The KL Cherokee. Love it or Loathe it?
#107
No, I don't lick fish.
Sorry... wrong terminology. Not yaw - Torque Steer. Happens in any front-wheel drive vehicle (with any kind of notable horse power). You accelerate, and the steering wheel wants to pull in towards one side or the other due to the force of torque applied during heavy acceleration.
My 300m is really bad about this. 250hp v6 with traction control and worn steering links - thing wanders all over the road when you put your foot in the pedal from a stop. It's a fun car, but I definitely wish it was RWD for that very reason.
My 300m is really bad about this. 250hp v6 with traction control and worn steering links - thing wanders all over the road when you put your foot in the pedal from a stop. It's a fun car, but I definitely wish it was RWD for that very reason.
#109
No, I don't lick fish.
Yeah, I wasn't saying it happens due to worn components... although that does amplify it. I was just adding that to my particular example. But good to know you're not experiencing that as a problem. Might just be a little flutter from the CV axles moving through the gyro.
#111
CF Veteran
Well yesterday when getting some dealer work done on my Ram, i test drove a KL trailhawk for the heck of it. All i can muster to say is ???
Last edited by WyoCherokee; 04-13-2016 at 09:42 AM.
#113
So I had a 4x4 sport with the 2.4 engine at first and it was pretty slow at acceleration. The nine speed though does allow you to drive pretty efficiently once you get up to speed.
Now I have the trailhawk V6 version and I like it a lot better (I was having transmission problems with the original and I got the new one through the lemons law). I'm in Southern California (San Diego), and I actually just joined this forum and I was hoping someone could tell me of some good places I could take it? I'm pretty new to off-roading so nothing too serious, but certainly more than just a dirt road. I was able to take the sport on a fairly difficult course in big bear, so I'm not a complete novice at this. I would also want to off-roading to have some sort of camping destination if possible. Ideally a camping site or area I wouldn't be able to get to without off-roading.
Also, how necessary are the rock rails in your opinion? I want to get them eventually, but I don't know if it should a priority as of yet. I do want to take it where ever I can though so if getting them allows me to tackle much more difficult trails without fear of completely destroying it... then I should probably get it.
Thanks for any help!
Now I have the trailhawk V6 version and I like it a lot better (I was having transmission problems with the original and I got the new one through the lemons law). I'm in Southern California (San Diego), and I actually just joined this forum and I was hoping someone could tell me of some good places I could take it? I'm pretty new to off-roading so nothing too serious, but certainly more than just a dirt road. I was able to take the sport on a fairly difficult course in big bear, so I'm not a complete novice at this. I would also want to off-roading to have some sort of camping destination if possible. Ideally a camping site or area I wouldn't be able to get to without off-roading.
Also, how necessary are the rock rails in your opinion? I want to get them eventually, but I don't know if it should a priority as of yet. I do want to take it where ever I can though so if getting them allows me to tackle much more difficult trails without fear of completely destroying it... then I should probably get it.
Thanks for any help!
#114
No, I don't lick fish.
So I had a 4x4 sport with the 2.4 engine at first and it was pretty slow at acceleration. The nine speed though does allow you to drive pretty efficiently once you get up to speed.
Now I have the trailhawk V6 version and I like it a lot better (I was having transmission problems with the original and I got the new one through the lemons law). I'm in Southern California (San Diego), and I actually just joined this forum and I was hoping someone could tell me of some good places I could take it? I'm pretty new to off-roading so nothing too serious, but certainly more than just a dirt road. I was able to take the sport on a fairly difficult course in big bear, so I'm not a complete novice at this. I would also want to off-roading to have some sort of camping destination if possible. Ideally a camping site or area I wouldn't be able to get to without off-roading.
Also, how necessary are the rock rails in your opinion? I want to get them eventually, but I don't know if it should a priority as of yet. I do want to take it where ever I can though so if getting them allows me to tackle much more difficult trails without fear of completely destroying it... then I should probably get it.
Thanks for any help!
Now I have the trailhawk V6 version and I like it a lot better (I was having transmission problems with the original and I got the new one through the lemons law). I'm in Southern California (San Diego), and I actually just joined this forum and I was hoping someone could tell me of some good places I could take it? I'm pretty new to off-roading so nothing too serious, but certainly more than just a dirt road. I was able to take the sport on a fairly difficult course in big bear, so I'm not a complete novice at this. I would also want to off-roading to have some sort of camping destination if possible. Ideally a camping site or area I wouldn't be able to get to without off-roading.
Also, how necessary are the rock rails in your opinion? I want to get them eventually, but I don't know if it should a priority as of yet. I do want to take it where ever I can though so if getting them allows me to tackle much more difficult trails without fear of completely destroying it... then I should probably get it.
Thanks for any help!
Seriously, don't break your budget to buy a set, but if you can afford them and plan on wheeling it, they're really a great idea for added protection to your vehicle. It's a lot easier and cheaper to install rock rails than it is to repair damaged rockers because you bashed them on a rock.
I.e... you may have trouble on terrain such as this...
As far as places to wheel... you may find some luck in your area's sub-section... https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f34/
Let's see some pics of that thing in action, man!
#115
Love my TH so far
2016 TH V6, 250 miles, first Jeep, coming from Merc C250, Ford Explorer SportTrac 2WD, Explorer 2WD, Ranger 2WD (new to old).
Have not had enough time to assess reliability, but for a daily driver (mid-size city) that I can also take into the NC snow at wintertime, I love it.
Comfortable, handles well, quick (enough), and loaded with almost too many options. Being able to remote start from my phone before I leave the office and have cool seats in 98 degree weather is a fantastic feature.
I considered both the Grand and the Wrangler Unlimited. The Grand would cost about 10 extra grand for the same features, and the Wrangler while obviously more capable in off road conditions did not seem like as comfy a highway vehicle.
Fingers crossed that this love affair will last.
Have not had enough time to assess reliability, but for a daily driver (mid-size city) that I can also take into the NC snow at wintertime, I love it.
Comfortable, handles well, quick (enough), and loaded with almost too many options. Being able to remote start from my phone before I leave the office and have cool seats in 98 degree weather is a fantastic feature.
I considered both the Grand and the Wrangler Unlimited. The Grand would cost about 10 extra grand for the same features, and the Wrangler while obviously more capable in off road conditions did not seem like as comfy a highway vehicle.
Fingers crossed that this love affair will last.
#116
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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Year: 1990
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0
Just read through all 8 pages, and I would like to share an opinion with the class. First off the original post and purpose for this thread is awesome, so PLEASE no one take my criticism/s as bashing because it definitely isn't meant that way, only as my viewpoint. I'm a Tech at a Jeep dealership so I see the KLs quite a bit, and I have to say that for their intended purpose they're great! Very comfortable and surefooted on the road, quiet, economical, and well equipped for a vehicle that size as a daily driver, BUT when properly equipped they are surprisingly capable off the beaten path. I actually quite like them when viewed in the correct context, the way Fiat I mean Jeep designed it (sorry had to). For a vehicle used 95% on the road, and for maybe that weekend excursion every once in a while to a remote fishing spot or casual trail they are spot on wonderful, that's right what FCA had in mind when they put it together. Now, what I as well as other "old fashioned" guys, or "Purists", or "insert whatever other term" have an issue with is, you probably guessed it, the name. Also the FWD, and SOOOOOOOOO many similarities to the Dart/200. If they had called it ANY other name, hardly anyone would have an issue with it IMHO. Looks are subjective, you're either going to like it or not so that's a mute point as far as I'm concerned.
#117
No, I don't lick fish.
Just read through all 8 pages, and I would like to share an opinion with the class. First off the original post and purpose for this thread is awesome, so PLEASE no one take my criticism/s as bashing because it definitely isn't meant that way, only as my viewpoint. I'm a Tech at a Jeep dealership so I see the KLs quite a bit, and I have to say that for their intended purpose they're great! Very comfortable and surefooted on the road, quiet, economical, and well equipped for a vehicle that size as a daily driver, BUT when properly equipped they are surprisingly capable off the beaten path. I actually quite like them when viewed in the correct context, the way Fiat I mean Jeep designed it (sorry had to). For a vehicle used 95% on the road, and for maybe that weekend excursion every once in a while to a remote fishing spot or casual trail they are spot on wonderful, that's right what FCA had in mind when they put it together. Now, what I as well as other "old fashioned" guys, or "Purists", or "insert whatever other term" have an issue with is, you probably guessed it, the name. Also the FWD, and SOOOOOOOOO many similarities to the Dart/200. If they had called it ANY other name, hardly anyone would have an issue with it IMHO. Looks are subjective, you're either going to like it or not so that's a mute point as far as I'm concerned.
#118
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
#119
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Year: 1998
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Ok, I'm new here and I admit the main reason I am looking at this thread is I kinda like the look of the KL. I'll even admit I didn't know it was called a KL until now. I just wanted to get some idea what people are saying about them because as much as I love my XJ, good ones are getting hard to find. I try to keep an open mind because today's new wimpy substitute could just be tomorrow's classic tough guy. I'm trying not to hate on things just because they're new. But front wheel drive in 2wd? I read about the tranny issues, did they ever come up with a real fix?
And as far as the name, who cares? The truth is I've never liked the name, it makes some of my Native American friends wince when I use it. I'm not all P.C. or anything but Chrysler probably could have phased it out by this time and come up with something even better, particularly since it shares only minimal styling cues with the older generations. Not preaching.
The big question is what's the potential with this model? Has anybody really put them to the test or done some cool mods yet?
And as far as the name, who cares? The truth is I've never liked the name, it makes some of my Native American friends wince when I use it. I'm not all P.C. or anything but Chrysler probably could have phased it out by this time and come up with something even better, particularly since it shares only minimal styling cues with the older generations. Not preaching.
The big question is what's the potential with this model? Has anybody really put them to the test or done some cool mods yet?
#120
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,876
Received 1,526 Likes
on
1,238 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Ok, I'm new here and I admit the main reason I am looking at this thread is I kinda like the look of the KL. I'll even admit I didn't know it was called a KL until now. I just wanted to get some idea what people are saying about them because as much as I love my XJ, good ones are getting hard to find. I try to keep an open mind because today's new wimpy substitute could just be tomorrow's classic tough guy. I'm trying not to hate on things just because they're new. But front wheel drive in 2wd? I read about the tranny issues, did they ever come up with a real fix?
And as far as the name, who cares? The truth is I've never liked the name, it makes some of my Native American friends wince when I use it. I'm not all P.C. or anything but Chrysler probably could have phased it out by this time and come up with something even better, particularly since it shares only minimal styling cues with the older generations. Not preaching.
The big question is what's the potential with this model? Has anybody really put them to the test or done some cool mods yet?
And as far as the name, who cares? The truth is I've never liked the name, it makes some of my Native American friends wince when I use it. I'm not all P.C. or anything but Chrysler probably could have phased it out by this time and come up with something even better, particularly since it shares only minimal styling cues with the older generations. Not preaching.
The big question is what's the potential with this model? Has anybody really put them to the test or done some cool mods yet?
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f87/sh...ilhawk-190968/