OK, after alot of long and hard thinking, i am thinking of getting a xj cherokee. here is what i want, a fuel injected motor, mostly bolt on parts (yeah, i am a lazy when it comes to fabbin stuff), and perfer coils at one end. Oh, and also cost, of course. BUt i also want to be able to drive it to and from the trail if i want to, even though i will have a trailer to tow it with. Is the cherokee the way i should go? Or not? I want it mainly for hollister, the rubicon, fordoyce, and pismo. SO yes, i do need some HP in there, so i was thinking a fuel injected cherokee 4.0 woudl be the best way to go. BUt then i ahve also been thinking about a wrangler, or a zuki, but both of those are less set up from the factory, or cost more $$$. And i dont need another truck, i have 3. THink that is they way to go, or should i go another direction? Basically i want to be on the con, or pismo for under 5k, minus tires, and without much time for a build up (aka: real simple). SO what should i do?

thanks Garrett

personally i would not start with a cherokee if i was building a trail rig. just my op.

Originally posted by high5
personally i would not start with a cherokee if i was building a trail rig. just my op.

second that. there are much better/cheaper options

Originally posted by Hick
BUt then i ahve also been thinking about a wrangler, or a zuki, but both of those are less set up from the factory, or cost more $$$. And i dont need another truck, i have 3.
Go get yourself a new Rubicon Wrangler, pretty set up from the factory. All ya need is along are suspension with 35's and your set, thats pretty simple. But don't forget, if ya drive it off road, your warranty is VOID.:mad: Sure, its a lot of money, but your loaded right.

loaded, RIGHT. more like broke ass college student, who has no clue how i am gonna pay 5k for a rig, but i will. rubicon would be cool, but no way in hell could i ever afford one. I am also thinking about maybe a samuari, just i would want ot be able to drive it on the road sometimes.. hmm, dunno.. maybe a 4 runner, just alot more $$$.

87 or 88 Range Rover. theyre relatively inexpensive, have fuel injected 3.5L V8s, beefy 4spd autos, a kick ass transfer case (LT230- gear driven, aluminum case, 3.3:1 low), solid axles front and rear, and coil springs front and rear. not to mention an all aluminum body and a fully boxed very strong frame.

for under 5gs you could buy one with a decent body and little rust, but with a blown engine, and put in a 350. there are adapters available that allow you to bolt in a SBC in place of the motor, plus adapters to the tranny.

the only major hoop you have to jump through to get it on the con are axles. land rover axles SUCK ASS, period. there are several ways to deal with that though, check out the rover section.

Does it need to be a 4 seater? Get a cheap Toyota w/IFS and do an SAS. I know you want CHEAP, but a solid axle swap can be failry cheap and done right as well.

A Zuki needs fab work as well. You'll want differant axles, etc.

Maybe an older CJ, just no fuel injection, unless it was converted.

I personally would not do a 4runner again since I rarely use the back set and would rather have a flatbed behind me. But it's what I had and I can't complain, it wheels really well.

Lots of options, but it's your $$ and your call

Good Luck

i hate to say it, being a CJ guy, but a wrangler...dont have to outboard the springs. you can get a fuel injected one for cheap. throw in some 1 ton axles and 38's then a tranny and t-case and you are set....for cheap.


Chris G.

How well do zuki's do in sand dunes? i am thinking not well because of the lack of HP, but then i dont know. any ideas?

I have the perfect idea for you. And its very streetable.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=74596&highlight=2.0

i would really be thinking of buying your sammi, but too bad you are on the other side of the country, so no can do..

You should get an MJ. I had an XJ and sold it and bought an MJ. I am also a broke college student. Just upgrade the rear axle (unless it already has the d44:eek: ) with a springover. Buy Clayton's longarms for the front and get some used 4.5 inch coils with some spacers. The longer wheelbase means you won't need an SYE. Trim the fenders and you can fit 35s.

sorry, im jeep illiterate, wtf is an MJ, new grand cherokee?

Originally posted by 9V
sorry, im jeep illiterate, wtf is an MJ, new grand cherokee?

Commanche, it is a cherokee (mostly) from the driver seat forward, but a truck behind that. New Grand Cherokees are WJs.

ah thats right i remember. MJs are cool, make a sweet flawbed for one :D

Usually the CJ crowd downs on the XJ/MJ crowd until they go out and run with them. ( yeah, I know flame suit on). What wheelbase is everyone building too? 102", I believe that's right where the XJ sits. Coils in the front(keeps you from needing the kidney belt anymore), leaves in the rear ( maintains the sidehill stability and no rear jacking like the coil guys get). There's plenty of aftermarket support out there now and if you don't think that an XJ/MJ can get it, go check out the Sep. issue of JP for the Best of the West tour, or maybe it was called Cherokee Bash. Oh yeah, when people start bitchin' about unibody this and that, tell them to go shut their happy hole.

But hey, maybe I'm just biased cuz I'm the Vice Prez of the North American XJ Assc.

Easy

Originally posted by EasyXJ


But hey, maybe I'm just biased cuz I'm the Vice Prez of the North American XJ Assc.

Easy

You think?? :D

I think built XJ's are badass. I defintely want to buy one sometime and beef it up some. The only downside I see to them is all of that glass. Screwup on a really tight trail, and you'll be picking it out of your hair.
Nice thing about them is that there are tons of them around, and you can get into one really cheap and go from there :D
If I had just a little extra fun money, I'd be working on Mo's ex XJ right now :(

Are MJs unibody also??

Are MJs unibody also??

Yeah, they sort of have a frame coming off the back. Wait til you see my tube MJ in Eroc next year. I start the build up of it sometime in Nov. Right now I'm saving all my pennies so I can chop my top, build my cage, put in the 4 racing seats and make it to Moab by Oct. 5.

Easy

Oh yeah, this is my junk, minus a bunch of glass.

http://www.gcbconsulting.com/postnuke/html/modules.php?full=1&set_albumName=album12&id=Untitled_5_001&op=modload&name=photo_zone&file=index&include=view_photo.php

Originally posted by BrettM


New Grand Cherokees are WJs.

Then what's a ZJ?

Originally posted by DemoMike


Then what's a ZJ?

an older grand cherokee, 93-98 i think

Originally posted by EasyXJ


Yeah, they sort of have a frame coming off the back. Wait til you see my tube MJ in Eroc next year. I start the build up of it sometime in Nov. Right now I'm saving all my pennies so I can chop my top, build my cage, put in the 4 racing seats and make it to Moab by Oct. 5.

Easy

cool see ya here..

hey for a trail rig for cheap I would get a solid axle Injected 4 runner...

toss in 5:29's and detroit and your set....can do many mods later buut will hold up as is for quite awhile

Xj - a cool choice - do one of these:

http://www.rightcoastcrawler.com/billaVista/Action/Dcp_3539.jpg

On the other hand, I would do a CJ-6 or 8 if it were at all available.

I got rid of my XJ after the sixth smashed window and fourth or fifth caved in door...and I miss it already - it was nice to be able to drive to the trail

If you go XJ - be sure to check out my page

You can have my 93' grand cherokee for $5k ready to wheel anything. Just needs a locker in the front again and it will be up to the places you want to take it.