Bi-Polar Mental Excercise: Suburban or Grand Cherokee

[Sock Puppet]

I'm half serious about this. I'm considering selling my 2002 Dodge 1500 QC 4X4 long bed 5-speed with 58K miles. Our financial situation has changed a bit over the last year and I need to find a way to eliminate some debt and lower monthly expenses. I have a decent amount of equity in the truck; probably enough to buy a square-body Suburban or mid-late 90's Grand Cherokee.

I've put 8K miles on the Ram in the past 2 years, and will probably be driving less for the next few. I have a company vehicle so my truck only gets driven once a week or so. We're selling our pop-up camper and moving to backpacking and car camping. A camping trip will be me, my wife and two kids, backpacking gear (and cooler/chairs if car camping) and 2 medium sized dogs.

I've been looking at 88-91 Suburbans and mid-late 90's Grand Cherokees. I love the 'Burbs and the space they provide, but they lack some of the creature comforts my wife and kids like. The GCs are very comfortable and a blast off road, but don't have a lot of space. I would probably have to add a roof rack to the Cherokee for camping.

I used to own a '92 Montero and loved it off road, but it had the power of a lawn mower. Since moving to the Ram I've grown to love the space provided by the 8' bed with shell, but very seldom take it on more than mild off-road because of the size.

So lets assume I want to spend in the neighborhoo of $3500 on a rig. Can you guys offer some insight into the pros/cons/experiences with the older 'Burbs and Grand Cherokees? I know it's pretty open-ended, but I'm looking for experienced input. Feel free to chime in if you think it's foolish to sell my truck, too. Thanks!!!

Here's my current wagon:

 

[OutsideFamily]

I have both, currently. A 2004 GC with the 4.0L and a 2006 Yukon XL with the 5.3L. Both 4x4. My wife likes driving the jeep a little better due to its size in urban areas, but the Yukon is also just as nice to drive. I wouldn't worry about the maintenance costs on either of the vehicles you are considering, the SBC and the I6/V8 in the ZJ are all simple engines with plenty of parts available. One thing I've observed, even though the Yukon is a bigger vehicle, it still gets about the same fuel economy as the WJ. The 4.0 I6 is simple and reliable, and makes enough power, but is just not efficient.

With a family of 5, travelling in the WJ was just too cramped, not even considering camping. But they are both good vehicles. As far as selling a financed vehicle and buying one outright, I can support that. When you have to do a repair or get a dent on the trail, at least you already own the vehicle. I'm not sure my input helped much... good luck with your decision.

 

[r_w]

Of those two, the burb for your size of family. That era are pretty utilitarian, but can be upgraded. You will have almost as much room as the truck with the 3rd seat down. They can be rebuilt to be bulletproof fairly cheaply. If you can find a 3/4 ton, they pretty much are a bulletproof drivetrain already.

You will have to put a serious load on the roof of the GC--the fam and dogs will take the entire cabin.

 

[roswellgreg]

Suburban

I have a 97 K2500 6.5l diesel and it has been great off road. ... and traveling on the highway to get out yonder. That era does lack some creature comforts, but parts and modifications are readily available. I think that the transmission and rear end (10.5" full float) are bullet proof, and the diesel gets better mileage than the gas engine. I'm biased, though, I've had 4 over the last 15 years. I just looked at Grand Cherokees - you are right on the money, it will be tough to pack everyone up for a trip. You could get a small cargo trailer, I guess. Just to confuse things, what about older Toyota/Lexus models? I gave them a hard look before I purchased my last one and there are some good values out there. They can be respectable on trails as well.

 

[2500ak]

For as little as you drive the truck you might as well get the larger, more fuel thirsty truck.

The chevy's with the GenII TBI engines were very reliable.

Keep in mind though, chevy trucks didn't start getting ABS until 1993, and that was rear only ABS.

You will get differing opinions on this, but I believe a good driver who's willing to go a little slower and have good pedal etiquette is a substitute for basic ABS. Things like stability control, and independent wheel breaking traction control, not so much.

However if you're going to get a truck with vacuum or hydroboost drum brakes make sure everyone knows how to pump them, instead of locking them up.

I almost plowed my project truck into just about everything the first day I drove it. 4-wheel, manual drum breaks on patchy ice. Not very pleasant.

 

[1leg]

Buying 20 year old truck is expensive. I have over 10 grand into my suburban so far. Plan on rebuilding everything.

 

[Metcalf]

I like my old truck. Yes, you have to work on it, but you CAN work on it also. Everything on my old dodge is simple and serviceable/rebuildable. The only thing that scares the crap out of me is the injector pump.......

I probably only have about 5K in my truck, maybe a bit less. It has been VERY dependable. The only issue I have had is the steering. The stock system just sucked. Now that I fixed that issue with the crossover conversion the truck feels 10 years newer.

Mine was ROUGH to start with too, but that was half the fun. I could cut, modify, paint, experiment, etc....without much worry of messing it up too bad.

I'm not saying get an old 1st gen dodge, but don't get scarred away from something older.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Thanks for all the input, everyone!

I'm not scared of older vehicles at all. In fact, it would be kind of fun to have a project again (so long as I could use it while working on it.) I've had quite a few older vehicles over the years, both gas and diesel. I take driving older ones for granted, but had not given much thought to how my wife would do behind the wheel.

I know you guys are right about the Suburban, but the Cherokees sure are fun off road! I know the 'Burbs are capable, and probably make a lot more sense. I also know that the post '91 Suburbans have more creature comforts and nicer interiors, but I sure like the solid front axle and easier maintenance/repairs on the older examples. Plus, I just like the way they look better.

 

[bob91yj]

I've got an '88 2wd 3/4 ton (454ci) 'burb for sale. Mechanically solid, exterior looks like hell(white paint falling off, couple of dents), interior is in great shape. Truck is in San Diego area.

Again, it's 2wd, 4wd wasn't available with the big block.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56445

 

[Metcalf]

you could split the difference in size and go with a FJ80. I see those going for decent prices if you don't mind the high miles.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Thanks for the offer, Bob, but I'm only interested in 4X4s.

The FJ80 doesn't really appeal to me because I want cheap, accessible parts.

 

[1leg]

Just to be clear I wasn't complaining. About how expensive my truck has been. Only pointing out how expensive. It can be. I have done about 95% of all the work on my truck and enjoy doing it.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Just to be clear I wasn't complaining. About how expensive my truck has been. Only pointing out how expensive. It can be. I have done about 95% of all the work on my truck and enjoy doing it.

Despite the frustration, there is a lot of satisfaction in doing it yourself.:smiley_drive:

 

[K2ZJ]

I have 2 kids 2 large dogs and a 95 Grand I have had for almost 11 years. To go with all of them for a weekend REQUIRES our basket in the receiver and our roof mounted cargo box. I can rock crawl great, but the room is not enough for a full family and dogs on the weekend outing. I am planning a trailer build here so I can take everyone and everything I need. I can't believe I am going to type this but, get the...




crap....




go with the....



GRRRRRR...








Burb,




GAHHHHH!! I said it!


That said, I want an Excursion. It can tow my crawler and can take me camping hunting with all of my friends and family.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Thanks for the advice. I like the Excursions but the prices are higher than what I want to spend considering my objective.