cherokee vs. wrangler

[xjownskj]

Okay, I am fixing to buy a new rig in the upcoming months, and I was wondering whether to purchase another xj, or a wrangler. I don't know as much about the wrangler as the cherokee, and I'm assuming everyone here likes Wranglers better since it's a wrangler forum. So please tell me why you like the Wrangler better than the cherokee, performance wise. Is the wrangler anymore advanced than the cherokee off-road, or is it just a style preference thing? Because I've heard that the longer wheel base makes the Cherokee a much better climber than the Wrangler in the first place. What is the SWB good for? Please tell me your opinions.

[Jeepers Creepers]

I've seen this battle go thorugh and through many times. I've owned both kinds and I currently own 1 wrangler and 2 CJs.

When it comes to the battle of the two, the main difference is money(always a factor) and the approach and departure angles.
Cherokees are more expensive to build, just look at the difference in suspension lift costs and you'll see what I mean.
Wranglers have better approach and especially departure angles than the cherokee and that's extremely hard to make-up for. You have to put atleast a 4inches of lift on a cherokee before you come in the same realm as a stock wrangler as far as angles are concerned. And correct me if I'm mistaken but I think you need 8 inches to clear 35 inch tires on a cherokee without cutting fenders. If money isn't a concern, then hey, do what you gotta do but for me, it definitely plays a factor.
If you go for another cherokee and your planning on rock crawling, get plenty of under carriage protection.

As for the drivetrain itself, I believe the newer models(wranglers and cherokees) to be very similiar in design. I'm not exactly sure what axles the cherokee comes stock with so i couldn't give you any info on that except if you do plan on builing your jeeps drivetrain, and you have some garage space, seriously think about building it from the ground up.
Then again, that just depends on how mauch your into jeeps.

I just finished my 79' CJ5 and I'm loving it. I didn't do alot of mods but it's just the way I want it.

It all depends on what you plan on doing with the jeep and if you want to take your family along for the ride too.
Everyone has different preferences and requirements that come into play. You also must factor in, what do you plan on doing with the jeep?
If your rock crawling, the above definitely applies.