Outer Limits 4x4 Board

hi all,

need advise looking at buying a 4x4. some tell me the best is a Nissan patrol
and some telling me to go for a jeep Grand Cherokee

can some if already compared both cars help me on this

thanks

patrol has bigger F&R diffs...

would help alot if tell us which year model of grand cherokee & patrol you're looking at

& what sort of wheeling and comfort level.
oh and also petrol/diesel and depth of wallet.

it a dec96 build grand Cherokee limited i am keen to buy. also on other hand a GQ Nissan Patrol 91-93 ti

hi thor

it isn't so much off hard core 4x4 driving. but still if my mate want to go place and they all got 91-93 model 4.2 petrol patrols would i be able to compete with them

Hi I have a 96 ZJ Grand Cherokee limited. It drives a lot like a car so a big improvement in comfort. It looks and feels a lot more modern especially because of the leather seats I suppose. I love the power it has which is more like a car. I like how you can corner really fast without body roll because of the front sway bar really doing its job. I noticed it has a great turning circle compared to the Patrol and skinnier so easier to park. You don't fit nowhere near as much stuff in the back because it is much smaller. I love the wheel base of 105".

Off road. I can't speak from experience about this yet but I believe my ZJ will be more capable then most Patrols in a few months time.

I have noticed that the front end is very willing to flex (because of the 5 link) once you disconnect the sway bar and I have noticed the rear doesn't flex as much as the Patrol.
I plan to do about a 3" suspension lift with some arms etc and I plan to get at least 850 on a ramp which is heaps of flex but you will have to spend a couple of grand on arms etc to get it to this level.

There is probably not quite enough under belly clearance at stock so a lift should be considered and you will need some under belly armour.

They have weak diffs and axles so with stock ones you can't go over 31" or maybe 32" tyres and the guards will have to be trimmed to fit the 32". But with these tyres you will have great diff clearance, probably equilavent to a 35" tyre on a Patrol.

My pet hate with the Patrol was getting stuck on the diffs. You won't have that prob with the Grand Cherokee but you may break one.

They are about 2 tonnes so much lighter than the Patrol which I think is a big advantage with hill climbes etc.

In short if you spend a bit of money you will be pulling your mates Patrol up the hill because he won't be able to follow you. I just had to get that out of my system

Someone correct me if I am wrong as my knowledge is based upon reading mainly for the off road side of things.

4WD Stuff wrote: Off road. I can't speak from experience about this yet but I believe my ZJ will be more capable then most Patrols in a few months time.




My pet hate with the Patrol was getting stuck on the diffs. You won't have that prob with the Grand Cherokee but you may break one.

They are about 2 tonnes so much lighter than the Patrol which I think is a big advantage with hill climbes etc.

In short if you spend a bit of money you will be pulling your mates Patrol up the hill because he won't be able to follow you. I just had to get that out of my system

Someone correct me if I am wrong as my knowledge is based upon reading mainly for the off road side of things.

I agree that Jeeps are great offroad vehicals ( once you spend the money on them)!!!

Stock jeep to modified enough to play comfortable, at least $10,000.
Stock Patrol to modified " " " '' , maybe $5000.

Jeep parts are a fukken ripoff to buy if you break or want to modify.
True, you may spend a day pulling ya mates petrol patrol up a hill, but if you break something and ya not a rich bastard, you will be shotgunning with him until you can afford to fix ya Jeep.

if you want to do light stuff then id say get the jeep, but make sure theres nothing wrong with it or it will cost you a fortune to fix.
if you want to do harder stuff then id say get the GQ.

Hey there cincin get on the mjoc web site and check out some of the rigs we run in the club melbourene jeep owners club
Ive got an xj with a truck load of mods done on it, it out flexs most patrols around i run 33'' x 12.5'' pro comp tyres and still run into clearance problems so no 31/32'' tyres wont keep you up with 36'' pootrols ruts are just to deep for the diff pumpkins
power to weight no comparison jeeps kick ass
and as for parts yes they can be expensive but you have to know were to shop you also have to drive the car to its cababilities or either car will cost you a bloody fortune to fix do your home work and it helps if your a club member discount purposes and so on and if your mechanically minded as well here is a jeep site you can check out
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info
any way happy homework
cheers Trev!

!jeepjeep! Wouldn't 33" tyres be to big for the diffs to handle or do you drive really soft or have you upgraded them?

Cheers
Shane

33s shouldnt be a problem... ive heard that 35s and up and you start having probs with diffs...
ad a set of lockers and its not so bad.. but if you want to run big tyres then look into a bigger diff

thank guys. After reading everyones point of view i have got my self a 96 Grand Cherokee limited ZG. I made my mind up when i compared the leather and the way it feels the comfort in the jeep. the GQ felt more like a truck and slow and heavy. yes, maybe a strong car. maybe the later models ???? will be better until i can afford jeep is the right choice. Thanks guys now where do i start. upgrading my ride. Diffs axles and lift kit and where can i shop for them and witch brands.

Congrats on your purchase
I can help you with longer Procomp shocks and coils but Wooders is a Jeep freek so check out what he has to say.
So how high do you plan to lift it?
Also when you are searching everyone calls the ZG a ZJ.

j-top paj wrote

33s shouldnt be a problem... ive heard that 35s and up and you start having probs with diffs...
ad a set of lockers and its not so bad..

So do you mean adding a locker strengthens the diffs. What type of locker, auto locker or ARB?

Shane

4WD Stuff wrote:!jeepjeep! Wouldn't 33" tyres be to big for the diffs to handle or do you drive really soft or have you upgraded them?

Cheers
Shane

I go wheelin with trev a fair bit and the front end has had a heap of work to keep itfrom breakin stuff! Very trick rig and the flex is awsome!

We only do the hard tracks cause the easy tracks piss us off! Also he doesn't drive soft if theres a hard bit that needs a bit of right foot!

Welcome to the Jeep side cincin. Check this out
www.ausjeepoffroad.com