Hi Ernest,
For once I can say I had experience with a pristine example. My parents bought
their XJ new the year I graduated from high school. That was '94 so I think it
was a '95 but I'm not 100% sure. I did LOVE the 4.0l engine, plenty of power.
That said on and offroad my '88 GMC Jimmy S15 was much more competant,
comfortable and got better fuel economy (blasted 2.8l had no power but got good
economy for what it was). The IFS front end road better and tracked WAY better
on the highway. The seats were more comfortable, two adults could ride
comfortably in the back no problem and even though mine was a base model (5spd,
2.6l v6, vinyl seats and floor) it had better gauges. The Jimmy also had a real
spare tire.
My Dad had a '99 Chevy Tracker that also kicked the snot out of the Cherokee,
more comfortable (although my shoulder would touch the b pillar) on the
highway, better seats (Cherokee seat bases aren't long enough, theres no
support of my thighs) again with a real spare tire and MUCH MUCH better offroad.
I used to think (from reading Fourwheeler mags) that live axles in the front
were the best thing ever. Then I compared driving them on the highway, gimmie
IFS any day.
It'll be interesting when we go to camp in a couple weeks to compare my new to
me Ranger with my parents Liberty (they have a pair of them actually). Dad and
I have gotten his Liberty stuck several times in places my Dakota would walk
right through. I blame it mostly on feeling disconnected from the wheels so I'm
never sure whats going on. My initial offroad impressions (from driving in
snow) of the Ranger are very positive. I drove it in a wicked snowstorm last
winter and it felt nearly as good as my Jimmy did and that truck was awesome.
I'd love to find another early Jimmy or Blazer that wasn't all rusted out. Put
a 6.2l diesel into it (and tons of heavy suspension bits to hold it up, a 5.7l
diesel might be more practical).
-Curt
Date: Fri, 08 May 2009 16:02:58 -0700
From: ernest breakfield <erne...@backyardengineering.org>
Subject: [MBZ] XJs (was: Re: Another Chrysler Update)
To: Mercedes Discussion List <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Message-ID: <4a04ba22.1000...@backyardengineering.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed"
hi Curt!
that might be the root of the problem; how many "cars" are equally
competent on a desert washboard, in a foot of snow, or what's left of an
old mining road?
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