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Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
#1759907
02/21/15 11:02 PM
02/21/15 11:02 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
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OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
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So, in the future I was thinking about getting a Jeep of some sort to go off-roading and serve as a potential back-up vehicle (so off-roading won't be its primary function). I guess it's to rekindle the fun I had back in my Baja days. From what I've heard, there are a lot of cool places around the SoCal area and I have some friends who go often. Anyways, I'm going to need another hobby after I graduate. So, these are the vehicles I had in mind and I was wondering if I could get your thoughts on them: 2000-2006 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee (XJ), 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ). All models I'd get would have to have 4x4 capabilities.
So here are my thoughts on the 3...
The Jeep Wrangler is widely known as the car for off-roading, it has a removeable top so I could drive a "convertible" during the summer time when I'm not driving my daily or the Dart, and there's a huge aftermarket for them. The cons I don't like about it is that there isn't much room to put people and supplies, it's probably not the most comfortable on the street, and they're expensive (high cost of entry relative to the other two for a 4.0L).
The Cherokee also seems quite popular for off-roading. It is a little cheaper to get into than the Wrangler. It can seat up to 4 people (I don't know how comfortably). It still has a large aftermarket support. I can throw things in the trunk. And it has a towing capacity of about 5000 lbs (helpful if I buy a trailer so I can tow parts or possibly a car). I think this could be a good compromise between the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee.
I'm also quite liking the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Looking on CL, it seems like it's the cheapest between the 3 options. It doesn't seem like there's as much aftermarket parts for it but it definitely seems like it could be a good platform for off-roading. It also comes with a 5.2L small block (or a 5.9L but very rare and only a 1998) that gets at least 30-40 more hp and 75 ft-lbs of torque over the 4.0L. Gas mileage is about the same as the 4.0L too. Again, this can store things in the trunk and it can tow up to 6500 lbs (definitely a safe load to tow a car or parts). The only thing about this is I believe they switched from a 46RH trans to a 44RE transmission in 1995. If I did my research correctly, that would imply the the 44RE is a weaker trans but uses electronics instead of hydraulics for shifting? A 46RE came behind the '98 Limited 5.9L though.
So, what are your thoughts or opinions? Personally, all of my daily drivers have been a car (as I drive around a lot) but I always enjoyed driving my mom's SUV (both on the streets or on the very few times I took it to the dessert).
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Re: Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
[Re: Cooter]
#1759909
02/22/15 01:24 AM
02/22/15 01:24 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
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OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
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Quote:
The ZJ will ride the best and be the most comfortable, the XJ will only tow 2K lb unless you have the auxiliary trans cooler along with the heavy duty cooling package on the 4.0, and the TJ will be the best for all around 4 wheeling where you need clearance. The ZJ will climb the best.
They all have shortcomings. I would likely pick a ZJ in your position if I was out west, and didn't wheel rocks.
But I do wheel rocks, and our trails are tight.
That's more towards what I was leaning too. I'd definitely like a more comfortable ride and the ZJ seems to have more "luxurious" features to it on the interior when compared to the other two. I've been reading a bit on the Jeep forums as well.
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Re: Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
[Re: RODHALL]
#1759911
02/22/15 02:35 AM
02/22/15 02:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
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OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
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Quote:
XJ or ZJ..... will be around the same price, both seat 4 about same. 4.0L are not hard to find, Parts are easy to find.
So what are the pros and cons between the 4.0L and a small block? I've heard with the XJ's that the 4.0L has sufficient torque; however, you'd be better off utilizing that torque by bumping up your gear ratio. So is the torque of a small block excess or does it allow you to do other things?
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Re: Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
[Re: Cooter]
#1759913
02/22/15 03:04 AM
02/22/15 03:04 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
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OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
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Quote:
If you are going to tow at all, do yourself a favor and get the 5.2 Magnum.
Alright, ZJ it is. Lol. 
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Re: Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
[Re: Cooter]
#1759915
02/22/15 02:15 PM
02/22/15 02:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
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OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
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Quote:
I hope I don't sound too harsh. The 5.2 ZJ will tow very well, and drive the nicest as a second vehicle. If you are doing harder core stuff, it will be a bit more difficult to modify, however. Winches are dead simple on the TJ, and XYs have a better front bumper; I usually zip tied the bumper cover onto my ZJ.
No matter what, make sure you have a good set of tow hooks on the front, and a 2" receiver hitch makes a good recovery point in the rear with addition of a shackle mount.
No, don't worry about it. you're being quite helpful. 
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Re: Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
[Re: Cooter]
#1759916
02/22/15 02:20 PM
02/22/15 02:20 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,151
Cruising!
QuickDodge
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,151
Cruising!
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If I were going to tow another vehicle, I'd seriously consider a Durango with a 5.2 or 5.9 engine. The XJ and the ZJ are unibody vehicles. The Durango has a separate frame to which a strong hitch can be securely mounted.
An XJ or ZJ may have been strong enough to deserve their tow ratings when new. But when considering a 15+ year old vehicle, corrosion could weaken the inside of the unibody "frame" effectively reducing the real world towing limits of the vehicle. The problem is that such internal corrosion can sometimes be difficult to detect.
Edit: Whatever vehicle you purchase, read up on towing with that vehicle. SUV's usually have towing packages available. I would purchase one that had the factory heavy duty towing package.
Last edited by QuickDodge; 02/22/15 02:25 PM.
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Re: Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
[Re: QuickDodge]
#1759917
02/22/15 03:09 PM
02/22/15 03:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
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OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
|
Quote:
If I were going to tow another vehicle, I'd seriously consider a Durango with a 5.2 or 5.9 engine. The XJ and the ZJ are unibody vehicles. The Durango has a separate frame to which a strong hitch can be securely mounted.
An XJ or ZJ may have been strong enough to deserve their tow ratings when new. But when considering a 15+ year old vehicle, corrosion could weaken the inside of the unibody "frame" effectively reducing the real world towing limits of the vehicle. The problem is that such internal corrosion can sometimes be difficult to detect.
Edit: Whatever vehicle you purchase, read up on towing with that vehicle. SUV's usually have towing packages available. I would purchase one that had the factory heavy duty towing package.
This is great, the Durango hasn't even crossed my mind. Although the aftermarket on a Durango seems quite small.
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Re: Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
[Re: Cooter]
#1759919
02/22/15 07:52 PM
02/22/15 07:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
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OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
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Quote:
The Durango is a great rig, especially for towing and carrying capacity but pretty useless off road in unmodified form. And modifying it isnot for the faint of heart...
Yeah, that's what I noticed. The 4x4's have hardly any ground clearance and the only lift kits they offer are body lifts (which I heard is a pain in the butt to install). Not that I'd lift a ZJ or Durango that much. I wouldn't want more than 3".
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Re: Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
[Re: d-150]
#1759921
02/23/15 02:38 AM
02/23/15 02:38 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
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OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
|
Quote:
 zj mostly on road zj, 50 50 mix xj,mostly off road tj.i have a cj yj and xj like them but different uses
Well, I figure I'd use it mostly on the road and may go off-roading once or twice a month. So a ZJ may be the best option.
I also looked into different ways for lifting a Durango to gain a touch more ground clearance. There doesn't seem to be a good way of doing it. As mentioned before, there are body lifts but those really don't do much to help the suspension out. They just allow for larger tires. There aren't really any suspension kits out there either. The only thing I've seen that may work for about a 2" lift (which seems fine) is cranking the torsion bars (getting an alignment) and adding another leaf or replacing the shackles on the leaf springs.
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Re: Jeep for Off-Roading and Other Uses...
[Re: Cooter]
#1759923
02/24/15 12:30 AM
02/24/15 12:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
|
OP
I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
|
Quote:
The 10" of extra wheelbase of the Durango over the Grand Cherokee will give you a much worse breakover angle than any of the Jeeps, even with 2" of "lift" from cranked up torsion bars (and the Durango already starts with 1/2" less ground clearance to start with, compared to the ZJ) Plus, you will end up trading off reliability in the form of stressed CVs, due to the angle you will be putting them at.
If you are just going to run dirt roads and maybe the sand at Glamis or Dumont, I could see the Durango, but if you are doing trails that require a lift, stay away from the Durango for your first off road 4x4.
The added stresses is the reason why I said, "There doesn't seem like a good way of doing it." My friends tend to take weekend trips going through trails, and I don't think the Durango will fair too well. I've been leaning more towards the ZJ lately.
Based off of the Cheap Truck Challenge, it definitely seems like it can be a fun and reliable vehicle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjjzQHN5ra8
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