amjandert

THANKS FOR THE HELP
I need to pull my boat+people+gear and other stuff as well. My XJ seems to have a hard time pulling my boat around and the rear end humms a bit loud when pulling as well, not a deal breaker but I fear its gonna die.
I just spent next to nothing on a ZJ V8 and want to know if I should make my upgrades on it or my XJ I6. I need to sell one or the other

Current stats are as fallows.

XJ I6 Country:
225xxx
1.5" rear lift
part time 4high and low
Chrysler 8.25 axle
29" tires or so (i cant remember the exact size)
I was planning to lift the front do a rear disk swap and and lockers in the rear and maybe the front if i ever got the time.

ZJ V8 LAREDO:
180xxx
Bone stock everything.
4high and 4 low
I would like to lift it if i keep. How high can I go before I have to major mods and such.


Which rig will be easier to complete. And pro's and con's of each would be nice to know.

I want to do offroad, trail, and mudding.
Like I said my XJ seems to not like pulling my boat (16' fiberglass Larson)
Which rig does better on the trails and in the mud.
Which rig pulls on the highway better.
Which rig is more reliable if not both the same.

alnielsen

There would be a lot of factors that go into which to keep. I don't know if we can help much without a look over of the two vehicles.
There are YouTube video's of these two Jeeps in a tug of war. The I6 wins. I've heard that the I6 has more torque down low than a V8. However, it seems like you are having problems with the XJ.

andrewmp6

I would sell the zj and buy a full size truck or bronco if it was me.

xjcountry1995

My sister has the zj I got a xj. My xj can pull a decent amount and I've seen some pull really big boats. Plus it's more rugged for the off road compared to the zj..
But your xj does have a lot of miles which could be the reason it runs a little funny when pulling the boat. And the zj v8 is pretty decent for towing.
I love my xj to death and would recommend it to any one an every one. But in your case the zj sounds like the better choice due to engine size and mileage.

xjcountry1995

But if you want more off road and mudding is go with the xj because like I said they are more rugged then the zj. The zj was built around luxury. And the cherokee is more offload. Hint why it's called country.

muddycherry

I would honestly suggest selling one or both and getting a lower mileage xj. Mine is a 98 with 200,000 miles on it. I have the same axles you have now but 3 inches of lift and 31's. The biggest load I have towed was an extended cab ford ranger 4x4 on a double axle flatbed. it did surprisingly well. Only thing is the xj is kinda light so you gotta give a little extra stopping room and make sure you have plenty of tongue weight. But you should have no problem with your boat. I'm assuming yours must be getting tired and that's why its having trouble.

xjcountry1995

Yea that's a good plan. You should look at getting a new xj.

Luke95

Honestly for towing you need a truck

muddycherry

You don't need a truck to tow a 16' boat.

amjandert

I was kind of thinking about this as well. Funny thing is I had to pull the ZJ home
on my double axle trailer. It was only about 5 miles but it did alright and no whinny from the rear axle no that I think about it. Maybe I should take a scale out there and see how the tong weight on the boat compares to the trailer.

ugg sell them both make money and upgrade I only paid 500$ for the XJ and the ZJ was like 200$.

s346k

I like the xjs. I'd sell them both and find a nice, low(er) mileage xj. I think small v8s are a waste. by small I mean sub 6.0 liters.