Taking a poll - buy a TJ or an XJ?

59Willys

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 9, 2005
Location
SPENCER
I've narrowed it down to two Jeeps:

98 Cherokee Limited on 32x11.50 new MTR's, 4 inch Rusty's lift, Warn bumper w/winch, roof rack with new matching spare, pretty decent condition throughout, 95k miles for 8500

OR

99 Wrangler sport, automatic with dual tops, full doors, 2inch budget boost and fairly new Buckshot Mudders (32's as well) - 67k miles for $10,500

Both interiors are in similar shape, no major boo-boos on either one

I already have a winch so I can put one on the TJ, but if I buy the Cherokee I will have an extra winch sitting around.

OK - here's your chance to voice your opinion - if you were choosing, which Jeep would you go with??

Thanks!!

(this will be a daily driver about 15 miles/day, and weekend wheeler for a family of 3)
 
Let's compare. TJ=full frame(boxed at that) XJ=unibody
TJ=coil spring suspension all around XJ=coils front/leafs rear
TJ=less room inside XJ=storage

Personally, I'd rather have the TJ. Oh wait, I have one. Had an XJ. Step son killed it.
 
I would go for the cherokee because of all the extras that come with it. 95k is just getting broken in for the 4.0L. (I am biased because I have a cherokee.) The argument will probably go back and forth between the cherokee and wrangler guys. So, all I have to say is this---- Get what you are gonna enjoy driving, wheeling, etc. It is your $
 
TJ topless, nice on warm days, if you don't have kids the TJ is more fun all around, XJ more room, nice with kids. Both are very good offroad. I had a '99 TJ and now a '98 XJ, I like the XJ better.
 
OK XJ guys, got a couple ?'s for you.

Would 32's make the brakes pretty weak, or is it another problem? It will stop, but you need a good bit of advance warning.

Also, are the Cherokee's prone to oil leaks? It has one that the guy is thinking is coming from the crankshaft seal or somewhere in that general vicinity. He is still driving it every day so I don't think its a big deal, but I don't really want to get into a big mechanical mess.
 
59Willys said:
OK XJ guys, got a couple ?'s for you.

Would 32's make the brakes pretty weak, or is it another problem? It will stop, but you need a good bit of advance warning.

Also, are the Cherokee's prone to oil leaks? It has one that the guy is thinking is coming from the crankshaft seal or somewhere in that general vicinity. He is still driving it every day so I don't think its a big deal, but I don't really want to get into a big mechanical mess.
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I have 32" tires and i can stop ok.

Other than the little oil drop here or there, the only little problem i have seen was with a friend's '94- little 45 cent o ring in the angled oil filter adapter. It was an easy fix.
 
59Willys said:
OK XJ guys, got a couple ?'s for you.

Would 32's make the brakes pretty weak, or is it another problem? It will stop, but you need a good bit of advance warning.

Also, are the Cherokee's prone to oil leaks? It has one that the guy is thinking is coming from the crankshaft seal or somewhere in that general vicinity. He is still driving it every day so I don't think its a big deal, but I don't really want to get into a big mechanical mess.
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Rear main seals tend to leak a lot. It is a 2piece seal and usually can be changed without removing engine.
 
I've replaced a rear main, oil pan and valve cover seal. I don't leave a drip of oil anywhere, but im also at 190,000 miles so the newer model shouldn't need any of those yet.

For braking, I've never had a problem stopping. Almost had a semi rear end me the other day coming up to a redlight. I'm at 33" tires but I also have rear discs. I'm about to swap out a 95' or newer booster and master cylinder and a prop vavle from a grand considering the backs are locking up prematurely.
 
Went and drove the TJ again today. It costs a little more than the cherokee, but it has 30k less miles, and no fluid leaks. The brakes on the Cherokee were probably going to need some work too. He came down a little on the TJ's price, so looks like a Wrangler for us.

(I drove a CJ-7 every day for over eight years, both of these were like Cadillac's compared to that! They've come a long way!)

Thanks everybody for the input, will let ya know if its TJ for sure or not tomorrow.
 
There's a red TJ in the driveway!

Thanks for all your input. Hope to get to Uwharrie this weekend, hopefully to Hooters Sat night too.
 
59Willys said:
There's a red TJ in the driveway!

Thanks for all your input. Hope to get to Uwharrie this weekend, hopefully to Hooters Sat night too.
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Congrats! You wont be sorry.
 
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