Cherokee Chat General non-tech Cherokee chat
XJ/MJ/ZJ/WJ

xj or tj??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-30-2011, 09:41 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
pelexj90's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: RI
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 baby
Default xj or tj??

recently had an offer to trade my 98 xj for a 97 stock tj with a little less mileage..ive been contemplating for a few days now what do u guys think?
Old 09-30-2011, 09:45 AM
  #2  
Seasoned Member
 
sj2000xj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: South jersey
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Xj can fit more groceries
Old 09-30-2011, 09:56 AM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
Gee oh Dee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 21,168
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 1987
Engine: Check
Default

My wife has a 98 TJ, she loves it. Other than lack of interior space, they aren't that different.

If you do go to the other side, don't get an attitude and become an arrogant *****.
Old 09-30-2011, 10:17 AM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
dogger15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,339
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Model: Cherokee
Default

I see xj for wheeling they look way better when flexing out. Tj I see more as a dd

Also xj has more space

Last edited by dogger15; 09-30-2011 at 10:24 AM.
Old 09-30-2011, 10:22 AM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
Gee oh Dee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 21,168
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 1987
Engine: Check
Default

Originally Posted by dogger15
I see xj for wheeling they look way better when flexing out. Tj I see more as a dd
O.o
Old 09-30-2011, 10:30 AM
  #6  
Newbie
 
Art_XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Hi, Sir....
IMHO, we can't compare those cars....I drive both a XJ and a YJ (not an TJ, I know), and couldn't decide to get rid off none of them. The TJ is way more comfortable than the YJ (used to own a '99 TJ for almost five years), but the car's utility is quite similar in both of them (except for motorway journeys )
If you're used to a comfortable, quiet car, keep your XJ with you. It's the best car ever meda...don't they say that...????
Cheers...
Old 09-30-2011, 10:31 AM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
razor02097's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 stock
Default

That is a tough one... the TJ might have more resale value... The TJ has an actual frame, coiled springs in the rear and more aftermarket support. However many many came with 4 cylinder engines... also with the dreaded Dana 35 rear axle. You haven't really said anything specific about the TJ other than it is a stock 97.

If it was a 4 liter with the AX15 I would be banging on the guy's door right now!


In the defense of the XJ.

The XJ is WAY more versatile and at least IMO has much better road manners. The cargo area is bigger in the XJ. Unless it is a hardtop TJ the security is better in the XJ. IMO a built XJ will trump the cookie cutter wrangler any day of the week in looks and in many cases... function! It is cheaper to find parts for the XJ in the JY because they are so plentiful. Plus you have Cherokeeforum.com
Old 09-30-2011, 10:37 AM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
jeepokee95xj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wartrace, TN
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

I'm probly gunna catch a lotta flack for this, but here's my honest opinion. I love my XJ more than anything sides my kids and my ole lady, but if i found a fool that'd trade me a descent TJ with a 4.0 and a 5spd, I'd deff put it on him. There's a lotta ppl on here that will say the XJ is better, and they may actually believe that, but it's simply not true. The one and ONLY advantage the XJ has over a TJ is interior room, O wait, and towing capacity. TJ's are superior in just about every aspect other than that. U can run bigger tires with less lift cuz the wheel wells are bigger. The Wrangler has better aproach, break over and departure angles. They're built tougher to. More like a truck, where the XJ is built more like a car. To be Honest, the only reason i drive an XJ is $. U can pick up NICE XJ's for 2-3000 dollars. The Cheapest u can find, most clapped out, rust bucket TJ will bring nearly twice that. Im so sorry CF. If u tell anybody i said all that, I'll deny it. =)
Old 09-30-2011, 01:06 PM
  #9  
Member
 
XJ Rat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Back when I lived in PA, I had a 99 TJ bought new in Nov 98. It was a Sport with the 4.0 and AX-15. We wheeled in places like Paragon and around the Shamokin. My club cut the first trails at Rausch Creek. I had $10K in mods in that TJ, yet it still looked fairly stock. For wheelin, get the TJ hands down.

Last year I traded the TJ for a 98 Classic. It has a 4.0 liter and AW4. My off roading has mellowed in the last few years, so the TJ, while capable, was not what I needed any longer. For driving comfort and interior storage there is no comparison, the XJ wins hands down. My Classic is still very capable off road.

I remember XJ's did pretty good keeping up with us TJ and YJ drivers. But the XJs that got used developed ripples in the body between the lower rear side glass and the hatch, and stress cracks throughout. The unit body could not handle the stress of no frame.

If you wanna wheel, get the TJ. Light wheeling and daily driving, keep your XJ.
Old 09-30-2011, 02:20 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
razor02097's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 stock
Default

Originally Posted by XJ Rat
Back when I lived in PA, I had a 99 TJ bought new in Nov 98. It was a Sport with the 4.0 and AX-15. We wheeled in places like Paragon and around the Shamokin. My club cut the first trails at Rausch Creek. I had $10K in mods in that TJ, yet it still looked fairly stock. For wheelin, get the TJ hands down.

Last year I traded the TJ for a 98 Classic. It has a 4.0 liter and AW4. My off roading has mellowed in the last few years, so the TJ, while capable, was not what I needed any longer. For driving comfort and interior storage there is no comparison, the XJ wins hands down. My Classic is still very capable off road.

I remember XJ's did pretty good keeping up with us TJ and YJ drivers. But the XJs that got used developed ripples in the body between the lower rear side glass and the hatch, and stress cracks throughout. The unit body could not handle the stress of no frame.

If you wanna wheel, get the TJ. Light wheeling and daily driving, keep your XJ.
You must have been through some insane stuff... normally some flexing in a rock garden isn't going to kill the unit body like that.
Old 10-01-2011, 07:23 AM
  #11  
CF Veteran
 
caged's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 7,874
Received 94 Likes on 85 Posts
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

i have two tj's and two xj's.

i say go for it. you can always get another xj later, for far less money than a tj. you'd be crazy if you didn't.

i like my tj's. both are daily driver/weekend warriors with budget boost and 33's. both 4.0L and ax15 and crappy d35 rear axles (sport models).

i like the fact you can take the top and doors off for a nice cruise.
the yak drives one as her dd and she wheels the crap out of it. it always drives home.

but if i could, i would almost always grab the keys for the xj. it's way more comfortable.
Old 10-01-2011, 08:31 AM
  #12  
CF Veteran
 
jcwclm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Warsaw, IN
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2000,1990,1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by XJ Rat
Back when I lived in PA, I had a 99 TJ bought new in Nov 98. It was a Sport with the 4.0 and AX-15. We wheeled in places like Paragon and around the Shamokin. My club cut the first trails at Rausch Creek. I had $10K in mods in that TJ, yet it still looked fairly stock. For wheelin, get the TJ hands down.

Last year I traded the TJ for a 98 Classic. It has a 4.0 liter and AW4. My off roading has mellowed in the last few years, so the TJ, while capable, was not what I needed any longer. For driving comfort and interior storage there is no comparison, the XJ wins hands down. My Classic is still very capable off road.

I remember XJ's did pretty good keeping up with us TJ and YJ drivers. But the XJs that got used developed ripples in the body between the lower rear side glass and the hatch, and stress cracks throughout. The unit body could not handle the stress of no frame.

If you wanna wheel, get the TJ. Light wheeling and daily driving, keep your XJ.

Yeah, don't think a yj will outwheel an xj in most situations. Tj, yes probably, but not a yj.
Old 10-01-2011, 01:28 PM
  #13  
Registered Users
 
XJ Knight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Western NY
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Uh Um Um can you afford to own both?? Thats really the only way to win even though you can't go wrong with either or
Old 10-02-2011, 12:01 PM
  #14  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
pelexj90's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: RI
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 baby
Default

i decided to keep my xj it was only 2.5l and i thought about it and i put way too much time/money into mine lol.
Old 10-02-2011, 12:20 PM
  #15  
Registered Users
 
XJ Knight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Western NY
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

The I4 does leave a something to be desired.. Good call



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:17 AM.