Which to buy

[superdave1984]

2011 I have made a decision to save up and buy something to wheel in by end of the year. I miss my XJ more than I expected so I either want to get another one or possibly a Bronco II. I know Jeep guys are very loyal as are Ford guys. I have owned both so I don't have any brand loyalty. My question is which is the better street/trail rig? The B II is shorter wheelbase and a tad more nimble than the XJ, but typically under powered. Plus they don't come in 4 door. With kids that's a kind of big deal. I need the overall pros and cons of each.

 

[The_Dealer]

xj's make good trail rigs, but after alot of mods. out of the box the axles are weak(unless u get 97+ with the chrysler 8.25 rear. u have to get a good lift for decent amounts of flex(long arms reccomended). they do have alot of roomand the 4.0 is a good motor. i vote buy a cheap b2, sas with d44 and throw an 8.8 in the back. id start with a 2.9 90 model b2 and do the 90 4.0(pretty much plug and play) and u will be good to go. and for a lot cheaper then a decent xj

or get a suzuki samurai, soa for about 15 bux (u can get spring perches that will fit them from northern tool and tractor supply in the trailer section, swap in a sidekick motor, throw in some axle gears, trim the fenders and throw some 34" ltbs on it. search under the sami section on pirate4x4.com alot of very capable trail rigs made on a budget

 

[4.0B2]

get a 91-94 explorer 4 door, ford! not underpowered, 8.8- the jeep guys use it on xj's, then just d44 sas the front. or do a d44 and ford 9 inch axle swap.. PERFECT!

do NOT get me wrong, i love my b2 and will NOT replace it... but if you need 4 door, you need 4 door. and i'd have to get the ex then.. i don't want the xj b/c... i'm a ford guy

or something like this: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/287759/1999-ford-explorer

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

get a 91-94 explorer 4 door, ford! not underpowered, 8.8- the jeep guys use it on xj's, then just d44 sas the front. or do a d44 and ford 9 inch axle swap.. PERFECT!

The one I drive is anything but a powerhouse... never has been all that whoopie.

I wouldn't mind getting a TJ at some point, but there are so many vehicles on that list I will probably never get to it.

 

[pontiac_fiero_g]

of the two you listed id take the b2 but ive also always been partial to the early bronco ranger.

 

[The_Dealer]

here u go

need more room?

u can soa with some stock or aftermarker YJ springs and have mad flex
2.5" yj springs, soa, 35's

i just love these little fawkers. they are cheap, decently reliable, easy and cheap to mod using other rigs parts(yj springs, sidekick motor, yota axles) perfect junkyard buildup. they even make vw diesel swap kits. they get good mpg's as well

 

[4.0B2]

The one I drive is anything but a powerhouse... never has been all that whoopie.

I wouldn't mind getting a TJ at some point, but there are so many vehicles on that list I will probably never get to it.

the one i have and the 4.0 in the b2 (lighter i know...) is awesome. as much power as a 4.0 jeep is gonna give him.. or just simply gear it.
the aftermarket support is better on the jeep but you gotta do a rear axle swap on most of those.. to the FORD 8.8 or d44. the d30 you can get stuff like chromo's, the d30 is a pretty strong axle really.. but either way its gonna be a timely process. and will take money.. i just think the explorer would give a better base to build around then the unibody xj, remember no body lift on the xj. and mounting sliders is more work and stuff like that.

 

[4x4junkie]

Waste of $$$ to put chromos in a D30.

I would say it depends on what type of use you have in mind and whether you have a shop with a welder for fabbing stuff vs having to buy everything as a bolt-on (the Jeep would probably be a better choice if you don't have a welder).
Explorers are a bit on the heavy side, though they do have all the good stuff under them already whereas a BII (and like said, possibly even the Jeep) would need some swapping of components to be reliable with bigger tires offroad.
However there is also the fact everyone & their mother-in-law already has a Jeep, which could make it easier to go bum parts off others when you break stuff on it.

 

[martin]

If you absolutely need four doors the xj would be your best choice. I can't believe I just wrote that.

 

[strvger]

i'm just glad no one has mentioned a 4Runner!

 

[4.0B2]

i'm just glad no one has mentioned a 4Runner!

Why? I'd love to have a 1st gen 4runner, but he needs 4 doors so... A 22re sas'ed 4run on 35s and locked. Be great...

Just most people think they are made of gold and full of cocaine with the price people want for them

 

[superdave1984]

It isn't that I NEED 4 doors, but it would be really nice to have 4 doors. It will be used for regular street driving and weekend wheeling. My XJ that I sold had a 3 inch lift and 32's. No axle upgrades but it did pretty good offroad for an open diff. The 4.0 in the Jeep was pretty much indestructible but the transmission and t-case were weak. My thinking is stock XJ beats stock B II given same terrain and driver. But mods make it a different ballgame. I HATED working on the XJ because the engine compartment was so tight. Plus it has trouble staying cool on trails in summer even with a new rad and trans cooler. What probably will make the decision is finding one at a price I just can't pass up no matter what it is.

 

[pillen140]

Ive always like b2s better. xjs are nice though too. depends how much youre going to modify it. xj has way more room. but broncos are cool as shit, and you dont see as many of them.

 

[mhughes165]

IF your are going to get a XJ, get urself a 95-96 cherokee with a 4.0 5spd, the 4.0 HO is a very healthy motor, and mated to a 5speed they just go(the spd that comes behind them is a AX15 the good jeep trans)

i would still however go with a solid frame vehicle if building something for the trails, shit tends to break on cherokees....ALOT....

JEEP- Just Empty Every Pocket

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

Looked at a 97 Cherokee today,$350,has almost 250,000 miles on it lol.
4X4 works,new rad and o2 sensor.just need something for the snow to get to work in.