ZJ Grand Cherokee, or 2nd gen 4runner?

[quikveedb2]

Once again I'm scouting for a winter vehicle, and hopefully that's also capable of replacing the e30 on DD status so I can dig into that project a little deeper. I have been looking at ZJ Grand Cherokees, mostly the 4.0 4x4 Limited, which I can get in the 140-180k mile range in the price range I'm shopping in. Motivation for getting a Jeep would be 4x4 capability, gear & dog hauling, reliability, ease of maintenance, and low prices on parts. Also my g/f drives a 4.0 Cherokee so it'd make my life easier to have similar vehicles to maintain. I checked on 4runners in a similar price range out of curiosity, and I can find the 2nd gen body style with similar maintenance history, but almost all with 200k miles or more. What say ye, r3v? Lower milage Jeep, or the higher mileage Toyota?

[chop_suey]

4runner all the way

[Holland]

Toyota is a great truck, but I don't like the premium they carry. Jeep will be better value.

[James Crivellone]

I had a 1992 4Runner for awhile, the 3VZE (if you get the V6) is awful, loves to eat headgaskets, timing belt (non interference though) enough vacuum lines to run around the entire earth and the Automatic Transmission in them was terrible.

Mine was a Manual, which made it bearable, however that engine was great at 2 things, BARELY moving the truck, and drinking fuel.

Toyota is not worth the premium, yeah it was a good rig, but its not worth it. I'd go Jeep with the trusty 4L HO before Toyota.

Hell, I like my Rover 4L V8 more than that stupid 3L Toyota V6. At least I have Torque

[cmcgrogan]

the zj is a boat. terrible gas mileage. but if you do get one, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get the 4.0. the v8's in the gc's are shit. tons of them on cl are for sale because they need motors. but with that said, im a jeep guy and would go for a 4 runner if you can find one that isnt already rotted out. they are hard to find around here in good shape. (NJ)

[gtdragon980]

XJ /thread.

[cmcgrogan]

XJ /thread.

agreed

[hendrixvodu]

XJ /thread.

Get an Xj limited and you have all the options a zj has in a better truck

[Nick_S]

XJ /thread.

Came to post. Beaten to it. Leaving satisfied.

[MR E30 325is]

XJ owner here as well. Excellent winter vehicle.

[quikveedb2]

For all you XJ proponents, I agree that it's a good truck, but after spending many hours driving & riding in my girlfriends I really don't find it comfortable at all. Are the seats in the Limited any better?

[slammin.e28]

SJ /done.

Make sure to get the wood paneling too.

[Jb325is]

There is absolutely no reason to buy an XJ over a ZJ... They're basically the same thing except the XJ has shitty leafs in the rear and ZJ has a 5 link (coil springs). Just make sure you buy a 4.0. I would stay away from that era 4Runner

[BimmerJeff]

I've been a long time Jeep owner, two TJ's and a 4.7 WJ. I'd get the Jeep mostly because of the value as said before. 4 Runners are nice but they're always really pricey in my area.

I disagree with the 4.0 vs V8 thing though. The 4.0 is a great motor but I would have never went with a 4.0 in my WJ. A Grand is a heavy vehicle and the 4.0 is somewhat underpowered. Gas mileage is the same between the two (on properly maintained vehicles). But if you don't need the power the 4.0 will serve you well.

[Jb325is]

I've been a long time Jeep owner, two TJ's and a 4.7 WJ. I'd get the Jeep mostly because of the value as said before. 4 Runners are nice but they're always really pricey in my area.

I disagree with the 4.0 vs V8 thing though. The 4.0 is a great motor but I would have never went with a 4.0 in my WJ. A Grand is a heavy vehicle and the 4.0 is somewhat underpowered. Gas mileage is the same between the two (on properly maintained vehicles). But if you don't need the power the 4.0 will serve you well.

ZJ's got the 5.2 though, which is shit. The 4.7 is a great motor.