed, etc). Will never buy one again. After the last time at the service dept. went right to another dealership and traded it in for a new car.

Go to JD Powers and look at how they rate both vehicles. You are on a Toyota 4runner site so we like the 4runners. I would also suggest that you go through the repair/warranty problem posts on both this site and a Jeep site. That should give you a good idea of what problem you may experience. Hope this helps.

I know you asked about -04 JGC, but here are some comments re. the newly redesigned -05 JGC in case you are interested. Looks like they missed the mark again.

As far as reliability comparisons - there is none. You are comparing one the best vehicles in terms of reliability against one that has been consistently subpar. I have not driven the JGC since it is not even close to being on my short list, but here are some comments from Edmunds' review of the 2005 JGC

"At the same time, it doesn't quite feel like a car. The long-travel suspension that makes it so tough on 4x4 trails leads to a moderate amount of float and bob over bumps and freeway expansion joints. It's nothing you haven't already experienced if you own an older Grand Cherokee, but if you're accustomed to the smoothness of a car-based SUV, you may not like it. Moreover, we feel that even the body-on-frame 4Runner does a better job of ironing out these irregularities. Jeep is evidently aware of Toyota's mastery in this area and plans to offer something called Dynamic Handling System (DHS), which hydraulically adjusts the stabilizer bars to smooth out the ride and reduce body roll around turns. It sounds suspiciously like the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System found on the Lexus GX 470; if you're interested, note that this option has been delayed until midyear.



"This reduction in ride height may prove to be a liability for Jeep, given that the current Toyota 4Runner and the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder offer similar levels of all-terrain prowess along with added clearance, 9.1 inches and 9.2 inches, respectively (although the JGC still has better approach/departure angles). They also offer hill ascent assist (prevents the vehicle from sliding back when the driver releases the brake) and descent assist technology (allows for a controlled pace on steep downhill grades). Purists may argue that the Grand Cherokee is better off without these "electronic nannies," but we contend that these systems can be a big help for novice off-roaders — and anyone who has ever gotten in a little over his head."


"Although the 2005 Grand Cherokee is not without its good points — among these, its Hemi V8, secure handling, excellent off-road ability and many convenience features — it doesn't offer the complete package that you expect of an all-new design. More importantly, it doesn't give buyers enough reasons to choose it over SUVs like the 4Runner and Pathfinder. Both of these import-brand competitors offer driving dynamics as good as or better than the Grand Cherokee's, and larger, better-furnished interiors that give family buyers the option of getting a third-row seat. They may not be able to duplicate the legendary feel of a Jeep on rough terrain, but with their extra ground clearance and standard hill ascent and descent technology, who's going to care?"



http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/jeep...roadtests.1g.*