Confused

[smitty9119]

What is better to build, a Grand cherokee or a Cherokee? . From what I understood the only diffrence was apperance. Is this true?

[drakan1908]

There is a big difference in rear suspensions. The Grands have coils in the rear. The fronts are basicly the same. The Grands can come with V8 power. There is a little more room in a Grand. I love my Grand but offroad parts are not as common and more expensive but they are there. I originally went to buy a XJ but after I drove a Grand I was hooked. I love being able to wheel in such comfort. HAHA

[jdougn]

Brian is right about parts. Aftermarket parts are not nearly as common for the ZJ. The XJ will probably be cheaper to buy and the rear suspension is easier to modify for big tires. The rear leaf-spring suspension setup on the XJ allows for easier vehicle modification to allow for more axle articulation. The XJ doesn't have the restricitions of the ZJs coil spring setup. However, both jeeps have their advantages so pick accordingly. Either way, have fun with it!!

[RenegadeStang]

Aftermarket support is stronger for the Cherokee than the Grand.

The Cherokee came with one really good rear axle, the ChryCo 8.25. The Grand didn't really have a great rear axle from the factory (the D35 or the D44a), but that will be argued.

As stated, the Grand has coils front and rear, which means more suspension parts, which means higher prices on lift kits.

But dang, a lifted Grand looks just as good as it's smaller brother!

[JRW7072009]

There are definitely pro and cons to both.

[drakan1908]

Around my area lifted Cherokees are a dime a dozen, but you can count on both hands the lifted Grands. If you are looking for a inexpensive way to 4 wheel you really can't go wrong with a XJ, it will be cheaper to build and as Renegade said the rear axle is one of the big things, if you are gonna wheel it. But then again V8 power is a big draw.

[smitty9119]

Thanks again for all the input. While doing this research I have been scanning Craigslist and yesterday I found the perfect deal. 1996 cherokee 5spd , 200,000 miles on it . One owner. And so the project begins!! I would post a pic but I am not sure how to do it.

[drakan1908]

Here you go http://www.cherokeetalk.com/forum/f5/howto-host-resize-post-pictures-135/

[rockcrusher]

Good luck

[WJCraig]

Both are good but there are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Grand Cherokees have beefier front end parts (Many XJ guys upgrade to them). The ZJ has almost as many parts available as the XJ these days, the WJ has less, and the newer Grands are IFS and have minimal aftermarket support.

If you want to go Long Arms on either, I would highly recommend beefing up the unibody as well. I've seen plenty of twisted XJ's and ZJ's because the leverage on the unibody from the long arm is just too much for them.

One other thing worth mentioning is as a fairly stock driveline in concerned, the Quadra-Drive performs very well, and will get you through things an open diff Jeep will never get through on their own...and is more streetable then Lockers for a weekend warrior type vehicle as well, but looses efficiency with tires over 32".

Lockers are better if you are going to be doing more aggressive wheeling though...

(I'm guessing somebody might disagree with my above statement, but that's what I've found through experience...)

Later.

[jonzer12]

Except for WJ knuckles/brakes, what do you mean Grands have beefier front ends.
Every ZJ/WJ I have seen has a low pinion 30.

[drakan1908]

The V8 ZJ Grands have beefier steering parts, mainly tie rod and drag link.

[smitty9119]

Thanks to drakan's help here is what I picked up for $750[/IMG]

[smitty9119]

[BigBadXJ]

I really think it is a personal preference or which one you happen to get for cheap!