Hi All,

I don't mean to stir up controversy with this post, but am interested in an objective and informative discussion/opinions about the various jeep models. (cherokee, grand, cj's, trucks, wagoneers, etc)

The criteria by which I mean "best" is  as a daily driver that performs well off-road (could mean mud, snow, or rough terrain) with minimal mods. (stock setup axles, transfer cases, etc) My 49 Willis Truck, for example, performs very well off-road all stock but could not be considered as best b/c its top-speed of about 45mph limits its daily driver utility. Also a consideration would be which particular model is easiest to modify for serious off-roading if you choose to do so. (available commercial bolt-on mods, etc)

I guess what I'm getting at is if you could choose any model jeep and didn't have an appearance preference, which stock or almost stock jeep would you choose for its off road ability keeping in mind it would be your daily driver and highway speeds would be a daily part of driving.
dave

For comfort and style(dailly driver) I'd go with a brand new grand cherokee limited. They are also better offroad then they get credit for, How do I know this? Because MOTOR TREND shot some video of one (stock) and you'd be amazed at what they put it through!!!

Also the new tj ribicon because they look good and are already set up from the factory for off roading.

just my two cents.........LOL

If i wanted to spend the dough i'd say a rubicon unlimited.

If you're on a budget i would say XJ, MJ, YJ, OR TJ straight axles cheap lifts drive great. All are not so old you'll have to rebuild everything. ZJ's and WJ's are okay too but lifts and vehicle are a bit pricier but they ride so sweet.

my 2 cents

Yea, I'd say straight out of the factory the Rubicon can't be beat with the D44s front and rear with factory locker, stout t-case, and the reliable 4.0 engine.  CJs are great, but in factory form they had a lot of weak peices.  Grands and KJs are good too, but high center too easy.   

Saw a video of a brand new stock Grand and was amazed at what it could do in stock trim!  Was equally amazed at the price tag but you get what yopu pay for, eh.  

Watch a rubicon on the same trail and be VERY amazed. Plus its cheaper than the bloated WJ.  

1998 5.9L Grand Cherokee, ZJ. I'd rather have a pickup but I could make one of these work. Way fun to drive.

John

I 've owned a 76 CJ5 and a 76 CJ7(Quadratrac full time 4 wheel drive,...Bad news when trying to fix the Transfer Case. Hard to find parts, expensive to rebuild. If anybody has parts or knows where to get them please let me know.) I now own an 04 Rubicon; Im in the bush alot, its amazing in the mountains. Its good on the highway too, pretty hard on fuel though. It gets my vote.  

If you can afford it why not wheel in comfort and style? another plus is after a day of wheeling it. You can wash it then go out on the town....(bling bling) LOL  

This is quite the conundrum (spelling?).. best jeep for what? If you want to say what is the best jeep for off roading in stock trim? Rubi.. hands down, Best jeep to have for the street, I'd agree with John above, the 5.9 liter grand, or maybe the new hemi grand. best by longest production run, the cj-5. umm best by cool factor, flatties and 6's. best by weird factor, FC's.. it's all a matter of point of view. Personnally I like my early 5 (V6) and I definately like my XJ's (my wife will stab you if you talk bad about her 96 XJ, haha) so there you go was that answer simple enough?

BUBBA

HERE HERE!!

As much as it pains me to say this, I agree with the Boss.

The '98 5.9lt Grand is my choice of Best "All Around".

BEST JEEP FOR THE STREET?

I CAN SEE WHY YOU WOULD CONSIDER THIS BUT, I THINK A RUBI HANDLES JUST FINE ON THE STREET ALSO. (I HAVE A 98 TJ ON 33S) 

PLUS I LOOK AT THE STREET HANDLING TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF WHAT I WANT. SURE I WANT TO BE COMFY AND HAVE GOOD HANDLING, ALL OF DC'S FLEET HAVE THIS I FEEL.

BASICALLY I WOULD LOOK AT OUT OF THE BOX, WHAT JEEP HAS THE BEST WHEELING ABILITY. THAT AFTER ALL IS WHAT JEEP HAS BUILT IT REPUTATION ON NOT WHATS THE MOST COMFY WHEEL.

44S LOCKERS 6 SPEEDS C'MON GUYS

TRAIL RATED NOT MOM RATED!!

I believe it was best ALL AROUND JEEP. not best offroad.  

YOU JUST MADE MY POINT FOR ME!

Everyone is giving high props to the ZJ (unibody) (IFS) and i hear so many of you worried about Jeep w/ IFS. I also hear such and such is too $$$ WJ, or lifts are too $$.

Then when you take all of the factors in to evaluate what is the best "all around" Jeep is You choose the one which is probably farther from the jeep heritage as you can get  A ZJ/WJ Unibody and IFS.

Why because it has power and rides better. Well if DC decides to put IFS in all their vehicles I guess they can point out that even the hardcore jeepers even like the carlike ride better than the solid front axle.

I don't hate y'all with ZJ/WJ there gr8. I'm not raggin' on ya 96 zj. My whole point is powerful V8s are great, good road handling is great. But if you can't go out on a moderate to hard trail w/o breaking or cracking your running boards or severly denting your undercarriage, can you honestly consider that the BEST all around Jeep? I don't believe that is the case.

I look at out of box wheeling capability because that is what Jeep is built on. Sorry I guess we'll disagree on this one. 

Again your missing the point. You are talking about hardcore wheeling and not about "all around jeep". I donot understand why you seem to think just because you drive a ZJ that your automaticly going to damage your rig on moderate trails? I can buy every skid plate and rocker guard that a smaller jeep can.

Also why is it always about the v8? Mine has the 4.0 and works just as good as any.

It's funny how when ppl own a certian type of rig, all others donot compare not matter what the real facts are.

All the jeeps are great, ALL of them.