cherokee or waggy

[gr8outdoorzman]

I have always claimed myself as a CJ or Wrangler guy. now with a wife 2 kids and 2 labs. i have descovered the FSJ lineup. My delema is cherokee or waggy. i have my eyes jumping back and forth from each. thought i liked an 88 waggy, but decided it wasn't me. I think its going to have to be either the 74-83 cherokee or a 63-83 waggy. I have been reading on this forum about the 401 and think thats the motor for me. But what about the straight 6's how does it do in the fsj cherokee's. will i be craving the power that the 401 would give me. This is going to be mostly used for family road trips and comute back n forth to work when the weather isn't favorable for taking the t pless cj. i couldn't get rid of my baby.

Anyways. cherokee i know the delema of getting the kids in and out of the back seat. but they look so kewl, i think that i wouldn't even care... Wife might feel diferently

So what to do what to do. i have lined up a couple of nice waggys one a 67 and the other an 80 and two cherokees from 77 and a 79. one with a 401 and the other 4.2I6 the wagy's a 360 and the other unkown as of yet. hopefully i can find out more about it. But the most expensive is 2200 and the cheapest 500 but apperantly they all run good to best vehicle i have ever owned. either its a great car or he has owned every POS out there and this one is just a smidge better. i dont know.

[jaber]

Having 4 kids myself, them "climbing" in and out gets old real fast.
I say waggy. its more practical.
I have been thinking of a 4.6 stroker with the aw4. If the 258 can do it reasonably, then this should be nice.

[Scoot]

Cherokees are just the lower priced Waggys. I had a 4dr Cherokee with the six years ago that the family loved. It was kind of a dog on all the hills around here. Definitely a safe rig to haul the family around in. Don't forget the XJ's, I kinda like 'em more than wranglers these days.

[FSJunkie]

You should probably go for something with 4 doors for the family. Both cherokees and wagoneers came with 4 doors. As a daily driver go for something with a six. FSJs could come with either a Kaiser 230 OHC, or two different AMC motors. All are good engines. A six won't have the power you want, but it will give you economy. Opposed to the 401, it gets 10 MPG combined. Save your money and don't lift it. Any stock FSJ will do up to moderate trails with stride for family fun runs.

[gr8outdoorzman]

what transfercase would be in a 67 wag with a manual transmission?

[RedBeard2]

Originally Posted by FSJunkie

You should probably go for something with 4 doors for the family. Both cherokees and wagoneers came with 4 doors. As a daily driver go for something with a six. FSJs could come with either a Kaiser 230 OHC, or two different AMC motors. All are good engines. A six won't have the power you want, but it will give you economy. Opposed to the 401, it gets 10 MPG combined. Save your money and don't lift it. Any stock FSJ will do up to moderate trails with stride for family fun runs.

Agreed.

[gr8outdoorzman]

Originally Posted by FSJunkie

Save your money and don't lift it. Any stock FSJ will do up to moderate trails with stride for family fun runs.

So the one i like has a 6 inch lift. but is the oldest of the four. how does the mid 60's wagys drive at 70.

[FSJunkie]

A mid '60s wag depending on the engine should go 70 just fine. If it's the six, then that would be about top speed with that liift. If it has the V8, then it will go 90 or so. That lift will make it unstable at high speeds and harder to handle. To answer your question about the transfer case, it would have the Dana/Spiecer model 20. It has 2 wheel drive, 4 hi, neutral, and 4 lo. It's similar to the NP231 from wranglers in operation. I don't recomend getting one with a lift. Lifts are good for one thing only: severe offroad. All other times they make it top heavy, and handle worse.

[gr8outdoorzman]

Well i am fairly confident that for me...a fsj has to have a lift. be it a 4 or 6 inch spring lift. a jeep without a lift is a 4wd station wagon. I don't want to go crazy off road, but i do live in Utah. and if there's a rock in the trail, only 3 words come to mind. "get over it"! & The waggy is a 360

[Josh D]

Originally Posted by FSJunkie

I don't recomend getting one with a lift. Lifts are good for one thing only: severe offroad. All other times they make it top heavy, and handle worse.

Boy you sure are anti lift!

I'm going to counter your point

I had an '88 GW as a daily driver for 4 years. I put about 25K miles on it in that time. First 6 months it was bone stock.

I added a 4" Rusty's lift and 33" A/T on 15X8 wheels. Here's my opinion:

It rode better.
It looked better.
Handled about the same (I made my own swaybar disconnects, trac bars removed).
Wheeled way better (much better articulation, approach angle, departure angle, breakover angle, ground clearance all around).
I towed with it in this configuration.
I made road trips to Ouray, wheeled it, and drove back, including Interstate speeds of 75-85
Road trip from Albuquerque NM to Phoenix and back twice at Interstate speeds and twisty mountain roads.
Mileage change was negligable.

So in summery, moderately lift Wagoneers handle just fine on road and highway speeds. Many here can attest to that.

[ProTouring442]

Originally Posted by Josh D

Boy you sure are anti lift!

I'm going to counter your point

I had an '88 GW as a daily driver for 4 years. I put about 25K miles on it in that time. First 6 months it was bone stock.

I added a 4" Rusty's lift and 33" A/T on 15X8 wheels. Here's my opinion:

It rode better.
It looked better.
Handled about the same (I made my own swaybar disconnects, trac bars removed).
Wheeled way better (much better articulation, approach angle, departure angle, breakover angle, ground clearance all around).
I towed with it in this configuration.
I made road trips to Ouray, wheeled it, and drove back, including Interstate speeds of 75-85
Road trip from Albuquerque NM to Phoenix and back twice at Interstate speeds and twisty mountain roads.
Mileage change was negligable.

So in summery, moderately lift Wagoneers handle just fine on road and highway speeds. Many here can attest to that.

I think your anecdotal evidence might be more the result of replacing old and worn out items with new ones, but I'll have to agree with your basic premise. A moderately lifted Wagoneer, with moderate being a lift of 4" or less, if properly performed, should handle quite well.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[EBCIII]

Originally Posted by gr8outdoorzman

Well i am fairly confident that for me...a fsj has to have a lift. be it a 4 or 6 inch spring lift. a jeep without a lift is a 4wd station wagon. I don't want to go crazy off road, but i do live in Utah. and if there's a rock in the trail, only 3 words come to mind. "get over it"! & The waggy is a 360

I will politely disagree? I much prefer the stock stance, Beale

[talntar]

2 inches and 31's have done me ok

[tgreese]

Originally Posted by FSJunkie

... FSJs could come with either a Kaiser 230 OHC, or two different AMC motors. ... All are good engines. ...

Well, no. Unless you are an enthusiast, or plan a complete build-up, I suggest you avoid the pre-66 models with the 230. The 230 was notable for historic reasons, but I would never recommend one to a novice owner. The Ross steering used prior to 1966 is enough of a reason to avoid them. The Wagoneers and J-trucks improved a lot in 1966, with vastly improved components.

Note that 6-cylinder Wagons and J-trucks from after 1965 are not plentiful. I'd guess that more than 90% will have one of the V8s. I'm sure you can find a good one eventually, but your search may take some time.

[marshotel]

I hear you jeepin' brother. I too used to be a CJ-7 guy. When we started a family I knew I could only afford one hobby vehicle. I sold the CJ-7 and bought my 87 Grand Wagoneer. At first I was really missing my CJ, but as time went on I really developed an admiration for my GW. The ride is awesome (seriously -drives like my DD Caddy STS) on a stock configuration (although I am ordering my 4" skyjacker lift, whenever the FEds get back to work and send me my return), going everywhere in comfort - leather, A/C, power options, bumpin stereo, enough room to pack everything needed for 10 days of camping, etc etc. I do miss the CJ at times, but I just bought a convertible for my DD and have the GW for all the recreational stuff and snowy winter days. You can hotrod the GW into oblivion, carry half your household stuff with you, climb a mountain, fiord a river, descend a canyon all with easily accessible car seats and a safe ride. Oh yeah, my wife loves it to boot. You cant go wrong with either, I do love the 4 door option. Kids are only too small to get in and out on their own for a short time, so dont get the 4 door if you really like the 2 door. In a couple years it'll be a non-issue.

[fulsizjeep]

I think it is more important to have an FSJ that runs, lift or no lift. For me, a 4 door is the way to go. I am not hating. There are plenty of people who want 2 door Cherokees. Drive 'em if you got 'em.

[Tad]

Originally Posted by Josh D

Boy you sure are anti lift!
...

No kidding I'll assume it's just personal preference.

A properly lifted rig will do just fine in almost any situation.
EX: SOA, 2" springs, 2" BL, welded rear and 37's.
I drive this rig in town, on the freeway (I do quite long trips this way), tow a trailer with it.
It handles way better now than back when it was stock in every situation.

I'm not saying that fits the OP's needs.
4 doors, 4" lift, 31's, lock the rear.
Toss the kids/dogs in the back and go.

[tgreese]

My impression is that lifts in general get an undeserved bad rap because of 1) poor execution with worn out parts and bad design by the owner and 2) failure to correct the caster angle following the lift.

Just by the physics of it, a lift has to raise your center of gravity (COG) and increase body roll ... but these changes don't have to render the Jeep undriveable.

[gr8outdoorzman]

Originally Posted by FSJunkie

It's just my personal preference. Isn't that all this thread is? People expressing their opinions on what they think is best? If a lift is what you want, fine with me. Just my opinion. I find stock works fine offroad for me.

I appreciate your input. but my preference is to have it lifted 2" 4" or 6" as long as its not SOA in the front, i personnally don't care for that one bit. IF the jeep has a 10" lift and i am not getting to much play in the steering wheel to cause wondering and severe body roll i am kewl " ipersonally wouldn't do that". For me i just want to feel safe but still look cool while driving my sweet S jeep, if i only can go 65 cause 75 is starting to push the "squirly" limits, but the jeep still looks cool. I am good! Being first to my destination isn't whats important to me anymore. "stupid old age." turniing into my parents. grrr

[RedBeard2]

I have to agree with everyone else, with a family, it'd be easier with a 4 door. Though, I personally like the looks of the 2 door Cherokee Chief