I like wranglers, at the end of the day you can only take an XJ so far. beyond 35in tires your start running into limits of a unibody rig. I love mine but when I get to the point where i want a buggy its going to be either a pile of tubes or start with a wrangler frame. Also after wheeling with a new 4 door JK rubi with only a BB and 35 KM2s and watching it eat up trails that the long arm TJs in the group were having issues with total changed my opinion on them. they are BA rigs with only a few minor mods.

 

But why a hemi. Also what size the 426?

Hemis are a waste of money, for half the price I could get a better performing and more reliable engine.

 

I don't know if you've realized this, but there are just as many STOCK Cherokees as there are Wranglers. I'm willing to bet that there are more stock Cherokees than Wranglers as there were many more XJs produced than Wranglers IIRC.

I see at least half a dozen factory Cherokees every day that have never seen a gravel road, let alone off-road situations.

I can stuff 31x10.5s under my fiance's 98 TJ that is bone stock, nothing trimmed or modded whatsoever. Trail ready? I'd say so.

Weren't 2wd Cherokees produced before JK 2wd? Sure, mail trucks were only 2wd, but IIRC plenty of Cherokees are 2wd as well.

Go ahead and see what you can stuff under your factory XJ or ZJ, though. I see plenty of "yuppies" in plenty of other cars. I guess yuppies don't have a serious vehicle preference, cuz I see them in lots of other cars/trucks/SUVs.

They are indeed. The Rubis come with front and rear elockers. And if you remove the fenders you can run some serious tire without lift. And that is just the "new" generation.

I've got a TJ and its beautiful. Coils all around, can fit 31s stock, and I can take off the top. In the event of a zombocalypse, I can toss the hard top right back on, no zombie issues.

And that V6 isn't much better than the I6. Its been around almost as long, and has proven itself. Not that its the best, I love the 4.0, but its not the worst choice (cough cough 2.8).

A V8 would be sex.

The TJs aren't a bad ride, not choppy at all. And I am in an area with bad roads.

I see more modded/lifted Wranglers in my area than Cherokees. I guess area dictates what is more popular?

Cherokees aren't that great for towing, and I can stuff plenty of groceries in my fiance's TJ. We don't have a family yet, but if you've got a family, chances are you've got more than one car.

I've never seen "barbie" in a Wrangler. At least not while I was driving.

You can get XJs, ZJs, YJs, and TJs all with the 4.0 and an automatic trans. Not sure what your point was there.

So why use such an expensive powerplant when you could get the same and more power out of a motor for less than half the cost?

They are indeed.

In the end, to each his own.

That why I have both.

 

Good post! I agree with most of your conclusions, a V8 option, or the V6 4 liter that was in the Chrysler Caliber ( spelling? ) would have made the JK great.

 

Why not a hemi? its personal preference. I prefer to keep things brand oriented. Sounds gay i know, but it keeps things cleaner in my opinion. A jeep with a ford engine isnt really a jeep IMHO.

If i was to build one, itd have a Cummings diesel in it.

 

If you wanted to keep brand oriented you'd realize the Hemi isn't even a "Jeep" motor.

The Jeep name has traded hands more times than a cheap hooker. [kidding]

But seriously, its been all over. The real "brand oriented" powerplant would be something different than a "Hemi," thats for sure.

 

Cummins. And no lol

Thank you, you said it much nicer than I would have.

 

Gentlemen, I just heard a rumor that all 2012's will be required to have traction control! Please, God, still my soul! Why does the NTSB have to stick their nose where it doesn't belong? ABS brakes, Air bags, Collision bumpers, traction control, what next, 5 point belts? Maybe a robot to drive it! Maybe I should buy 5 old vehicles and keep one driving!

 

There will always be a way around it, but money will be the key.

I'd like to have a 5 point belt system in my ride.

 

Im not a ford guy or a chevy. so that being said hemi, whether it be chrysler, dodge, hooker whatever you want to fin call it, so be it. I refuse to ever stick a chevy or ford under any hood of mine. yes it may be cheaper, but i'll be paying for it later in other costs.

Thank you my 5th grade analytical grammar correct English teacher.

 

You got a genuine laugh out of me from that one!

I try to stay away from being brand specific. I find several cars from several different mfgs attractive to limit myself to one brand.

And to be honest I really didn't have Ford or Chevy in mind. AMC made a 360 V8, which is really what I was thinking.

But then again, AMC wasn't the original owner, either. Wasn't it ******?

 

Im only being brand specific because of my experience. our hemi in our dodge ram has been unbelievably good to us. no major issues. biggest repair we've ever had to do (to the engine) is the radiator. At 126k its still kicking strong. The truck is literally falling apart around it from the abuse.

 

lolol

Sounds like my 1992 F150 with the 4.9L I6....only I've got an extra 125K on her.

Sometimes you find good vehicles that just don't die.

More things have rusted off that truck than were ever "maintained" or "fixed." Yet I know that if I need to, I can go outside, day or night, rain or snow, hell or high water, drop in a charged battery, and fire her right up.

Hell, if there isn't a battery, she'll get push started!!!

 

the 3.8L v6 makes more power than the 4.0
and its wayy better on gas
the 4.0 is gone because it was horrible on fuel and it couldnt meet emissions the new 3.8 is fine and if you ever test drive one you wont be upset

 

Some members have.

Some even own one at the moment.

And I know from personal experience the 4.0 isn't the most powerful motor out there. Loading up a 4 door Wrangler with people, gear, and larger tires will leave anyone wanting more power from either motor.

Bottom line, a V8 should have been offered.

Then we could steal them from for cheap from yuppies who don't know how to drive and stuff them in XJs.