Need rig advice
- Thread starter StrobeNGH
- Start date
Westernhunter
Active Member
I would look for an '98-'99. Mine is a 2001. I would avoid it like the plague.
- Location
- The Land Northward (Bountiful), Utah
99 is the best year for a cherokee.
Last year of the high pinion front axle and distributor ignition.
Those who have had problems with 00 and 01 cherokees just have bad luck. There were very very very few of them that had head cracking issues. Mostly due to people overheating them, blowing the head gasket and continuing to drive them...
I actually prefer distributorless ignition in my TJ.
Consider that the 4.0L was an option in nearly every Jeep from 1980 onto 06' tells you something.
They are dead reliable, and you can't throw a rock without hitting another vehicle with compatible parts.
My vote is Cherokee. Then use the money you saved on a rig to go camping.
Last year of the high pinion front axle and distributor ignition.
Those who have had problems with 00 and 01 cherokees just have bad luck. There were very very very few of them that had head cracking issues. Mostly due to people overheating them, blowing the head gasket and continuing to drive them...
I actually prefer distributorless ignition in my TJ.
Consider that the 4.0L was an option in nearly every Jeep from 1980 onto 06' tells you something.
They are dead reliable, and you can't throw a rock without hitting another vehicle with compatible parts.
My vote is Cherokee. Then use the money you saved on a rig to go camping.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
We had a Cherokee, a '98 IIRC.... one of the most problematic vehicles I ever owned. I was constantly repairing it, got old fast. Less than 6 months before we sold it... it was too bad, because I really liked it and sitting on 33's, it was quite capable.
X2 on '99 XJ. You can get a pretty clean one for $3k, spend about $1600 on it (including new tires), drive it to Moab, wheel all week and drive it home. That's what my buddies do in their 99's.
If you have a money tree, buy a Toyota I guess. They've always been out of my price range in stock form... forget about one with a non 4cyl, SAS, 10000000000:1 t-case gears, electric lockers etc. Is there a reason they're so expensive? I suppose so but I doubt I'll ever own one based on the $$$
If you have a money tree, buy a Toyota I guess. They've always been out of my price range in stock form... forget about one with a non 4cyl, SAS, 10000000000:1 t-case gears, electric lockers etc. Is there a reason they're so expensive? I suppose so but I doubt I'll ever own one based on the $$$
Westernhunter
Active Member
My '01 Cherokee runs great, is very reliable and killer off road, it's just a pig on gas. I think the emissions controls is to blame. Other than that I love it.
rondo
rondo
- Location
- Boise Idaho
Landcruiser would be very high on my list if i needed something for kids, gear, room and camping. I'd stay away from cherokees. Seems a lot of folks on here love them but when i managed a fleet of them they were all broken down for this and that. My neighbor had a disco and he said it was always broken down and back to the dealer for a thousand dollar bill repair. that was when it was under warranty. i do love the looks of them!
Why not consider an Xterra? Like toyota they are simply reliable. i know a guy pushing 300,000 miles on his frontier, and it's the same drivetrain as the X. years are 2000-2004 and would be in your price range. my wifes 2004 Xterra returned 21 mpg as would my 2000 frontier (at least before it got solid axles and 37s!) Downside is the tcase is a sorry 2:1 low range in the TX10A. plenty adequate for trail riding with the auto though. not low enough for the manual. A 4:1 gear set is available from a couple different vendors.
Why not consider an Xterra? Like toyota they are simply reliable. i know a guy pushing 300,000 miles on his frontier, and it's the same drivetrain as the X. years are 2000-2004 and would be in your price range. my wifes 2004 Xterra returned 21 mpg as would my 2000 frontier (at least before it got solid axles and 37s!) Downside is the tcase is a sorry 2:1 low range in the TX10A. plenty adequate for trail riding with the auto though. not low enough for the manual. A 4:1 gear set is available from a couple different vendors.
ChestonScout
opinions are like Jeeps..
- Location
- Clinton, Ut
I have a 01 Grand Cherokee with the 4.0
Wanna trade for your Scout?
Wanna trade for your Scout?
Toad
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Millville(logan)
I have a 2004 Grand Cherokee that I have kicked around selling. Wife drives it. 4.0 laredo. I drove it last night has 70400 miles on it. Super clean. I would not hesitat to sell. Hard part would be talking the wife into it.
zukijames
Well-Known Member
- Location
- not moab anymore
I got a 96 disco for 1000$ with 122000 miles on it.. Can do a lot of up keep for 9,000
v8 , 3.3:1 gear ratio in low range, discos seat from 5 to 7 depending on model
a cruiser or Lexus would have a lot stronger axles , and possibly factory lockers
My first rover was a 96 disco with built Dana 44s, lockers , chromo shafts and 35 inch tires , paid 2800 for it but wasn't much of a street rig..
Someday I'll have an fj 80 with. 2uz/ 3uz engine swap Or a fj105
v8 , 3.3:1 gear ratio in low range, discos seat from 5 to 7 depending on model
a cruiser or Lexus would have a lot stronger axles , and possibly factory lockers
My first rover was a 96 disco with built Dana 44s, lockers , chromo shafts and 35 inch tires , paid 2800 for it but wasn't much of a street rig..
Someday I'll have an fj 80 with. 2uz/ 3uz engine swap Or a fj105
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
IMO, the 100 Series and 4Runner are very similar and would come first, then 80 Series 2nd. After that I would say Montero, then the Cherokee.
Engine swaps aren't cheap... even if you DIY them.
Engine swaps aren't cheap... even if you DIY them.
IMO, the 100 Series and 4Runner are very similar and would come first, then 80 Series 2nd. After that I would say Montero, then the Cherokee.
Engine swaps aren't cheap... even if you DIY them.
X2
- Location
- Smithfield Utah
I recommend a UZJ100. Powerful, capable, comfortable, reliable, overbuilt, plenty of room for the family and no need for engine/drivetrain swaps.
Not much of an action shot but here's my 98:
Not much of an action shot but here's my 98:
ChestonScout
opinions are like Jeeps..
- Location
- Clinton, Ut
when are you going to tell us more about the Scout for sale???
- Location
- Never Far From Nowhere
I'd say the 100-Series. Steer clear if the Montero. Neat rigs but engine problems as they get higher mileage.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Yes, but if his budget is set for XXXX amount, why spend less and get something that may not fall within the desired characteristics?