GTI, I didn't mean to attack any Cherokee, this time ... It's just my opinion that it isn't very smart to use a Cherokee on moderate and difficult trails. A lot of guys buy Cherokees, today. Unfortunately/fortunately, there are a lot of Cherokees around at cheap prices. I believe that many Cherokee buyers see the XJ as an inexpensive way to have a Jeep and get into the fun offroad. Cherokees work well on dirt roads, logging roads and easy to somewhat modrate trails; in many areas in the USA, a Cherokee will pleasantly provide the owner many years of service and limiting trail capabilities.

On this board, there are a lot of great looking Cherokees, and some are "built" well for the more difficult trails. At least once a year there is a post on the Colorado4x4 site, where a guy is complaining about the doors not closing properly on his Cherokee due to the unibody design not holding up to the body twisting on Colorado trails. Most Cherokees used on difficult trails have had basically a frame added to counter the trail body twisting; a lot of Cherokee owners simply add a cheap lift kit and taller tires, either knowingly hoping for the best, or unknowingly believe they have done all that is necessary to properly gain ground clearance and a greater breakover angle.

Hanging a huge bull bar bumper and 9000 lb winch on the Cherokee (never did that to mine) has got to be a challenge, engineering-wise. My greatest task on the Cherokee was simple maintenance, oil changes and changing out a starter. There isn't much room under the hood, or under the vehicle to do those things.

My wife's brother now has the 91 Cherokee Sport to take his family camping in the mountains, it's still going strong, burns some engine oil, and the 3 1/2 inch lift is keeping the guy out of trouble on the mild trails. But, from recent conversations, I think his four wheeling experiences are increasingly more difficult than he originally thought he would actually attempt in the mountains. We simply gave him the Cherokee about four years after we purchased the O2 Liberty Limited (too many Jeeps in the driveway); at the time, he needed basic transportation to work. The 91 XJ now has over 200,000 miles on the odometer; It's been a great station wagon for us and our extended family.

I will Agree with the both of you, on all points of interest. I bought my first Jeep in 99', A cherokee sport 4x4. It had the 4.0 and a little bigger tires than stock maybe 265's. The damn thing ran all over FLA getting me to work and back. I was a pipe fitter at the time carrying my own tools (lots of weight). With most of the tools in the rear of the truck, a canoe on top and all our fishing gear, along with trolling motor and dry cell batteries. Never had a problem getting every person home.
The Jeep is now driving my buddy to and from work and taking all his friends fishing almost every weekend.
I will have to say with city and highway driving along with the flat trails of FLA it is still around at 213,000 miles.
I had to get rid of it too with five Jeeps in the driveway, plus a friend in need. It was hard to part with the War Wagon.

Thanks for all the informative information everyone. Im picking up the jeep tomorrow and as soon as i get some new skins on it ill post some pics !

Great!

C. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sweet man.


No worries here Fred, our gang up here is pretty evenly split between Jeeps and Yoda's. Of couse split again between SAS/IFS Yodas and XJ/TJ's. We all dish it out and take the jabs but all in fun and we enjoy wheeling together.

Theres even some Fords, Subarus, Syncros, and land Rovers in the mix.

And yes my 91's doors don't close that well and the right corner of the hood lifts up about an inch when you get twisted. All the doors are dented, the fenders are caved in and the gas tank holds about 1/2 what it used to but it still goes wheeling. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />