I have a '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) with 165k on the odometer. It's time to replace the rear end (the infamous Dana 35 has gone bad, which I'm replacing with a 44a), but the vehicle also has a litany of other typically Jeep problems: electrical gremlins, drivers window keeps falling off the track, leaking transmission, etc. It's a Jeep, and I understand the hazards of owning one, but it's getting to be annoying. I may not be "Jeep people".
I'm facing a decision: do I keep the ZJ (which I do like), and spend the money to fix the existing problems, or do I replace it with something more reliable which I wouldn't need to work on as much?
The option I'm considering is a GMT360 platform vehicle, either a 2002-2008 GMC Envoy or a Chevy TrailBlazer. Were I to go that route, I would get the I6 engine (I love the ease of maintenance on a straight-six.)
My use: I'm not a hard off-roader, and I don't drive a lot (about 7-8k miles/year.) I use the vehicle to get around in the sometimes deep and unplowed snow, explore old logging roads, travel to abandoned mining camps/ghost towns, and occasionally pull a utility trailer loaded to perhaps 1500 lbs. Nothing extreme, I just need a very reliable vehicle to get me out of tight spots in the back country. Long-term reliability is the most important criteria. I'm mechanically adept (have rebuilt engines), but it's not something I look forward to doing and would rather do as little of it as possible.
What's the collective wisdom say? Stick with the Jeep or replace it?
I'm facing a decision: do I keep the ZJ (which I do like), and spend the money to fix the existing problems, or do I replace it with something more reliable which I wouldn't need to work on as much?
The option I'm considering is a GMT360 platform vehicle, either a 2002-2008 GMC Envoy or a Chevy TrailBlazer. Were I to go that route, I would get the I6 engine (I love the ease of maintenance on a straight-six.)
My use: I'm not a hard off-roader, and I don't drive a lot (about 7-8k miles/year.) I use the vehicle to get around in the sometimes deep and unplowed snow, explore old logging roads, travel to abandoned mining camps/ghost towns, and occasionally pull a utility trailer loaded to perhaps 1500 lbs. Nothing extreme, I just need a very reliable vehicle to get me out of tight spots in the back country. Long-term reliability is the most important criteria. I'm mechanically adept (have rebuilt engines), but it's not something I look forward to doing and would rather do as little of it as possible.
What's the collective wisdom say? Stick with the Jeep or replace it?