After years of dumping money into my 96 Xj to keep it offroadworthy I decided to man up and get the new trailhawk trim (KL?) Cherokee. Wasn't sold on the looks at first but after tooling around the test facility it was obvious how much more refined and capable the new chassis is. Question though, which aftermarket company is going to be the first to start really making parts for this thing? Cuz winter is coming soon and I want to take advantage of that.

 

What kind of off roading do you do?

 

You won't get anything other than floor mats and seat covers for a while.

 

Bushwhacker will prolly make fender flares for it before anybody else makes anything for it. Next will be a company that failed at making parts for any other car will make crap for the new cherokee and people will by it because they'll be first

 

How much did they give you for the 96 on trade in?

 

dont do it, keep the old, your XJ has many years left in it, and you wont spend 40 grand on it.

In all seriousness, its a Fiat/Dart chassis thats been overinflated, the front wheel drive 4 cylinder weighs 4000lbs, thats more than a 4.0L/4wd XJ, and makes less power. The trailhawk isnt worth the money, if you want a suitable XJ replacement, get a 4 Rubicon. the Rubicon or 4 door JK is the only thing that is really even comparable to an XJ, AND theres already ridiculous aftermarket support for them.

 

How much of a lift are you going to give it?

 

I doubt anybody will make a lift kit for the new Cherokees. Ifs and IRS is going to make it super expensive to lift, a lot like the patriot/ compass

 

If you can't get a xj off road worthy and have to buy a hill billy step child, then you sir are doing something wrong lol

 

You may have to dump money into the KL if you're going to off road it, unless nothing goes wrong with it.

 

So far the trailhawk in stock form is up to par with my Xj, however obviously it will be more costly to mod. I feel like most people who dislike the newer one are short on funds :/. As far as lift I would say no more than 6 inches. Fenderflares would be an easy style mod also, thanks for the suggestion. Appreciate the input from everyone

 

That's an arrogant statement and it shows that you haven't listened to the complaints. A lot of people who dislike the KL have a list of reasons that doesn't include cost. For an offroad rig, though, I'd rather tear up a disposable $1k vehicle that I can cheaply build and insure than a $30k+ crossover.

 

Most people who disliked the Aztec were probably short on funds too.

 

I will be very surprised if anybody makes a lift larger then 2 inches for the new Cherokee.

 

Well as owner of both I guess I'm an unbiased opinion then.