1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[getlost4x4]

project is nearly done. i just have to go run to the junkyard and get on more part, a vacuum line i broke by accident.

this think better run after all this work.

 

[JCMatthews]

all it all. it was mostly gravel roads and some rougher two tracks.

we traveled for about 200 miles and used about 12 gallons of fuel.

the jeep does great. the only down fall is the lack of space. but i am working on building a roof rack for it. we can't sleep in it because its to small.

I owned an XJ until recently, and my wife and I slept in it. The key to fitting is that the bottom of the back seat must be removed so that you can stretch out. I don't know how easy that is in the ZJ in the XJ it is just a little lever and it is out.

 

[zjrog]

My wife and I have slept in the back of my ZJ. We toss the spare tire out, and have that tent on the backside so the tailgate is up. I've slept in the back alone and the only thing I would like is to fill the area behind the front seat to make a little more flat space. I'm 6'3" and my wife is 5'10"...:sombrero:

 

[getlost4x4]

i sold the jeep last week. i decided i was tired of messing with it. sold it for $2900. only put about $400 into fixing it up. i bought and licensed it for $800.

looking for something with a frame, and more room. haven't found anything yet. oh, it needs 4 doors.

 

[cico7]

Sooo. what'cha gonna do now?
Just got a 95 ZJ. Plan is to make it my dedicated
Expo vehicle.

 

[Root Moose]

I knew you were going to do that.

So now what? What's the short list? What's the "criteria" you are looking to fill?

Go buy a Gwagen or a FZJ80. That's what I would do if I were starting over (most likely the G).

 

[getlost4x4]

i have my eye on a Range Rover classic Long Wheel Base.

i found one for sale with a chevy drivetrain, lift, roof rack, lights, tires etc.

going to see if i can work out a good deal for it.

i just didn't want to put a ton of money into the GC. The axles are weak, trannys die, transfer case dies, and it is OBDI which makes it nearly impossible to diagnose without replacing almost every sensor on the thing.

i'm hoping to get something by this summer. and it all depends upon if i can get an internship in accounting with a large company for the summer. i'm not sure what is in the cards right now. i start applying for internships in December and January.

 

[getlost4x4]

i wish i could find a decent cheap G-Wagon. it would fit well with my other Mercedes. I have a 1989 300TE with 229K miles on it. looks nearly perfect. and hauls a ton of crap. we took it camping in August once. That engine runs like a Swiss watch and sounds like it too. i love Mercedes, parts a pricey, but that's okay.

I knew you were going to do that.

So now what? What's the short list? What's the "criteria" you are looking to fill?

Go buy a Gwagen or a FZJ80. That's what I would do if I were starting over (most likely the G).

 

[Root Moose]

When I read the first sentence of your post I said to myself "Oh Gawd! Don't do it!" but then the next sentence said all the troublesome crap in the LR had been removed so it's all good.

A Disco with alternate engine and transmission would be a cool too. Apparently the DI's are terrible for rust under the body work.

I've thought a FJ60 sitting on a FZJ80/LX450 chassis/drivetrain would be a neat truck. There was one posted on ih8mud a while back.

I still think the FSJ is decent if you can find a good one. My next Jeep will be a WJ just because I don't want to bother with something that old. If you find a ZJ small I can't see a WJ being much better so I won't suggest that.

Ford Explorer? Expedition?

Full size stuff?

 

[Root Moose]

i wish i could find a decent cheap G-Wagon. it would fit well with my other Mercedes. I have a 1989 300TE with 229K miles on it. looks nearly perfect. and hauls a ton of crap. we took it camping in August once. That engine runs like a Swiss watch and sounds like it too. i love Mercedes, parts a pricey, but that's okay.

Agree. The dealers have part numbers for 6.x axle gears and coils to let you install 35s without a lot of bother too.

They (461 Gs) pop up in the local adverts around here every once in a while for $15k-$25k... including some of the diesel ones. I've seen them lower but they tend to be trucks with "issues". At that price for an old truck (~20 years) you really got to want it though. I'm starting to see newer G500s for around $30k. Probably a better value of you care about resale. It's a lot of money for something to beat on though. That said, there is a guy in our local club that has a G that he beats on regularly. Started as a G230 or G280 I think. It's currently sitting on 36s and he's swapped a TD out of a M-B S300 (IIRC). Beast of a truck.

G's get posted in the M-B and for sale forums on ExPo every once in a while. Keep an eye out to get a feel for them over the winter maybe.

 

[getlost4x4]

i've have a short list right now.

Range Rover Classic LWB
Jeep Rubicon 4 door (pretty sure its too underpowered for me and too small)
Dodge Dakota V8 Limited Crew Cab
Dodge Power Wagon Crew Cab
Toyota 4 Runner
Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab
Toyota Land Cruiser 100 series

The problem i'm running into right now, is finding any of these in decent shape. The used car market up here sucks right now. There is nothing except chevy and ford pick-ups, hummers everywhere, and tons of cars.

 

[Root Moose]

The TLC100 is nice but they are IFS of course. Do another SFA axle swap eventually? That said, I'm sure the IFS is fine for 99.9% of the time.

I don't know how they compare to a FZJ80 but I really didn't find the inside of the '80 that much bigger than the XJ/ZJ. The truck I was looking at was a Lexus LX450... do they have thicker door panels and stuff? It seemed to have the normal claustrophobic seating position and such that most Toyotas have - legs straight out in front of you and if you're wearing a ball cap or similar you are continually grazing the head liner.

I like the Dodges in principal, especially the PW but I'd worry about the transmission.

Not sure the RRC is much bigger inside than the JK.

The JK is the "right" rig... I guess... What do you find small about it? I'm not a fan of the engine either... just gear it deep.

Full size Bronco? Tahoe (4 door)?

Go out of state for your search? If it's within a day's drive I'd suggest it is fair game. Go do a recon one day, then return with the details sorted to get it home. I did this with my MJ and I'm really happy about it.

2¢

 

[Root Moose]

Buy this:

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=928726

LOL

 

[getlost4x4]

wow. and already built.

the Long wheel base rangies have a lot more room inside then the jeeps. that is why i'm considering those. ohhh man.

Ontario is a bit far away.

 

[cico7]

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