Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

Mike P · 01-03-2006, 02:43 PM

I can fit a 10' rod diagonally into my 2002 Grand Cherokee. I would look for a used one from the 1999-2004 model year series, with the SelecTrac 4wd system and the 4.0 straight 6. With the 6, you have an engine good for 250,000 miles with reasonable care, and you can expect 20-22 mpg on the highway. The SelecTrac system allows you to run in 2wd most of the time, in "full-time" 4wd mode for wet roads or snow, or "easy" beaches, and "part-time (locked axles) 4wd Hi and Lo range for tough beach conditions. Being able to switch out of 4wd helps gas mileage and saves wear on your drive train.

My second choice would be a 2000 or 2001 Ford Explorer with the old standby 302 V-8. Another engine built to last. The only drawback is that the 302 is only available with "full-time" 4wd (Ford calls it "all wheel drive" but it is really just full time 4wd, without an available low range or the ability to lock the front and rear axles to turn at the same ratio). It's "4wd lite" but still good enough to get you where you want to go on the sand as long as you air down properly.

01-03-2006, 02:43 PM	#23
Mike P Jiggin' Leper Lawyer iTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: 61° 30′ 0″ N, 23° 46′ 0″ E Posts: 8,158	I can fit a 10' rod diagonally into my 2002 Grand Cherokee. I would look for a used one from the 1999-2004 model year series, with the SelecTrac 4wd system and the 4.0 straight 6. With the 6, you have an engine good for 250,000 miles with reasonable care, and you can expect 20-22 mpg on the highway. The SelecTrac system allows you to run in 2wd most of the time, in "full-time" 4wd mode for wet roads or snow, or "easy" beaches, and "part-time (locked axles) 4wd Hi and Lo range for tough beach conditions. Being able to switch out of 4wd helps gas mileage and saves wear on your drive train. My second choice would be a 2000 or 2001 Ford Explorer with the old standby 302 V-8. Another engine built to last. The only drawback is that the 302 is only available with "full-time" 4wd (Ford calls it "all wheel drive" but it is really just full time 4wd, without an available low range or the ability to lock the front and rear axles to turn at the same ratio). It's "4wd lite" but still good enough to get you where you want to go on the sand as long as you air down properly.