not bashing anyone, in response to jeep-ex. comparo

[wj-jeep-guy]

i was reading the things said about jeep vs. ex on this board in the closed thread, and wanted to say some things, not bashing anyone at all. the jeep has sfa and sra, so it can flex very well stock. the D30 does NOT break that easily until you get a locker and go rockcrawling w/o any upgrades to the shafts etc. the rear on the V8 model 99+ is strong, it is a non c-clipped D44, although it has a flimsy aluminum housing. the 98 ond older D44 is c-clipped though. the D35 c-clip is weak and ****ty, dont get me started. the 8.8 is a great rearend and has c-clips, but i have yet to see someone break an 8.8 shaft. the grand will definetely beat an ex off road stock, but once you mod them both, it could get close. i like ex's, but never bought one due to their bad rap, so i bought a grand for off road ability and solid feel. whoevetr said they feel like theyre in a beetle while sitting in a grand is sadly mistaken. the ex has a real frame, but the grand has a more powerful, bigger engine, and is by no means light. IMHO, it feels more solid than a EX. i like ex's but chose the grand because of off-road ability and features. i do like ex's though, dont get me wrong. please post yur opinions and experiences with grands on the trails. thank you.

 

[Nate1]

Bro has a '00 grand 4x4 and my '99 Sport SOHC can whip him pretty good offroad. IDK about weight... I'll check, but he probably is lighter. Anyways, it's pretty close, but I would bet on myself making it through (who wouldn't). IDK, theyre both good cars... I just see more potential in Exs.... plus they don't tend to cost as much.

-----Nate:exp:

 

[Jason_25]

I agree. I would wheel the crap out of either one. Let's just leave it at that. Thanks for coming over wj-jeep-guy.

 

[jasonb]

i've only driven one GC and it was a V8. i liked that engine! it was fast and torquey feeling (i don't know specs but it felt good). i only drove it on the road though. it drove like a car.. very smooth and cushy feeling. it was nice, but i do like the more trucky feel of the x. the thing that made me choose the X was a few things: price at the time, looks, and practicality. the X has a little more cargo room and i can fit a full 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back. i like the way GCs look, but i liked the X a little better. i wasn't into the real offroad thing at that time so that didn't really influence my choice that much. i like the fact that the GC has the SFA. i've never seen a GC actually in action offroad but i'm sure it would do great and have great flex stock. there are more offroad mods for it. but if i was getting a vehicle for offroad use only, i wouldn't get an X or a GC.
they are both great vehicles. no flames from me... i chose the X because if fits my style a little better.

 

[Robb]

I have an X cause that is what i had as a work truck, and when it's service was done, i had the opportunity to buy it cheap. I like the Cherokee over the X as a stocker in the category of an off-roader. My wife has a 96 GCL and I love to pull it off the road for a little quick, light wheeling. The Jeep does have the SFA, which is a big advantage. And now that the new Xs have the IRS, the solid rear of the Jeep is even more off an advantage. But, if you take a pre-2002 X and put a SFA in it and a little work, it quickly catches up to the Jeep. This would explain why SAS's are becoming so popular in the Explorer world.

As far as on-road travel, it is definately advantage-X.

wj-jeep-guy, Welcome Aboard! Maybe if you spend a little more time here, and see what Xs can become, we can bring you over to the dark side!

Robb

 

[JDraper]

Originally posted by wj-jeep-guy
....i like ex's, but never bought one due to their bad rap....

What bad rap (or rep) are you talking about?? Every vehicle model made has it's problems. I've owned 2 Explorers ('92 and '01) and had very good luck with them. I'm curious to see what you perceive is the bad rep.

 

[brokenman]

before I got my Ex, I was had a 1993 Cherokee Laredo all-wheel drive. I never took it offroading 'cept for once, and that time I did keep up with a 2001 S-10 and an old Chevy c-15 from like 1979 that was lifted and such. But, the street handling on that Jeep sucked horribly. For one, the turning radias was ridiculous, it took almost over three lanes to make a u-turn compared to two for the Ex. Just overall handling with the Jeep was scary, I can't count all the times I was hydroplaning with or without new tires. And that same hydroplaning is what finally killed it.
Being that I've owned both, I'm going to say I'd rather have my Ex, on the basis of both street and off road ability. My Ex keeps up with the same trucks I mentioned before and more, including the grloious Jeep Wrangler.

I would like to test drive a Jeepster though.

 

[Texplorer]

I have driven both the GC and the Explorer and to me its a tie, it just depends on what you need at the time. The GC that we own is a 01 and I think it rides a whole lot smoother than my X. Not to mention the seats are a lot more comfortable. I have taken both off-road and the GC did a little better than the X climbing things but the X did better going through the mud. Probably cause the GC tires are tiny. But like someone said before the X has more cargo room and the price was better. I do think that my ohv feels a little stronger than the I6 in the GC. They are both good vehicles and I like owning both of them.

 

[chris c]

IMO having spent some time behind the wheel of both vehicles.

My 1991 XLT and a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2L.

Engines:

The Jeep, what an engine. That 5.2L is so gusty and pulls really strong in the low end. Acceleration, pulling and just traveling with a full load of people was effortless with the Grand. Granted I am selling the Explorer short here because I am comparing it to my 4.0L and not a 5.0L version of the truck. That being started, we all know in stock form the Explorer 4.0L is far from a gusty powerhouse.

Adv. Grand

Transmission:

I am torn here. My Explorer transmission is a slushbox. It always seems to slip into gear rather than shift firmly. That is just a trait of these vehicles though. It had been dead reliable though. 179k miles were covered before that unit required a rebuild. The Jeep does shift a little firmer than the Explorer but has hesitations about shifting sometimes. It seems that it just doesn’t know if it should up shift or hang onto it’s current gear at times. As far as reliability goes, the Grand needs to cover well over 100k miles before it can even begin to be compared to the Explorer unit.

Adv. X

Chassis / handling / 4WD / AWD systems:

There is pro’s and con’s for both vehicles here. The Jeep system [quadratrac] is simple and easy. The consequence of the AWD system Jeep has is a clumsy feel at slow speeds and tight turns. On dry pavement the Grand seems to push, pull and strain on any activity other than going down a straight line.

The Explorer has a much more refined feel despite being 7 years older than the Grand I compare it to. Slow speed maneuvering is very smooth the X. It handles well for what it is and rides very smooth on the highway. My major complaint with the X is the auto lock hubs. They suck soooooo bad!!! But hey, warn offers a manual hub so that it the route I went.

Adv. X

I could go on but I wanna get out of work, Christmas time!! Anyway, I’d be happy with either vehicles as a daily driver or whatever.

happy holidays!!!

 

[wj-jeep-guy]

i mean bad rap because they were plaugued w/ recalls in 1996 and 97, i think anyway. but that is like the 1999 wj. but, the grand is very capable off road, and to they guy who said he outwheeled a grand, if you have a stock ex, i doubt it, no offense. the grand has more flex and LSD's. ex's are capable off road, but from my personal experience i say the grand outwheels the ex. but, a slightly modified ex prbably has the advantage over the grand because of clearance and rear end flex may be a little better,but the IFS on newer models is a burden (like any stock IFS i suppose). the 4.7 engine (1999 and newer) has 295 ft.lbs. and 235hp. it is a strong engine,but i think the fords 5.0 engine has a torque advantage. i like explorers but chose the grand because of off road ability and gas milage was a little better than the 5.0. one downside to the grand is the quality is getting worse and everything, including the vehicle itself, is way more expensive. any thoughts and input appreciated.

 

[wj-jeep-guy]

oh yeah, and the older quadra trac has a viscous coupling in the t-case, which sux because it wears out and bucks and grinds. i think if you have a good amount of miles, you should get a t-case rebuild or even better, get a new case. your case model is an NV249. you should swap in an NV242. it has 2wd, 4wd all time, 4wd part time(locked mode) and 4wd pt LO. great case, and very strong. the new quadra trac II in my 99 has a gerotor in it, which is like a VC, but doesnt use clutches, like yuour older q-trac I. its like a fluid pump. its better and more reliable, and has LO lock. the grands trannies are kind of weak and the fords autos are probably stronger. i cant say for the manuals though.

 

[Xplodor]

I looked at both when I was shopping. Honestly, you get more bang for your buck with the Explorers, and the fact that the rear seats folded down flat. I chose my 01 X over a 01 Grand. I drove them both, they are both really nice and I couldn't choose until I looked at the rear seats and the sticker. I'd still make that decision today. Comparitive, I wonder how many new Grand's are offroading these days compaired to the Explorers?

 

[Stephen]

Wow, I saw this thread and thought I'd have to lock it, thank you for sharing your views in such a mature and collected manner.

Compare away

 

[wj-jeep-guy]

the seats do fold flat, except the seat bottoms stick up if thats what you mean.

there is no point in flaming people about their views on vehicles, its stupid and immature.

 

[MONMIX]

Hmmm , I wonder is some sort of of-road challenge is in order ?

My opinion , I am by no means an off roader. I 'll cross the center line to avoid a puddle.
I rented a late 90's Grand Cheroke for a 600 mile round trip road trip. Nice inside but pretty loud with the road noise and engine noise. Comfey seats , very asteticly ( sp? ) pleasing interior. Out side looks nice too.

Working in collision repair for over ten years I have grown very displeased with the design and assembly of ALL Chrystler products. Meaning I hate working on them.

Final thought. Jeep GC , very nice truck. Given the choice of a Jeep GC or an Explorer , I'll get the Explorer.

One mans opinion.

 

[explorer4x493]

I like 'em both...

I test drove a '97 limited GC a little while back and did not like the shift points when at medium throttle in the 5.2. I thought that it shifted too early. I like my 5.0 because it holds the rpms for a while longer...

When i floored the GC 5.2 it did not jump as much as my 5.0 merging on to the highway.

I do on the other hand love the interior on my friends '98 Limited 5.9. The seats are so soft, as well as the ride and feel of that. But i get waaaay better gas mileage than him. Go figure though...

 

[yob_yeknom]

I have experience with both. I actually was going to buy a Grand Cherokee when I wanted to get my first SUV, but then I test drove an Explorer and immediately changed my mind. I didn't think about wheeling back then, so that didn't have any affect on my decision. I chose the Explorer because it had much more interior room, looked a lot nicer IMO, and felt more stable to drive. My mom, who was looking for an SUV at the same time, ended up in a GC becuase she got a good price. (this was before the tire recall when Fords cost more)

I'm happy with my Explorer because I hate the mushy ride and no interior room in the Grand Cherokee. (I've got long legs and cannot move the seat back far enough in one to become comforatble, much less stretch out all the way.
My mom is happy with the GC because she thinks my Ex doesn't ride soft enough and says it's too big. So it just depends on what you like.

I've got a question for you wj-jeep-guy. Maybe you could help me out. The Jeep's tranny feels really weird when shifting out of first gear and when coming to a stop. When you first get going and the tranny gets ready to shift to second, it lurches forward and the revs jump up a little and then the shift feels like the tranny is slipping a lot. Then when slowing down to stop, right before you stop the revs jump up and it lurches forward again. Any ideas from a Jeep board? It almost feels like the torque convertor is locking in first gear and releasing right before the shift to second and right before you come to a complete stop. Does the convertor lock up in first gear in a Jeep? Thanks.

 

[wj-jeep-guy]

what year is the grand and how many miles on it? V8 or I4? it may need the 882 flash. it makes the trany shift smoother i believe, but you lose a noticeable amount of power. it may have been done already, look for a tag on the bottom inside of the hood and see if it says "882 recall" on it, ten its been done.

 

[yob_yeknom]

It is a '94 with around 95,000 miles and the 4.0L I-6 engine. I've never noticed anything under the hood. Any certain place it would be located that I may have missed?

Thanks again!

 

[MikeTEC]

Well, I am just an older guy who like to camp and pull travel trailers. I could have bought either one, but chose Explorers because of (1) Explorers have a slightly wider wheel base stance and beefier frame which is better for towing (2) Ford dealership service is not an issue when traveling pulling a trailer. I always can find a Ford dealership when traveling but cannot always a Chrysler/Jeep dealship in smaller towns.

The above being said, I did like the on-center road holding ability of the Jeep GC better than Explorers. Plus, the ride is better for old folks like us. The Jeep's I-6 engine is a mighty good one, but then, my 93 X' OHV 4.0L has 128K w/o any major problems. Mike