What would you choose?

andrewlail76

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2006
Location
Hickory, NC
OK guys, in my long tenure here, I have swapped cars a few times.
My chain of swapping began with a Ford F150 4x4, then to a GMC Suburban 2500, and now I'm in a 1992 Mazda B2600i.

Here is my question:
I recently posted my Mazda on Craigslist, looking for a vehicle to swap for. My sons are pushing 9 and 13, and both don't exactly fit in the "extended cab" of the Mazda when it snows. This truck is basically my hauling vehicle. I occasionally haul stuff, but no more than I do, a 4x4 with a trailer hitch would serve my needs better. My father has a trailer I can borrow whenever I need to. Basically, any 4x4 SUV with a back seat would be more comfortable for my kids than cramming into that little area behind the seats.

The question that I'm posting is a basic "what would you choose".
So far, the 2 offers I am considering the most is a 1999 Jeep Cherokee "Classic" with pretty good "stock size" tires. It has right around 150K on it. It's an automatic. Other than needing a valve cover gasket, which I can change easily, and a freon charge in the A/C, it has the headliner falling down in a couple spots and the clear coat is peeling on the hood.

The other vehicle is a 1994 Toyota 4Runner. It is pushing 200K. It needs valve cover gaskets, which I think may take a little more work than the Jeep, but still not a big deal. It has a 3" body lift and 32" tires. It is a 5 speed. I haven't seen pictures yet, but my parents had a 90 4Runner years ago and it was a cool vehicle. The only things I remember about it though was that it had no power, I remember having to re-do the head gaskets, and it really used the gas. Maybe all that changed in 4 years...

The biggest thought that I have is that I don't plan to go do any trail riding, so I feel like the 4Runner may be overkill. I've had a Cherokee before (it was a 91 with a 96 motor) and I know that the older XJ was pretty easy to work on. I don't know if when the "Cherokee Classic" came out, the easy to work on part went away or not. I know the reliability of Toyota is always good.

Basically, I'm just after a 4x4 that will pull a trailer and go in the snow. I know both vehicles will do that. I know that in going with the Jeep, I'm not swapping my truck that has 109K for a trail rig that could have some hidden issues. I know that going with the 4Runner, I'm getting Toyota reliability, keeping a 5 speed, and it could be fun. The concern with the Toyota is that its near 200K. Is a Toyota near 200K better or worse than a Jeep with 150K?
Those inline-6 motors have always been great. I just want to be sure that they still were in 1999.

Most importantly, I trust you guys to tell it to me straight. You guys have tons of knowledge to share.

Thanks
 
LBarr2002 said:
Cherokee unless it's a rust bucket. The 99 'Classic' is essentially the same thing as your 91.
Click to expand...

The pictures I've seen...it looks pretty good. I'm gonna miss the Mazda, whatever I do, because it was sort of a "cult classic" sort of truck. I know I have to move on to what fits my family though.
 
andrewlail76 said:
The other vehicle is a 1994 Toyota 4Runner. It is pushing 200K. It needs valve cover gaskets, which I think may take a little more work than the Jeep, but still not a big deal. It has a 3" body lift and 32" tires. It is a 5 speed. I haven't seen pictures yet, but my parents had a 90 4Runner years ago and it was a cool vehicle. The only things I remember about it though was that it had no power, I remember having to re-do the head gaskets, and it really used the gas. Maybe all that changed in 4 years...
Click to expand...

3.slow motor?

I would go with the Cherokee
 
Mac5005 said:
Cherokee for sure. Far better than a 3.0 runner. If the 4Runner was a 22re, it would be a harder choice.
Click to expand...

X2. but the 22re wouldnt like pulling much of a trailer, esp with 32s.
 
Thanks guys. I'm leaning real heavy to the Cherokee. At this point, I'm ready to meet the guy halfway, hand him my title and drive home in the Cherokee. I'll be smart though. I know what to look for. It would take a lot to make me change my mind.

I did have an offer for a 1998 Suburban...I said no. I don't need anything that big...
 
I know I was short but...the Burban would have an LS1, a4L60E (both long proven and readily available should pats be needed)

Would get the same fuel mileage as the Cherokee.
have way more power should you decide to tow something would do it better.

And just general comfort. I know lots of folks like Cherokees, but Damn I dont see how anyone over about 5'9" and a buck and 65 can fit comfortably in one.
That 98 would be the latest of the square body evolution (with 99 being the true final model year) and those darn things are just tanks. They run forever. Have good power and get surprisingly good fuel mileage.

Plus they are ENORMOUS...inside
 
Likely the L31, not the LS1. LS1 is a car motor = aluminum block. The 98 had the 5.7L L31 or the big block L19. Not a bad motor if you wake it up a little. :)
 
But same MPG as a Cherokee? Come on now @Ron
XJ is 3500lbs, smaller frontal area, smaller tires, and has like a 0.6 overdrive.
 
I say Cherokee, I love my little 99. I'll probably never sell it but if I do KBB still values it for more than I paid for it. It's unmolested except for a dual electric fan upgrade. It's pushing 200k and needs some work. I may put a small lift on it just to replace some wearing suspension components. I used to pull a lil 5x8 trailer and would load it to the max with dirt stone wood... The wife DDs it to work, and it just keeps going. Probably the best year model Cherokee made IMO...
 
andrewlail76 said:
I did have an offer for a 1998 Suburban...I said no. I don't need anything that big...
Click to expand...

jyaks said:
The Burban isn't an option, it was a car he had in the past.
Click to expand...

???

jeepinmatt said:
But same MPG as a Cherokee? Come on now @Ron
XJ is 3500lbs, smaller frontal area, smaller tires, and has like a 0.6 overdrive.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the '98, but my wife has an '05 yukon xl 5.3 4x4 and that thing gets 18mpg in her normal driving and pushes 20 on the highway. My XJ got like 16.
 
LBarr2002 said:
???



I'm not sure about the '98, but my wife has an '05 yukon xl 5.3 4x4 and that thing gets 18mpg in her normal driving and pushes 20 on the highway. My XJ got like 16.
Click to expand...


I had a 1992 GMC Suburban 2500 before I had the Mazda - It averaged around 10-13MPG.
I was offered a 1998 Chevy Suburban, but I just don't want anything that big.
 
I think I'm just going to keep my truck. The Cherokee would be cool and all, but I can haul so much in a truck...and...I'm not quite to 110k on a vehicle that's 24 years old.
 
probably not the best place to post the question in hopes of an admin seeing it.

I'd pm shawn and trailhugger if I were you.
 
rockcity said:
Im pretty sure they have been on vacation for the last 2 weeks. I'm sure your stickers will be sent out soon once they get back home. :)
Click to expand...
Surely they carry several around at all times just so they can drop one in the mail ASAP wherever they are. I mean come on what are we paying for here?
 
andrewlail76 said:
I bought some NC4x4 stickers about 2 weeks ago. When should I expect to get them?
Click to expand...
Once you make a final decision on your vehicle, they will make a ruling on whether or not it is NC4x4 compliant. If it is ruled compliant, they will mail your sticker. If it is not NC4x4 compliant, you will be billed double for the trouble.
 
Back
Top