Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Jeep => Topic started by: beast5680 on August 02, 2008, 14:28:46

Title: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: beast5680 on August 02, 2008, 14:28:46
been looking around at cherokee,s as they seem to be plentiful and reasonably cheap at the mo, what are they like to live with, will it be a money pit(more so than a landy :lol:) seen a couple of modified ones that look really good are the parts readily available for modding and cheap?
your views welcome :D
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: J66P on August 02, 2008, 15:54:32
really depends what you like, if you like Landrovers stick with em cos if you get a Jeep youll realise what youve been missing out on, as an example of a money pit I have been using a Jeep Cherokee now for 4 years and it has never let me down, the only real repair I have had to do is the torque converter seal and that was my fault really, had a trailer on with a Landrover that I was recovering and cooked the gearbox.

Parts are readily available but can be on the expensive side, breakers are your best bet, or the States.

The big down side to the Jeep is the old fuel consumption especially as soon as you touch the gearing set up, best bet is go for one on gas if you can get hold of one.

With relation to mods its likek most things, depends how much money youve got, how handy you are with the tools, we have a guy who has lifted his 3 inch for around £50 and we have others who lift them 3 inch for £500.

I'm sure there will be a few who disagree with the statement above but in my opinion and several Jeep guys I know that have owned Landrovers I would never go back, not a chance
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: mentalmoshio sophs V8i on August 02, 2008, 16:29:58
i did think about a 5.7 grand ch one last yr could find one for love or money . vvv luxury  ;)
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Disco Matt on August 02, 2008, 16:31:35
I know someone who uses one for laning and other various 4x4 stuff, he seems happy with it. The main problem you'll run into is that while standard spares are cheap 2nd hand (I've seen MOT failures for £100) buying mods can be expensive as you have to get them from the USA.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Bishops Finger on August 02, 2008, 17:56:31
Lighthouse do parts and the service is brilliant

There's also Mansfield 4x4 and I think a new place has opened in Kent (4x4 magazine mentioned them this month)

With a Cherry you get a hell of a lot for your money.....

Modding parts from the US are not too expensive and there is a huge range to choose from..
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: GREENI on August 02, 2008, 18:54:49
You know my views  ;)
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: ronttuk on August 02, 2008, 19:39:25
i run a 1996 grand ltd its great every extra u can imagine but 18 mpg is a bit of a pain
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: durace11 on August 03, 2008, 18:27:57
Used to have series 2 Landrovers and a 3.9 Range rover, Just bought a Grand Cherokee 2.5 diesel and loving it.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: BK on August 04, 2008, 00:20:07
really depends what you like, if you like Landrovers stick with em cos if you get a Jeep youll realise what youve been missing out on, as an example of a money pit I have been using a Jeep Cherokee now for 4 years and it has never let me down, the only real repair I have had to do is the torque converter seal and that was my fault really, had a trailer on with a Landrover that I was recovering and cooked the gearbox.

Parts are readily available but can be on the expensive side, breakers are your best bet, or the States.

The big down side to the Jeep is the old fuel consumption especially as soon as you touch the gearing set up, best bet is go for one on gas if you can get hold of one.

With relation to mods its likek most things, depends how much money youve got, how handy you are with the tools, we have a guy who has lifted his 3 inch for around £50 and we have others who lift them 3 inch for £500.

I'm sure there will be a few who disagree with the statement above but in my opinion and several Jeep guys I know that have owned Landrovers I would never go back, not a chance

bang on gary!!!,ive had suzuki,s 90,s.discos,and I would NEVER have a green oval again,my spanners are gathering dust in the shed, its great,just done a 300 mile run with 80 miles of greenlanes in with it and my cherry never missed a beat not once,and we had a few landrover breakdowns but I never even popped the bonnet on mine at all, you can get a lot of offroady type bits but really to be honest all you need is a set of 30-31" tyres,a 3" lift and some front anti-roll bar disconnects and thats it!!!.........one thing is though that they eat petrol like its goin out of fashion so get one with an lpg conversion....there was a 1998 on ebay the other day with a 4" lift,new BFG,s all really tidy,all leather and stuff for £1295,ill show my ar** in burtons window if you could find a 90 or a disco in the same condition and year for the money
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: BK on August 04, 2008, 00:23:06
I know someone who uses one for laning and other various 4x4 stuff, he seems happy with it. The main problem you'll run into is that while standard spares are cheap 2nd hand (I've seen MOT failures for £100) buying mods can be expensive as you have to get them from the USA.


WRONG!!! they are cheaper to buy from the US than from dealers in this country and they dont break down half as often as land rover
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Jim-Willy on August 04, 2008, 00:33:37
My Jeep was ridiculous, drank for england, rotted like hell and parts were insanely priced.......  It was fast tho'.
Uncle had a diesel for one month which tells you how much he like the boat engined heap...... 


 
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: BK on August 04, 2008, 00:46:02
Well,its horses for courses,but you must have got a bad one cos mine has no rust and has not broke down at all and its had some right pain,and yes as far as fuel,yes they do drink a lot,but at 50p a litre who cares......mines actually quite boring cos ive not had to put a spanner on it yet apart from the norm....and neither has my mate Mark who runs a Mitsi.......Its well known that once a car gets to a certain age they become totally un reliable but have you seen the price of secondhand 90,s lately??they are so over priced its unreal,so I bought a 1998 Xj for £1000 with low mileage and two owners and its best money I ever spent..........sorry
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Jim-Willy on August 04, 2008, 00:49:11
Can't argue wi' that i paid a grand for a 1969 V8 hybrid and that breaks down for fun :lol:

(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/jim-willy/P1010050.jpg)
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: BK on August 05, 2008, 14:19:34
yeah but it will break cos its 29 year old!! when mines that age it will be a pile of dust!!!.......so in the end its all an individual choice,some like landies,some like jeep or jap motors,if you go on a jeep forum they will all slag land rovers off and vice-versa
but for the money in my mind the green oval is not an option.........its always down to ££££ in the end
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Bishops Finger on August 05, 2008, 21:29:16
We don'tslag Landies.....just take an aloof approach....horses for courses but whoever reads this thread please don't understimate Jeeps :lol:  :wink:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: BK on August 06, 2008, 12:57:59
We don'tslag Landies.....just take an aloof approach....horses for courses but whoever reads this thread please don't understimate Jeeps :lol:  :wink:

oh yes
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: beast5680 on August 06, 2008, 19:42:26
thanks for all the replies they do appear to be value for money at the minute so i will take all the comments on board :D
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: The Smiths on August 08, 2008, 01:28:35
Just go for it.  A 4L with LPG - and I've got a Diesel (veg oil) one.

If you don't like it you will get your money back when you scrap it ;)
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: bilge rat on August 27, 2008, 08:43:02
reading this with interest , got 2 discos , and like them a lot but the work ive done on them i reckon i could right  a small book . at the mo im using a grand thats had engine probs . cant seem to find the fault but seems ok to now . thing is its like a flying carpet compared with the disco and like said the fuell . getting 16 on average at the mo. so it would have to be gas for me . wouldnt have a vm lump . dont know what the 2'7 is like though ..alan....
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: discowoman on September 06, 2008, 07:53:32
some interesting comments, as i too , am giving thought to a jeep. Need to know what theyre like in the real world tho' - and whats the problem with the VM lump - I know the early ones were heaps (RR and SD1)- but i thought that the newer ones were loads better?
also can someone doa a parts cost breakdown for
Brakes
Full service
and out of interest whats the mpg for
2.5 petrol
4.0 petrol
2.5 td
As said above i have seen cherry's and grand cherrys with LPG conversions for 11-1200 on v and W plates - try and find a L/R for that money..cheapest Disco of that age with gas con I have seen was 3500  and I was thinking "whats wrong with it?"
Dont get me wrong i love Landies - BUT there comes a apoint when you have to consider that cutting out floors and replacing them is not a fun pastime - YES I agree L/R parts are cheap - but thats mainly due to there being a huge aftermarket parts need - which sot of tells you something!
(ex owner of 3 RRc's 5 Disco's - 7 Series 3's)
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: thermidorthelobster on September 06, 2008, 08:32:30
Hired one a few years back in the States and drove it round a 200 mile "Jeep trail" in one of the National Parks.  Was well impressed by its trail capabilities;  just point and shoot and it went everywhere.

There's the added bonus that when people say "I like your Jeep mister" you don't have to kill them.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Bishops Finger on September 06, 2008, 16:54:26
As said avoid early VM lumps

MPG.....my 4l Grand does 22ish sometimes seen 26...HTH
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: skip on September 07, 2008, 20:07:49
Just to add my two pence worth. I had a 94 cherokee 4.0ltd  and loved it, sold it just over 2 years ago cos it was starting to bear resemblence to a colender.

I bought a 98 v8 discovery to replace the jeep. Barely a week has gone by without somthing going wrong or needing to be replaced, I found the driving position uncomfortable and it was just as bad to drive as the 110 defenders at work, they can be forgiven because of what they are!

The conclusion is that I sold my discovery  YESTERDAY!!! at an excessive loss (mainly due to economic climate) and I have replaced it with yet another cherokee. This time a 2.5 petrol sport model, on a W plate I picked up for £1500 with 70k on the clock and FSH. EVEN if I scrap it tomorrow I won't lose a much money as I've lost on the discovery in 2 years.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: bunnykins on December 31, 2008, 12:52:16
My Jeep was ridiculous, drank for england, rotted like hell and parts were insanely priced.......  It was fast tho'.
Uncle had a diesel for one month which tells you how much he like the boat engined heap...... 

mines a P reg and i have looked long and hard......................cant find any rust !  :D

if you are light on the right foot...........its no more thirsty than a subaru wrx or a madza rx8 !
and for a 4 ltr that aint bad  ;)
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Green Jeep on January 27, 2009, 16:11:46
In the past I've had 6 LR's, when looking for an off roader I choose a Wrangler, happy days, I then bought a Cherokee, and then another Cherokee as it was very clean and cheap, all 4.0, all with gas.

Lots of people love their Landies, just like Jeep owners love theirs, we've all heard of horror stories... as for the comments about rusty Jeeps.... a friend bought new parts, special order, for his Disco brand new in the packet.... rust all ready built in to them, he wont fit them.

So in short, try a Jeep, 4 litres are real good, I'm sure you'll like it and it's nice to break the mould.... There is lots of advice and info in here....
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: dxmedia on February 02, 2009, 17:17:57
I used to laugh at landrovers when I drove frontera's, pulled too many defenders out in a 2.0 SWB frontera for it not to be funny any more.

Now I've a jeep you don't want to know what I think about them  :lipsrsealed: :lipsrsealed: :lipsrsealed: :lol: :lol:

4 i6 auto either an xj or a zg on lpg and you'll be happy ;)
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Bishops Finger on February 02, 2009, 21:33:32
Thats called a recommendation methinks...
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: boogieman on February 14, 2009, 19:30:49
What date do the VMs to avoid precede ?  :smiley:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: The Smiths on February 15, 2009, 19:54:12
All of the Jeep diesels are VM's
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Bishops Finger on February 15, 2009, 21:30:26
Newer ones a MB CRD me thinks...
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: The Smiths on February 16, 2009, 00:33:40
Yep - some are MB - just a bit new for me :roll:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: nzoliver on February 27, 2009, 08:13:21
Hi
Pre 98 is the one to avoid.  :police:
The latest ones are fab and they are still VM! :afro:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: boogieman on March 07, 2009, 14:13:07
Do any Jeeps have diff-locks - or could they be fitted ?  :smiley:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: El Hair on March 07, 2009, 18:32:11
Do any Jeeps have diff-locks - or could they be fitted ?  :smiley:

Unless I've misunderstood the manual (which is entirely possible :D), Quadra-Drive has rear lockers - Quadra-Drive II certainly does. That said, the Command-, Selec and Quadra-Trac systems can all have lockers fitted (see those with XJ and Wranglers).

I've only had my V8 GC for a few months, but it's been great and I throughly love it. Had a few problems with original design faults, but once sorted haven't looked back. Have a couple of friends with RR or Discos, and in one recent expedition to Salisbury Plain I never moved the drive system out of full-time 4WD and didn't get stuck at all - unlike them! ;)

Mods can be expensive (especially in comparison to Land Rover) as few people stock them over here, but get them from the US and prices ain't too bad.

Yeah, they can drink fuel - 16mpg in a V8 is a pain, but the CRD and i6 are good.

As Mrs Doyle would say, "Go on, go on,  go on, go on, go on [get a Jeep!]"
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: boogieman on March 07, 2009, 19:13:34
Ha ha - thanks  :lol:

 I've just got rid of my GC - it was a 3.1Td & I loved it, but I was worried about the marine engine & it seemed too nice to use off-road. Got rid of my Defender at the same time so I could combine both into one vehicle. I'm surprised to hear there was a diff-lock on it ? Now I'm looking what to get & I find myself still drawn to the GC, but maybe a petrol on gas. But how would that be for wading ? Not so good I guess, as long as it'd cope with water i came across on greenlanes !
 Oh I don't know ..............................  :lol: :smiley:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: El Hair on March 07, 2009, 19:25:22
There's no propietry snorkel for the GC as far as I am aware. Believe this is due to the position of the air-intake. No doubt someone's done their own though.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: El Hair on March 07, 2009, 21:29:14
Actually, it would appear that Safari now do them for ZJ's: http://www.safarisnorkel.com/snorkel/ss1120hf/ss1120hf.htm (http://www.safarisnorkel.com/snorkel/ss1120hf/ss1120hf.htm)
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Bishops Finger on March 08, 2009, 11:26:54
Safari

ARB

A company in France for VM's and I think Kevins off road
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: BK on March 08, 2009, 23:13:33
4 litres are fine for wading,just make a home made snorkel and seal the dizzy with silicone,mine went up strata florida in 2wd and never missed a beat unlike the V8 disco behind me.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: TheDriver on March 09, 2009, 23:02:32
Do any Jeeps have diff-locks - or could they be fitted ?  :smiley:

The standard diff lock (Part-time 4x4) is on the transfer box so that at least both axles keep turning.  Some have LSDs on the rear, but I've never seen a factory-fit axle locker.  :( Aftermarket ones are available.  HTH

Referring to the thread title - and as others have alluded - if you get a Jeep it'll most likely be "how did I live with a Disco!" :twisted:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: boogieman on March 11, 2009, 11:17:54
I had the WJ GC with Quadra-trac2 - did the diff or transfer case lock on that ? Where can I find info on this ? Cheers  :smiley:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: El Hair on March 11, 2009, 13:52:59
I had the WJ GC with Quadra-trac2 - did the diff or transfer case lock on that ? Where can I find info on this ? Cheers  :smiley:

I was originally looking at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Cherokee#WJ_.281999.E2.80.932004.29 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Cherokee#WJ_.281999.E2.80.932004.29)

However, try http://www.wjjeeps.com (http://www.wjjeeps.com) too.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: boogieman on March 11, 2009, 16:44:25
Thanks for your replies - very useful that. Have you modded yours yet at all ? Just looked at the gallery pics & it looks a nice car. Mine was black. Just thought it might be good to get some a little lift, some underbody protection & maybe waterproof the electrics. All that water & altho' it's probably not deep enough to come into the car, if it did, then there was quite some electrical stuff under the seats ! Also water getting under the bonnet & doing it's worst ! I'm still verging towards the WJ  :smiley:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: Bishops Finger on March 11, 2009, 22:36:45
Have a lurk on Nagca see where your thoughts go...
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: dxmedia on March 12, 2009, 19:42:56
I had the WJ GC with Quadra-trac2 - did the diff or transfer case lock on that ? Where can I find info on this ? Cheers  :smiley:

Low ratio is locked on the quadra-trac 2. You'll have an lsd in the rear as well, and you might have one up front - not sure when Jeep introduced that.

Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: glen on March 13, 2009, 21:24:06
2.5 td grand cherokee
very good on fule
drives more like a car on road
exelent off road as limited slip diff as standard
had no end of 4x4,s
leavs tdi discos an d range rovers standing
no rust for a 1997 4 years every martch strait through m.o.t
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: El Hair on March 13, 2009, 23:07:29
Thanks for your replies - very useful that. Have you modded yours yet at all ? Just looked at the gallery pics & it looks a nice car. Mine was black. Just thought it might be good to get some a little lift, some underbody protection & maybe waterproof the electrics. All that water & altho' it's probably not deep enough to come into the car, if it did, then there was quite some electrical stuff under the seats ! Also water getting under the bonnet & doing it's worst ! I'm still verging towards the WJ  :smiley:

Boogieman: Asuming this was aimed at me, then no. I've got a bog-standard WJ with some mud remoulds on and a K&J air filter. That's it. Looking for some diff guards though.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: boogieman on March 13, 2009, 23:27:26
Hi HO ............ yep I was aiming at you - sorry I'm a mess at the mo & I'm wallowing around like an idiot ! So do you off-road or greenlane yours ? Just wondering if I could lift the diffs up a bit. I took my bog standard WJ to Weston Coyney & it was scraping the underside so guards would be good I think.

 I've just spotted a very nice looking 4.7 V8 very near to me & I'm tempted ! 69,000mls with service history - might go & look tomorrow !   :smiley:
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: boogieman on March 13, 2009, 23:28:41
Hi HO ............ yep I was aiming at you - sorry I'm a mess at the mo & I'm wallowing around like an idiot ! So do you off-road or greenlane yours ? Just wondering if I could lift the diffs up a bit. I took my bog standard WJ to Weston Coyney & it was scraping the underside so guards would be good I think.

 I've just spotted a very nice looking 4.7 V8 very near to me & I'm tempted ! 69,000mls with service history - might go & look tomorrow !   :smiley:

 Do the 4.7 V8s have limited slip diffs ?
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: El Hair on March 14, 2009, 00:02:32

 Do the 4.7 V8s have limited slip diffs ?
[/quote]

Only been green laning so far, but that's fine for me. I've been around Surrey a bit, and down to Salisbury Plain a few times. Might be a big 'ole fields in the middle of Wiltshire, but there's always plenty of mud and/or ruts around for causing havok - you've gotta love the Army for that.  ;)

If my research is correct, then Quadra-Drive II has limited slip diffs. However, this is only available on post-2K WJ's and WK's (2005 onwards). If I had my money back and had the choice between my current one and a Quadra-Drive, I'd go for the QD - that alone would be worth the higher car tax for me.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: dxmedia on March 18, 2009, 10:59:18
The early zj's had lsd's on everything but the base spec model. The later GC's had both front and rear lsd's I belive, the quadra trac II has a torque convertor in the transfer case for 100% rear to 50:50 front back for offroading. In normal condition the quadra trac II is RWD.
Title: Re: Could i live with a jeep after owning a disco?
Post by: boogieman on March 21, 2009, 16:31:35
So ............. what's really to choose between the 4.7 V8 & the straight 6 4.0 ?     :smiley:

 I've pretty much decided on a 4.7 V8 2000/1 on, but they all seem to have disappeared !!!   :rolleyes: :smiley:
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