so im in the market for a cherokee to build as a trail machine. i prefer a regular cherokee over a grand cherokee but got to thinking, what is the difference mechanically between the two? is a grand cherokee a trailworthy machine or is a regular cherokee my best bet. i searched several times and came up with nothing so i figured id post. thanks

 

i think other than the v8 option. nicer interior options and the body style. not much more. small stuff like bigger tie rods but those you can put on any normal xj

 

Rear coils rather than leafs

 

is the grand cherokee as trail worthy as a cherokee due to the rear coilovers and which one is cheaper to build? i just wanna open my options up if i happen to find a reasonable grand cherokee. bc as always, when im lookin for a certain vehicle theyre nowhere to be found. but as soon as i find something else or give up theyre EVERYWHERE lol

 

The zj will cost more to build. Bumpers and lifts cost more most early models came with a tardy five and 249 transfer case. But as far as witch one is better that is all OP. I love my zj and it dose great. my friends have xj's and they do great. Xj or zj is up to you.

 

oh ok. thats somewhat good to hear bc it opens up my options. i looked at rough country and they arent much more than a xj. another question is is the lift size to tire size ration the same for both the xj and zj? like is a 31x10.50 recommened on a 3" lift zj as it is recommended on a xj?

 

Zj for tire size you need to think 265 75 16 instead of the cherokee 31 10.50 15. Zj cost more to repair if your thinking a trail rig too