Used Jeep Cherokee or Toyota 4Runner?

Discussion in 'The Pub' started by AKmoney, Sep 29, 2008.

  1. TooTech

    TooTech Member

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    I have a 2000 Cherokee (xj) and did so much research prior to buying because I heard some of the rumors above. It has 138 K and runs like a top. A coworker had one with 200 K and only replaced the water pump. It is almost like they are great or terrible but none in the middle.

    Most of the bad stories/rumors above went away with Benz buying Chrysler. The tip here is to buy 99 or later. The last year being 2001. 99s and later have little problems if any and are dialed. The straight 6 is bomb proof. They are fast, torky and plenty have of motor for 2-4 people and bikes. I am not a competition rock crawler guy but have aquaintances that are. Many use the straight six, axles geared appropriately, because of its reliability.

    They are better in dirt than the 4 runners because of the solid axles and suspension. They are also much lighter. Mine is very moderately built and the things I can do safely with it would have the average person questioning its capabilities. This is the point where 4 runner owners get offended and say that there truck can do anything, but OK. 4 runners are spectacular vehicles as well and may be slightly less thirsty than a cherokee. They are more expensive also.

    Mine has been all over Arizona, Mamoth, Arrowhead, Big Bear and Socal as my daily driver, fishing and hunting vehicle. Some of the places it has been I would not want an unreliable vehicle because of the boonies factor. It has never let me down with the exception of a pin prick radiator hose leak that I caught on Bake and Trabuco. In the field this would have been fixed with duct tape until I could replace the hose. No biggy.

    If want want the scoop on what to look for in one PM me. I did tons of fact finding.
     
  2. rmesa1

    rmesa1 Member

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    Mid 95 was s the change over to 5vz-fe from the 3vz-fe the 3vz had the major head gasket problem the 5vz also has a recall for the head gaskets but only for a external oil leak but all those would have been done by now. Plus the 5vz is a 3.4l engine it has alot more power and runs alot smother than the 3.0l that was pre 95. If you are local to irvine and want to car looked before you buy it pm me.
     
  3. boboso

    boboso Getting back on the bike.

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    Buy the Toyota... cause I work for em' :)

    Seriously, the 4 Runner is a very capable vehicle and the gas mileage is not too bad (we get 17-24 in my wife's that has a v-6). I do not have the 4 wheel drive version and the FJ takes care of that area....
     
  4. Zippo

    Zippo Pow Wow!

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    Toyota!

    My '96 Land Cruiser has been rock solid. Best most reliable and capable car I've owned to date. The 4 Runner will probably be more expensive in the long run, but I think it will serve you better than a Je*p.
     

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  5. AKmoney

    AKmoney Member

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  6. TURNERob

    TURNERob Get your own avatar idea

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    Whatever you do don't buy an older 4 runner with the 3.0 V6, severely underpowered POS motor right there.
     
  7. dweinberg01

    dweinberg01 But is my bike okay?

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    Short and sweet from what i've learned

    I bought a 1995 3.0 v6 4runner last year. As TurnerRob said, severly underpowered. The headgasket issue is there because the head is aluminum and the block is steel, so when they heat up, they expand at different rates tearing the gasket. And it is a pain in the butt to work on that motor. Reference the headgasket recall, if you find one, call your local dealership and give them the vin number. They will be able to tell you if it has been done already.

    Now, if you can find a 90-95 with the 22re motor,(fuel injected) it will still be underpowered, but that can be adjusted based on your tire size. That motor is easy to work on and darn near bulletproof. I've seen one run for 10 minutes with a fist sized hole in the block and no oil inside.

    Another option would be to see if you can find a 95-98 4runner with the 3.4L motor. Try looking on www.yotatech.com, or www.pirate4x4.com . Both have a good selection of used vehicles (every variety). Yotatech will probably be better for the fact that most of the stuff of pirate4x4 is already purpose built for hardcore offroad.

    Good luck.
     
  8. AKmoney

    AKmoney Member

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    I feel like resurrecting this thread... After four years of waffling and soul searching I finally made a decision. :) Recently picked up an '04 4Runner Sport Edition V8 4x4. In the end, the numerous positive testimonials from other 4Runner owners as well as the overall level of capability and refinement of this model won me over. I plan to ride the Rainbow Rim trail on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon next week and this is how I'm going to get there.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. ebenke

    ebenke Member

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    Mmmmmmm V8 4-Runner. Sounds very cool. I drive a V8 Tundra, Toyota makes some nice motors.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (sucks)
     
  10. g-dub

    g-dub Member

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    I thought I took a long time to buy a car. Good call on the 04, the 4th Generation is much nicer inside than the current Gen 5 model. Maybe it's a ploy to make us want to upgrade to the GX460, but the new interiors are sure cheap looking.

    Oh, and I just rolled over 233K on my 99. Time came to do brakes and tires a couple months ago, and it made me go out shopping, but I couldn't find anything I liked enough to spend money on. So we'll run these tires down and then look again.
     
  11. 7pt

    7pt New Member

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    Sold my Cherokee with 210k on itCan'spetreliabilitbecause I lifted it and wheeled the piss out of it but give that abuse it didn't fare too poorly. Late 80's towackage models came with LSD dana 44's sometimes, other wise get a 97+ for ho motor with high spline count Chrysler 8.25 and stub shafts on the front axle. You will have an exhaust from a cracked header, get over it, no headers last on them. 21mpg on highway with 33" mud tires and 4.56 gears.
     
  12. AKmoney

    AKmoney Member

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    I know... I move slowly at these things. I lost interest in it for a long time and only recently made the decision to get one. Mine has 95K on it and the previous owner was meticulous about servicing it (all records). I expect it to go indefinitely. It won't be a daily driver. It's way too thirsty for that. The first thing I picked up for it was a Thule T2 hitch rack.
     
  13. badgas

    badgas I like dirt

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    Nice

    We have a 4 runner 2wd and an FJ cruiser 4x4 Toyota makes a nice truck

    Have fun on your trip make sure to give us a RR
     
  14. KING_PALM

    KING_PALM DIRT NAP NETWORK

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    Have and own a 93 XJ and will say that the 4.0 Inline 6 with a 5sp is solid! it has 175K on the clock and well the clock doesnt work anymore.. Its pretty built as well.
     
  15. Gasper

    Gasper New Member

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    Enjoy the new ride!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 9, 2012
  16. Monster Mash

    Monster Mash New Member

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    I had one that blew a head gasket and warped the head, it took Toyota 6 months to fix it because so many of them had that problem. Every Toyota I have owned had major problems, then I bought a Dodge that has been going strong for 12 years.

    I know a couple Jeep owners and they love them and have no problems with them.
     
  17. AKmoney

    AKmoney Member

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    Anyone care to guess where this is? Specifically, of course :)

    [​IMG]
     
  18. ebenke

    ebenke Member

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    Four corners?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (sucks)
     
  19. suicidesam

    suicidesam New Member

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    Just
    Empty
    Each
    Pocket

    :D
     
  20. 4xdave

    4xdave #228

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    i have a 06 jeep overland hemi, its the best 4x4 ive owned thus far. amazing off road. I dont know about reliability because ive only had it a year but i also went to auto school so i dont realy worry about that stuff because all cars have their problems. I love my truck and thats all that matters.
     

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