Aussie visitor coming to the US

[KeithMac]

Hi there, let me introduce myself. I am a member from Jarrahdale in Western Australia. I drive a ‘94 Land Rover Defender 110 and love the overland lifestyle.

My son married a lovely American girl
And they are now living in the DFW area. My wife and I are planning on visiting them and our 3 grandchildren in July/August for a month.

I am planning on getting a vehicle there to get around and do some over landing (this is going to be a yearly trip). So I wanted to reach out the OB community there.

I am looking to get WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 so I thought I’d ask if anyone on here knows of one.

Also any ideas for over landing trips would be great.

Looking forward to
Maybe meeting up with my fellow OB mates.

Thanks

Keith

 

[Rchr]

Hi Keith,
Hope you have a good trip and you enjoy your stay in the US. Texas is a big state and unfortunately most of it is privately owned. There a some parks you can go to and maybe do some overlanding in. One I am thinking of is Palo Duro Canyon State Park, it’s about a 6 hour drive from Dallas. I’m from Texas but mostly what we do here is just go camping at our state parks.

 

[tjZ06]

Hi there, let me introduce myself. I am a member from Jarrahdale in Western Australia. I drive a ‘94 Land Rover Defender 110 and love the overland lifestyle.

My son married a lovely American girl
And they are now living in the DFW area. My wife and I are planning on visiting them and our 3 grandchildren in July/August for a month.

I am planning on getting a vehicle there to get around and do some over landing (this is going to be a yearly trip). So I wanted to reach out the OB community there.

I am looking to get WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 so I thought I’d ask if anyone on here knows of one.

Also any ideas for over landing trips would be great.

Looking forward to
Maybe meeting up with my fellow OB mates.

Thanks

Keith

Welcome to the States! I'm a big fan of WJs myself, and have a rather built one. I could write a short (or not-so-short) novel on them, but the quicker version of my $0.02: look for a higher trim (Limited or Overland) 4.7 V8, preferably the 4.7 HO (all Overlands are HO). Yes, the 4.7 *does* have issues with dropping valve seats, that is a *real* problem. However, the V8 is so much better suited to the WJ platform and weight than the I6. The 4.0L I6, while legendary, is barely adequate in the lighter XJs. Also, 4.0 WJs get a much worse auto trans than even the XJs, while 4.7 WJs get the 545RFE which is actually a pretty good trans (it was used in the much heavier, higher GVWR 1500 RAMs of the same era behind the more powerful Hemi). Also, the higher trims just suit the spirit of the WJ better, IMHO. If you want a basic box with stick-axles get an XJ, if you want a little bit of luxury/tech (for it's day, obviously the "tech" is outdated now) then a Limited or Overland WJ is just a much nicer vehicle to spend time in. As for those pesky heads, consult some local shops and just budget having a pair of updated heads put on. Yes, it's a pretty big cost, but WJs are so cheap (even in this crazy market) that it's worth it IMHO.

-TJ

 

[Viking1204]

If you make it anywhere close to NW Florida let me know and maybe we can meet up!

 

[Coreymol]

Hi there, let me introduce myself. I am a member from Jarrahdale in Western Australia. I drive a ‘94 Land Rover Defender 110 and love the overland lifestyle.

My son married a lovely American girl
And they are now living in the DFW area. My wife and I are planning on visiting them and our 3 grandchildren in July/August for a month.

I am planning on getting a vehicle there to get around and do some over landing (this is going to be a yearly trip). So I wanted to reach out the OB community there.

I am looking to get WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 so I thought I’d ask if anyone on here knows of one.

Also any ideas for over landing trips would be great.

Looking forward to
Maybe meeting up with my fellow OB mates.

Thanks

Keith

There are some in the San Antonio area.
If you make it this way let me know.

 

[KeithMac]

Thank you everyone for the welcome and the comments. My wife and I are really looking forward to being I. The States again.

 

[KeithMac]

Thanks for this TJ. I had been warned off the V8 because of the heads. How much would you recon to budget for the fix?

QUOTE="tjZ06, post: 615920, member: 45023"]

Hi there, let me introduce myself. I am a member from Jarrahdale in Western Australia. I drive a ‘94 Land Rover Defender 110 and love the overland lifestyle.

My son married a lovely American girl
And they are now living in the DFW area. My wife and I are planning on visiting them and our 3 grandchildren in July/August for a month.

I am planning on getting a vehicle there to get around and do some over landing (this is going to be a yearly trip). So I wanted to reach out the OB community there.

I am looking to get WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 so I thought I’d ask if anyone on here knows of one.

Also any ideas for over landing trips would be great.

Looking forward to
Maybe meeting up with my fellow OB mates.

Thanks

Keith

Welcome to the States! I'm a big fan of WJs myself, and have a rather built one. I could write a short (or not-so-short) novel on them, but the quicker version of my $0.02: look for a higher trim (Limited or Overland) 4.7 V8, preferably the 4.7 HO (all Overlands are HO). Yes, the 4.7 *does* have issues with dropping valve seats, that is a *real* problem. However, the V8 is so much better suited to the WJ platform and weight than the I6. The 4.0L I6, while legendary, is barely adequate in the lighter XJs. Also, 4.0 WJs get a much worse auto trans than even the XJs, while 4.7 WJs get the 545RFE which is actually a pretty good trans (it was used in the much heavier, higher GVWR 1500 RAMs of the same era behind the more powerful Hemi). Also, the higher trims just suit the spirit of the WJ better, IMHO. If you want a basic box with stick-axles get an XJ, if you want a little bit of luxury/tech (for it's day, obviously the "tech" is outdated now) then a Limited or Overland WJ is just a much nicer vehicle to spend time in. As for those pesky heads, consult some local shops and just budget having a pair of updated heads put on. Yes, it's a pretty big cost, but WJs are so cheap (even in this crazy market) that it's worth it IMHO.

-TJ[/QUOTE]

 

[Redruby]

Welcome Keith, if you get to Arizona let me know would love to take you around the southwest. I have a couple of buddies in the DFW area that we get together for long overlanding trips you’d might like to join us next year we have a fairly full calendar, looking forward to meeting you.

 

[Steve_ohhhhh]

Hi there, let me introduce myself. I am a member from Jarrahdale in Western Australia. I drive a ‘94 Land Rover Defender 110 and love the overland lifestyle.

My son married a lovely American girl
And they are now living in the DFW area. My wife and I are planning on visiting them and our 3 grandchildren in July/August for a month.

I am planning on getting a vehicle there to get around and do some over landing (this is going to be a yearly trip). So I wanted to reach out the OB community there.

I am looking to get WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 so I thought I’d ask if anyone on here knows of one.

Also any ideas for over landing trips would be great.

Looking forward to
Maybe meeting up with my fellow OB mates.

Thanks

Keith

Hey mate. Did you ever end up getting over to the states for your trip?