4x4 Buying Advice - Please

[BMC]

Hi all,

I have not posted on here for sometime, but read the forums every now and then.

The purpose of this post is to obtain informative and constructive comments around the following 2 vehicles which have made my "final 2" list.

The candidates are:

- Land Rover Discovery Series 1 or 2 "V8"

- Jeep Cheroke XJ

- Budget up to $5.5k, but hoping for around $4.5k if possible
- Body must be straight and engine and transmission sound
- K's are not a concern if the above checks out ok, but don't want any more than low 200k mark

- Purpose of use will be a Weekend Warrior or in better terms a shiny special as I have no interest in extreme 4x4 mud up to your flaps behavior

- Ultimately I would like to have it setup for Red Rocks type trails to give you an idea

I have choosen these 2 4x4's as they are very capable turn key adventure machines.

They each have their faults such as rust on Landrover and soft underbody on the Jeep along with camshaft failure on the Land rover and drive shaft issues.

I also understand electrics can be a concern on both, but I have read countless posts on which vehicle is great on here and there always is several counter comments for each 4x4 someone suggests.

Given the age of these vehicles are upgrades going to be regularly available?

I only intend to do the following upgrades.

31 inch tyre setup with mud terrains

Very minor suspension lift if required to fit 31's in mud tread pattern.

Hopefully a camel tuck will see me right on the Discovery, but a lift may be required on Jeep.

Snorkel

Under body protection - can this be sourced or will it need to be custom made

Recovey gear which may include front bar in future.

Transmission Cooler and a good service

Any comments would be great, I can then narrow down to one and further continue with my research.

Many thanks

[BlakeNZ]

have you driven one(or two) of each?

[BMC]

Have not driven either - have only read and watched videos.

Well actually - about 13 years ago I had been in the landrover as my friends parents owned one - it was amazing back then along with their 3 series BMW and 90's Ford Capri - oh how times have changed!

[derk]

either vehicle you should piss in with that budget, take your time to shop around and buy the one that's right for you

[LR90NZ]

At the moment I have both Discovery (1997) and Jeep Cherokee (1995) here.
Both modified for off road running and both 265x75x16 tyres.

To get those tyres on the Jeep required a 4-inch lift kit and minimal guard/flare trimming.
Previously ran Jeep with 50mm lift and 31x10.50x15's and worked very well.
The Jeep Cherokee is the NZ4WD magazines project vehicle, previously under Project Name of Project 8K
http://www.nz4wd.co.nz/articles/looking-back-project-8k

Now it is Project 12K with better suspension and larger tyres.
http://www.nz4wd.co.nz/articles/project ... on-upgrade

The Discovery has 2-inch lift to run the 265x75x16's.

Both very capable and competent vehicles off road although I would recommend the Discovery has the better ride and articulation (Jeep has leaf springs in rear.)
Jeep has drum brakes at rear while Discovery disc all round.
Also There are more off road accessories available in NZ for the Discovery than the Jeep.

If opting for the Discovery I would stick with the 16-inch rims and tyres, not change to 15-inch.