Being disrespectful is what I'm talking about... don't do it...

 

I think it's funny u all are comparing limited slip to a locker for starters... so many differences the new cherokee would crawl away from and stock xj... I'm ready to put money on it any day... upcountry or not it doesn't matter... skids, fog lights, and pinstripes don't mean a dang thing...

It's funny how all the people that really wheel and build XJ's will say the 2014 will out perform over the XJ but the mudders and power line riders will swear on the XJ...

 

I got 17.8 mpg this fill up. Pretty solid mixed cold city driving and hot highway driving. 3" lift, 28s (lol)

 

I think the main point to be made is this... stock for stock, a KL Trailhawk will probably out-do an XJ... but it also costs at least 10 times more. If you compare it dollar for dollar, the XJ wins hands down. Am I right?

The KL definitely has a place and so does the XJ. They're really not comparable, because they perform two different functions.

 

Nope stock for stock xj all day lol. now all we need is someone willing to take their $30,000 squinty kl to some place like ma bell and see how it does

 

Driver makes or break any comparison between the two. I've seen people with built rigs with **** tons of $$$ invested with sucky driving skills get showed up by budget builds with a seasoned driver.

Either way, who cares. There are people who bought their fugly KLs and are just as excited about their vehicle as I am with my XJs. At the campfire we're all the same, enthusiasts.... I just have better taste, lol.

 

Tss I agree with that last part two completely different vehicles. I think you'll be out of your mind to use the kl for any actual wheeling. I'm sure some people will do it and good for them I guess but its not what I would do. I just wish they called it something else.

 

I agree with you guys. I'm not 100% convinced that a Trailhawk will out-do an XJ on 100% of things. Driver definitely has an impact.

From where I sit, I see it like this: The KL is a grocery-getter that can hold its own on some very very mild trails. The XJ is a grocery-getter that can do the same, but has a much larger after-market, and there's a lot more you can do with it. It's just a bit rougher around the edges and lacks some creature comforts.

Some people have to have a modern DD type vehicle with the comfort and features... I'm sure a lot of guys will be putting their wives into KLs. Also, I wouldn't want to take my XJ on a road trip. It could be done, but I'm pretty sure my teeth would be shaken out by the end... and it rides pretty smooth for an XJ. Just nothing compared to a modern vehicle.

 

There's more to off roading than your wheels not slipping, I wonder how the KL will hold up to the abuse of wheeling it as compared to an XJ?

I'm betting all those gadgets and electrical gizmos are a time bomb.

And from the threads I'm reading on the KL forum, the tranny can't even handle a trip to Wal-Mart, let alone off road.

 

A stock xj can do pretty well if driven by the right person. There are some sweet videos of stock xjs on trails that more built rig should be on. It may not go up the trail clean but it gets the job done.
The thing with all these new cars is they rely on technology more than the driver. The Kl has a drive mode where it inputs the gas and/or the brakes for you... Everything is electronically controlled with all these new cars. I'd rather rely on myself and my skills than a computer system. But that's just me...

 

Best quote to come out of all of this....sig worthy, even...

 

The factory limited slip on a good day was nothing to write about. The second you pull a tire off the ground it becomes no more useful than an open diff.


That being said, stock for stock I would probably give the edge to the kl, based on the modern traction control systems (which work amazingly in the JKs btw) and the locker. Especially if you are on a real offcamber trail.


Id love to see a stock vs stock comparison. But I think it would hurt alot of peoples feelings.

 

Still doesn't acount for the rear drive shaft problem

 

What's the "problem"? or you just don't like how it works?

 

In all the videos I have seen none of them had problems with the driveshafts but I have seen the locker doing stuff a LSD could not.