Ali Mansour
Brand Manager, 4WD & Sport Utility
FJ60+K5=1XJ?
I’ve written you in the past about getting a new Wrangler, but our money situation has changed. At this point in time I can’t commit to the payments that kind of purchase entails. I travel for a living and frequently use a rental car if I drive more than 150 miles. I’ve decided to sell my car and replace it with a four-wheel drive. Since I have a wife and two small children, I need to replace it with a 4x4 that can fit our ever-growing family and list of needs. I’ve narrowed my search down to a couple of vehicles—the Toyota FJ60/62 and the Chevy K5 Blazer.
My two picks were mainly because of the price, availability, lack of electronics, and coolness factor. I’m trying to stay under $10,000 so that my payment is small. I plan on financing the entire price of the rig and then use the extra money I make from selling my car on upgrades. I am not an experienced mechanic, but I am mechanically inclined and have done some motor and brake work in the past. If there’s a book for it, I can usually do it. I don’t have a garage, so all work will be done outside.
Here’s my list of wants and needs in a four-wheel drive.
Your list of wants is pretty common for most like-minded wheeling enthusiasts. I completely understand you not wanting to tackle the big monthly payments of a new Jeep Wrangler JK, but I wouldn’t be so quick to leave the Jeep brand altogether. Don’t get me wrong—both the Chevy Blazer and Toyota FJ make for great build platforms, but for your list, they wouldn’t be my top two picks. Rather than go into all of the things that would need to be swapped-out or improved on the two aforementioned rigs, I will offer two vehicle alternatives.
For your price-point and demands, you will be hard-pressed to beat the ’91-’01 Jeep Cherokee XJ or the ’93-’04 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ and WJ). Yes, both are unibody, but the powertrain options help place both Jeep models high in the power-to-weight ratio category. The midsize SUVs fit well on tight trails and since both can be had with four-doors, fitting in the family is no problem.
A cargo mat from WeatherTech (www.weathertech.com) could easily handle your average load carrying needs, and most of the models have fold-down rear seats to increase cargo room. There are plenty of aftermarket rack and bumper options that will free up even more interior space and provide extra gear capacity for your overland adventures. In terms of reliability, the six-cylinder 4.0L is one of the best powerplants ever offered in a Jeep. Steer clear of the early model XJs and look for the ’91-and-newer models fitted with the high-output 4.0L.
Both the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee models have enough towing capacity for your needs, so long as you run a weight-distributing hitch. The V-8 equipped Grand’s may be the better choice if you tow frequently. Since the Cherokee XJ line ran from ’84-’01 factory replacement and aftermarket parts can be picked up on the cheap. The Grand line has seen a few variations since its unveiling in 1993, so replacement parts could be pricier depending on what year/model you purchase.
Be aware that both the Grand and XJ Cherokee could be equipped with the less-than-desirable Dana 35 rear axle. If you do get stuck with this ticking-time-bomb rearend, don’t fret, as there are affordable rear axle upgrades such as the Ford Explorer 8.8 and Isuzu Dana 44. If you want to be picky, search for the ’97-’99 XJ with the 4.0L, automatic transmission, NP231 transfer case, high-pinion Dana 30 front, and 8.25 rear axle. If you’re feeling especially lucky, and like the Grand, look for the 5.9L that was only available in the ’98 model year!
TTC Ready
I have a ’97 jeep Cherokee 4.0L that’s completely stock for now. My goal is to one day compete in Top Truck Challenge. My current plans are to drop in a 4.7L stroker, AX-15, Dana 44 front, and Ford 9-inch rear. Obviously, there will be more to the build than just those items, but that’s my starting point. I want to keep my Jeep a daily driver as well. What do you think are some of the minimums my rig will need to participate in TTC and what build recommendations do you have?
Casey Anderson
Via www.fourwheeler.com
After last year’s Champion’s Challenge, Top Truck Challenge is being re-born so-to-speak for 2013. Editor John Cappa will have more details on this in the coming months, but for now, I’ll focus on your XJ build. One of the best pieces of advice I can offer is to build your rig a little at a time and wheel it as much as you can along the way. Learning how the vehicle acts off-road and honing your driving skills will be more valuable than any engine upgrade or axle set you can find. I would also aim to build for your area and places you like to wheel. A well-built trail rig can translate to a TTC winner.
Sure, 54s and a blown-big-block are cool, but there goes your daily driver requirement. The only item I would suggest dropping from your projected list would be the AX-15. It’s not any stronger than your stock automatic transmission. If you are dead-set on swapping over to a manual, look at the NV3550 or NV4500, as both are much stronger options. Keep your eyes peeled for more info on the new-and-improved TTC requirement list, and be sure to keep us posted on your build progress.
Jimmy Lifter
I have a ’98 GMC Jimmy and I’m having trouble finding lift kits. I have come across the Trail Master lift, but no others. Do you know of any other lift options? Also, what would be a good tire and lift combo for on- and off-road use?
Jacob Simmel
Via www.fourwheeler.com
In addition to Trail Master, Superlift (www.superlift.com) and Rough Country (www.roughcountry.com) make suspension lifts for your Jimmy. Performance Accessories (www.performanceaccessories.com) offers 2-inch body lifts for the Jimmy as well. Given that the fenderwell openings are on the small side, most of the manufactures only suggest running a 31-inch tire. With a little trimming you can clear 32s, and with a heavy amount (think big saw and hammer) you can run 33s. The stock axles on the Jimmy are not the strongest, so I wouldn’t push it much over the 33-inch tire mark. The lower you can keep your rig, the more stable it will be off-road. If you are building a monster mudder, then get the tallest lift you can. For your average trail wheeling and daily driving, I would stick with a 31- to 32-inch tire. Try and achieve those tire goals with the least amount of lift possible.
Dueling Batteries
I have a ’89 Jeep Cherokee XJ and would like to run a dual battery set up. Are there any kits available for my make?
Daniel S.
Via www.fourwheeler.com
You’re in luck. Wrangler NW Power Products (www.wranglernw.com) makes exactly what you are looking for.
Loud Banks
I recently installed a Banks cold air intake system on my ’00 Ford F-250 that’s equipped with the 7.3L diesel. I have since found the engine makes a new sound just before it shifts into a lower gear. It is especially noticeable when pulling a heavy load like my R.V. trailer. It sounds like a bad turbo bearing. I had my mechanic check it over and he says everything looks good, but he had no idea why the new sound. Could it be a difference in airflow that I am now hearing? Have you received any other reports of a new sound with installation of a cold air intake?
Don Rieske
Via www.fourwheeler.com
I would do an once-over of all of your hose-fittings and clamps around the intake, intercooler, and turbo to make sure you are not getting any air bypass. It’s actually not uncommon to experience increased engine/intake noise after installing a cold air intake. The stock airbox on your truck is engineered to reduce intake noise levels. Most modern autos are fitted with silencers and small airflow diverters to calm and tune intake noise levels. Since your 7.3L is a turbocharged engine, the spooling turbo and changing boost levels are likely more audible now that the factory intake is removed.
Diesel Power Wagon
Do you guys know the reason behind the new Power Wagon not getting a diesel option?
Jonathan Smith
Via www.facebook.com/fourwheelermag
(Editor John Cappa responds:) There are several reasons. In the real world where this truck is designed to work well, a diesel, as we know it, would be a hindrance. The 6.7L Cummins is nearly twice as heavy as the 5.7L Hemi currently found in the Power Wagon. The added weight would simply ruin the off-road performance at any kind of speed. You would have to dump the 4.56 gears to keep the low-revving diesel happy. Plus, the addition of a diesel engine would require an intercooler. Unfortunately, the intercooler wants to sit in the same place as the winch and possibly the electronic-disconnecting sway bar. So at the end of the day a diesel Power Wagon would have less off-road content. You’d likely only have a tire and wheel package, skidplates, front and rear lockers, a few stickers, and an estimated well-outfitted price close to the $60,000 mark. No thanks! We’ll take the Hemi Power Wagon.
5.0L Conversion
I currently own an ’86 Jeep CJ-7 and an older 5.0L V-8 engine. My plan is to drop the 5.0L in the Jeep, but I have heard that the stock AMC transmission is not strong enough to hold the power. I’ve read that both the T-18 and T-19 manual transmissions will work. I had a T-18 in my Scout and enjoyed the granny gear at the time, but I don’t plan on doing any rockcrawling with this Jeep.
I will be driving the Jeep on the road a fair amount and need something that will keep the rpm’s low at highway speeds. I also own a ’89 Ford F-150 with the M5OD-R2 transmission and BorgWarner manual-shift transfer case. I have never had any trouble out of that combo and thought it might be a good option. Before I start my search for the Mazda transmission I would like to hear what suggestions you have.
Charley Sunderhaus
Hamilton, OH
Via Snail Mail
There are a few options that can work well behind the 5.0L. Since you want to hit the highway more and rocky trails less, I suggest looking at the five-speed manual options. While the M5OD-R2 five-speed will work, it isn’t known for being the strongest or most reliable transmission. Simply put -it would not be my first pick. My top choice would be the NV4500. The NV4500 is a heavy-duty five-speed manual that is more than capable of holding the 5.0L power output and then some. There are a few variations of the NV4500, but plenty of aftermarket support and adapters from companies like Hi-Impact Transmission & Gear (www.high-impact.net). Another option would be the NV3550. The NV3550 isn’t nearly as robust as the NV4500, but it can handle mild V-8 power and will likely be a less expensive option. Both transmissions will allow you to attach a range of transfer cases and would make a great fit for your project.
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