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To ORA or not to ORA. That is the question

1505 Views 24 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  3Fort
I just joined and it said i needed to post something. So here goes (sorry if long-winded. I'm new):

In the last 9 months, I've spent about 1/4 the price of a new Grand Cherokee fixing my '01 Limited. I've kept it in mint condition but had some fluke issues (cracked engine head, warped brake rotors, etc). But it's paid off and i just thought it made sense to keep fixing it.

Last Winter, we got caught in a blizzard that made a 3 hour drive into 7. SUVs were off the road everywhere, but my Jeep never wavered. So I drink the coolaid.

i'm planning to keep the '01 for my better half, ditch her Equinox (POS IMO), and get the new Overland. Seemed simple enough until the 4WD system came up.

As I'm clearly sold on my current QuadraDrive, I simply wanted the current equivalent. But the only V8 Overlands anyone has are QTII not QDII. Never thought I'd buy a brand new vehicle but the depreciation on '13s does not seem to be enough to offset some of the additional features in a '14.

In any case, it looks like I'm going to order one from the factory w/ QDII. Since I'm a designer for a living, looks matter. So I'm curious about the wheel size (18 vs 20) if I add the ORA pkg for the $200 more. Also, am I losing MPG or highway horsepower with this setup? My brother had an 07 Trail Rated GC Limited Hemi that he said he had to get rid of because his gas mileage was so bad with the added weight and drag of the skid plates. Etc.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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The gas mileage will not be significantly affected with the addition of the ORAII package. You also will not lose HP. However, the GC will feel less sporty with the 18" rims (vs. the 20" rims). The 18" rims will be better off-roading than the 20" rims due to their larger sidewall. The look is purely personal preference, so don't be swayed by anything anyone says regarding the appearance of the wheels.
LMAO!!! I think it's hilarious that, of all the people who could possibly have replied to me, it was you. Thanks so much for the reply. I was literally JUST looking at your pictures as I'm ordering the same jeep and color you have. Have never done anything aftermarket and a little disappointed in the dealer and Mopar's offerings. But I'm dying to get this thing purchased and delivered. I'll have to admire your photography until I can shoot some of my own. :)

Incidentally, how much worse would the street performance be? I'm getting the Hemi because it makes my size 14 Lead Foot smile! So I drive fast and mostly on road. But in winter and camping I'm up in Northern Minnesota off the beaten path.
Hahahaha that's an amazing coincidence! I replied because I was having hard time making the same decision. In my opinion, the 20" wheels are definitely better for on road performance. The 18" wheels feel floatier and don't give back as much feedback, in addition to not handling as well.

The 20" wheels should be fine for what you are doing. After all, it is a Jeep. If you decide to do some more heavy-duty off-roading, you can always buy some 18" wheels later, whether they are aftermarket or OEM. I also am not a fan of aftermarket stuff.

As for the pictures, thanks for your compliments. I will be home in a week and will be taking some more pictures that are better than the ones I have posted. Also, check out Copefree's threads. He has 2 threads that include a lot of photos of his Granite Overland with 20" wheels. He also gave an off-road review of the 20" wheels that I found helpful when I was making my decision on what to order.
are the michelline latitudes what come with the 20" or the ORAII with the 18's?
Latitudes come with the 18" wheels, GY Forteras come with the 20" wheels.
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