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.
