Cherokee vs Xterra - whatchoo think?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Taylorsville, UT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
You guys that are all about Solid axle > IFS ...
I just want to know when? I understand it's stronger and should articulate better but...
I have the same size tires as my friend with a Suzuki Sidekick so our rear end clearence is basically the same. Up front he has IFS and goes right through deep mud and ruts that I get stuck in all the time. I also have a front locker so I pull through stuff other Jeeps cannot but still I'm not on par with the sidekick. I feel my front axle dragging all the time, and then I get stuck while he keeps going.
This makes me feel like the solid front is not as good for mud unless you have tires big enough to need the added strength.
I just want to know when? I understand it's stronger and should articulate better but...
I have the same size tires as my friend with a Suzuki Sidekick so our rear end clearence is basically the same. Up front he has IFS and goes right through deep mud and ruts that I get stuck in all the time. I also have a front locker so I pull through stuff other Jeeps cannot but still I'm not on par with the sidekick. I feel my front axle dragging all the time, and then I get stuck while he keeps going.
This makes me feel like the solid front is not as good for mud unless you have tires big enough to need the added strength.
Unfortunately, I run so little mud, I can't comment on whether IFS offers a known advantage in the bogging scene.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: mass
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 high output
my friend talking about his Xterra "truck" lol
Reece Buntin Had my truck 3 years and never been stuck.....got stuck twice in 5 minutes IN MY DRIVEWAY!!!!! WTF???? Took an hour to get out.....
Joel Alcon How do you get stuck TWICE in your own driveway, in only a 5 minute span. This doesn't make sense, lol.
Reece Buntin I tell you this.....it wasn't fun!!!!
Steve Kang all wheel drive ftw.
Reece Buntin Yea, i have the choice between 4wd and awd on my truck......neither got it done lol
John Aziz this is why you need a jeep! lol
Reece Buntin Ha, that is true! Did you end up going skiing?
John Aziz yea, ended up going to wachusett
this same day I drove my jeep through the snow storm to go snowboarding and there was nowhere I got stuck. lol
Reece Buntin Had my truck 3 years and never been stuck.....got stuck twice in 5 minutes IN MY DRIVEWAY!!!!! WTF???? Took an hour to get out.....
Joel Alcon How do you get stuck TWICE in your own driveway, in only a 5 minute span. This doesn't make sense, lol.
Reece Buntin I tell you this.....it wasn't fun!!!!
Steve Kang all wheel drive ftw.
Reece Buntin Yea, i have the choice between 4wd and awd on my truck......neither got it done lol
John Aziz this is why you need a jeep! lol
Reece Buntin Ha, that is true! Did you end up going skiing?
John Aziz yea, ended up going to wachusett
this same day I drove my jeep through the snow storm to go snowboarding and there was nowhere I got stuck. lol
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,275
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From: North Carolina
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Gas
To answer the question "when," you mostly answered it yourself with the stronger and articulation comment. The parts are generally stronger for high torque situations, and the articulation is a huge benefit in rock crawling. So, I think rock crawling and technical wheeling is where they are most obviously superior. The lack of flex will often hurt most when making a given obstacle or run much more tippy. Also, the big increase in tire liftage may cause more traction loss without a locker.
Unfortunately, I run so little mud, I can't comment on whether IFS offers a known advantage in the bogging scene.
Unfortunately, I run so little mud, I can't comment on whether IFS offers a known advantage in the bogging scene.
We don't have any rocks around here so I'm starting to think IFS is better for mud.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9
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Model: Cherokee
IfS has more front clearance for mud ruts....and if you plate the underbelly correctly it will just slide over things...and not get caught like a solid front axle pumpkin would. so yes...depending on the build it can be better for mudding if done correctly.
let's put it this way. my two buddies with XJ's have more trouble in muddy trails than I do (the traction control systems on the new gen Xterra are also some of the best on the market)....but they destroy my X on the rocks with their ridiculous articulation and massive clearance and approach/departure angles. it's just how it is.
and X2 on not caring what kind of 4x4 it is. I just like that people take their junk out on the trails...if all I did was wheel with other X's all the time it would be boring has hell
let's put it this way. my two buddies with XJ's have more trouble in muddy trails than I do (the traction control systems on the new gen Xterra are also some of the best on the market)....but they destroy my X on the rocks with their ridiculous articulation and massive clearance and approach/departure angles. it's just how it is.
and X2 on not caring what kind of 4x4 it is. I just like that people take their junk out on the trails...if all I did was wheel with other X's all the time it would be boring has hell
Last edited by Rook; Jan 15, 2011 at 04:25 PM.
CF Veteran
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Posts: 2,844
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From: Warsaw, IN
Year: 2000,1990,1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Independent does have some good advantages....
But quads are a different story. They handle the abuse a LOT better than our full size vehicles mainly because of the weight difference.
But quads are a different story. They handle the abuse a LOT better than our full size vehicles mainly because of the weight difference.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 566
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From: riverside,ca
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Nothing bad to say about exterras...I like my jeep better for the travel and cost of upgrades...but I'm sure exterras are super nice to ride in on the trail! Were all brothers/sisters in dirt/rocks/sand or whatever. So to each his own...: ) I'd like to see some pics of modified exterras though....
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9
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Model: Cherokee
Nothing bad to say about exterras...I like my jeep better for the travel and cost of upgrades...but I'm sure exterras are super nice to ride in on the trail! Were all brothers/sisters in dirt/rocks/sand or whatever. So to each his own...: ) I'd like to see some pics of modified exterras though....
....some of the biggest, baddest, xterra's in the world.....http://www.thenewx.org/forum/forumdi...esc&sort=views
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 863
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From: Lynchburg, Va.
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2/318 MSD Electronic Upgrades
Nothing bad to say about exterras...I like my jeep better for the travel and cost of upgrades...but I'm sure exterras are super nice to ride in on the trail! Were all brothers/sisters in dirt/rocks/sand or whatever. So to each his own...: ) I'd like to see some pics of modified exterras though....
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,844
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From: Warsaw, IN
Year: 2000,1990,1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by NateDawgG
Hi guys, long time. Here's a photo I took that I figured this forum would appreciate. What is it? Look very closely.........
Last edited by jcwclm; Jan 10, 2012 at 03:55 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: New York, NY
Year: 2005 Xterra OR
CF Veteran
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Posts: 2,844
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From: Warsaw, IN
Year: 2000,1990,1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by NateDawgG
Look at the action in the background. Seems as if somebody is giving Mr. Xterra a tug!
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Joined: Jul 2009
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I never laid claim of the Xterra being better than anything off road, so I don't know who got that idea. Nor was I trying to be foolish, if that's what you're suggesting. I came over here in the interest of equanimity because there was some jeep bashing going on over at clubxterra.org. Being a (usually) rational person, I wanted to hear what you guys thought.
I love my X. It's a great vehicle stock. I've gone roading many times in it on trails rated "difficult" with the only problem being ground clearance, but with a spotter and a few well placesd rocks I've never had to turn back. I got her used with 10,000 miles and now she has almost 60,000 miles on her with the only issue being a faulty fuel level sensor. I've followed plenty of Jeep guys and kept up just fine. Now I have a 2" SL and 33" BFGs, rock sliders, Volant intake and Magnaflo exhaust and am doing fine.
When Motor Trend reviewed the 2005 Xterra (the first of the 2nd generation Xterras) they could not stop signing it's praise. It out accelerated and braked the competition. On the trail and off the trail it was voted the best of both worlds. Yes, there are vehicles out there that beat it off the road AND there are vehicles that will beat it on the road, but few that will beat it ON and OFF road. They repeatedly drove it over obstacles they figured it had no right to do and were surprised at it's performance. So not only is it one of the best combination off/on road vehicles out there, it comes witha roof rack, plenty of storage, skid plates AND the back folds down completely flat. And that means my dumb *** doesn't have to get out to set up a tent on a freezing night after a day of roading. And that makes me happy.
That's why I chose an Xterra. And I love the way it looks. And it was assembled in Mississippi which makes me happy too.
I love my X. It's a great vehicle stock. I've gone roading many times in it on trails rated "difficult" with the only problem being ground clearance, but with a spotter and a few well placesd rocks I've never had to turn back. I got her used with 10,000 miles and now she has almost 60,000 miles on her with the only issue being a faulty fuel level sensor. I've followed plenty of Jeep guys and kept up just fine. Now I have a 2" SL and 33" BFGs, rock sliders, Volant intake and Magnaflo exhaust and am doing fine.
When Motor Trend reviewed the 2005 Xterra (the first of the 2nd generation Xterras) they could not stop signing it's praise. It out accelerated and braked the competition. On the trail and off the trail it was voted the best of both worlds. Yes, there are vehicles out there that beat it off the road AND there are vehicles that will beat it on the road, but few that will beat it ON and OFF road. They repeatedly drove it over obstacles they figured it had no right to do and were surprised at it's performance. So not only is it one of the best combination off/on road vehicles out there, it comes witha roof rack, plenty of storage, skid plates AND the back folds down completely flat. And that means my dumb *** doesn't have to get out to set up a tent on a freezing night after a day of roading. And that makes me happy.
That's why I chose an Xterra. And I love the way it looks. And it was assembled in Mississippi which makes me happy too.
Thread Starter
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From: New York, NY
Year: 2005 Xterra OR
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 26
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From: New York, NY
Year: 2005 Xterra OR
In fact, that Jeep helped winch at least 3 Xterras up the slope on our run. It was a Nextarra.org run I went on last Saturday. There were 2 Jeeps and one Toyota on the run. I don't believe the Toyota got stuck.
