In a move sure to work both Jeeper camps into a frothy argument, we’ve decided to pit two fan favorites against each other. Step right up for today’s main event: the Jeep CJ vs the Jeep XJ.

READ MORE: Dirt Dispute: Jeep Wrangler JK or Toyota FJ Cruiser?

This is the latest in our Dirt Dispute series where we ask you, the reader, to tell us which off-road machine you like more in a poll (located at the bottom of the post). So read on and then make your decision on which rig is the best!

We’ll start with the Jeep CJ, a favorite of the off-road crew thanks to its short wheelbase and go-anywhere capability. Fans have been modifying CJs pretty much since the very instant they were released for purchase by the general public after the war.

In particular, your author has fond memories of a CJ-7, despite it being the longest wheelbase version of the seven iterations of the CJ. Available with a variety of motors over its lifetime (including the wretched GM-sourced Iron Duke inline-four), the engine bay of a CJ is ripe for a swap. Hellcat power? LS motor? They all seem to fit. The seemingly endless supply of aftermarket suspension bits doesn’t hurt the machine’s off-road popularity, either.

The XJ appeared in the 1984 model year and quickly became a favorite of both off-roaders and families alike. Some corners of the internet sneer at the XJ for its integrated body and frame, while enthusiasts point to its lightweight and space-efficient design. Its mountain-goat ability to clamber over rough terrain doesn’t hurt their argument, either.

Engine swaps into an XJ are rarely as wild as those found in gonzo CJs, perhaps because the seminal 4.0L inline-six is revered and spoken of in hushed tones amongst XJ fanatics. In 2011, a solid ten years after it ceased production, the XJ was selected by an industry magazine as one of the “10 Cars That Refuse to Die”. We can hardly think of a better honor to bestow upon any vehicle.