wrangler vs cherokee, or P38 RR?

[shirt]

hi guys,

looking for a 4x4 for commuting [10 mins each way], desert & wadi driving, and towing a track car.

i've been looking at jeeps as there is plenty of choice locally, with cheap servicing and spares costs. ones i want to look at this weekend include these 4:

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/jee...

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/jee...

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/jee...

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/jee...

i have no previous experience with the marque and was hoping to compile a list of things to check for, plus known weaknesses and common failures so i can see if these cars have had the neccesary work done.

so, what do i need to know?

also, would you go for one of the above cars, or something less capable off road but more suited for daily duties and wafting about? i'm thinking something like this non-airsprung p38 RR.

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/lan...

all advice and comments most welcome.

[Gruber]

The RR will be leaps ahead in terms of luxury and comfort. I don't have any direct experience of them, but understand the non-airsprung option is a bonus.

I have a bit more Cherokee experience - currently on my third. The 4.0 straight six is a very robust, lazy engine. Check for leaks everywhere - the diffs, the transfer box, etc etc. Check the auto box changes as it should and the transfer box moves properly from 2wd to 4wd. But they're pretty basic, comfortable enough for punting around in, very capable off road, and have a curious charm. They seem prone to little electrical gremlins, but nothing serious. And check for any untoward knocks, bumps, thumps, bangs etc from suspension, drive train and so on when on the move.

The jeepclub.co.uk website is a mine of useful information, experience and advice.

The two cherokee examples you list obviously have larger wheels fitted. Unless the previous owner has done something with the drive ratios, the bigger wheels will mess with the gearing... Which matters more for on-road purposes I guess.

[K50 DEL]

I've had a 92 3.9 V8 Classic, a 94 4.6 V8 HSE P38, a 95 4.0 S6 Cherokee and now have a 99 4.7 V8 Grand Cherokee, all are good cars, but the P38 suffers from a reputation for dodgy reliability in certain areas, one of which is the air suspension, so it's good that this one's on coils (mine was as well, it makes the ride suffer a litte, but doesn't go wrong which is a bonus... if it's done properly then there are no warning lights on the dash, done cheaply and there will be a warning message on the OBC

The Cherokee was probably the most basic of the lot, heavy on brakes (very heavy actually) but for serious off-roading probably the best) for on road I'd take the Grand anyday, though the Classic has a presence all its own.

Given that you're in sandland, I'd be cautious of a classic simply because the a/c system isn't really up to much.

Go for the best cherokee you can, there are a couple of excellent US based websites that will educate you in terms of the mods to do and just how capable they are.... look forward to doing some dune bashing with you later in the year once I've picked up my Dubai Grand!

[300bhp/ton]

shirt said:

hi guys,

looking for a 4x4 for commuting [10 mins each way], desert & wadi driving, and towing a track car.

i've been looking at jeeps as there is plenty of choice locally, with cheap servicing and spares costs. ones i want to look at this weekend include these 4:

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/jee...

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/jee...

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/jee...

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/jee...

i have no previous experience with the marque and was hoping to compile a list of things to check for, plus known weaknesses and common failures so i can see if these cars have had the neccesary work done.

so, what do i need to know?

also, would you go for one of the above cars, or something less capable off road but more suited for daily duties and wafting about? i'm thinking something like this non-airsprung p38 RR.

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/lan...

all advice and comments most welcome.

They are all good and all capable vehicles, but it depends what you want from it tbh.


The Wrangler is the smallest and lightest, so as a rule will have advantages off road compared to the others. It is also highly modable, with a HUGE array of parts to lift it, make it faster and better.

That said, it will also be the least refined and least comfy. However you can remove the roof and doors, so it's arguably the most fun.

The only thing I'm not so keen on, is the transfer box in a Wrangler has no diff, so it's either 2wd or 4wd, but you can't usethe 4wd all the time on grippy surfaces.

Generally very reliable and easy to work on, the 4.0 S6 is a lovely motor. Rear axles are weak if you opt for big tyres.


The Cherokee has a lot in common with the Wrangler. Although it uses a monocoque design rather than a ladder chassis. It also has leaf rear suspension, but this aside is a more luxury and comfy alternative to the Wrangler.

Huge after market too and has been proven to be just as capable off road. More practical with 5 proper seats and a descent boot. Less fun, but maybe nicer day to day.Most 4.0 Cherokee's use a different transfer box to the Wrangler, so you do get a centre diff.


P38a, arguable aimed at an even higher market than the Cherokee, more luxury based. Although in reality the p38a offers little over a Cherokee in spec or comfort. It is a bigger vehicle and uses coil all round, but is still live axled.

As it's heavier performance is less impressive than with the Jeeps and while highly capable off road, it's longer wheelbase and bulk don't help it. Some have TCS on the rear wheels though and they do flex well stock.

Lots of niggles on p38a's, the base mechanics are pretty solid, but they do suffer lots of smaller issues. Air suspension is good, but confuses many and maybe not the most ideal for modding.

[shirt]

informative post, cheers.

i'm looking at the white cherokee tonight. has a lift kit, big wheels etc. and is cheap.

then tomorrow i'll be looking at a 2001 plate disco and maybe a 2003 L322 RR.

i agree it's horses for courses and i won't be able to offroad for 1/3 of the year [well you can, 50degC in the desert is a recipe for disaster]. much prefer the looks and interior of the disco/RR, and the fact they come in V* flavours, but the trade off is less capable offroad and much more complex and expensive to fix.