Yea, sorry I guess it wouldn't have hurt to be a bit more particular. I was looking more at how they compare offroad, and what some of the pro's and con's are with the Trooper. I had an old beater Cherokee that would go damn near anywhere I pointed the thing even with cruddy street tires. To be honest I attribute most of that to dumb youth and not really caring if I broke anything. So having said that I have a good idea of the pro's and con's of the Cherokee, and know what tends to be a problem (overheating with the crappy closed loop cooling system, and the infamous death wobble).I realize the physical differences to a certain degree, but was wondering how the dynamics differ. It was mentioned that the factory LSD in the Trooper is pretty effective, whereas the Cherokee LSD might as well be an open diff. I've been eyeing Trooper's for a while and have always liked the boxy utilitarian look. One thing that draws me to the Cherokee is parts availability, especially in the junkyard where they're a dime a dozen. The same can't be said with Trooper's where there are maybe 1 or 2. Do you have problems finding parts given that Isuzu has now pulled out of the states?
Good questions, here's my thoughts in no particular order:
1. Size, seating comfort, driving position: Trooper for the win
2. Mechanical simplicity, parts cheapness: Cherokee gets it
3. Durability/reliability as a daily driver/weekend warrior: Tie (neither have stranded me so far. Cherokee was a workhorse for 5 years)
4. Wife ACTUALLY likes as opposed to TOLERATING it: Trooper for the win. Wife LOVES it. She actually prefers it over her 2007 Edge.
5. Aftermarket support: Cherokee gets it
6. Lack of need of aftermarket support: Trooper (ARB bullbar, winches, lights, tires, OME lift, Front runner roofrack, Warn hubs - That's all I need and it's all still available
7. Has a factory tire carrier: Trooper for the win.
8. Great heater: Tie
9. Seat heaters: Trooper for the win
10. 4x4 system: Jeep 4x4 system is hell for stout, but Trooper leaves nothing to be desired.
11. 3 kids in carseats: possible in the Jeep. Actually comfortable in the trooper
12. At the end of the say, which would I rather drive to Moab in, wheel and drive back?: Trooper for the win.
Which one do I like better?
Trooper, by a long shot.
It fits my kids, fits my budget, has amazing fit and finish, has that cool Japanese car layout/philosophy. It's absolutely cavernous inside without being huge outside, and it gets better mpgs. The engine and tranny might end up giving me trouble, but then again, the jeep needed repairs, too. lol.
Being a HUGE XJ fan, I have to say that I love my trooper and I don't feel I lost anything other than maybe the tie to a great/helpful/generous jeep community. My persective, though, is that I'm spending more time out on the trail with family and friends in the 6 months I've had the trooper than I ever did in 4 years with the Cherokee.
There's something to be said for a vehicle that is enjoyable on the roadways TO the trails that end up being like 95% of your trip to the outdoors.