looking for a good off roading suv

[TRanger03]

after banging up my ranger this past weekend, i want to find an suv that would be good for wheeling. I was thinking either an old fullsize bronco, bII, or grand cherokee. I've scoped out all the nearby cities on craigslist and couldn't find a bronco or bII in my price range. What do you all think of grand cherokees? there are quite a few cheap ones in solid condition in my area and probably the most bang for my buck.

 

[Surrey]

Cherokee's are unibody, which I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot clown pole.
Also, they run V8 engines, not sure if gas is a concern.

I have no real comment on a fullsize Bronco, other than again, v8 engine, and they are wider than cherokee or a b2.

b2's are nice, but if you can't afford one, and like the cherokees, I would suggest looking at an Explorer. The early ones (1990-1994) have a better engine and axles than a b2, and considering they were the best selling SUV for like 15 years, there are a LOT of them around... Which means you can usually find one for dirt cheap.

And then you dont have to go join some silly jeep forums. lol

 

[wakingtowinter]

x2 on the explorer. They come with the 31 spline 8.8 which is considerably stronger than the 28 spline ranger 8.8, and sometimes can be found with L/S. Also I believe 95 and up models have disc brakes. Or go for the B2 and upgrade the axles.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Explorer Sports have most of the size benefits of a BII without the powertrain diadvantages.

 

[MountainMike]

Cherokee's are unibody, which I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot clown pole. Also, they run V8 engines, not sure if gas is a concern.

I don't want to be pedantic here but Grand Cherokee =/= Cherokee.

Only the Grands got V8's, the Cherokees either got equipped with the 4cyl or I6. The 4.0L I6 is a great engine. And FWIW the unibody Cherokees hold up just fine for most people offroad purposes and then some. It just means when it comes to lift time you have to pony up for a suspension vs. body lift.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

One of the girls that rents office space from us has a grand cherokee limited with the 318 and that thing is one problem after the other, matter of fact I am going to put a fan clutch in it tomorrow, last week it was a heater motor. the week before the wiring in the doors shorted out and dont even try to get the distributor cap off with that 318 stuffed in there.

 

[Surrey]

I don't want to be pedantic here but Grand Cherokee =/= Cherokee.

Only the Grands got V8's, the Cherokees either got equipped with the 4cyl or I6. The 4.0L I6 is a great engine. And FWIW the unibody Cherokees hold up just fine for most people offroad purposes and then some. It just means when it comes to lift time you have to pony up for a suspension vs. body lift.

True, but he said Grand Cherokees. I didn't feel like typing grand out over and over.

Either way, I still say Explorer is a nicer choice... I had a Cherokee with the 2.5l 4cyliner, and it wasn't a bad truck at all, but the options available cost more.

 

[--weezl--]

my honest opinion, if it were my money, full size bronco with a 300 block...

eddie bauer editions are nice, with a big lift and 35's minimum mmm pure sex right there i would do dual sticks too...

 

[exbass94]

Cherokee's are unibody, which I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot clown pole.
Also, they run V8 engines, not sure if gas is a concern.

Not all Grand Cherokees have V8s. They came with the 4.0 I6 too...

 

[superdave1984]

I had a Cherokee and LOVED the thing. Wish I had never sold it. Was great off road and on. 4.0 I-6 is nearly indestructible. TONS of aftermarket parts too. You can usually pick them up pretty cheap too. Don't underestimate a unibody vehicle.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

I run a '99 Explorer. At first I was a 'lil upset by the lack of lifting options, but if you do your research like I did, you can easily get 4" of lift out of it for around $400(maybe less south of canada. lol). But I just installed the add-a-leaf(designed for chevys) for $60(it was suffering from the explorer sag), I'm picking up warrior shackles that'll lift the rear another 1.5-2 inches($79), crank the torsion bars for your 2" up front(FREE, unless you buy the tuff country torsion keys), then a 2" body lift(designed for a gen 1, but there IS a way to make it work), which will be the last thing I do.

If you really want to get hardcore, there IS a 4" suspension lift from Superlift out there, but I don't have $2000 to throw at my truck right now. lol


2" body lift instructions --->http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25069

Warrior Shackles --->http://www.warriorproducts.com/catalog/1976-1986-jeep-cj/suspension/greaseable-shackles/

Pro Comp add-a-leaf --->http://www.procompusa.com/prodDetail.aspx?partNo=EXP13120&catID=1&subCat=399&ptID=5488&plID=1853

I'm not sure which body lift I'll go with, but when I figure that out, I'll post it on my build thread.

Good luck on your hunt!

 

[disciplerocks]

Broncos aree too big. If you cant find a B2 then maybe an Explorer sport? It wont have the length of a 4dr Ex for better turns. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Twister]

First gen explorers are always good, cherokees can be nice but grand cherokees feel to plastic to me. There is also a pathfinder, 1st or 2nd gen.

 

[ozziemo27]

If you really want to get hardcore, there IS a 4" suspension lift from Superlift out there, but I don't have $2000 to throw at my truck right now. lol

A 4" superlift isn't hardcore, its just a shitty way to piss away your money, don't ask me how I know.

 

[rickf92592]

Fan or not, the Cherokee has a ton of support and they race the crap out of them in Baja.
Straight front axle, good wheel travel, etc.
I like the full full Broncos but I wouldn't turn my nose up at a Cherokee.