BKohs

So I'm finally going to be getting back into a Jeep. it's been two years and I've hated life without one. Long story short, I had an XJ back then and loved it, but it needed a lot of work and I had a kid on the way so it had to go. Well, my car lease is up in a year and my wife agrees with me on the need for another Jeep. I'm going to start looking in a couple of months in order to have time to do any needed work and maybe a little modding before I have to get rid of the leased car. My question is, what should I get and why? I'm going to have an initial budget of $5k. That will have to at least include cost of the car+repairs. Upgrades like suspension, wheels, tires, bumpers, and other fun stuff don't have to get done right away though. I'm not going to be doing any major wheeling. Just the occasional camping trip and some light trail runs. My goal is to eventually run a mild lift with 31's or 33's. I'll be sticking with the 4.0 engine on whatever model I end up with though. I know it well and have quite a bit of experience diagnosing and working on them. I've been researching for the past few months and my head is kind of spinning with all the pros and cons between all of them so I'd like to get some opinions from the Cherokee community.

So here are the needs.
clean title
4dr (we now have 2 kids)
auto (my wife may need to drive it from time to time)
4x4
minimal to no rust
working A/C and heat
2" hitch
can pass emissions and safety inspections (95 and earlier aren't exempt here)


And here are the wants. (would like them to be included in the budget, but will eventually get done down the road either way)
mild lift (2"-3")
Good 31"-33" A/T tires
good wheels
roof rack


I realize this is all doable within the budget on any of them, but I really cant decide on the platform to start with.

andrewmp6

If you want a smooth riding daily driver the zj and wj ride better then a xj.I would look at 86-98 zj or the 03-04 wj,And on those the v8 and 6 cylinder are only like 2mpg difference so i would go after the v8s.

abodyjoe

to me its all personal preference. i think they will all do what you want. personally i think the grand cherokees would have a little more room in them. seem to be a lot more clean gran cherokee out there still that were owned by soccer moms all their life.

peep

You want the XJ, but you need the WJ. I run both, with a ZJ thrown in to fill the gap.
But you need the WJ.
When I park all three together, they are really the same exterior size. But the WJ interior is much more spacious, the ride is best, everything still works.
All have the 4.0L Will long outlast the V8 WJ ignition system is the most modern.
The ZJ is a nightmare for access under the dash. It is the best "fit" to me when I drive it (5"6").
But with your family involved, you will need the WJ.

BKohs

Thanks for the replies. So WJ is what I was leaning to at first solely based on looks and ease of lifting. Plus the storage space in the back is better. The only draw back I was finding was the price. For a decent one in my area. They run about 2-3k more than a comparable ZJ or XJ. I've owned both an XJ and ZJ in the past and I remember the ZJ having the nicer ride. One thing I was liking better about the XJ option though is its easier to build bumpers and armor because they are boxy. The WJ is quite curvy so custom building stuff is a little more challenging. I'd still like to hear more opinions and reasoning though.

Fred/N0AZZ

I have both one is for off road the 99 XJ and the other a 04 WJ 4.7HO "Overland" edition loaded with every option offered by Jeep that year.


The XJ gets beat on and used in places where I would not want to take the WJ as it is spotless in and out. The WJ rides as well as my 2013 Lincoln Town Car and has a few more options that it does. It does have full time 4wd which the wife loves and only drives it during bad weather. If you shop you can find these with lockers front and rear, skids, 3.73 gears, 17" wheels, factory towing pkgs. very reasonable. My 04 WJ has over 200,000 on it and runs great everything works as it should.


For a DD for a family I would choose a WJ hands down but choose carefully and take your time looking.

aroundincircles

Personal preference. I bought an XJ over a GC of any year mainly due to the fact my dad had one when I was a little kid and wanted to give my kids some of the same memories I had. 2nd reason is the after market seems MUCH bigger for the XJ than a GC.

Waynerd

We have 2 kids and the xj is too small. Wife had a wj before this and my only complaint is the same motor as an xj with more weight equals less seat of the pants power. I had a zj before she got the wj and it wasn't as noticeable. The grands definitely ride much better, seats are more comfortable and they are more spacious. Also the v8 zj's have more displacement with less horsepower than the wj v8. I've been thinking that my ideal family jeep would be an 04 wj v8. Also with the quadra drive wich incorporates a limited slip in each axle and also in the transfer case. Only problem with that is they are so dang expensive still. My 4 year old daughter doesn't like riding in my xj because it's too loud and too bumpy but she doesn't mind my wife's at all which is bone stock.

aroundincircles

My 3 kids seem to fit just fine in my XJ:



I am thinking of caging it, and then adding a 3rd row to it, as my family is going to be increased once more in a few weeks, so the whole family can go out with me.

Bart_68

I like my 2 door and the GC is ugly..

Fred/N0AZZ

Here is a copy of my build sheet not including the dealer installed items if you care to see what came on it. When I bought it there was a recall notice on it for both of the seat warmers and I had them replaced at a dealer. I got the build sheet much later on.





Subject: Re: Chrysler Group LLC Customer Assistance (KMM8440678V36726L0KM)
Dear Fred,
Thank you for contacting the Jeep Assistance Center.
A review of our records indicates that your 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee does not
currently require service for any recall campaigns. If your vehicle is
involved in a future recall campaign, you will be notified promptly by U.S.
mail. Please keep us informed of any change of address.
If you are experiencing any problems with an issue you feel deserves
attention, we certainly recommend that you contact your local dealer to
arrange an appointment so that they can inspect the vehicle and determine an
appropriate course of action.
We are pleased to provide vehicle build information per your request.
According to our records, your vehicle was equipped from the factory with the
following:
*TL Lux Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
-DB Dk/Lt Slate Gray
ADES Cold Weather Group
ADLP Skid Plate Group
AFFS Luxury Group
AHX Trailer Tow Group IV
APAS Monotone Paint
ARGS Overland Decor Group
ATCS Radio-CD/Cass/10 Disc/Infinity Spkrs AWBS Quadra-Drive II (R) 4WD System
AWES Up Country Suspension Group A83P Mutually Exclusive Package BAZS 136 Amp
Alternator BC6S 625 Amp Maintenance Free Battery BRYS Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc
Brakes CACS Low Back Bucket Seats CBWS Highline Door Trim Panel CFNS Rear
60/40 Folding Seat CGSS Supplemental Side Air Bags CGUS Child Seat Anchor
System-LATCH Ready CG1S Next Gen Multistage Front Air Bags** CJ2P Supp. Side
Curtain Frt/Rr Air Bags CKDS Floor Carpet CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet CKTS
Cargo Tie Down Loops CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats CLGS Covered Cargo Storage
CLHS Cargo Trim Panel w/Storage Net CLPS Driver Foot Rest CSCS Cargo
Compartment Cover CSRS Passenger Assist Handles CUDS Mini Overhead Console
CUFS Full Length Floor Console DGES All 5-Speed Automatic Transmissions DGQ 5-
Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter DHFP Quadra-
Trac II On Demand 4WD System DJJS Dana 30/186MM Front Axle DMES 3.73 Rear Axle
Ratio DRKS Dana 44/226MM Rear Axle DSBP Vari-Lok Progressive Front Axle DSCP
Vari-Lok Progressive Rear Axle EVC 4.7L V8 Power Tech HO Engine GBBS Tinted
Windshield Glass GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GEPS Flipper Liftgate Glass GFAS Rear Window Defroster GNCS Sun Visors w/Illum
Vanity Mirrors GNKS Rear View Auto Dim Mirror GT3S Power Heat Driver Auto Dim
Mirrors GWAS Power Sunroof GXMS Remote Keyless Entry GXXS Sentry Key Theft
Deterrent System HAFS Air Cond ATC w/Dual Zone Control HGAS Hood Insulation
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group I51S Route 51 - CSX, Memphis, TN JA6S
Electroluminescent Instr Cluster JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer JHBS Rear
Window Wiper/Washer JHCS Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers JJBS Dual Note
Electric Horns JJJP 12V Rear Auxiliary Power Outlet JKAS Glove Box JKPS 12V
Auxiliary Power Outlet JKYS Power Accessory Delay JPBS Power Locks JPDS Power
Windows, Driver One-Touch JTFP Power 10-Way Heated Memory Seats K4BS EXTERIOR
COMPONENT COLOR K9KS MED. DRIFTWOOD MET. - Rails - Rock LACS Illuminated Entry
LAGS Warning Chime LAZP Vehicle Information Center LBBS Courtesy Lamps LBCS
Glove Box Lamp LCES Rear Courtesy/Reading Lamps LDBS Cargo Compartment Lamp
LETP Traveler/Mini Trip Computer LEWS Radio/Driver Seat/Mirror Memory LMBS
Halogen Headlamps LMGP Automatic Headlamps LNJS Fog Lamps LPSS CHMSL Lamp LSAS
Security Alarm MDAS Front License Plate Bracket MFDS Bright Grille MHAS Black
Windshield Moldings MTBP 4.7L HO Badge MVBS Grand Cherokee Badge MVCS Jeep
Badge MVEP V-8 Badge MWES Side Roof Rails MWF Adjustable Roof Rail Crossbars
MZBS Quadra Drive Badge MZMS Overland Badge NAS 50 State Emissions NBGP
Federal Tier 2, Bin 9A Emissions NFPS 20.5 Gallon Fuel Tank NHFP Power
Steering Cooler NHMS Speed Control NMHP Hydraulic Engine Cooling PXR Brilliant
Black Crystal Pearl Coat QXRS Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat RAAC All
Radio Equipped Vehicles RBPS AM/FM Cass/CD Radio w/Changer Ctrl RCES Infinity
Speakers RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna RDPP 10-Disc Remote CD Changer RDZP
Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls SBAS Power Steering SCWS Wood/Leather
Wrapped Steering Wheel SDUS Heavy Duty Suspension w/Gas Shocks SUAS Tilt
Steering Column TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire TBWS Full Size Spare Tire
w/Matching Whl TS6S P235/65R17 OWL All Terrain Tires TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WGWS 17" Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels WLZC All Aluminum Wheels XAM Power
Adjustable Pedals w/Memory XEEP Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield XEFP Transfer Case
Skid Plate Shield XEUP Front Suspension Skid Plate XFBP Bright Tow Hooks XFHP
Class IV Receiver Hitch XFKP 7 Pin Wiring Harness XFLP 7 to 4 Pin Wiring
Adaptor XGDP Universal Garage Door Opener XPFS Protective Coating and Remover
Thanks again for your email.

BKohs

Thanks for all of the input everyone. It looks like I'll be going for a WJ with the 4.0 in it. I've been looking online and its proving kind of tough to find clean ones, but I have plenty of time to look. As far as mods go I'll be doing a full 3" IRO setup (adjustable track bar, over the knuckle steering, rear sway bar, adjustable control arms front and rear, and Doetsch Tech 8000 shocks), some 31" general grabber AT2's, an HK Offroad hidden winch mount, IRO rock sliders, and some custom skid plates for the front and fuel tank. Down the road I would love to upgrade to some custom long arms and maybe a 4 link rear, but that wouldn't be for quite a while. The unfortunate thing is I'll most likely have to have a shop do all the work for me. The place I'm living now doesn't allow us to work on out vehicle. I absolutely hate letting other people touch my vehicles, but if I want it done, I don't have much of a choice.