3rd gen 4r vs. 97-01 cherokee

[RichInCanada]

hello,
my name is Rich, this is my first post here. Long story short, I had a massive stroke 5 years ago and lost my license.....I'll be getting it back in the coming spring and I am very much happy about that as I was always a car guy (my last mustang ran 9s) Anyways, I used to have a 97 cherokee 4L and would like either that or a 96-02 4runner. Don't do any off-roading, just like the extra visibility/height/traction in snow. Any comments or advise is greatly appreciated !
thanx,
Rich-

 

[Millerad1651]

Go with the 4Runner. My wife had a 97 Cherokee with the inline 6...great motor, and will last forever. But everything else on the vehicle broke! AC compressors, brake boosters, almost every window motor, the back hatch wouldn't stay up...etc.

We sold it and got her something else (POS Ford Escape) and eventually got her into a 98 4Runner like mine. It's got double the miles that both of those had, but in better shape than both. These will last a long time when taken care of. And I believe they are more comfortable, with a bigger interior...which makes them easier to get in and out of.

 

[SR587]

agreed. the 4Runners are much more reliable than the jeeps from what i've seen as a mechanic for 4 years

 

[p nut]

Well, the answer will be pretty obvious here. The Jeeps are actually not bad with that stout 4.0 I6 and solid axles. However, with no off-road, a 4Runner is the clear winner. IFS rides much better (no death wobbles). 3.4L is more efficient and also very stout. Overall quality is much better. I owned a 98 Jeep and while it was fun, doesn't hold a candle to the quality of workmanship of my old 4Runners.

You should also consider other options. For instance, something like a Rav4 will get much better gas mileage and will be capable enough on snow packed roads. Personally, I'd just get a Subaru (Outback or Forester) if no wheeling was going to be involved.

 

[Hepar]

I would also agree with the others. If you do decide to go Jeep, make sure to get one that's pretty bare bones. No power windows, doors etc etc. Everyone I've known with one had electrical issues and they can be a nightmare to track down.

Side note, glad to hear you're doing better and getting back on the road!

 

[FdcCal]

No comparison for reliability. My daughter has a 2002 Grand Cherokee V8 she bought about the same time I bought my 2001 4Runner, to date she has had to replace:
Head gaskets, AC underdash complete unit, AC condenser, starter, stereo tweeters, radiator, several small items. Not including the maintenance items like battery and brakes. Oh, the AIRBAG light is on, who knows why.
Fortunately, one of her best friends is a Chrysler Master Tech, she needs it, even he says to sell the POS.
OTOH, my 2001 4R, with 180,000 miles has needed an O2 sensor, radiator, one axle seal, plus the usual maintenance items.

 

[Monkeybutt2000]

Well I have both,an 01 Runner and a 97 Grand. My Grand has the 318,so the power comparison is not even close. The V6 in my Runner is fair at best,alomost anemic at times. The Runner does pull better mileage though,getting 20mpg compared to 15 for the Grand. Ride/handling go to the Runner,just much more refined IMO. Actually everything works in my Grand,even the air. Only had to replace normal wear items(cv axles mainly). I like both vehicles but if I had to choose to DD it would be the Runner. However,if you're never going off road,I would like already said look into an Outback or something.

 

[Mercy]

I will probably be the odd one out, but I think they are both good. I had a '99 4.0 Cherokee and never had a problem, ever. My husband drove it after me and we still kick ourselves for selling it. Our 2001 Grand Cherokee v8 was terrible though.

Our previous 4Runner sr5 v6 ran forever too, my husband didn't maintain it well, and we only ever had to replace the clutch. We drive our daily drivers over 20k a year each and rack up the miles.

I think whatever you find in your budget that's in good shape and you feel comfortable with is what you should get. It's good to have options.

 

[Antpwr]

had plenty of toyotas over the years, and this is my first 4runner, but it still is built like the others, unbeatable, especially compared to a jeep of any kind. I work in a parts store in charge of the commercial department and between the 2 vehicles, i get 99% of calls on the Jeeps. While the 4.0 is a great motor, if kept up on, the rest of the vehicle will fail way before that of a toyota. And i am sure i will get some, some flack for this, you don't have to limit yourself to a 4runner, you could also go tacoma double cab, 01 02 was a great year, plentiful and still reliable. But either choice of toyota, is a way better choice then the Jeep. Good luck with your decision, and i am glad to hear you are better enough to get behind the wheel again, get a toyota and have some fun:bravo:

 

[rm2fast]

Iv built 15 xj's... way less room inside (half the cargo space) no options really come with them, stock dana 30 is just as weak as independent front suspension, rear door space is so small it makes it hard for people in the back to get in. YES the 4.0 is bullet proof PRE 99! 99 and up 4.0 changed and changed to coil pack heads and the bottom end is different. # 6 piston skirt will shatter between 100,000-150,000 miles. they took a bullit proof motor and made it a pos. Weak unibody so if you plan to lift it and wheel it consider getting the unibody plate kit and having it welded on. The unibody's are prone to crack around the steering box and it will make a very loud pop noise when you turn. Also unibody= less tow rating.

 

[rm2fast]

The best Cherokee is 96-98 they have the good 4.0 Chrysler 8.25 rear with 29 spline axles, the newer better looking interior. jeeps can be nice but my wallet got tired of fixing cooling issues and other issues

 

[RichInCanada]

thanx for the replies...the jeep was good to me but I really like the 4runner, its so handsome LOL...is there a best year model to have from 96-02 ? anything in particular to look for/modify ? I'll read the "sticky" on that very well/
thanx,
Rich-

 

[rm2fast]

All depends what you want, sr5, limited, there's many options i would personally get a 99-04 sr5 sport if i could do it over, the main difference's is interior trims

 

[theizzardking]

i've had 7 jeeps all that i was forced to sell in the time my parents 4runner lasted ,until they gave it to me and a tree crushed it @ 258k on the clock. all of the jeeps fell a part until it was no longer worth fixing them and i had to get rid of them before they became totally worthless, no doubt the jeep engines i've had have been great and same goes for the axles but there's alot more to a vehicle than those two things and it's not like you care about the axles and the 4runner's motor is just as durable as any of the jeep motors....i do miss the get up and go of my '98 limited 5.9L jeep,

The 5.9 Limited was a Jeep Grand Cherokee produced only for the 1998 model year, having more luxury and performance than that of the regular Limited. Chrysler manufactured nearly a quarter million Grand Cherokees in 1998. Of those, fewer than fifteen thousand were 5.9s. It housed a Magnum 5.9 L V8 engine with an output of 245 hp (183 kW) and 345 lb·ft (468 N·m) of torque, going from zero to 60 mph (100 km/h)in only 7.3 seconds[10] (Motor Trend measured this at a slightly faster 6.8 seconds[11]), making it the quickest SUV available that year.

i loved that truck but the trans died at 80k,the VC in the TC kicked it about 10k after that, then a myriad of other little things just added up until the truck was basically junk and i needed to sell it, same with the various XJ's i've had over the years though to be fair those are better made for abuse but still don't hold a candle to the 4runner imo.

jeepsunlimted is where i used to hang out for a while
the old zj
MY 98` 5.9L JEEP - North American Grand Cherokee Association
JeepsUnlimited.com Forums

i wasn't behind a desk half as much back then so less pics and posts.

 

[Dous]

The Cherkee's are solid vehicles, and I often see them lasting 250K plus, but they don't hold up any where close to a 4runner that has 250k.

And besides if you compare the interiors side by side for a given year the Jeep looks like a relic compared the 4runner.

 

[Hepar]

is there a best year model to have from 96-02 ? anything in particular to look for/modify ? I'll read the "sticky" on that very well

I'd say it first depends on your budget. For what it sounds like you'd be using it for, I'd stick with the 01-02's. Might as well go for the newest of the 3rd gens.

 

[RichInCanada]

had plenty of toyotas over the years, and this is my first 4runner, but it still is built like the others, unbeatable, especially compared to a jeep of any kind. I work in a parts store in charge of the commercial department and between the 2 vehicles, i get 99% of calls on the Jeeps. While the 4.0 is a great motor, if kept up on, the rest of the vehicle will fail way before that of a toyota. And i am sure i will get some, some flack for this, you don't have to limit yourself to a 4runner, you could also go tacoma double cab, 01 02 was a great year, plentiful and still reliable. But either choice of toyota, is a way better choice then the Jeep. Good luck with your decision, and i am glad to hear you are better enough to get behind the wheel again, get a toyota and have some fun:bravo:

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[RichInCanada]

i've had 7 jeeps all that i was forced to sell in the time my parents 4runner lasted ,until they gave it to me and a tree crushed it @ 258k on the clock. all of the jeeps fell a part until it was no longer worth fixing them and i had to get rid of them before they became totally worthless, no doubt the jeep engines i've had have been great and same goes for the axles but there's alot more to a vehicle than those two things and it's not like you care about the axles and the 4runner's motor is just as durable as any of the jeep motors....i do miss the get up and go of my '98 limited 5.9L jeep,



i loved that truck but the trans died at 80k,the VC in the TC kicked it about 10k after that, then a myriad of other little things just added up until the truck was basically junk and i needed to sell it, same with the various XJ's i've had over the years though to be fair those are better made for abuse but still don't hold a candle to the 4runner imo.

jeepsunlimted is where i used to hang out for a while
the old zj
MY 98` 5.9L JEEP - North American Grand Cherokee Association
JeepsUnlimited.com Forums

i wasn't behind a desk half as much back then so less pics and posts.

I also had a 5.9.....with the 4wd and no tire spin, it was a rocket upto about 35mph, awesome launches..now I'm not the type to bich about fuel consumption, but it was worse than my 9 second Mustang. Horrible, I think it was using gas even when it was off lol.

 

[redbull9944]

4Runner is obviously the best choice. Both of the vehicles have great engines, but most of the other stuff in the Jeep is junk. Chrysler's are wired like **** and the Cherokee isn't an exception.

Make the smart choice and go with the 4Runner.

 

[RichInCanada]

4Runner is obviously the best choice. Both of the vehicles have great engines, but most of the other stuff in the Jeep is junk. Chrysler's are wired like **** and the Cherokee isn't an exception.

Make the smart choice and go with the 4Runner.

I'm gonna. Thank you.