Still shopping around for a Cherokee and I have a couple questions.
One, is there any advantages of the 4 door over the 2 door version? What about the difference in the wheelbase?
Also, I would prefer to get a manual tranny, but most of what I am seeing for sale are auto's. If I end up having to get an auto, are they that hard to convert to manual?

Thanks for any help.

 

No advantage(except the ease of getting 4 people in and out), but a lot of people like the 2 door(especially when building a serious wheeler), but they are more rare. Also there is no difference in the wheelbase. They are both the same, they just put bigger doors on the bugger for the 2 door. I personally like the 4 door, but I don't wheel mine, it needs to travel 4 people without the pain of 2 doors.

 

No wheelbase difference between the two and for the swap you'll need to add the clutch petal, slave, change the flywheel, theres something else but I'm having a blond moment for some reason.

 

Thanks for the replies. Looks like it will be the four door then, just to make things easier for the kids. Have to dig around some more about that tranny swap. Doesn't seem to awful difficult. But we all know how that goes.

 

4 door means easier access, but no rear cup holders. 2 doors are rarer, but you do get rear cup holders. No difference in wheelbase. Swapping in the 5 speed means a clurch petal, slave, flywheel, and I believe a computer change too. I think that's all.

 

No problem, good luck! And make sure to post some pics when you do buy one!

 

I'd honestly look for one that has full-time 4x4. Most just have the part-time system as the full-time was an option or maybe even standard on higher trim models.
Full-time I find to be a lot more useful then the parttime, and more usable as well.

 

Except that the NP242 (available full time 4wd) is a weaker t-case than the NP231 (part time only).

 

Its not weaker, just people use them incorrectly... (using ft 4wd for hard wheeling, not good)
the 4 means it is a stronger tcase than the 231.

I can tell you, today I really wished I had the 242. I was late for school, the highway was too slushy for 2wd (I was getting pushed all over the road) but too dry for 4hi (it would hop/grab)

 

Well, my eventual plan would be to swap in a dana 300 or if I can ever justify it, an
atlas ll. Not sure that'll ever happen though.

 

so, i know that the 4.0L's are awesome, and the 8cyls less so, but how much less so, and how many miles can one expect out of them,etc? am looking for a commuter with some light-medium o/r duty, most available are mid-90 laredo's. some with the 6, some with the 8. advice, questions, comments, theories?

 

Clarification - the 231 is more durable - especially off road. That's what I meant by stronger. Yes, the 242 is a stronger t-case material wise, but they're not as durable when it comes to hard wheeling. i have to admit though, it'd be nice to be able to use 4wd while on slick pavement.

 

As mileage my 96 has just about 200k and goin strong. Ive seen alot of 180k still pushing good

 

was that on the 6 or 8 cyl? i know the 6's go forever,i was wondering how good the 8's are

 

Thats on the 6 sorry bout that