i just want to throw my 2 cents in on the sand ? i've wheeled my '96 xj in the sand quite a bit. i don't jump it intentionally. i've never broke anything. i also have the auto and it's excellent in the dunes. the unibody construction is lightweight, the 2.72:1 low range seems perfect to me in the sand with 30's, nice soft suspension, and the H.O. 6 cyl has plenty of power, compared to other stock suv's. i drag raced a 454 chev pickup and kept up. the guy beat me by a little, my grill was at his rear tire after 100 yds or so, he said he was giving it all it had. i smoked a ranger several times. like, i couldn't even see him in my mirror he was so far back. never raced a yota but i'm sure the xj would kill any of them.

i think the xj is the best choice for an suv in the dunes. mine continually impresses me.