<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> It's always interesting to see what others read into a post! herc, no one said anything denigrating the cherokee offroad capability. But, you can build an offroad rockcrawling vehicle out of car, too! Is it practical? Probably not. The point was that it would be best to use a Wrangler instead of a Cherokee if someone is buying a new rig specifically for rockcrawling with 35" tires for ground clearance.

Every region probably has at least some challenging four wheeling venues, but I never have personally heard of any challenging rockcrawling venues in Texas. Your UNIBODIED Cherokee w/ ROLL CAGE will probably enjoy an unimpaired and unparalleled longevity there in Texas in contrast to a similarly built-Cherokee frequently traversing difficult rockcrawling trails, such as the Rubicon Trail mentioned above.

herc you're not alone, I commonly see posts from many Jeep owners endorsing or defending what they have done to their rig when it may not be the best technical resolution to a particular vehicle's drawback. Bolstered sheet metal will never give the desired support/strength required for a rockcrawling 4x4 vehicle that is provided by a frame under the tub; as it is now, Jeep Wrangler frames are just barely adequate, at best. A roll cage does little to provide the strength to protect against the type of damage being discussed here.

If cargo area and 4-doors are the reasons a Cherokee is being considered over a Wrangler, the Unlimited Wrangler that comes stock with dana 44 rear axles appears to have even more cargo area that the Cherokee: and, the new 07 Unlimited Wrangler will be available with 4-doors.

Personally, I always recommend buying newer metal and newer technology for the basic platform to build a Jeep rockcrawler. I suspect most people who build a Jeep rockcrawler only build one, and they have that vehicle forever ... and they are constantly modifying/improving their beguiling creation. It's easy to invest way too much money into your Jeep rockcrawler; so much that most four wheelers can not afford to replace the vehicle and start again. Usually, it's less expensive to simply modify and upgrade. In that regard, it's best to start with a newer Jeep platform that has the inherent essential strength for the rocky trails and best suited for easily performed modifications.

Cherokees look great jacked-up with 35" or greater tires under them; but having your vehicle sitting so high up isn't very practical. Just getting in and out of the vehicle on a trail run so many times gets to be "really old" after awhile. Now, a TJ Wrangler can easily be set-up for running 35's without getting ridiculously high off-the-ground; and, can still be conveniently used as a daily-driver, if-need-be.

Hey, hurc, wheel what you've got, but carefully consider what you build into a rockcrawler!