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Jeep Cherokee as a Toad [message #195671]

Wed, 16 January 2013 09:05

habbyguy

Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ

Karma:

Senior Member

I've been exploring the wonderful world of toads lately, trying to work out the best option for "on-site transportation". I've been very happy with the GMC's ability to go anywhere a car will, but some of the plans we have would benefit greatly by having transportation that doesn't require tearing down the campsite every time we need a quart of milk...

I'd seen a lot of Suzuki SUVs as toads - Samurais, Sidekicks and the equivalent Geo Tracker. When we lived in Australia, we had a Vitara JLX (equivalent to the Sidekick in the US), and it was a great little car. It had a full transfer case that could be switched to Neutral, would go almost anywhere (within reason), and got great gas mileage (high 20's).

Then I started doing the research, and it appears I'd only save about 400 pounds swapping my trusty old 1996 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) 4x4, partially because it's a "stripper" (manual crank windows, two door, manual transmission). Plus, I'm getting 23-24mpg with it, I know the mechanical state it's in (a very, very well-maintained 220,000 miles), and it's paid for (many, many years ago). It'll also easily hold a couple bikes inside, and can carry big parts if something breaks on the GMC.

http://www.habcycles.com/cherokee.jpg

I'm not concerned about braking, since I have a VIP tow brake system on the way (one was installed in my coach, and I found a new, uninstalled system on Ebay for a fraction of the new price so I'd get the "car parts").

So the questions:
1) Is the 3,050 pounds really much different than the 2,000 pounds of the lightest 4-seat toad I could possibly get?
2) Will there be any problems because my Jeep sits about 4" higher than stock (3" lift plus 31" tires)?
3) Is there really a big difference in tow bars? I can spend anywhere from $70 to $1000 for a tow bar, though I have to believe any of them are much more than up to the challenge of pulling a relatively light vehicle.

Mark Hickey Mesa, AZ 1978 Royale Center Kitchen

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[Message index]

		Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Wed, 16 January 2013 09:05
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: WD0AFQ on Wed, 16 January 2013 09:41
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: emerystora on Wed, 16 January 2013 09:52
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: jhbridges on Thu, 17 January 2013 06:45
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Thu, 17 January 2013 09:51
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: rcjordan on Thu, 17 January 2013 10:01
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Wed, 16 January 2013 10:00
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: emerystora on Wed, 16 January 2013 10:20
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: Carl S. on Wed, 16 January 2013 10:39
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: Carl S. on Wed, 16 January 2013 10:41
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: WD0AFQ on Wed, 16 January 2013 10:21
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Wed, 16 January 2013 10:25
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: emerystora on Wed, 16 January 2013 11:11
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: JohnL455 on Wed, 16 January 2013 10:46
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Wed, 16 January 2013 12:18
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: WD0AFQ on Wed, 16 January 2013 11:41
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: gbarrow2 on Wed, 16 January 2013 11:50
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Wed, 16 January 2013 13:00
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: rcjordan on Wed, 16 January 2013 13:17
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: Carl S. on Wed, 16 January 2013 13:36
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Wed, 16 January 2013 14:08
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: Carl S. on Wed, 16 January 2013 16:02
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Wed, 16 January 2013 16:34
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: Carl S. on Wed, 16 January 2013 19:49
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Thu, 17 January 2013 10:00
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: JohnL455 on Wed, 16 January 2013 21:45
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Thu, 17 January 2013 09:46
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: habbyguy on Thu, 17 January 2013 10:18
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: Ken Henderson on Thu, 17 January 2013 12:37
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: rcjordan on Thu, 17 January 2013 12:55
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: James Hupy on Thu, 17 January 2013 12:59
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: emerystora on Thu, 17 January 2013 13:16
		Re: Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: Carl S. on Thu, 17 January 2013 14:55
		Re: [GMCnet] Jeep Cherokee as a Toad By: jhbridges on Thu, 17 January 2013 18:08

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