Jeep as a shooting truck

[theshootist]

Does anyone have experience with the Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee as a shooting vehicle? I was thinking about one of the old Cherokees with the 4l straight 6 or even one of the Grand Cherokees with the 4.7v8. I won't be doing a huge mileage, I just need something that I can throw all my kit in and that is capable enough offroad. They are very cheap trucks. Thanks.

[delburt0]

Had a 4.7l loved it till rear diff went off on one very common problem ,,, silly money to repair I think the diesels are ok though

[four-wheel-drive]

I love my 4ltr XJ cherokee with some good AT or Mud tyres they are hard to better off road and mostly the later ones do not rust much at all unlike a LR if I did not have one allready I would have put a bid in on this one.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jeep-Cherokee-2-5L-Petrol-Manual-2000-/321415241477?ssPageName=ADME%3AB%3AWNA%3AGB%3A1653&nma=true&si=MhfqoV4XwtLCrhVX%252FV%252BWu9Hqqsk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Edited June 3, 2014 by four-wheel-drive

[theshootist]

Yes, I think that by the late 90s they were galvenized.

 

I've read that the 2.5 petrol is not much more fuel efficient than the 4L 6 cyl engine, and is less powerful. The 4L engines are very understressed at 170 odd bhp.

[four-wheel-drive]

Yes, I think that by the late 90s they were galvenized.

 

I've read that the 2.5 petrol is not much more fuel efficient than the 4L 6 cyl engine, and is less powerful. The 4L engines are very understressed at 170 odd bhp.

My 4ltr runs mostly on LPG it works out at about 16mpg on gas and 18 to 22mpg on petrol as LPG works out at about 70p per ltr that would equate to about 30mpg going by the cost of petrol so not bad for a mediun size 4x4.

 

As for the preformance it all depends what you want most of the 4ltrs are autos and they are fast the 2.5 petrol and diesel ones have 5 speed manual boxes I would have thought one of these would be the best option for a shooting wagon the 4ltr is best suited to extream off roading with lots of power or moterway cruising as the engine is never stressed.

Edited June 4, 2014 by four-wheel-drive

[casts_by_fly]

I have the newer body style cherokee (53 plate) with the 3.7 and an automatic. On the whole I really like it. I don't commute in it much, only when we need to drive 2 cars to work. I like driving it. It rides comfortably, It handles well. I have remould AT tires on it and they are noisier than road tires, but not bad. Overall a comfortable driving vehicle. In the field I'm not afraid of getting stuck in anything. I've had it nearly to the axles in mud and it plowed right through. The low range crawler, locked 4 just goes. Lock it down in low 4, take your foot off the brake, and steer. No need for a gas pedal. There is enough room for my needs. I wouldn't call it spacious, but when I go shooting, I have 2 dogs in the back end behind a dog guard. I have 2-3 guns on the back seat, gear for both wildfowl and game shooting, cartridges, and lunch. With all of that, I can put a person in the back seat plus one in the front seat and still be comfortable. I have seat covers and rubber mats all the way around so I'm not worried about mud. Maintenance wise, I haven't needed anything, though it is stsill love miles (60k) and I've only put 6-8k on myself. I put on tires, brake pads, and wipers. The engine and drive train are considered fairly bullet proof if you maintain them.

 

The only downside is fuel economy. My overhead console (which I've checked with fill-ups and recoded mileage) shows 15.5 mpg (american gallons) in mixed driving, which is A roads, country lanes, and ~10 miles of city driving each commuting trip). Converted to imperial gallons it is 18.6 mpg. On the motorway on a run it will be around 20 mpg US, 24 Imperial. Considering it is a 3.7 petrol and an automatic, and has AT remoulds (which are heavy) it isn't bad, but it isn't as nice as a 30 MPG diesel.

 

thanks,

rick