cherokee vs ranger

mcdonald58

mcdonald58

New Member
im going to need a 4wd vehicle for when i go up to michigan because of the snow. im thinking of either getting a 98-00 ranger with 4x4, 4.0, and extended cab. or a 97-01 cherokee that has 4x4 and the 4.0 v6. i cant decide which im going to get. i like that the cherokee has more room inside and how off road capable it is. i also love the huge aftermarket support that pretty much any jeep gets. i like that the ranger is a truck so i can hang out with my friends in the bed and ease of hauling my stuff in my bed. i know that there will be some bias since this is ranger forum. but i just looking for some peoples opinions.
 
Cherokee Cons:

1999-2001 came with low pinion Dana 30's which blow pinion bearings at very low miles
Hub assemblies are expensive and don't last long
Impossible to align
Balljoints are pressed into axle C (if they egg out the C, you have to replace the axle)
Rear slip yoke t-case
Front axle constantly spins (so do 4th - present rangers )
Hauling anything is a joke
Unibody's & rockers tend to rot out tremendously


Pros:

Legendary drivetrain ( 4.0L straight six )
Has a backseat (usually. Some are 2 door models)

Ranger Cons:

90% have electronic t-cases
Auto hubs in the 1st through 3rd gens are a joke
TTB is a PITA to keep straight
IFS gets expensive replacing parts on

Pro's:

Makes a great medium duty hauling/work truck
It has a bed!
Fixed yoke driveshafts front/rear
Legendary ford 8.8 rear axle
Actually has a frame (whereas the cherokee has a unibody)



I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff but all in all, it's really just your preference on whether you want a truck or an SUV. They're both great choices.
 
Brinker88 said:
Cherokee Cons:

1999-2001 came with low pinion Dana 30's which blow pinion bearings at very low miles
Hub assemblies are expensive and don't last long
Impossible to align
Balljoints are pressed into axle C (if they egg out the C, you have to replace the axle)
Rear slip yoke t-case
Front axle constantly spins (so do 4th - present rangers )
Hauling anything is a joke
Unibody's & rockers tend to rot out tremendously


Pros:

Legendary drivetrain ( 4.0L straight six )
Has a backseat (usually. Some are 2 door models)

Ranger Cons:

90% have electronic t-cases
Auto hubs in the 1st through 3rd gens are a joke
TTB is a PITA to keep straight
IFS gets expensive replacing parts on

Pro's:

Makes a great medium duty hauling/work truck
It has a bed!
Fixed yoke driveshafts front/rear
Legendary ford 8.8 rear axle
Actually has a frame (whereas the cherokee has a unibody)



I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff but all in all, it's really just your preference on whether you want a truck or an SUV. They're both great choices.
Click to expand...
bingo
 
what brad said...and for the same price you could pick up an older F150(sorry i had to say it lol) may want to check into them too
 
no **** f150's and stop trying to push them lol its a ranger forum not a 150 forum.
 
i actually was thinking of looking into an older f150 haha. i like the ones that have the straight front end. i think they look mean with a nice lift and big tires.
 
yea but i would rather have the mpgs of the ranger or cherokee since ill be taking it from ct to michigan a lot. and i think the f150 would be annoying on a college campus.
 
oh really thats awesome. im more concerned about the parking situation. how good are their engines? is there any one i should avoid.
 
Not really...I'd go for the 300 I6 or the 351....the 302 does get the job done but the mpgs are about the same as the 351
 
alright thanks. what i really want is a comanche but they are really hard to find around me and i dont know if i could trust a vehicle that old for my daily.
 
yea i like the mjs a lot. i just dont know if i should trust a truck that old as my daily driver. i dont want to have to deal with a bunch of repairs while im in college.
 
yea true and i have some experience on working on the truck. im not getting another 4 cyl one though i hate working on it and it has no power.
 
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