I am considering buying a 1998-2001 (newer interior) Cherokee XJ to use for both a daily driver and for some light wheeling and camping.

I'm curious what kind of gas mileage a 4.0 Cherokee with 33" tires or so gets?
What is it's towing capacity? Can I tow a small (17ft) bass boat with it?
How capable are they with mild mods like a 4-6" lift and 33s?
Would it need to be re-geared to run 33s comfortably?
What are the common "entry level" mods that people typically do?

My current wheeler is a 1987 Suzuki Samurai that's had quite a lot of mods done to it, but I've kept it street legal and full bodied. I don't need anything extreme, but would like to be able to handle some of the local trails while still being comfortable and reliable as a daily driver.

For mild daily driving expect to put $20 in every other day or so. That's with stock gearing at 33's. Don't expect to tow anything without pushing your transmission unless you Regear. I run 3.55 and 33's and find it just alright driving and picking up speed. My 2 cents don't go bigger than a 4" lift. As for capability lets just say expect your jeep to impress you.

I DD my XJ... getting 14 mpg completely stock, I spend about $50 a week in gas.

Only 14 MPG?!

My half ton GMC with a 350 gets 15 and it's very well worn at ~180k miles...

My automatic 98 would get anywhere between 12 to 19 mpg.

I haven't officially calculated my newly purchased 5 speed, but I am most definitely getting better - I'd say I'm averaging 16-17 mpg and that's without a needed tuneup.

33s are as big as you should go without regearing. Depending on how deadset you are on 33s, I'd recommend a smaller budget lift and 31s or even 30s. The tread of the tire makes a bigger difference really in regards to "moderate" wheeling.

I could be wrong, but I believe the factory rated towing capacity for the XJ is 5,000 lbs but these engines are stout so I bet you could easily go over that. But, if you do, for the love of god, get a trans cooler if you get an AW4.

Nice name by the way!

I guess 33s just don't seem at all big to me. My Samurai is on 31s and could easily fit 33s right now and it's really little compared to some of the trucks in my circle of friends. Most of them had Toyotas with 38"-42" tires, I was the little guy that surprised them all by not getting stuck.

I did have to re-gear the Samurai with a 6.5:1 T-case. But with a Samurai you pretty much have to re-gear if you want to run anything bigger than wheel barrow tires .

Yeah, I *should* be getting better than that but I figure it's because I could probably use a tune up and do 100% city driving.

Well, if I can get 15mpg on 33s, 16-20 bone stock on little tires, then I'll be happy.

Less than 15 though and I'd be better off keeping a full size 4x4 v-8 truck most likely.

find a 5-speed. imo it would be a little better on fuel. i get 13-14 mpg on an incorrect speedo (33's). 33's are about 14% bigger than the old 225's, so my 430km per tank is actually closer to 490km, which when you do the math, is good for ~2mpg. so i'm around 16.45mpg. not too bad for a 23 year old jeep with heavy tires.

Are you going to be getting rid of the zuke? Or does it have issues?

I ask because if I was in your situation, I would get an XJ as a DD, but keep the zuke for a wheeler. That way, you can beat on the zuke a little harder, do more extreme mods if wanted too.

Then keep the DD XJ smaller lift and tires, 3" and 31s. 2" and 30s. it will still be a pretty capable rig, but less exspensive to buy lift, tires and gas...

Well, the Samurai will most likely get sold due to lack of use. I've got too many toys/projects and I don't go wheeling like I used to.

I'd like something to tow my boat or a utility trailer, take camping and maybe some light trail use every now and then. I would be selling my current DD (a 1995 VW GTI VR6) and the Samurai and basically replacing both with a mildly built XJ.

Ok, well I say you'd be fine with 3" and 31s. There's tons of mods for them you will definitely have fun with it.

Just start small. I wish I would've so far since owning XJs. I've spent more time building the one I want to wheel than actual wheeling.

I get the same mileage in my 4wd 5.3 Z-71 as I do in my 4wd 93 XJ on 31's.

~18mpg.

I also have a Samurai. Full width D44's, 37's, locked fr/rr, 5.38's in the axles and 6.5:1 t-case. I'll trade ya for that VW.

I get about 15-16 mpg. That's with 3.55 gears and 33x12.50 tires.

5,000 pounds. I wouldn't go much heavier. You should be fine with that boat.

They're perfectly capable, even stock.

It doesn't need to be. I run 3.55 gears with mine and I accelerate and get around just fine, even better than my buddy with 4.10s actually because I have a stronger motor. Some people find it more comfortable to run 4.10 gears. For good torque, you can also run 4.56 gears.

2-6 inch lift, 31-33 inch tires, CB radio, roof rack, off road rear or front bumper, hitch, lighting, slip yoke eliminator.