Calgary Jeep Association

Author Topic: What's easier?  (Read 954 times)

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Offline M T

  • Baby Wheeler
  • Posts: 54
What's easier?
« on: February 06, 2010, 11:23:19 AM »
What's easier to work on?  Jeep TJ?  or late model Cherokee Sport?  I know they share the same motor and probably a lot of electrical, but in terms of maintenance and wrenching?  Is one more reliable than the other when it comes to durability? 

Just gathering information before I make my decision...  thanks.
2004 TJ Sport RME
31" Goodyear MT/R's

Offline hps4evr

  • Administrator
  • Talks waaay too much!
  • Posts: 2959
Re: What's easier?
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2010, 11:55:19 AM »
tj
YJ=Y’all Jealous

Offline Tyn Pow

  • Budget Lift
  • Posts: 196
Re: What's easier?
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2010, 12:31:47 PM »
x2

and a TJ has more potential if you want to get crazy, imho

Offline 4PLAYZJ

  • UberWheeler
  • Posts: 423
Re: What's easier?
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2010, 12:34:12 PM »
ZJ  ;D

Kidding the TJ is an easier vehicle to work on & has more aftermarket parts available. IMO

Offline dubbleJs

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Re: What's easier?
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2010, 02:27:23 PM »
Although XJ's parts are alot more available in terms of junkyards. You'll never see a TJ at PickNpull, but maybe more so now that Jeepstuff is crushed.
'91 XJ - 3" procrap - cutout for 33" MT's  - More and more dents every run...Sold.
'98 XJ - Lifted, locked and lovin' it

Offline cLAY

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Re: What's easier?
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2010, 02:50:18 PM »
As you said the drive trains arw similar so in that regard they would be the same. The TJ body/sheet metal is thicker than an XJs so it won't dent as easily. Also is fairly easy to pull the tub of a YJ off of the frame and work on the frame or body and have a solid frame making it easier to mount things to the frame. XJs are unibody thus no body lift and extra care must taken when mounting things to the frame.

Also the design the of the TJ body with the fenders sticking out seems to prevent damage to the body.

..

'93 ZJ, 5.2L, lifted/locked/36s..<gone>
'98 5.9er 4.10s,locked,LA,WJ knuckles

Offline jpthing

  • UberWheeler
  • Posts: 389
  • I like things with wheels.
Re: What's easier?
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2010, 08:54:35 PM »
Tj is way easier to work on mostly cuz there's way more room around the engine, and no unibody problems to deal with.  also way less "stuff" like power windows, mirrors and trim parts. I would imagine the TJ has to have one of the lowest parts counts of any car built since the 70's Cherokees are pretty much disposable when used hard on the trail unless you beef it up a lot before you start since the unibodies flex madly and will develop cracks in several areas. Cherokees are way more stable at speed, have less bounce and body roll and can climb steep short slopes way better than a TJ.  I have taken my XJ up a basically sheer ledge nearly 10 feet high...as long as the fronts come over the top before the backs get to the sheer face, you can just power up it.  Trying the exact same obstacle in my TJ, it either wouldn't make it or would tip over backwards. TJs are way better at flexing over off camber twisted up sections, It is amazing to feel...the xj will usually do the same trail but with much more body movement and some horrid creaks cracks and pops from the unibody.  The Xjs have way more bang for the buck though, You can pick up a nice one used for less than $3000 and sometimes less. I got mine for $100 with minor front end damage. XJs are also cheaper to lift with the rear leafs...if you get creative and don't mind a few re-purposed junkyard parts.

XJ, TJ, I love 'em both....do yourself a favor and get a 94 or later XJ though...
'97 TJ, 5" lift, 35's "Sprout"
'95 Xj, 4" lift, 33's Sold to the Bagman
'10 JK unlimited

"Whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right."
-Henry Ford

I'm finally over the Jeep bike debacle..