Not Your Typical Climber's Car

PosiDave wrote:I'll throw in the honorable mention for the Cherokee (2000/2001 model preferred), I 2nd Nate on a Cherokee being an awesome climber vehicle. BUT do not get a 2000/2001. They changed to a Aluminum head and that is what caused the overheating problems. 1994-1999 is the best option. 5qts of oil is standard for any 6cyl and you can expect 20-24hwy if you drive at 65 with proper maintenance Tips -If you remove the bottom section of the rear seat you can sleep two people comfortably under 6'4" in the back. - drum brakes come standard on the rear axle, make sure they stay maintained to avoid drag (e-brake to) - If you remove the standard airbox and go with a spectre or cold air intake, you can weld a box to hold a second battery (Yellow top!) you can then run a ARB fridge & run a small power unit in the back (check out expedition builds)

The head isn't aluminum, its cast iron, and the problem with them is that they crack along the base of the rocker mounts which lets coolant seep into the oil pan, and this did happen to me and I had to swap a new casted head onto it with a fresh head gasket and I'm still driving it today. It was the faulty 0331 head master cast and pretty much every head that cracked did so in the same place and around similar milage. The most common reason a jeep would overheat is that alot of high milage jeeps are incorrectly fitted with the wrong type of radiator when it comes time for the stock rads to be replaced. A 3 channel/pipe radiator is not recommended for the 4.0L, a single channel radiator works the best on these machines for whatever reason.

It is a gremlin, but the newer accessories I think make it worth it, but ultimately I would recommend anything that is fuel injected. I have an old motorcycle and carburetors work fine when they're being used but tend to be funky if you let it sit for some time.

Maybe its wrong for me to assume this, but if you're building a dirtbag mobile on a limited budget then you should be prepared to work on an engine if necessary, and gremlins and common problems should not scare you, you should just prepare to deal with them down the road.

Nate KSD wrote: The head isn't aluminum, its cast iron, and the problem with them is that they crack along the base of the rocker mounts which lets coolant seep into the oil pan, and this did happen to me and I had to swap a new casted head onto it with a fresh head gasket and I'm still driving it today. It was the faulty 0331 head master cast and pretty much every head that cracked did so in the same place and around similar milage. The most common reason a jeep would overheat is that alot of high milage jeeps are incorrectly fitted with the wrong type of radiator when it comes time for the stock rads to be replaced. A 3 channel/pipe radiator is not recommended for the 4.0L, a single channel radiator works the best on these machines for whatever reason. It is a gremlin, but the newer accessories I think make it worth it, but ultimately I would recommend anything that is fuel injected. I have an old motorcycle and carburetors work fine when they're being used but tend to be funky if you let it sit for some time. Maybe its wrong for me to assume this, but if you're building a dirtbag mobile on a limited budget then you should be prepared to work on an engine if necessary, and gremlins and common problems should not scare you, you should just prepare to deal with them down the road.

Radiator style doesn't really change the overheating issue with a 4.0. I have swapped single and 3 channel into many 4.0's Certain generation models had different issues with the cooling system. there are plenty of reasons you don't want a 00-01.

There is a reason most people in the XJ building business don't pick them.

My second vote goes for the Honda Element. They really seem to be quiet the set-up for occasional traveler & the AWD can go most places any AWD car can. But doesn't match the true 4WD clearance.

Honda CR-V. Decent gas mileage, AWD and more ground clearance than the Element, though I do love the Element. Would have bought an Element if I could have found one in decent shape at the right price, alas I ended up with a Pilot, just have to suffer with the V6 and 8 passenger seating, hahaha. But really, a CR-V sounds like it will fit your bill.

As far as the Insight goes, Gabe's is a 1.0L 3-cylinder with IMA assist, and it has an aluminum body. The newer one's are more like a Civic hybrid with a hatch and solid beam rear axle, 1.3L 4-cylinder with the IMA assist, and they aren't available in a manual. They aren't the even remotely the same car, complete ground up redesign.