Just opinions on which you would buy...

1999 Jeep Cherokee inline 6 auto

1999 Toyota 4runner 3.4 auto

 

The XJ hands down and the 99's were the best year for the Cherokees.

 

I don't even like Toyotas, so gonna vote XJ.

 

Had a 2000 4Runner - all stock with 31" AT tires and it was a great truck to drive but it didnt go where my 2000 XJ does on the same size tires and some lift. though not exactly apples to apples

XJ is easier to work on, maintain, and modify to my liking.

BUT the power rear window in the yota was one of my favorite features.

Just my experience, i could tell you more but you are asking on the cherokee forum so im assuming thats what you really want. who could blame you, XJs are the best.

the big factor is the independent front suspension. again, if you primarily are on the road this is not an issue. but if you want any kind of articulation for more aggressive trails and obstacles, nothing beats the XJ.

Just my 2 pennies

 

My roommates both have 4th gen 4 Runners, one had a 3rd gen before that.

They are "OK" in my opinion. The 3rd gens look way better and IMO but are equally disadvantaged due to their independent front axle. Way less strong than a solid axle but much better on the highway. They DO have a full frame though, so for "hardcore" wheeling it is all-in-all a stronger platform than the unibody XJ without any frame plating. With a full frame-plating and reinforcement kit that goes out the window though.

If you are looking for a mall crawler that still has 4wd, the 4 Runner may be a better fit. For any serious off roading a stock XJ will laugh at a stock 4runner (without the e-locker, and if they had the same tires).

Most people on here (myself included) wouldn't even consider a 4runner let alone choose one over an XJ

EDIT:
Oh yeah, both will break on you at some point - the Yota will be roughly twice the price to fix in my experience.

 

The 4 runner has ifs which is kinda crappy off road,And toyotas are known for the frames rusting out.If you want a daily driver that could take some dirt trails and light off roading youll like the 4 runner.If you want something you can daily drive and build in to something for more harder off road stuff like rock crawling get the xj.

 

both are pretty reliable, it all depends on what you want to do, the jeep is good for just about anything from dd on the street to rock crawling. and is pretty capable in stock form

 

Both are pretty bulletproof, Jeep is well supported, parts, info, custom hacks.
Just bought a 3gen Sr5, haven't used it yet. So can't tell u too much. Fingers crossed for it to be half as useful as Jeep. ( Although it did pull the Cherokee out of a ditch I got stuck in the other night).

 

I think the 4Runners hold value better, but I don't understand why. More to go wrong on them, honestly. Better on the highway.