This is my '98 XJ, purchased in late 2003, and it is my first Jeep. I've been a BSJ member since 2004, which is when I got into wheeling. Since then the XJ has seen a lot of changes...
Vital statistics:
* 1998 XJ "Cherokee Sport", I6 4.0L, AW-4, & NP231 w/ SYE + front & rear custom driveshafts
* 4.5" RE coils + RE adjustable control arms (front) w/ BDS 3" leaf springs + RE 1.5" shackles (back)
* RE HD track bar, Currie HD steering, PSC HD steering box + MORE steering box brace + C-ROK XJ steering reinforcement
* 34x10.50x15 SS LTBs on Bassett Racing wheels
* Front TJ D44 w/ 4.56 gears + ARB & alloy shafts, Rear C8.25 w/ 4.56 gears + ARB w/ alloy shafts
* Custom 4x4 Fab front & rear bumpers, Double-tube XJ rock rails
* DPG offroad belly skid + rear bumpstops
* WARN M8000 winch
* Home-brew OBA (electric)
* Hand cut fenders + TJ fender flares
* Sunroof
* Misc body damage
My second Jeep is this 2007 WK, which I've kept almost completely stock and isn't intended to see dirt (other than the occasional trail head parking area). I bought this Jeep as a replacement for an '07 Toyota Highlander in early 2009 in order to head to Moab, UT with BSJ. 99% of the year the WK is a great grocery getter for driving around town and taking the family places. However, this WK serves double duty, and spends the other 1% of the year towing it's older cousin around.
Vital statistics:
* 2007 WK, Grand Cherokee Limited
* 3.0L CRD engine, Quadra-Trac II
* Electric brake controller
* DashHawk OBD-II monitor
* 2005 Superior 7k lb GTW car trailer
* Reese 10k lb weight distributing hitch system w/ sway control
Chris wrote:How does the WK hold up towing the trailer with the XJ on it??
The WK with the CRD is a great tow vehicle.... I towed a fully loaded trailer (XJ + spare parts) + personal gear my father and I for 2 weeks, out to Moab and back. The WK was getting the same or better mileage as Dean E's 35" SS equipped LJ Rubicon gasser, but with ~3x the weight (figure his LJ weighs a max of ~4500 lbs, the loaded WK gross weight was 12500 - 13000). I had a few fuel system problems (since fully resolved) which probably hurt my fuel economy a bit too, but I still got 10-14 mpg (depending on speed / terrain). In the mountains around Colorado I had to slow down to a top speed of 45-50 mph on the major 6% - 8% grades, but otherwise I had no trouble cruising at 70-80 mph over 99% of the highways with a full load of gear.
The weight distributing hitch makes a huge difference smoothing out the ride and keeping the trailer and WK's suspensions evenly loaded -- definitely recommend it it anyone planning to tow a heavy load with a Jeep.
On other occasions I've towed an 18' Sea Ray, which probably weighs ~3000 lbs (boat + trailer), and the noticed the mileage drop off a little (~17 mpg instead of 20-22 mpg).
