hammeredtoe
New member
a 1996 grand Cherokee or a 1986 wagoneer
which jeep??
- Thread starter hammeredtoe
- Start date
We talking wagoneer XJ or full size jeep wagoneer? Can't remember what years the xj wagoneer were produced.
The FSJ wagoneer is gonna have more room than a ZJ, but is heavier. Also 10 years older may mean more work to get it in a useable state than the newer ZJ. I'd be inclined to go for the FSJ if it were in good shape, just because you don't see them as much. I'd put it on a diet, maybe loose the interior and some sheet metal
The FSJ wagoneer is gonna have more room than a ZJ, but is heavier. Also 10 years older may mean more work to get it in a useable state than the newer ZJ. I'd be inclined to go for the FSJ if it were in good shape, just because you don't see them as much. I'd put it on a diet, maybe loose the interior and some sheet metal
Lucky j
Explorer
86 wagoner will aslo have a full frame, witch in my opinion is a good option if in good condition to start with, but the weight and technology means it will be a gas guzzler. Look and Inside space is also FSJ +.
The other will be in deed lighter ans smaller for tight spaces.
I think it becomes a thing of personal choice and what your plan to do with it..
The other will be in deed lighter ans smaller for tight spaces.
I think it becomes a thing of personal choice and what your plan to do with it..
tarditi
Explorer
We had a 1996 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and it was a great SUV. There were a couple things to keep in mind:
1) We had the smaller V8 - was OK, but required all-time 4WD (Quadratrac)
2) Interior isn't that big - comfortable, but not a lot of storage
3) Rear axle was a Dana44, but light duty (aluminum housing IIRC)
4) We had very few problems with it, but replaced the AC system 2x
5) Stock tank was 21gal, IIRC - we had a range of about 350 miles
My Brother in law has a 1986 FSJ (Wagoneer) and it's a beast. It has the V-8 and gets about 8mpg.
He swapped in Dana 60 front and rear with atlasII xfer case and ARB air lockers front and rear.
The vehicle has had a roll cage and bunch of armor added to it and the weight is somewhere around 8000#
Very capable truck, but frankly it's got too checkered of a history for me to trust in the back country - maybe different if it was from Wagonmaster or something, but I want something more reliable.
1) We had the smaller V8 - was OK, but required all-time 4WD (Quadratrac)
2) Interior isn't that big - comfortable, but not a lot of storage
3) Rear axle was a Dana44, but light duty (aluminum housing IIRC)
4) We had very few problems with it, but replaced the AC system 2x
5) Stock tank was 21gal, IIRC - we had a range of about 350 miles
My Brother in law has a 1986 FSJ (Wagoneer) and it's a beast. It has the V-8 and gets about 8mpg.
He swapped in Dana 60 front and rear with atlasII xfer case and ARB air lockers front and rear.
The vehicle has had a roll cage and bunch of armor added to it and the weight is somewhere around 8000#
Very capable truck, but frankly it's got too checkered of a history for me to trust in the back country - maybe different if it was from Wagonmaster or something, but I want something more reliable.
WrenchMonkey
Mechanical Animal
Also, ZJ trannys were pretty weak. Only the 92-93s got the AW4.
hammeredtoe
New member
I still can't decide. I have always wanted a wagoneer. What do you think is needed to make them more reliable?
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toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
I had a stock 81 cherokee 6 cyl 4 speed and it weighed 3700 at the dmv. They don't weigh as much as everyone claim they do.
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788
Buddha.
Finally in expo white.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Cherokee_(SJ)
4500lbs, and worse aerodynamics than a zj.
4500lbs, and worse aerodynamics than a zj.
toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
Cool? I'm telling ya. I weighed it and it came out to 3700 pounds.
According to this it's 3800
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/jeep/cherokee_1gen/cherokee_1gen_laredo/1981.html
This one as well
http://www.allpar.com/SUVs/jeep/wagoneer.html
Not sure why people think weight means strength. Because something weighs a lot doesn't mean it's strong.
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788
WrenchMonkey
Mechanical Animal
.
According to that all-par link, the waggys weighed 3758 when they were introduced in 63, but by 1975, R&T tested one at 4760. And the all-par chart listed the 1990 at 4500.
.
Don't get me wrong, the old full sizes were awesome, but they were not lightweights...