4Runner versus Jeep Grand Cherokee

[QBNKID]

I wonder about Jeep and this trail rated stuff. On a trip a couple of years ago a Jeep got stuck because the right two wheels were spinning and it just would not move. Once we got enough stuff under the right rear wheel it was able to move on. There must be something about their fancy four wheel drive stuff that none of us understood. The Jeep drove really well, especially with two solid axles. The owner had to sell it because it had too many problems, from rust, to failed drive line components, early brake failure, electrical problems, instruments, power windows, door locks and interior stuff falling off. After all this trouble he bought another Jeep. He said only a Jeep is trail rated and he got his Hemi. Oh, and he rode with me on our last outing because his new Jeep is in the shop. I guess my 4Runner is good enough for those time when your trail rated Jeep is in the shop.

It seems that jeep was an old piece of crap, didn't have QDII first of all that's why it couldn't get out, and who knows if this guy did any type of reasonable maintenance to keep it running nice. Same thing will happen to his new HEMI or even to a Toyota 4R if he doesn't take care of his rides with proper maintenance.
I guess I'm not the guy you want to talk to about whose best off roading, since I use my jeep strictly on road.
I got myself another jeep since I had a '92 Wrangler, '00 GC, '02 GC and never either one of them left me stranded or any issues with them, as long as I did the schedule maintenance and proper care I never had any problems with them. I know I didn't own them for a long time with the exception to the '92 Wrangler, which I sold with 115,000 miles on the ticker and was still running like new or better, I only sold it because I got married and needed a bigger jeep since family started growing.
Now... if I needed or wanted to go off roading a lot I think I would have gotten a new TJ and put a nice lift on it and other goodies, I would even consider a T4R SR5 also with a nice lift since I also like Toyotas a lot. I would have not gotten a jeep like mine to go off roading personally I think this new 4Runners do have the edge stock, since this new jeep GC have Independent Front Suspension (IFS), and a little less clearance than the previous Solid Front Axles (SFA) Grand Cherokees like the '02 that I still have.
But I do now that recently there have been new lifts for this new '05, '06 jeep GCs and Commanders and I have heard that they are very capable off roading so watch out in the trail; I wouldn't talk too loud about jeeps you don't know who you might need help from when you're out on the trail.
Also, even thou my jeeps have never left me down same goes for my '00 T4Runner, I believe that the Toyota is a better built truck, I still can't find any rattles or weird noises on the 4R, but my '02 GC has this squeaking noise and even thou is not that noticeable the dealer or I haven't figured out from where its coming, if I would have to buy (not lease) I would definitely go with the 4Runner, which that's exactly what I'm doing now for my wife, I'm in the process of getting a new '06 or '07 T4Runner Limited, and when my lease runs out on the '05 GC I'm getting myself the jeep GC SRT8 since I'm an SUV speed freak, this SUV is in a class of its own I think, I just witnessed one going 13.1 (and 13.3 vs. mine) on a hot summer night. Even thou I like speed I'm a responsible father, husband and son and I do my racing at the track, even now with my '05, I guess drag racing is my new hobby, and it helps having a 1/4 mile track not too far from home.
So yes I'm split 50/50 between jeeps and Toyotas, I think they are both great SUVs, and I also think they also have the most appealing body style on the mid size SUV world.
Sorry about the long reply, but take it as an introduction and a get to know me here.
BTW, enjoy your offroading experience, I'm enjoying my 1/4 mile passes too
Later