Good-Bye Jeep Liberty! WELCOME BACK JEEP CHEROKEE!

UNKNOWN_370 · 03-30-2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

I wouldn't let that drive your purchasing decision too heavily. 4wd does very little to increase safety in light snow, and basically nothing in rain.

I actually prefer to have a rwd truck in intermittenly slippery conditions because it isolates the drive wheels from steering/braking. If you do something stupid with the throttle, you still have grip with the front tires. It might sound ridiculous, but if you wind up accelerating on a patch of ice, it's nice to still have 2 tires "gripping." Newer part time systems allow you to switch while moving which is of huge value in my mind.

At the end of the day, ability to stop and turn is a lot more limiting than ability to get moving, and all time 4wd unfortunately does absolutely nothing for those concerns. The jeep/fj are capable in inclement weather more due to weight than drive system choice. I took my tj though 36" of snow in 2wd without switching, simply because it wasnt needed.

For performance purposes, I absolutely prefer awd in inclement conditions, but it's of questionable value in something heavy that isn't being driven hard.

The fj is certainly a great choice, but unless the goal is to never think about putting the car in 4wd, I wouldn't put too much stock in all time 4wd.

The fj does sacrifice some of the extreme snow performance, but I expect in LI that's not really a concern since the roads are fairly well cared for.

It depends where you are in Long Island. As far as paving, they are better kept than NYC to a point. BUT with snow. Some areas, they get buried in with tardy and slow help in the residential areas. It just depends where you stay.

Red__Zed · 03-30-2013, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

It depends where you are in Long Island. As far as paving, they are better kept than NYC to a point. BUT with snow. Some areas, they get buried in with tardy and slow help in the residential areas. It just depends where you stay.

It's all relative. Compared to rural areas, there's very little accumulation anywhere in the NYC/LI areas.

UNKNOWN_370 · 03-31-2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

It's all relative. Compared to rural areas, there's very little accumulation anywhere in the NYC/LI areas.

Save for when we get hit with Blizzards.

gsxr750 · 03-31-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

More great news for off- roaders and future off-roaders like me. Not only has jeep, Upgraded, Updated, and Showed up the competition with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee... Now they are bringing back the Cherokee name with "Real" Off-Road Capability that rivals Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. (That's how it used to be.)

Jeep is bringing back the ORIGINAL affordable off-roading/suv with the new Jeep Cherokee with a 45% increase in fuel economy and a more upscale look.

Check out the link. Has video of new cherokee Off-Roading.

2014 Jeep Cherokee Off-Road POV - YouTube

2014 Jeep Cherokee Tackles Off-Road Course in New Video | Edmunds.com

Its not really a true off road vehicle, your still better off with a CJ style jeep or a short wheel base SUV or pickup for off road use.

The new cross over style 4x4's are very limited in their off road abilities, their basically limited to lightly snowed covered or mildly muddy seasonal roads.

Red__Zed · 03-31-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr750

The new cross over style 4x4's are very limited in their off road abilities, their basically limited to lightly snowed covered or mildly muddy seasonal roads.

Has 4l and good approach angles. It should be perfectly capable, but then again most vehicles are far more capable than most people realize. I can take a jeep liberty on most trails without much issue (though the front and rear bumpers might develop some character.

Folks get caught up in equipment when the key is really driving style. If the center diff locks and you can get into 4l, it's amazing what you can accomplish.

This car certainly isn't a wrangler, but it's capable of handling far more than snow and mud.

gsxr750 · 04-01-2013, 11:48 AM

Where do you put the winch and I'd hate to see what one would look like after trying to keep up with some real off road vehicles, and I mean real off roadiing rocks, mud, fallen trees.

Not the occasional trek down a seasonal road or some western gravel road.

For real off roading you need a high ground clearance, good undercarriage protection, and a winch on the front and rear of the vehicle.

That's why a lot of ppl have given up on off road 4x4's and went to a good ATV, as it makes more sense and you use the truck or suv as a hauler and base camp.

Red__Zed · 04-01-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr750

Where do you put the winch and I'd hate to see what one would look like after trying to keep up with some real off road vehicles, and I mean real off roadiing rocks, mud, fallen trees.

Not the occasional trek down a seasonal road or some western gravel road.

For real off roading you need a high ground clearance, good undercarriage protection, and a winch on the front and rear of the vehicle.

That's why a lot of ppl have given up on off road 4x4's and went to a good ATV, as it makes more sense and you use the truck or suv as a hauler and base camp.

Ground clearance isn't bad, and there's very little undercarriage protection on any factory offroad vehicles. There's also nowhere to mount a winch on a new Wrangler. Anything you buy new requires significant aftermarket attention before taking on a real trail. It appears they are stamping it with the trail-rated badge, which does mean they traipsed the Rubicon trail in factory garb...which does say something.

My point isn't that it's super capable, but not far off from most factory vehicles. I'd not purchase one, but I there's no trail I'd take a new Wrangler one that I'd hesitate to forge with the new Cherokee (at least based on the currently available information)

I am curious why you believe you need two winches, though. That's new to me.

ATVs are fun offroad, but the capability is totally different. There's not enough wheelbase to make it through something like Moab, and they're not much of a challenge on many other trails.

red6spd · 04-01-2013, 02:35 PM

IDK, a Jeep Wrangler which is RWD vehicle 99% of the time is better in rain or light snow then a FJ cruiser with a Full Time AWD system? Which means a computer is deciding how much power and where to send it at all times. Its the same AWD system used on the very capable 4Runner, and then of course you still have a low range just like a Wrangler. I love the Wrangler but the FJ seems like more bang for the buck.

Red__Zed · 04-01-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red6spd

IDK, a Jeep Wrangler which is RWD vehicle 99% of the time is better in rain or light snow then a FJ cruiser with a Full Time AWD system?

Never said that, but you really don't gain much from 4wd in said conditions

Quote:

Which means a computer is deciding how much power and where to send it at all times. Its the same AWD system used on the very capable 4Runner, and then of course you still have a low range just like a Wrangler. I love the Wrangler but the FJ seems like more bang for the buck.

Just make sure you understand the trade-offs of the all time triple Torsen arrangement.

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-01-2013, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr750

Its not really a true off road vehicle, your still better off with a CJ style jeep or a short wheel base SUV or pickup for off road use.

The new cross over style 4x4's are very limited in their off road abilities, their basically limited to lightly snowed covered or mildly muddy seasonal roads.

From the looks of this video of it in motion... The 2014 Cherokee seems to be holding up in typical Texas terrain just fine. We all know it's no wrangler, but this cherokee is no slouch either. Which gives it a certain bang-for-buck value factor from a roll off the lot 4x4 perspective.

2014 Jeep Cherokee Revealed Off Road - YouTube

I don't think I will do anything as extreme as this stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=z3wOo1b50i8

Red__Zed · 04-01-2013, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

From the looks of this video of it in motion... The 2014 Cherokee seems to be holding up in typical Texas terrain just fine. We all know it's no wrangler, but this cherokee is no slouch either. Which gives it a certain bang-for-buck value factor from a roll off the lot 4x4 perspective.

2014 Jeep Cherokee Revealed Off Road - YouTube

I don't think I will do anything as extreme as this stuff.

Jeep Abuse - XJ Cherokee 4x4 Jump, Donut, Drift, Burnout, Brakestand, Off Road, Snow... - YouTube

Where's the extreme stuff? I didn't watch the whole thing but most of that could be done in an Impreza.

EDIT: holy balls at the moguls in the second video.

red6spd · 04-01-2013, 03:01 PM

You don't gain much from all wheels being powered in the Rain or light snow or other situations where a Part Time system can not be engaged? Isn't that the whole reasoning behind Subaru's and why they are so good?

Red__Zed · 04-01-2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red6spd

You don't gain much from all wheels being powered in the Rain or light snow or other situations where a Part Time system can not be engaged? Isn't that the whole reasoning behind Subaru's and why they are so good?

My Subaru was great in snow because I was still dogging it, but from a "get to point B" perspective, my Mustang was essentially as good--actually better in deep snow due to increased ground clearance.

The limiting factor is almost always your ability to stop and turn, and very rarely your ability to get moving.

If the snow is deep enough that you can't get going in a Wrangler, you can take half a second to switch to 4 Hi (and likely skip it and go straight to 4lo)

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-01-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Where's the extreme stuff? I didn't watch the whole thing but most of that could be done in an Impreza.

EDIT: holy balls at the moguls in the second video.

When I opened this thread. I didn't think the cherokee was going to be an extreme vehicle from jump. Just more capable of rock climbs than it used to be. The one thing i stressed was rock climbing capaility has improved. I never said extreme terrain. the extreme is in the second vid.

You guys, the experts took it to the next level.

I'm a sports car guy by nature. lol

red6spd · 04-01-2013, 03:06 PM

So the FJ is a Subaru with great ground clearance and a Low range for the really nasty stuff. Win Win in my eyes. It just gets horrible gas mileage.

04-01-2013, 02:35 PM	#83 (permalink)
red6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 3,277 Drives: 2010 Z Coupe M6 SPT Rep Power: 21	IDK, a Jeep Wrangler which is RWD vehicle 99% of the time is better in rain or light snow then a FJ cruiser with a Full Time AWD system? Which means a computer is deciding how much power and where to send it at all times. Its the same AWD system used on the very capable 4Runner, and then of course you still have a low range just like a Wrangler. I love the Wrangler but the FJ seems like more bang for the buck. __________________ 2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness. ???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

04-01-2013, 03:01 PM	#87 (permalink)
red6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 3,277 Drives: 2010 Z Coupe M6 SPT Rep Power: 21	You don't gain much from all wheels being powered in the Rain or light snow or other situations where a Part Time system can not be engaged? Isn't that the whole reasoning behind Subaru's and why they are so good? __________________ 2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness. ???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

04-01-2013, 03:06 PM	#90 (permalink)
red6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 3,277 Drives: 2010 Z Coupe M6 SPT Rep Power: 21	So the FJ is a Subaru with great ground clearance and a Low range for the really nasty stuff. Win Win in my eyes. It just gets horrible gas mileage. __________________ 2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness. ???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

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04-01-2013, 11:48 AM	#81 (permalink)
gsxr750 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: west Posts: 443 Drives: 2012 370z man. sport Rep Power: 13	Where do you put the winch and I'd hate to see what one would look like after trying to keep up with some real off road vehicles, and I mean real off roadiing rocks, mud, fallen trees. Not the occasional trek down a seasonal road or some western gravel road. For real off roading you need a high ground clearance, good undercarriage protection, and a winch on the front and rear of the vehicle. That's why a lot of ppl have given up on off road 4x4's and went to a good ATV, as it makes more sense and you use the truck or suv as a hauler and base camp.