I've been planning a Jeep project for a couple of years. I owned a new Renegade back in my glory days. I do a little prospecting during the summer and would like to build a fun on-and-off-road Cherokee. I need more room than a Wrangler has for my gear and grandkids. I was pretty focused on an XJ but a workmate of mine is a three time Grand owner and he thinks they are the greatest. I don't want to start a forum war here but I'd like to know the facts about which one makes the better rig or whether it simply boils down to preference.

This will be a hobby/toy for me not a daily driver. I like the looks of the XJ better and have already developed some preferences by reading forums. I would like to find a soccer mom's four door rig with a 4.0 litre and NP231. Then install a 4" lift and 33" tires, a winch bumper and winch. Late 90's would be best, steering clear of the later cracking heads with the 0331 casting. I'm prepared to replace the rear main seal if leaking.

Any input would be appreciated. Hey I don't live on the computer so it might be a couple days between posts. Thanks!

 

A Grand will give you more creature comforts and more interior room, but they tend to have more electrical, tranny, and t-case issues. The transmission is definitely weaker in the Grands compared to the AW4 (auto) and AX-15 (stick) found in XJ's. Also, the NP242 t-case is weaker, mainly the chain, compared to the NP231. Some XJ's came with the 242, but not many. I'd recommend finding a 97-99 XJ so you can avoid the 0331 head, but still get the 29 spline 8.25 rear and the High Pinion D30.

If you want to run 33's on 4", you'll have to do some fender trimming to keep from rubbing, but it looks great IMO