Jeep Cherokee on the brain...

[runrunner]

I hate to say it, but lately I have been missing my old Jeep Cherokees. Dont get me wrong, the 4runner is great, but I like the simplisity of the XJ's. Doesnt help that I have been looking on Expo and Cherokee Forums...

Great size, power, solid axles, and CHEAP! There are aftermarket parts galore and they are reasonable. I remember looking at a few different aftermarket front bumpers that were around $250 and I thought that was expensive. The last 3" lift I bought with coils, shocks and AAL was $290 shipped to my door.

As far as wheeling goes, my first XJ was super flexy on 33" BFG MT's and after the limited slip was installed it would go anywhere. Granite, I havent wheeled the 4Runner yet, so maybe it would be comparable. However, with the IFS in the front I am sure it wouldnt be the same. Plus, my truck was a little spendy to beat up on the trail where both Jeeps were around $2k.

Anyhow, there's my rant. And no, I am not going to sell the 4runner but maybe down the line I will have to get another toy :biggrin2:

Nothing special, but I still have a pic of the 94' I had recently. Paid $2200 for it from the 2nd owner and that was pricey. It had 144k, but had all maint history from day one.

And of course the runner for comparison. To think I can have 4 Cherokees for the price of one 4runner?

 

[BTO]

To think I can have 4 Cherokees for the price of one 4runner?

Proving once again, you get what you pay for. :thumb3:

 

[2DoorRunner]

If you want simplicity go for a 1st gen 4runner.

 

[trailmix]

xj's are cheap because they dont come with a frame...

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Those older Jeeps have poor legroom for backseat passengers and was the main reason my mom ended up with a 4Runner back in 2000.

Still Jeeps have their charms but I could see me owning one.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

As far as wheeling goes, my first XJ was super flexy on 33" BFG MT's and after the limited slip was installed it would go anywhere. Granite, I havent wheeled the 4Runner yet, so maybe it would be comparable. However, with the IFS in the front I am sure it wouldnt be the same. Plus, my truck was a little spendy to beat up on the trail where both Jeeps were around $2k.

Don't wanna be a jerk... but.. for the future, it's Granted.

 

[fightman80]

The Runner is way SEXIER! Kidding! Seriously though, I was always partial to the CJ, TJ, YJ, the Wrangler, and now the Rubicon.

That being said, every Jeeper I know, says that they are not very reliable.....not sure how true that is???

 

[Fridge68]

Don't wanna be a jerk... but.. for the future, it's Granted.

:iagree::lol: haha i was thinkin the same thing...

 

[WrexHAmm]

Exactly. you get what you pay for. Of course a Jeep is going to be a fraction of the cost, you get a fraction of the quality. I think a Jeep would be an excellent second vehicle to serve as a "toy".

At the same time, most of use our DD as our toy because we have that quality and reliability of the T4R. I wouldn't come near a Jeep with 144K. I'd rather buy a boat. Lol

 

[vthokie]

i'm not gonna lie, your 4runner looks way cooler than the jeep, and just like everyone else has said, you get what you pay for.

 

[etc.]

I have been looking for a 4runner for going on a 1 1/2 years. I'm almost to the point of buying a Jeep, just to have something reliable and 4x4.

 

[brian2sun]

I'm almost to the point of buying a Jeep, just to have something reliable and 4x4.

Huh, Jeep reliable? That's a new one haha.

 

[runrunner]

Actually, certain Jeeps are very reliable. The 4.0 (H.O.) is a great engine with tons of power and is very reliable. Its not uncommon to get well over 200k out of them. The auto tranny's were AW4's borrowed from Toyota, nuff said there. The NP 231 and 242 T-cases are tough too. Now as far as the axles, the Dana 35 rear is crap, but I never broke mine even with Swampers. I did upgrade to the Chrysler 8.25 which is much tougher and pretty easy to find.

Seek out one that has manual windows, locks, and no ABS and there isnt much to go wrong. I never had any problems with my 91' and few problems with my 94', and those were maint related (radiator, etc). Both had over 140k on them and I still see them driven daily. In my opinion, this is only for the XJ, I never cared for the Grand Cherokee's and would not own one. Not a Wrangler fan either. Strickly XJ's.

I will admit, the lack of a frame was concerning but never caused me any issues.

Now, I never said they equaled the quality and refinement of the 4runner, but they do impress.

Oh, and I tried the 1st gen Toyota P/U route and that was a bad idea. Had an 85' with just over 100k and it was a headache. Again, maint stuff but I didnt keep it very long.

 

[Maritimer]

You'd think I'd like the Jeep more than the Runner since I go for boxy and practical looking, but somehow the Runner pulls it off better.

 

[brian2sun]

Actually, certain Jeeps are very reliable. The 4.0 (H.O.) is a great engine with tons of power and is very reliable. Its not uncommon to get well over 200k out of them. The auto tranny's were AW4's borrowed from Toyota, nuff said there. The NP 231 and 242 T-cases are tough too. Now as far as the axles, the Dana 35 rear is crap, but I never broke mine even with Swampers. I did upgrade to the Chrysler 8.25 which is much tougher and pretty easy to find.

Seek out one that has manual windows, locks, and no ABS and there isnt much to go wrong. I never had any problems with my 91' and few problems with my 94', and those were maint related (radiator, etc). Both had over 140k on them and I still see them driven daily. In my opinion, this is only for the XJ, I never cared for the Grand Cherokee's and would not own one. Not a Wrangler fan either. Strickly XJ's.

I will admit, the lack of a frame was concerning but never caused me any issues.

Now, I never said they equaled the quality and refinement of the 4runner, but they do impress.

Oh, and I tried the 1st gen Toyota P/U route and that was a bad idea. Had an 85' with just over 100k and it was a headache. Again, maint stuff but I didnt keep it very long.

I agree about the 4.0 that it's a good, and even reliable engine and I wouldn't mind having an '06 Rubi with a 4.0 - much better engine IMO than the underpowered 3.8 V6. As for Jeeps in general though, I do subscribe to the theory that most are "heeps". I'm not personally a big fan of the Cheros but there are some pretty nice ones out there. The Grand cheros aren't good vehicles IMO because I have just noticed a lot of friends and family have had a lot of problems with them. I could be wrong, but I think Toyota (Aisin actually) borrowed the tranny design from Aisin's earlier designs for auto trannies from Jeeps. It's interesting that you said it was the other way around. Hmm... Not that it matters, but I'm curious now.

 

[XJeepguy]

Older Cherokee's would be great if you could put a T4R 3.4L and T4R tranny and T4R axles and T4R interior and T4R frame under it . Then you would be set !

 

[StreetKill831]

Older Cherokee's would be great if you could put a T4R 3.4L and T4R tranny and T4R axles and T4R interior and T4R frame under it . Then you would be set !

:iagree: Just throw a T4R body on there and you have sex appeal covered as well

JEEP- Just Empty Every Pocket

 

[TheDurk]

Just do not knock the CJ5. Mine is just short of its 30th birthday and is one of the greatest machines I have owned. That sound is unique and the experience of driving is amazing. Love that folding windshield! Your Toyota got that? Mine doesn't.

 

[Jordan Petry]

I'm contemplating buying my friends 89 YJ. Its got the 4.2l 5 spd. I drove it for a while and loved it...and let me tell you, the ladies did too. Talk about sex appeal. Nothing like driving a Wrangler with a 5spd, no doors, no top, and big ol' mud tires. lol It was reliable too, however it does need some work to get fully street worthy. The thing I love about older wranglers is that there is hardly anything to go wrong. They are so simple and straightforward.

 

[runrunner]

^^ The 4.2L is not one of Jeeps finest. Its carb'd and has pretty low HP compared to the 4.0L. I believe they make a fuel injection kit for them that who help out.