Hey everybody!
Brand new to the forum and soon to be new to the world of jeeps as well!
I was just wondering if i could get some recommendations.. I'm looking to purchase an early to late 90's either Cherokee or Grand Cherokee and was just wondering which is the better choice.
I will be mainly using the truck for light off road, gravel roads and trails, and around town.. minimal highway driving except to get to and from the mountains. I am interested in modifying to include around a 4 inch suspension lift and maybe 33 inch tires to start.
I do know the Grand Cherokee offers more creature comforts but i'm more interested in which perform better for the type of driving im interested in..
If any jeep owners could provide feedback on what they like and dont like about their rigs and possibly recommend accessories such as lift kids and whatnot it would be much appreciated!
Thanks everybody!

 

I personally prefer cherokees bc I think they look better than grand cherokees. I have never owned a grand but i have heard many stories about electrical issues.

 

ive had some of each and have one of each still....... i love my V8 ZJ but there are tons more cheaper aftermarket parts for the XJ.
I kept my ZJ practical and didnt go high with the lift and use it for short road trips.

 

ZJ is a better DD rig, much more comfortable. The XJ is cheaper to mod and repair. An equally modded ZJ can out wheel a XJ, coil spring are more flexy than leafs, but at almost 2X the cost. In my house the girls, wife and 2 daughter prefer the ZJ, I prefer the XJ.

 

The XJ has a more bullet proof transmission, is lighter, has more aftermarket support, cheap to buy, looks better with dents and mud on them, is just a cool and rugged vehicle. Small changes make the XJ look completely different, and people can actually see that it may go off road. ZJ are great too, but they kind of a "Mall Crawler" following with soccer moms and dudes that wear ties driving them. I would still take a ZJ over a Hummer H2 any day, but I will always choose an XJ over the ZJ.

 

I had a 93 zj and have had multiple xj. For what you are getting it for, I would get a grand cherokee.

 

Had them both, XJ's are easy to mod and parts are somewhat cheap. ZJs' are great DDs' and handle the road well...paved or not.

 

and get better gas mileage

 

My zj is only 2wd but I love it. Very comfortable on and off the road. Still want my xj over it tho

 

Have both, love my grand cherokee for driving all over because it has a more comfy feel.... love my cherokee because she can go n e ware ...

 

OUCH!!! I personally HATE wearing ties, my ZJ is practically never at the mall. But I do agree, the ZJ rides better on the road. And the ZJ is a little mroe roomy (but not a lot). Budget Boost is dirt simple, 4 coil spacers and DONE! Though mine does see off pavement travel, it has a lot of trail pinstriping, but no dents yet (well, none visible, afraid to pull the plastic cladding!!!). Front suspension is all the same XJ/ZJ/TJ. Rear, well, its still usually a D35.



For the record, I also have a XJ and it feels like it is a lot lighter...

 

haha, see the xj creepin in the background listening in to make sure you say nothing bad about it

 

Thanks for all the quick replies everybody!
I myself was leaning towards an XJ because they looked like more of a rugged kind of truck and the ZJ looked a bit tamer but i have a buddy that wants me to go with the ZJ because he says it would be more comfortable... Even tho comfort is important i will take practicality and functionality any day!

 

they are both functional. the grand will go everywhere the xj does with the same lift

 

Ya i figure either way i cant really go wrong.. both seem to be quite capable machines