XJ Cherokee alternative?

Just wondering if there's another cockroach mid SUV that can be purchased in the $3k range that's
1) As durable
2) As easy to work on
3) As easy to get parts for
4) Easy to find in nice shape

Think that no matter what happens at this point, when the MSM goes, we'll be buying another SUV/Small truck, and i've been really impressed with the Cherokee.

I'd love a 4Runner, but Cherokee money doesn't seem to get you much of a 4Runner.

Is there anything i'm missing?

2001 GMC Jimmy.

Nope, don't think so.

Around me, k5 blazer/jimmy or suburban should check all those boxes

Well, the GV is as durable, easier to work on (duh, japanes built import) and you can find them in decent shape pretty easily. The problem is NOTHING is as easy to find parts for as a domestic vehicle like the XJ. About the only thing that will have as easy availablity of parts would be a K5 blazer (because solid axles, leaf springs and 4 bajillion trucks made with the same parts)but finding one in good shape is next to impossible at this point (the newest is 22 years old).

So, in all honesty, unless you're willing to give on one of your points, you're going to be silly to get rid of it.

Another XJ Cherokee.

(Until you-know-who suggests a Trooper!)

John Brown wrote: 2001 GMC Jimmy.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA! That is some funny E36 M3 there. Wait.... you were serious?

Mid-90s Exploder? They sold boatloads of them, so parts availability should be good. Dunno about ease of working on, but durability should be decent.

I thought Grand Vitara as well. It actually made #8 on the Top 10 Overland vehicles list:

http://expeditionportal.com/guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html

Here's the spec comparisons: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&i=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&tb=0&dt=0&v=t92460&v=t2063

You MAY get a 3rd Gen 4Runner for that price, but I have heard about frame rust on that generation. I've seen them go 400,000- 650,000 miles. Or just stay with the XJ's.

John Brown wrote: 2001 GMC Jimmy.

There's a nice one down the street from us for $2500.

MIL suggested it/pointed it out to us.

I laughed in her face.

ebonyandivory wrote: Another XJ Cherokee. (Until you-know-who suggests a Trooper!)

That's the current plan, just making sure i'm not overlooking anything that's super awesome and would be fun to experience.

(Early 90s Pathfinders?)

In reply to Tom_Spangler:

Mine hasn't been bad to work on, and parts are easy to find (was able to find a radiator in Podunk Utah on a weekend). They aren't as good off-road, but will have a quieter and better ride on-road than a Cherokee.

Early model Xterra?

Tom_Spangler wrote: Mid-90s Exploder? They sold boatloads of them, so parts availability should be good. Dunno about ease of working on, but durability should be decent.

Not with those V6s. Maybe a 5.0 model.

What about an old Amry blazer?

I guess to clarify, there's nothing that i really find "lacking" in the Cherokee. It's plenty comfy for me, size is just about perfect, i like the 4.0 a LOT, the trans is good, if very power sapping, the gas mileage sucks, but i typically drive 20 miles a day.

I would prefer to stay with something rather "trucky." No car/van based SUVs, and i like my "trucky things" pretty butch looking. (Tall order in a mid-size/compact SUV.)

I know that the GV is a nice SUV, but i'm shopping for me, not SWMBO. (She already has a Cherokee and loves it)

Fletch1 wrote: Early model Xterra?

I was wondering about these and Pathfinders... They both seem to be pretty cheap, and i remember a bunch of my buddies having the old square pathfinders and them never really having issues with them outside of rust.

I also remember them being able to fit some ridiculous amount of tire in stock form, and still being able to spin said tire and pull off some hilarious drifts when equipped with a 5spd transmission.

I replaced my Grand Cherokee with an 02 Ford Explorer. 02 is the first year after the the flipping over Explorers. It has independant rear suspension, the 4.0 L v6 has plenty of grunt to tow with, and a ton easier on gas than my previous Jeep.

I like it. Had mine 3 years now, no problems towing the race car to and from the track every weekend.

Isuzu--Rodeo and Trooper. Possibly Mitsubishi Montero, but I know nothing about them.

Fletch1 wrote: I thought Grand Vitara as well. It actually made #8 on the Top 10 Overland vehicles list: http://expeditionportal.com/guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html Here's the spec comparisons: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&i=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&tb=0&dt=0&v=t92460&v=t2063 You MAY get a 3rd Gen 4Runner for that price, but I have heard about frame rust on that generation. I've seen them go 400,000- 650,000 miles. Or just stay with the XJ's.

Read this link, the Suzuki and the Nissan seem like the best bets according to them.

If it were me and I was going all-out I would probably get the CUCV or something older, but that's me.

tuna55 wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: I thought Grand Vitara as well. It actually made #8 on the Top 10 Overland vehicles list: http://expeditionportal.com/guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html Here's the spec comparisons: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&i=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&tb=0&dt=0&v=t92460&v=t2063 You MAY get a 3rd Gen 4Runner for that price, but I have heard about frame rust on that generation. I've seen them go 400,000- 650,000 miles. Or just stay with the XJ's.

Read this link, the Suzuki and the Nissan seem like the best bets according to them. If it were me and I was going all-out I would probably get the CUCV or something older, but that's me.

Like this?

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4285496345.html

tuna55 wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: I thought Grand Vitara as well. It actually made #8 on the Top 10 Overland vehicles list: http://expeditionportal.com/guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html Here's the spec comparisons: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&i=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&tb=0&dt=0&v=t92460&v=t2063 You MAY get a 3rd Gen 4Runner for that price, but I have heard about frame rust on that generation. I've seen them go 400,000- 650,000 miles. Or just stay with the XJ's.

Read this link, the Suzuki and the Nissan seem like the best bets according to them. If it were me and I was going all-out I would probably get the CUCV or something older, but that's me.

If it's MY choice, a rust free K20-'burb with a d-max 4L80 swap. but Ben's a bit too prissy for something that manly.

Swank Force One wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: I thought Grand Vitara as well. It actually made #8 on the Top 10 Overland vehicles list: http://expeditionportal.com/guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html Here's the spec comparisons: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&i=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&tb=0&dt=0&v=t92460&v=t2063 You MAY get a 3rd Gen 4Runner for that price, but I have heard about frame rust on that generation. I've seen them go 400,000- 650,000 miles. Or just stay with the XJ's.

Read this link, the Suzuki and the Nissan seem like the best bets according to them. If it were me and I was going all-out I would probably get the CUCV or something older, but that's me.

Like this? http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4285496345.html

Your avatar is how I look now. Well, it's not a Nissan, Suzuki, or CUCV, but it sure is nice. Nothing wrong with that.

Swank Force One wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: I thought Grand Vitara as well. It actually made #8 on the Top 10 Overland vehicles list: http://expeditionportal.com/guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html Here's the spec comparisons: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&i=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&tb=0&dt=0&v=t92460&v=t2063 You MAY get a 3rd Gen 4Runner for that price, but I have heard about frame rust on that generation. I've seen them go 400,000- 650,000 miles. Or just stay with the XJ's.

Read this link, the Suzuki and the Nissan seem like the best bets according to them. If it were me and I was going all-out I would probably get the CUCV or something older, but that's me.

Like this? http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4285496345.html

No, this is a CUCV:

Military blazer with the 6.2 diesl, Turbo400 trans and monster axles. Sheet metal is thicker than the civilian versions so rust is rarely an issue.

Bobzilla wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: I thought Grand Vitara as well. It actually made #8 on the Top 10 Overland vehicles list: http://expeditionportal.com/guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html Here's the spec comparisons: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&i=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&tb=0&dt=0&v=t92460&v=t2063 You MAY get a 3rd Gen 4Runner for that price, but I have heard about frame rust on that generation. I've seen them go 400,000- 650,000 miles. Or just stay with the XJ's.

Read this link, the Suzuki and the Nissan seem like the best bets according to them. If it were me and I was going all-out I would probably get the CUCV or something older, but that's me.

If it's MY choice, a rust free K20-'burb with a d-max 4L80 swap. but Ben's a bit too prissy for something that manly.

Gimme all that for $3k and we'll talk.

Bonus points if you can make it like... 2/3rds the size.

Bobzilla wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: I thought Grand Vitara as well. It actually made #8 on the Top 10 Overland vehicles list: http://expeditionportal.com/guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html Here's the spec comparisons: http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&i=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&tb=0&dt=0&v=t92460&v=t2063 You MAY get a 3rd Gen 4Runner for that price, but I have heard about frame rust on that generation. I've seen them go 400,000- 650,000 miles. Or just stay with the XJ's.

Read this link, the Suzuki and the Nissan seem like the best bets according to them. If it were me and I was going all-out I would probably get the CUCV or something older, but that's me.

If it's MY choice, a rust free K20-'burb with a d-max 4L80 swap. but Ben's a bit too prissy for something that manly.

Is a duramax swap into the K5s something that people actually do? It sounds hard. Why not 6BT at that point? Is keeping everything General easier? I guess the Duramax makes a good motor, it just seems the Cummins is better from what I know - which is not much.