Cherokee or Grand?

[parrot5254]

So I am just starting to get into the whole expo/ vehicle dependent traveling thing and I'm looking for some advice for my next vehicle. Right now I have an 87' wrangler with a 2.5" inch lift and some 32" mtr's. Love the setup and how it wheels but has two major flaws that is forcing me to get rid of it, space and fuel mileage. With the carb'd inline 6 and the lift and tires I get around 10 mpg. This was fine when I was just cruising around town but now that I go to school out of state and want to travel around a bit it has become impractical. I figure I can get about 3k-4k for the jeep when I sell it so that is what I will have to initially put into a new vehicle.
Some info about what I'll be looking for and doing with the jeep:
1) get about 20mpg highway
2) able to fit 2-4 people with camping gear for primarily 2-3 days trips with the occasional week long trip.
3) wheel mild trails found in places like the badlands in indiana and land between the lakes in kentucky and get me generally anywhere I want to go.
4) looking to fit 31" tires with at least one locker
5) will be onroad about 75-80% of the time because it will be my daily driver and ride to and from school/work.

So with those in mind I was primarily looking at the cherokee and grand cherokee but not sure which would fit my needs better. What would you guys recommend?

 

[Nikson]

I say go with an XJ... you wont regret it... on the other hand... everyone is different on their own personal preference...

On the personal opinion... this is my 2nd XJ, and I've got no regrets. Its 4 dr, so it fits family of 4 perfectly, and still leaves plenty of space in the back for gear.

I would imagine that it should not be tooo difficult to find Grand or Cherokees for a test drive. See what you like when its not modded, since 31s wont take much modifications to run.

Good Luck on the selection...

 

[purdueXJ]

People may argue this, but the xj just has a more reliable drive train, a better aftermarket support, and it is lighter so the 4.0 performs better in it. The only down side is it's smaller, so with four people in it cargo area may get kinda sparse.

 

[Black Dog]

What kind of luxury comforts are you looking for? You'll be more likely to find stuff like leather seats and burl wood interior adn whatnot on a Grand if that interests you. My personal choice though is the XJ, '92-'99 year range specifically. Some things to look for are axles, if it has the high pinion dana 30 in front that would be a good place to start, but stay away from a rear dana 35. Chrysler 8.25 in the back is a good choice, if it has a dana 44 that one should be moved to the top of your list. Also look for transmission, if it has the old Peugot automatic transmission keep looking, but the AW4 or AX15 would be pretty good. Mainly just shop around and see what you find that pleases you, you might end up finding a grand cherokee that is a million times better than any of the XJ cherokees in your price range.

 

[C-Fish]

Having both, it all comes down to what you like (want) to drive.

For me, the WJ is a wonderful DD. comfortable, quiet, great AC/Heat...

The XJ excels in the simplicity department. Lighter, more aftermarket support, smaller, good heat, marginal AC...

Both get about ~15-17mpg combined driving.

I would not want a XJ as a DD though, that is just me (this old man [47] wants comfort). LOL...

Both have ample room for cargo, the WJ is a touch bigger.
The biggest cargo eater is the spare for the XJ, the WJ's spare is tucked away.

I would not be super concerned with axles as you mention you will do more mild trails. Unless you have a heavy right foot...:smiley_drive:
I run 33's on the WJ with stock:Wow1: axles and a ARB in the front.

Good luck...

 

[TJ Willy]

First Jeep was a ZJ. I sure miss that thing.

Honestly, for what you want, you can't go wrong with either. Just drive them both and pick your favorite.

Keep in mind, when it comes to mods, the XJ has more support in the aftermarket. Most of the same options are out there for the Grands (especially older) but just not as many choices.

 

[Riot]

I think XJ's are going to be cheaper to find and there will be more options. Parts are EVERYWHERE. I wouldn't stop a D35 from buying a good jeep as you can get the 8.25's for next to nothing. (make sure its 29spline)
As for 20 mpg, you might want to not buy a jeep. I am pretty sure stock they only get about 18mpg (give or take of course) so with the bigger tires, thats obviously going to drop...Unless you re-gear...but that's a whole different thread...

 

[Smksignals]

Keep in mind, when it comes to mods, the XJ has more support in the aftermarket.

And less expensive.

Regarding gas mileage, the XJ and ZJ, whether 6 or 8 cyl, are nearly the same. And I dont think they come close to 20 mpg.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[brennanriddle1]

So it sounds like you should pick up a cherokee, unless you want a V8.

All the money you save with the cherokee will = more aftermarket parts.

 

[BIGdaddy]

my cherokee gets 18-19 regularly. thats with a winch bumper on stock tires.

 

[Root Moose]

Before I started modifying my Jeep XJ (MY01) I was getting consistently 22-24 MPG (Imp) on the highway (flat land, near sea level for all intents).

Once you start modifying MPG goes down hill from there.

If I was looking for another Jeep I would look at a 97-01 XJ or a 02-04 WJ.

For the XJ 4.0 with AW4 and NV242. For the WJ 4.7 V8 with RFE545 and NV242. I may buy a WJ some time in the nearish future...

Beyond that you need to test drive both and see what appeals to you.

I wouldn't base the decision on parts availability. There is plenty of aftermarket for WJs. Arguably more than say other off-brand vehicles like Nissans or Suzukis for example.

 

[radar95zj]

People may argue this, but the xj just has a more reliable drive train, a better aftermarket support, and it is lighter so the 4.0 performs better in it. The only down side is it's smaller, so with four people in it cargo area may get kinda sparse.

i agree one hundred percent:bike_rider:

 

[Ford Prefect]

You certainly have gotten some good advice on here.

If you are willing to consider getting a small loan, then I would also point you towards the WJ (Grand 99-04) with the V8. The V8 in the WJ gets the best mileage. The ZJ v8 is the worst for grands in your price range, then the I6 ZJ then I6 WJ and then the V8 WJ gets the best. This is due to a number of factors, mainly the WJ was almost completely redesigned. One of the things they DID keep was the old I-6 out of your YJ, same engine that is in my WJ. Where as the WJ got an all new V-8, and it therefore gets much better mileage. I tend to get about 15 & 17 with 32's My father on 31's in his V8 gets in the area of 22-24 (but we are both easy on the skinny pedal.)

The WJ and the ZJ ride a TON nicer than an XJ, and coming from a YJ you will think it is like cheating!

IF You prefer a STICK shift over auto there were a very few made in the ZJ very early years (92&93 I believe) but none in the years following all the way up to the current model. The XJ, of course, carried the stick throughout its life.

Now a WJ with JKS disconnects and 32's on a 2" lift can take you a VERY long ways all for about 500 after you pay for shocks. Also the WJ lifts are (in my opinion) easier to put on, but that is due to the leafs on the XJ.

The XJ is a very nice vehicle, and I like them alot, they are still a big box like your YJ and not a lot of aerodynamic work went into them, so there is that concern to consider.

The Quadra Drive II and the Quadra Trac II systems are something that the WJ have in spades over the XJ...
QTII is a selectless full time 4WD system. it is always on and ready to go. i think it's default is a 48/52 split front and rear, but it can change in less than a second to any number of configurations. so basically you have 4WD all of the time whether you need it or not, but don't have the situation where you might want to have it, but can't make that decision until it's a little too late. (suddenly finding yourself in a really bad rain storm and having to fumble for a lever to put the Jeep in 4WDFT.) QTII just does it for you. The QTII transfercase (NP247) also defaults to RWD until slippage is detected which causes the PC (Progressive Coupler) to transfer power to the front drive train.

QDII is a bit more advanced and has front and rear locking diffs. this allows the vehicle to not only transfer power to any axle, but also any wheel. if you aren't going to be "wheeling" severely, you probably would never need this. but it is a really great 4WD system. (OH and there is the possibility of a Selec-trac drive system in the WJ, stay away, they are not all that bad, but they are far less than the other two systems, and if you are going to spend the money on a jeep get one that will work well for you.)


Overall, if you can, I would HIGHLY recommend that you find a nice older WJ Overland with the 1" lift, rock sliders, and skids already stock, toss on a 2" BB and you will love that thing. Plus no real need for lockers in that WJ with the Quadra Drive II in there.

 

[Xjaddiction]

I've had 2 XJ's, an MJ, and 3 ZJ's. The ZJ's or WJ's for that matter, will be much more comfortable, especially with 4 people Aftermarket for the ZJ has really increased, and many parts from the XJ's transfer over to the ZJ. The V-8 in the ZJ gets about the same lilleage as the WJ's 4.7L v-8. The overland WJ has the 4.7L H.O. V-8, and gets about the same milleage as the ZJ grands with the 5.9L v-8.For me, the ZJ has many more options for cheap swaps, than the WJ. The ZJ with the 4.0 has the same drive-line as the XJ except for the front LP dana 30 in the ZJ. The v-8 ZJ's came with a full-time case (249) that tends to start showing some wear around 100,000 miles. They will hang in there past that, but most of us ZJ owners swap the t-case out for a 231 or the 242. This is an easy cheap swap.


My latest ZJ is the absolute best Jeep I've ever owned. It is the '98 5.9L ZJ Grand Cherokee. I've swapped in a 231 HD Tereflex t-case, with tw shafts and an sye, HP front dana 30 out of an XJ, a 2" BB with skyjacker shocks, ARB front bumper, rebuilt rear Dana 44 with 4:10's to match the front, 245x75x16 (30x9.50) BFG AT KO's, ARB bumper, 8000 lb winch with remote, intake etc. Plenty of plans in the near future to finish. The ride is great on the road, and does well off road, haven't done much off-roading in this rig yet. The V-8 is fantastic, and I avg about 16 MPG with a heavy right foot. The 360 V-8 has tons of torque, a really fun vehicle to drive.

That back bench seat in the XJ is a joke for long trips. Even my little girls hated that in the XJ. They love the ZJ, and my wife even loves my Jeep for the first time ever.

Here is a pic of the 5.9er

 

[jh504]

my cherokee gets 18-19 regularly. thats with a winch bumper on stock tires.

I get 23mpg hwy out of my wifes stock XJ. My old 96 XJ with a 6.5" lift and 305s got 17 mpg hwy. I think 20 mpg on 31s is very realistic, if you keep your foot light.