Jeep Cherokee Offroad, oppinions?
Discussion
Hi All, after abit of advice.
Looking at buying a cheap (£1k or so) jeep Cherokee for abit of offroading fun in the summer, just wondered if anyone had any previous experience with them, and are they much cop off road?
We had one when i was very young and do remember that it was taken off-road a few times, but cant remember how well it fared!
Also, I know they made a 2.5 petrol and diesel, and a 4.0 petrol straight six, any opinions on which i should go for, or more importantly keep clear of?
All advice greatly appreciated.
Shamu
Looking at buying a cheap (£1k or so) jeep Cherokee for abit of offroading fun in the summer, just wondered if anyone had any previous experience with them, and are they much cop off road?
We had one when i was very young and do remember that it was taken off-road a few times, but cant remember how well it fared!
Also, I know they made a 2.5 petrol and diesel, and a 4.0 petrol straight six, any opinions on which i should go for, or more importantly keep clear of?
All advice greatly appreciated.
Shamu
The Cherokee is a good car off-road and you can pick up some tidy examples for £1k.
If it is just as a play thing, then any of the engine options will be fine. Despite its drink problem, my preference is the 4.0 as it is pretty much bomb proof!!
All I'd say is avoid the temptation to throw things like 2" lifts, winches, snorkels, etc... at it straight away. Learn how to drive first and when you understand what's going on, then you'll know what's best to fit and why. Once you know what you're doing, you shouldn't need much more than this little lot:
If it is just as a play thing, then any of the engine options will be fine. Despite its drink problem, my preference is the 4.0 as it is pretty much bomb proof!!
All I'd say is avoid the temptation to throw things like 2" lifts, winches, snorkels, etc... at it straight away. Learn how to drive first and when you understand what's going on, then you'll know what's best to fit and why. Once you know what you're doing, you shouldn't need much more than this little lot:
- Shovel.
- Recovery points.
- Steering guard.
- Decent tyres.
- Hand winch & recovery equipment.
I do RTVs (admittedly perhaps a tad extreme case of offroading) in my XJ and they do suffer in comparison to Zuks and Defenders because of a relatively long wheelbase and rear overhang. Also, most will have sagging rear leaf springs, mine certainly did. However with some careful modification they can hold their own - at one event some of the LR boys were asking about my LSD, errr, I don't have one 
re front recovery points, the unibody ain't that strong if it's given a big heave on one side at the front. I fitted a mount which is bolted to both sides of the frame at the front which helps prevent twisting the frame.
re front recovery points, the unibody ain't that strong if it's given a big heave on one side at the front. I fitted a mount which is bolted to both sides of the frame at the front which helps prevent twisting the frame.
Thanks for the replies so far guys.
Part of the appeal of the Cherokee is you get atleast a few creature comforts in the cabin, living in Oxford its abit of a drive to find anywhere interesting!
Should say I had a SWB Pajero previously, however the MPG was absolutely attrocious and i sold it to fund a trip to Australia! It was however brilliant off road and im just concerned if i get a Cherokee i may find myself abit disappointed?
Part of the appeal of the Cherokee is you get atleast a few creature comforts in the cabin, living in Oxford its abit of a drive to find anywhere interesting!
Should say I had a SWB Pajero previously, however the MPG was absolutely attrocious and i sold it to fund a trip to Australia! It was however brilliant off road and im just concerned if i get a Cherokee i may find myself abit disappointed?
My XJ Cherokee is awesome off-road - I have taken it to the MOD proving ground at Bagshott a few times and have twice had to tow Defenders who got stuck trying to follow me!!
The best motor is the 4.0 auto - it has a proper transfer case, with low ratio box and locking centre diff which will get you out of most trouble, the 4.0 also has an LSD as standard on the rear axle. This is great fun on the road, as if you stick it in 2wd (which is RWD) you can drift around roundabouts at 20mph, a nice safe speed at which to learn how to drift....
Back to off-road, a small 2" lift and AT tyres are all you need. The rear clearance has never been an issue for me, ever. They wade pretty well too, I have had a bow-wave over the bonnet, and it just cracked on, didn't miss a beat.
On the motorway it will blat along all day at 80 if you want - MPG is ok on long runs, mid 20's is possible. If you do lots of short runs, 18mph is about the norm.
Don't bother with the 2.5 petrol, it lacks the power and only does about 2mpg more than the 4.0. The diesel is an italian unit, fairly robust, but it can be a pain to run, it has a seperate cylinder head for each cylinder, so head-gasket probs are an issue. The diesel only comes in manual too, and without the LSD I think.
Oh, and fit a decent hi-flow exhaust, the 4.0 in-line 6 sounds wonderful with it!!
These are a bargain right now, but they are going up in value as tidy ones seem to be harder to find and everyone is working out they are actually quite cheap to run - dead reliable, no depreciation, cheap to insure and tax, just has a little drink problem thats all!!
Buy one if you can find a tidy one (£2k plus for a good one) - A late one, circa yr 2000 will be galvanised and shouldn't have any rust issues..... I drive a Porsche, but might actually have a softer sport for my Cherokee!!
BTW - if you can find one, the 60th anniversary model is the best - has all the options from the parts bin thrown at it, and it was last of the line...
Just don't forget the 2" lift... they look great with a small lift...
The best motor is the 4.0 auto - it has a proper transfer case, with low ratio box and locking centre diff which will get you out of most trouble, the 4.0 also has an LSD as standard on the rear axle. This is great fun on the road, as if you stick it in 2wd (which is RWD) you can drift around roundabouts at 20mph, a nice safe speed at which to learn how to drift....
Back to off-road, a small 2" lift and AT tyres are all you need. The rear clearance has never been an issue for me, ever. They wade pretty well too, I have had a bow-wave over the bonnet, and it just cracked on, didn't miss a beat.
On the motorway it will blat along all day at 80 if you want - MPG is ok on long runs, mid 20's is possible. If you do lots of short runs, 18mph is about the norm.
Don't bother with the 2.5 petrol, it lacks the power and only does about 2mpg more than the 4.0. The diesel is an italian unit, fairly robust, but it can be a pain to run, it has a seperate cylinder head for each cylinder, so head-gasket probs are an issue. The diesel only comes in manual too, and without the LSD I think.
Oh, and fit a decent hi-flow exhaust, the 4.0 in-line 6 sounds wonderful with it!!
These are a bargain right now, but they are going up in value as tidy ones seem to be harder to find and everyone is working out they are actually quite cheap to run - dead reliable, no depreciation, cheap to insure and tax, just has a little drink problem thats all!!
Buy one if you can find a tidy one (£2k plus for a good one) - A late one, circa yr 2000 will be galvanised and shouldn't have any rust issues..... I drive a Porsche, but might actually have a softer sport for my Cherokee!!
BTW - if you can find one, the 60th anniversary model is the best - has all the options from the parts bin thrown at it, and it was last of the line...
Just don't forget the 2" lift... they look great with a small lift...
Edited by richyd on Friday 1st February 21:48
richyd said:
My XJ Cherokee is awesome off-road - I have taken it to the MOD proving ground at Bagshott a few times and have twice had to tow Defenders who got stuck trying to follow me!!
If I had a pound for every jeep/shogun/landcruiser/suzuki owner with an 'I towed out several land rovers' story, I'd have another land rover by now! 
OP - the Cherokee (XJ version) is a decent off-roader, as suggested the 4.0 is best the only drawback being you can't fit any tyres taller than 30" without mods but there's no shortage of aftermarket kit available for them.
Caulkhead said:
If I had a pound for every jeep/shogun/landcruiser/suzuki owner with an 'I towed out several land rovers' story, I'd have another land rover by now!
But in my case, it honestly is true!!There is something quite satisfying giving a £25k LR a tow when it can't follow a £2k Jeep through a ditch... Even more so as the driver was trying to impress his girlfriend when he got stuck! My kids (5 and 7) were in their booster seats in the back of the Jeep, they thought it was great fun!
TBH, in that instance I just think the LR was being badly driven, it REALLY didn't need to drown, he just hit the ditch too fast. The other time was on the same day, a brand new Defender, but the guy didn't know he had a locking diff, so didn't use it when he needed it...
richyd said:
Caulkhead said:
If I had a pound for every jeep/shogun/landcruiser/suzuki owner with an 'I towed out several land rovers' story, I'd have another land rover by now!
But in my case, it honestly is true!!There is something quite satisfying giving a £25k LR a tow when it can't follow a £2k Jeep through a ditch... Even more so as the driver was trying to impress his girlfriend when he got stuck! My kids (5 and 7) were in their booster seats in the back of the Jeep, they thought it was great fun!
TBH, in that instance I just think the LR was being badly driven, it REALLY didn't need to drown, he just hit the ditch too fast. The other time was on the same day, a brand new Defender, but the guy didn't know he had a locking diff, so didn't use it when he needed it...
richyd said:
The best motor is the 4.0 auto - it has a proper transfer case, with low ratio box and locking centre diff which will get you out of most trouble, the 4.0 also has an LSD as standard on the rear axle.
Not quite, the LSD was an option on the 4.0l petrol. I've been in the diff on mine, and it's defo open.Had a `93` 4ltr petrol. Awesome bit of kit, the one I had was fitted with a lsd and every other extra going,ex jeep uk demo. Would go anywhere and as said could be loads of fun in 2wd mode. Only problem was I could have bought shares in Texaco, would sup the go go juice like it was going going gone.
dowahdiddyman said:
...Only problem was I could have bought shares in Texaco, would sup the go go juice like it was going going gone.
My wife isn't the most observant when it comes to car stuff but even she has commented on how much petrol our 4.0 gets through......A drink problem that would put Ollie Reed to shame.
M
I bought a 98 4 litre, running on LPG in November, just for a winter hack. I've been off road a couple if times, although as a novice have explored its' potential.
It was £900, bought unseen, EBay. So far it's been excellent, probably done about 1000 miles in it over the last few months, a lot on the motorway. Not as comfortable or quick as my other car but 1/10 the price, happy to park it anywhere and more use for chucking dogs, logs etc in.
Definitely worth a look.
It was £900, bought unseen, EBay. So far it's been excellent, probably done about 1000 miles in it over the last few months, a lot on the motorway. Not as comfortable or quick as my other car but 1/10 the price, happy to park it anywhere and more use for chucking dogs, logs etc in.
Definitely worth a look.
camel_landy said:
All I'd say is avoid the temptation to throw things like 2" lifts
M
Not wanting to try and dispute this or be difficult. But an XJ "needs" a lift to be of any real use off road.M
Remember as standard they ride a lot lower than a Disco/Defender does. Lifting them only raises them to the same sort of height.
Indeed in the US you could spec the "up country" options pack when buying a new Jeep, this came with a 1" lift. Which sort of highlights they are too low otherwise.
Caulkhead said:
If I had a pound for every jeep/shogun/landcruiser/suzuki owner with an 'I towed out several land rovers' story, I'd have another land rover by now!
OP - the Cherokee (XJ version) is a decent off-roader, as suggested the 4.0 is best the only drawback being you can't fit any tyres taller than 30" without mods but there's no shortage of aftermarket kit available for them.
OP - the Cherokee (XJ version) is a decent off-roader, as suggested the 4.0 is best the only drawback being you can't fit any tyres taller than 30" without mods but there's no shortage of aftermarket kit available for them.
Shamu said:
Hi All, after abit of advice.
Looking at buying a cheap (£1k or so) jeep Cherokee for abit of offroading fun in the summer, just wondered if anyone had any previous experience with them, and are they much cop off road?
We had one when i was very young and do remember that it was taken off-road a few times, but cant remember how well it fared!
Also, I know they made a 2.5 petrol and diesel, and a 4.0 petrol straight six, any opinions on which i should go for, or more importantly keep clear of?
All advice greatly appreciated.
Shamu
I'll start off by saying I'm a Landy man through and through. However I totally adored my XJ Cherokee and really have no idea why I sold it and wish I hadn't!!!Looking at buying a cheap (£1k or so) jeep Cherokee for abit of offroading fun in the summer, just wondered if anyone had any previous experience with them, and are they much cop off road?
We had one when i was very young and do remember that it was taken off-road a few times, but cant remember how well it fared!
Also, I know they made a 2.5 petrol and diesel, and a 4.0 petrol straight six, any opinions on which i should go for, or more importantly keep clear of?
All advice greatly appreciated.
Shamu
The 4.0 is the best engine by far, but will drink the most. In standard trim they'll do 18-20mpg with 22'ish as highs on a run and lower around town. This is better than a 3.9 V8 Disco/RR will manage and the Jeep is quicker.
The 2.5 isn't bad and has more power than a Tdi Lanndy. But isn't hugely better on fuel than the 4.0 and lacks the grunt. The diesel is ok too but slower and has a reputation for head gaskets.
The 2.5 (P & D) can be had as manual and with no centre diff, so RWD or 4wd (off road only).
The 4.0 is auto only in the UK (although it works very well). But you do get a centre diff, so you can run in 4wd on the road aswell as 2wd.
IMO - They do need a lift. They are low and have poor breakover angle stock. I got mine stuck were a standard Freelander (with TCS) didn't even bat an eyelid.
There are lots of lift options, I went for 2" budget boost. Got it off ebay for £90 and fitted myself. Extended rear shackles and spacers at the front.
After the lift:
And with the 31" MT's
Bit of easy off roading in mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnOx6OGXH2E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd0rkOle8bc
300bhp/ton said:
camel_landy said:
All I'd say is avoid the temptation to throw things like 2" lifts
M
Not wanting to try and dispute this or be difficult. But an XJ "needs" a lift to be of any real use off road.M
Remember as standard they ride a lot lower than a Disco/Defender does. Lifting them only raises them to the same sort of height.
...but that's why you need to quote the complete paragraph.
I don't have any issues with well thought out modifications, it's the 'all the gear, no idea' approach I object to.
M
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