I needed a 4x4 but not a Land Rover.
Discussion
I’m now in my early 70s but I needed a good reliable 4x4 that I could take off road in my profession of a surveyor. I work in the new homes industry so often go onto land that hasn’t been developed so no roads, often mud and occasional big holes in the land.
Dad was a Land Rover dealer for many years and Series Land Rovers were well known. I worked for Jeep in the 70s and 80s and have run several Grand Cherokee 4.0 petrols in more recent years. I’m now on my second KJ Cherokee, a 2.8 td Limited. It’s a good car but like most cars it depends how it’s looked after. I service it twice a year and in the six years I’ve owned it and 30k miles it’s never left me at the side of the road. Having to buy some parts from the USA can be a pain but that normally through delivery and not sourcing the parts.
If I’m doing motorways it will cruise quite happily and comfortably at the maximum speed limits giving car like comfort. Off road in 4low it will go anywhere that the best 4x4 will go. I’ve raised the ride height by fitting oversized Yokohama tyres but now on GPS the speed is what registers on the Speedo. So not a silly increase. It also tows a horse trailer with a full load without problems. Having run it for five years without any great problems this year I’ve replaced all shock absorbers and coil springs, all brake components back and front, all bushes back and front, all bought through Jeep Chrysler in Brackley with no delays and competitively priced.
It’s a keeper, the last model built in the Mercedes Chrysler partnership.
Dad was a Land Rover dealer for many years and Series Land Rovers were well known. I worked for Jeep in the 70s and 80s and have run several Grand Cherokee 4.0 petrols in more recent years. I’m now on my second KJ Cherokee, a 2.8 td Limited. It’s a good car but like most cars it depends how it’s looked after. I service it twice a year and in the six years I’ve owned it and 30k miles it’s never left me at the side of the road. Having to buy some parts from the USA can be a pain but that normally through delivery and not sourcing the parts.
If I’m doing motorways it will cruise quite happily and comfortably at the maximum speed limits giving car like comfort. Off road in 4low it will go anywhere that the best 4x4 will go. I’ve raised the ride height by fitting oversized Yokohama tyres but now on GPS the speed is what registers on the Speedo. So not a silly increase. It also tows a horse trailer with a full load without problems. Having run it for five years without any great problems this year I’ve replaced all shock absorbers and coil springs, all brake components back and front, all bushes back and front, all bought through Jeep Chrysler in Brackley with no delays and competitively priced.
It’s a keeper, the last model built in the Mercedes Chrysler partnership.
I am also in the Construction Sector and also doing new builds . The Groundworkers we use all tend to favour the Toyota Hilux with the occasional Ford Ranger so its interesting to read your comments regarding the Jeep . I suppose the main difference is that you are spending your own money whilst these Companies simply lease theirs on a fixed term agreement
Same flavour of Toyota Land cruiser? Depends on your budget. Land cruisers hold their value really well.
The model line up is confusing but you have the light duty model aka Prado which is sold in the UK as "land cruiser".
The station wagon series "Amazon" in the UK and then "200 series" or "V8". Can import newer models from Japan and middle east.
The the heavy duty series which is the 70 series - not sold in the UK but possible to import from Japan and Australia.
The model line up is confusing but you have the light duty model aka Prado which is sold in the UK as "land cruiser".
The station wagon series "Amazon" in the UK and then "200 series" or "V8". Can import newer models from Japan and middle east.
The the heavy duty series which is the 70 series - not sold in the UK but possible to import from Japan and Australia.
Gassing Station | Off Road | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff