Yota pickup vs Jeep Cherokee...which is better for wheelin?

Joe Baucom

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Joined
Dec 18, 2013
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Matthews
I've been wanting to do a build project for a while now, mostly just things that I think would be cool, but I'm stuck in between a rock and a hard place: yota pickup or Jeep Cherokee?? I currently don't have the funds to start a project like this, but I'm making future plans, so I can do it when I get there. Anyway, my main concern is: which rig would be best suited for trails as well as mud, with the right adjustments? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated boys, thanks
 
With the right mods... both are great... budget is the deciding factor really.
 
You can't go wrong either way. If you are on a tight budget I would go with the Cherokee. Mods are cheaper plus you already got the straight front axle.
 
I am partial to Toyota. It takes a lot of upgrades to get a Cherokee drive train as strong as a stock Toyota (let the hating begin). You also get a frame (albeit possibly rusted) with a Toyota. I'm assuming starting with a 79-85 Yota with a solid front axle. If you can find an 85 you are set bc they are fuel injected.

My first real trail rig was a 79 that I dd'd. I bought it for $400 and welded both axles, installed HD clutch, and put new 33" TSLs with some other stuff for less than $1500.
 
Theres always that guy who says cherokee axles can handle 40" tires welded with stock shafts but other than him i think everybody will agree toyota drive train is better and it has a frame
 
get a samurai SOA locked on 31s and do anything a yota or jeep can do on 40s :flipoff2:
 
I vote pickup just due to the fact I have seen them beat to hell. Add 33s sliders and a rear locker and it will do everything at Uwharrie. Cherokees a good to, you really cant go wrong with either.
 
Can't go wrong with either one. As already mentioned, an 85 Yota with solid axle and EFI motor is a solid platform to build from. A Cherokee with a 4.0/AW4/231 combo and 8.25 rear is also a solid platform to build from.
 
A Samurai will do everything at URE on P215's :D. At least mine did back about 6-7 yrs ago.
 
True!! I would stick with 31's, but I like having ground clearance. I plan on doing about the same thing to either rig: suspension lift, mud grips, bumpers, and fender flares. Y'all's I put is a huge help tho guys, preciate it
 
I drove my stock 92 all over URE on 31" all terrains. I did have a lockright in the rear, but I only pulled it down in 4wd 2 times the whole weekend.
 
im with the crowd, those are probly top two rigs as far as tough and low cost go, i am partial to the yota myself (1985 being my first entry level choice) but the XJs are hard to beat, another consideration to me would be what your group wheels. I have a group of sammi and toyota guys i usually wheel with so it is easier to get parts on the cheap or if we are off wheeling they may have what i just broke or vice versa. Good luck and whatever you do decide on enjoy it!!
 
Joe Baucom said:
True!! I would stick with 31's, but I like having ground clearance. I plan on doing about the same thing to either rig: suspension lift, mud grips, bumpers, and fender flares. Y'all's I put is a huge help tho guys, preciate it
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Forget big bumpers at first, and dont buy fender flares cause you will just rip them off on a tree or rock anyway. Instead put that money towards stuff like lockers, gears, axles, tires, cage etc...
 
Got a buddy that wanted to get into wheeling, found a 80 for $600, with a/c. Put shackle lift on it for $30, 35" Trxus mts and wheels for $400 and lockers for $300, installed the lockers and tires and went wheeling...can't beat that. And he dds it , clean wheeling rig for $1500
 
I had a carbed IFS truck now that you mention it, i had forgot about that truck, it was an '86 i think.
 
If i were you, and this is just my opinion, i would go with the yota. Ive known and wheeled with them and theyre really hard to beat for a good solid truck. Just dont put money in dumb appearance things like bumpers and fender flares like what was said before. Keep an eye out for a used locker for the rear and put a cage in it for sure. If you dont get in a rush and shop around on here and craigslist you can find some awesome deals on yota parts. Thats one of the main reasons ive put a lot of toyota parts on my samurai now.
 
Anyone look at the price of old yotas lately? He could probably get a Cherokee for around a grand and put $2k more into it before he could buy an 85 or older decent shape Toyota. And I'm a yota fan.
 
Cherokee are priced about the same the ones that are cheaper are either hacked or beat to shit. Now everybody thinks there Cherokee is worth 4-5k just because it has a spacer lift and 31s. Just have to look around and be patient to find a good deal.
 
Cherokee....decent power/good trans/decent t case with an sye. They jump really well. It's hard to get a Toyota going fast enough to do sweet jumps
 
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