Which one would you buy and why?

[mierdota]

I have been trying to decide what I want for my next daily driver/weekend wheeler I have narrowed it down to a grand cherokee, 4 runner, or a tacoma/toyota pickup. My uncle got a grand cherokee awhile back and loves it so far so I'm leaning more towards that, here are 2 that I really like which one would you get and why?

#1 http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?t=85127

#2 http://www.ksl.com/?nid=678&ad=17079959&cat=402&lpid=

 

[Bart]

Of course I'm a bit biased on this but I'd pick Eric's, (Cody's old one)for the following reasons.

It's a bit more money and will probably need more TLC than the other, but the parts are just much better. The high pinion 44 in the front and the rear Dynatrac 60 make it worth a lot more than the difference in the price.

It doesn't say what motor is in the green one but if it's a 4.0 I wouldn't touch it. The drive train Eric's has less than 50k original miles and a healthy 5.2.

It also looks like the lift is an older short arm kit on the green one.

Again, the parts alone make it worth more than than the difference in the price but with a little work, it will be twice the rig the other is.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

As much as I love the Tacoma/4Runner platforms, I'm with Bart on the ZJ for sale here on RME. I've been on quite a few trips with the Jeep when it belonged to Cody, you'll find it very hard to build a Tacoma or 4Runner that comfortably does a trail like Pritchett yet is equally suited to a trail like the Kokopelli or trip across Nevada on the Pony Express Trail... its very dual purpose.

 

[Cascadia]

I also would vote for Eric's. His ZJ has been on the top of my list but I can't pull the funds together right now without a loan and I don't want a loan. I'm with Bart also that it'll take a lot more money to get the green one to the level that Eric's is at. Eric's needs some small things done to get it legal like the green one but I think the only plus the green one has is the Iceland Offroad parts(which I personally like).

 

[Gravy]

you have a family now, Sean. get Cody's old ZJ, it's cool.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I would also vote for Cody's old ZJ, the little things it needs are easy fixes.

 

[brandonlmb]

Ok ok your words not mine." quit crying and just buy it". Sean i would go with the grand.
Call me later tonight scum bag!

 

[mesha]

I would buy a 4 runner, but only because I have never owned one and would like to. If it wasn't for that I would buy the eggplant colored ZJ.

 

[Sawtooth]

I've had all the vehicles you mention,and I would never take a Jeep over a Toy.My ZJ was a great little wheeler with plenty of power,but had many issues with electrical and trans.A toy will outlast a ZJ 10-1.This is just a personal 20 year opinion.

 

[sabatoa1]

I also have owned all of the vehicles that you are looking at. I would never buy another ZJ they are money pits. I had a 95' that was crazy and my Toyota is ten times the vehicle. With my 4runner I spent half of what I spent on my ZJ, and the ZJ was broken down more than I drove it. I have alot of buddies that had same problems, fuel pumps, transmissions, viscus coupler in t-case, wheel hubs, etc. I think that the only thing that my ZJ had that was better was more power.

 

[Cody]

I would buy a 4 runner, but only because I have never owned one and would like to. If it wasn't for that I would buy the eggplant colored ZJ.

It's passionate plum.

If the choice is between my old ZJ and that green one, then no offense to that green one but it's not even a choice. Eric's ZJ (my old ZJ) has a long list of really nice parts and is put together well. It has little quirks here and there that need to be sorted out, but I still maintain that it's mechanically sound and I would trust it to drive across the country tomorrow if I had to.

It's overbuilt for long range expedition trips, but that's not to say it doesn't work well. I've done Kokopelli, White Rim, Maze District (2x's), Death Valley, and SLC to Tahoe on the Pony Express (and then 9 hours of freeway home) and it performed great. What it comes down to is that any rig that is built to do trails along the lines of Pritchett, is going to have to sacrifice some things on long range "expedition" style of wheeling. They are just two different build styles with different objectives. I did appreciate that it was overbuilt, as it gives you a sense of security when you encounter unexpected conditions--like 2 feet of snow on Murphy's Hogback for example.

 

[mesha]

It's passionate plum.

I stand corrected. With the new information I would go with the ZJ

 

[Hickey]

Absolutely passionate plum.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I also have owned all of the vehicles that you are looking at. I would never buy another ZJ they are money pits. I had a 95' that was crazy and my Toyota is ten times the vehicle. With my 4runner I spent half of what I spent on my ZJ, and the ZJ was broken down more than I drove it. I have alot of buddies that had same problems, fuel pumps, transmissions, viscus coupler in t-case, wheel hubs, etc. I think that the only thing that my ZJ had that was better was more power.

Interesting, aside from a few transmission issues mine has never been in any shop in the 12 years I have been beating on it. I have read about electrical gremlins but never had an issue with them myself.

 

[sixstringsteve]

What it comes down to is that any rig that is built to do trails along the lines of Pritchett, is going to have to sacrifice some things on long range "expedition" style of wheeling. They are just two different build styles with different objectives. I did appreciate that it was overbuilt, as it gives you a sense of security when you encounter unexpected conditions--like 2 feet of snow on Murphy's Hogback for example.

well said. Another vote for the passionate plumb.


But if this were thrown into the mix: http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?t=85131&page=4

I'd have to choose Carl's 4runner. But that's cuz I'm a toyota guy through and through. They're not for everybody, but they suit me quite well.

 

[Bart]

I find it interesting that Jeeps are inferred as inferior rigs here. I like Toyota's and think they are great machines, and if one fit my needs I'd have no problem buying it. But if a thread came up comparing two Toyota's, I don't think I'd throw a Jeep bias in the mix.

I'm glad you guys like your Yota's but I've had a couple of rigs and really like my Jeeps.

If this forum is really heading toward being a Toyota preferred list, maybe Greg should consider changing the name, and I'll be glad to leave.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I must have misinterpreted the question:

I have narrowed it down to a grand cherokee, 4 runner, or a tacoma/toyota pickup. My uncle got a grand cherokee awhile back and loves it so far so I'm leaning more towards that, here are 2 that I really like which one would you get and why?

I interpreted it to read "which one would you get, a grand, 4runner, or tacoma".

 

[mbryson]

Interesting, aside from a few transmission issues mine has never been in any shop in the 12 years I have been beating on it. I have read about electrical gremlins but never had an issue with them myself.

Our '96 4.0L ZJ experience would support this as well. Purchased at 24K miles or so and sold around 180K. One of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned.

 

[Greg]

I find it interesting that Jeeps are inferred as inferior rigs here. I like Toyota's and think they are great machines, and if one fit my needs I'd have no problem buying it. But if a thread came up comparing two Toyota's, I don't think I'd throw a Jeep bias in the mix.

I'm glad you guys like your Yota's but I've had a couple of rigs and really like my Jeeps.

If this forum is really heading toward being a Toyota preferred list, maybe Greg should consider changing the name, and I'll be glad to leave.

Interesting comments Bart, I think your personal vested interest in the subject matter of this thread is getting to you more than it normally would.

You of all people should know that I don't really care for brand loyalty and have never been one to push a specific make here on RME. Matter of fact I've owned just as many Jeeps as I've had Toyotas, so my opinion on this matter is that brand loyalty doesn't mean anything. Every make of vehicle has its positives and negatives, just because the Toyota guys are louder than the Jeep guys doesn't mean anything.

I have no interest in changing the scope of a forum that has been successful for almost 12 years now and nobody here intends to chase you off. Your sons Grand Cherokee will sell when the right buyer comes along.

All said, if I were in Sean's position I wouldn't even question buying Codys old Grand Cherokee, that Jeep is amazing, very capable of the perfect family off road vehicle.

 

[Cody]

I've had 4 grand cherokees and I've never had any more problems with them as I have with any of the other vehicles i've owned. Considering what I've put them through, I think they are pretty reliable vehicles.

I'm planning on picking up a Tacoma here as soon as the bank's find me to be less of a risk, but it's not a decision based upon brand lust. I just need a vehicle with a bed right now in my life, and for the majority of wheeling I do these days, a Tacoma is the right size and will get me to most of the places I want to go. I also don't drive as much as I used to, so I have no need for a commuter and a wheeler, so the gas mileage of a DD truck isn't as much of an issue. When I have the money to scratch my itch to go and beat up a rig on the hard trails in Moab (or elsewhere), I doubt the vehicle I buy/build will be of toyota decent...but that's just because I want a v8 and 1 tons.

I've always had the same opinion about people who are so vocal about their brand of choice. It sounds like they are in their rig because it's NOT a jeep, not because of what it actually is. If people need to constantly fluff their own brand to others, it just sounds like they are trying to convince themselves.