Jeep Cherokee XJ V.S. Toyota Tacoma

[BIG Tony]

So i was wondering if you all could be give me should opinions on what is better.

I currently own the xj but and wondering if the taco is worth trading out.

Jeep is a 2000 Cherokee XJ 4dr 4wd 4L auto

Toyota would potentially be a

2000+ Tacoma Extra Cab manual 3.4L 4wd

just want thoughts and opinions

[MrMoon]

I would think the xj is more comparable to a 4Runner but the 4Runer and Tacoma are really the same thing with different bodies.

That being said I had a cherokee and made the switch to 4Runner and haven't looked back since, its definitely a better platform.

[Fuze911]

Im my opinion, it HIGHLY depends on what you want to do with your car/truck/suv. If its a rig, the lighter weight of the taco might be good but you have a solid front axle and the taco doesnt so it would be a give and take. If you dont need or want to haul **** in the bed, the xj would be a better choice. Also, make sure you check the frame for rust. Some are pretty badly rusted. I say both of these are very simular in what they can do and **** TON of aftermarket choices for mods and parts for both. Just depends if you need a SUV or if your need a TRUCK.

[mad haggis]

Taco, hands down. /thread

[deucestudios]

The low pinion front dana 30 of that year XJ isn't quite as desirable as the 99 and prior. But, TJ wranglers drive around with them, and they make out OK.

Without input on what you're going to do with it, it's tough to say. There's a lot of cases where the Cherokee would be better, and a lot where the Tacoma would.

What are you going to use the vehicle for?

[CreeperSleeper]

Based on the lack of info, I would say Taco. It's just a stronger rig all the way around...

[BIG Tony]

Used for dd trails camping hauling

[mad haggis]

Tacoma will end up costing you less in maintenance and fuel economy will be better. Tacoma will tow better and I like having a bed to be able to throw sh!t in. You could argue all day to no avail when it comes to what's better for camping and trail riding, in which case it would then come to looks... How many girls have you heard say a Cherokee looks hot?? I never have. On the other hand, I hear that often about the Tacoma - gotta count for something

[CreeperSleeper]

How many girls have you heard say a Cherokee looks hot?? I never have. On the other hand, I hear that often about the Tacoma - gotta count for something

LOL! This is the awesome...

[brandonwillyumz]

Tacoma will end up costing you less in maintenance and fuel economy will be better. Tacoma will tow better and I like having a bed to be able to throw sh!t in. You could argue all day to no avail when it comes to what's better for camping and trail riding, in which case it would then come to looks... How many girls have you heard say a Cherokee looks hot?? I never have. On the other hand, I hear that often about the Tacoma - gotta count for something

I've never heard a girl so much as talk about a Tacoma, much less say it's hot.
I say Cherokee.You just can't go wrong with the 4.0 straight 6.

[mad haggis]

I've never heard a girl so much as talk about a Tacoma, much less say it's hot.
I say Cherokee.You just can't go wrong with the 4.0 straight 6.

You sir don't hang out with enough females. And you can go very wrong with a jeep 4.0, like when it catches fire.

And the auto trans is a HUGE weak link in those. That is a fact that you can look up if you wish.

[BIG Tony]

next question

is the toyota 2.7L with a 5 speed good enough for what i described.

[mad haggis]

next question

is the toyota 2.7L with a 5 speed good enough for what i described.

Yep. Of course it won't haul like a half ton pickup as far as power goes, but I've seen some ridiculous loads put in the bed of those things. The 2RZ motor is very reliable and strong also; a friend of mine has one in his Toyota rock crawler. As far as off-road capability in stock form they are on par with the Cherokee, and are more street friendly than one once the mods begin.

[BIG Tony]

what intake header exhaust etc.

[MrMoon]

next question

is the toyota 2.7L with a 5 speed good enough for what i described.

I wouldn't get the 2.7L... its adequate but pretty slow unless you wind it out

I've owned both and the 3.4 is the motor to get, theres also only a 1 mpg difference between the two

[BIG Tony]

what intake header exhaust etc.

Can't you just add a supercharger later

[mad haggis]

what intake header exhaust etc.

I was referring more to suspension mods. The Cherokee responds very poorly and has problems such as death wobble when you start modifying that area.

I wouldn't get the 2.7L... its adequate but pretty slow unless you wind it out

I've owned both and the 3.4 is the motor to get, theres also only a 1 mpg difference between the two

I agree, but it's the buyer's decision really. Maybe he found a good deal on the 4 banger

Can't you just add a supercharger later

supercharger = $$, but you could do whatever you want

[MrMoon]

supercharger = $$, but you could do whatever you want

I had a supercharged 4Runner w the 3.4 and the manual transmission. The supercharger is cool and all but without a 7th injector kit it pings, you need to run 93 octane all the time, and its really doesn't add that much power.

If you want something fun look for the manual trans.

[zane!]

So i was wondering if you all could be give me should opinions on what is better.

I currently own the xj but and wondering if the taco is worth trading out.

Jeep is a 2000 Cherokee XJ 4dr 4wd 4L auto

Toyota would potentially be a

2000+ Tacoma Extra Cab manual 3.4L 4wd

just want thoughts and opinions

(Speaking from experience)

You can easily buy 2 2000 Cherokees for the price you will pay for a 2000+ Tacoma. Something to think about.

The Taco is a better truck: off road, hauling stuff, long term durability, beat it and it won't care. Fuel economy will be similar or slightly better with the Tacoma.

The XJ is a unibody SUV... it will drive *slightly* better on the road, and... um... that's about it. Oh, it's cheaper to work on but the "quality" Chrysler parts need replacing more often than Toyota parts.

[BIG Tony]

what is better this
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3065079028.html

that is mine that i am trying to sell

or this
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2965032729.html

[deucestudios]

If you can get $7200 for a Cherokee, I would take the money all day.
It's real nice looking, don't get me wrong.

[Markos]

The auto trans is a HUGE weak link in those. That is a fact that you can look up if you wish.

Seriously, a HUGE weak link. There is discussion of camping in this thread, not rock crawling. With that said, the AW4 is rock solid for anyone running stock power while offroading. They reliably hit 200K+ without issue. I'm currently at 200K and haven't drained or filled the fluid yet. That's with towing and offroading. If/When it dies, I'll go to the salvage yard and pick up a 150K mile one for $200 and keep on trucking until I hit 200K in 2018.


I rarely see posts about toasted autos on NAXJA.org.

Lots of info on the AW4 here:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1055170

[tip]

Yeah, I'm calling BS on the AW4 being a 'huge weak link'.

You can easily buy 2 2000 Cherokees for the price you will pay for a 2000+ Tacoma. Something to think about.

QFT

That being said, if you can swing the extra dough for the Tacoma, get it.

[zane!]

Yeah, I'm calling BS on the AW4 being a 'huge weak link'.

I'll second that. The AW4 is the BEST part in an XJ, hands down. I give the credit to Aisin-Warner who made it though.

It was also called the Toyota A340h and sold in 4runners and pickups where it is regarded as a stout tranny.

[Markos]

I'll second that. The AW4 is the BEST part in an XJ, hands down. I give the credit to Aisin-Warner who made it though.

It was also called the Toyota A340h and sold in 4runners and pickups where it is regarded as a stout tranny.

The A340H was also in Tundras which as we know are significantly heavier than Tacomas, with more power. I find it humerous that the AW4 is being touted as a week link. Not to mention the A340 was found in the Supra.

By the way I love Tacomas. I'd buy one to replace my XJ if they weren't so damn expensive used. I want the cargo capacity for home projects but it's cheaper for me to simply drop $30 on a Uhaul trailer 5+ times per year.

[brandonwillyumz]

You sir don't hang out with enough females. And you can go very wrong with a jeep 4.0, like when it catches fire.

And the auto trans is a HUGE weak link in those. That is a fact that you can look up if you wish.

You, sir, are laughable. The AW4 is incredibly stout and not really weak at all. Ask me how I know