You can always swap a tracker motor in a sammy, very popular swap. But yeah trackers will go decent since they're short wheel base and light, but there is just no comparison with ifs and a solid front end. I've wheeled with ifs (s10 blazer) and it did not work very well at all for my style. Sure an ifs will work better at speed and on the road though.

 

I like the 1.6 swap for the Samurai, but then you're talking down time, I can't have an unusable vehicle sitting in the garage I have to be able to drive it daily. I am considering the Calmini solid axle swap for the Tracker if I decide to trade.

 

Yeah and you're probably going to see just as much down time doing a SAS as a motor swap. But if that were the case I would go with the typical yota axle route. It would be the same outcome with a samurai or tracker I suppose. It's not everyday that you see a tracker on the trails either.

 

That's one of my issues, I hate the norm, and Cherokee are becoming such a common builder. I like something a little more unique. There are NO lifted Trackers around here. I've seen 1 in like 10 years.

 

jeep. No question.

I have two buddys that wheel trackers, one on 31"s and one on 33"s. Niether can pull the tires well and never leave 4lo on the trails. IIRC the 1.6 with 5 speed manual already runs 5.13 or so ratios in the axles, I wouldnt want to drop them much lower.. so now you have to look into lowering the gearing in the Tcase, which is about $700 in parts + labor if you cant do it yourself.. In the end, you have a tiny 4 cylinder spinning 4K rpm's in the mud and STILL cant clean out the tires.

They go threw engine like I go threw beer... currently swapping in the 3'rd engine in the buddys yellow tracker in 2 years.

IFS SUCKS.

No room in the tracker.

Where did you hear the tracker got better MPG? My 4.0ho gets better gas milage then either the trackers my buddys own.


They are fairly good TRAIL rigs in stock form, but far from a mudder or rock crawler.

 

$1000 for a bumper? I just paid like $515 for a winch bumper..$1000 seems way over priced.

 

Excellent points indeed. I suppose if I keep the Jeep, the question becomes how do I get my Cherokee to really stand out and be different from the others. I am up to the challenge.

 

That up to you to figure out, think of things most people dont do.. heck idk, build a XJ prerunner.

I'd be more worreid about having a vehicle that will do what I want it to do, then being different what everone els has.

 

Well I want it to do everything I want and not look like every other XJ, not sure what direction to take but if I ever had tools and the skills to fab, I'd be dangerous.

Like with my Bronco II project.

 

what ive got to say bout that is that maybe you should try to figure things out yourself. take a side project, take it slow, work on it when you have time, maybe find a friend that knows a little about it to give u a helpful hand or advice. start simple. things that use everyday hand tools. for example do minor modifications to your cherokee yourself such as fender flares, exhaust/intake, maybe a budget boost(coil spacers and shackles). aquire more tools and knowledge over time and soon enough you will have a nicely built offroad vehicle, the pride of building it yourself, and new knowledge as well. you can always try to figure things out and if you need help, everybody on cherokee forum can be a big help too. that way you won't get screwed by anybody.

 

Google and gather ideas. search build threads. No matter what you end up building, you can always get mod ideas from XJ's or any other build. As far as I'm concerned, every XJ is unique. And people who are passionate about it can do some amazing things--i see it on here every day.

I once felt the same way--I had a lifted Ranger on 33's and would go wheeling with all my Jeep buddies. And more than keep up with them (even with IFS!) but the lack of local and aftermarket support for my Ranger, but mostly the frame rot, were ultimately why I went with the XJ--huge local following, my friends have them and know about them and the aftermarket support is just phenomenal.

 

^^^^ got to agree with my alter ego. Not every xj looks the same and not all are built the same. I don't think anyone would mistake my rig for anyone else's in town or on the trail. I've yet to go on a trail ride where dudes were mistakingly hopping into others rigs.

You see so many xjs on the trail because they're a proven platform. They work well and can be built on any budget. Stop looking for brand new stuff if you can't afford it. I picked up my front winch bumper for $125 used off another forum. Guys are always parting out and upgrading their junk, so there are deals out there.

 

Cherokee.

Trim the fenders and throw some 31's under it. Capable off road and practical for daily driving.

 

Ive had both. My first 4x4 was an 89 Suzuki Sidekick (same thing as a Tracker). Mine had the 1.6, 3 speed auto (GM TH180 iirc). Lifted it 3", locked front, mini spool in the rear, and 31" LTBs. Only downsides were IFS (because of the lack of flex, it was strong though, nothing like the pos IFS my Chevy had), and no power steering. The coil sprung rear suspension was nice, and it went everywhere I pointed it, and was really a great little rig. My dad still has it, so I still drive it occasionally, and gas mileage and power are comparable to my 2.5 5 speed XJ.
However, I love that my XJ has a real front axle. The longer wheelbase feels better offroad, and I do love my XJ. And it's American built.

If I was faced with the decision to choose between one or the other right now, I'd pick the XJ over the Sidekick/Tracker. More capable out of the box, and if you get a 4.0, much more powerful. And I can buy 2 XJs for what the book value is on a Sidekick/Tracker. There is much more aftermarket support for the XJ as well, unless a lot has changed in the past couple years. The 3" suspension lift I put on my Suzuki was about the biggest suspension lift I could find at the time, and it cost me quite a bit more than the 3" I'm piecing together for my Jeep.

That's just my 2 cents worth though. Both are great vehicles, both on and off road, and I wouldnt hesitate to buy either, but the XJ is the better 4x4 imo.

 

My grandparents were going to buy me a Ford Raptor, but I said no way, I don't want IFS.