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looking buy a cherokee 4x4 whats the best year

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Old 10-17-2011, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan4governor
personal opinion: get a manual transmission, the AX-15 is the best transmission jeep ever used.
X2!!

I love my '99 AX15
Hated my '88 only because Renix sucks!! BA10 sucks!! Just my opinion
I put a AX15 in my '88.
Old 10-17-2011, 01:20 PM
  #32  
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Year: I've had a few...
Model: Cherokee
Engine: A secret
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91 - old
92 - old
93 - old
94 - head with the best flow
95 - head with the best flow, air bags introduced!
96 - Strengthened block, 2nd to best head. OBD2
97 - updated front end, hatch and interior, strengthened block, 2nd best head, Automatic became standard option. (Had to pay extra for 5 speed)
98 - ^^^^^
99 - ^^^^^
99.5 - Coil Packs, weak head, small exhaust ports, bigger intake manifold, more resitictive cats and more o2 sensors (for most in the west).
00 - ^^^^^
01 - ^^^^^

So if you like the old style - who gives a ****? they're all the same.

new style, go with a 97-early 99.

99.5-01, at least weak got a bigger intake
Old 10-17-2011, 01:39 PM
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if i had to choose a certain year, i'd go with a 97 or 98
Old 10-17-2011, 04:14 PM
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Year: 1998 Sport
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I had a 92, 94, 95 and now a 98. I have to admit that I do like them all my favorite is my 98. Personally I think they are all pretty good. If you find a nice one in decent shape you'll be pretty happy with it. Just my opinion.
Old 09-18-2012, 08:44 AM
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Default 87 Cherokee

We have a 2 door 87 Cherokee and my dad has a 87 4 door..both 4x4 with 4.0
Both 5 speed.
1 has 278,000 and the other 350,000. Both seen plenty off road. The only problems are the sealed radiator system...easily fixed the a small relief valve in the top of the system and peugot tranny. So I would avoid 87-89 as those were the years that had them. We had to have our tranny worked on and a major pain in the ***. Both have gotten 26 mpg freeway. The 4 door has also towed a lot of stuff..we used it as the pit vehicle for off road races. All the other stuff discussed just seems like nic picking to me...these are great cars and I love ours though am trying to get a hold of my dad's 4 door as the 2 door in a pain.
Both have been beat to hell. The 4 door was taken apart at 275,000 do to the radiator over heating( my dad didn't know about the relief valve) There was no scoring on the cylinders at all...they put it back together with new rings. Now has the 350,000. So any early Cherokee other than the 87-89 I would suggest.
Old 09-18-2012, 09:29 AM
  #36  
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I love my '96 and wouldn't get rid of it for the world.

But if I had nothing and could choose, it would be a later '96 model through an early '99 model, 4x4 NP231, automatic, no ABS. I'd look for a near perfect exterior and pretty good interior. 4 doors preferred for strength.
Old 09-18-2012, 10:12 AM
  #37  
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Year: 2001
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If you like your face, buy 95 and up, they have airbag. If you like your wife's face, buy 97 up, they have 2 airbags. I don't know if XJs have ABS, maybe Classics?
(just trying to save somebody's life)

Last edited by car5car; 09-18-2012 at 10:14 AM.
Old 09-18-2012, 10:21 AM
  #38  
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Year: 2000
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99. You get the best of everything. Newer body style, airbags, 29 spline rear 8.25, High Pinion 30 front, high output 4.0 with the good intake and not the bs coil rail the 2000+ have, the list goes on.

If i could do it again i would get a 99 instead of a 2000 but i got a good deal on mine and needed a vehicle, didnt have time to be picky lol.
Old 09-18-2012, 10:26 AM
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Year: '99 and '91
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Wow. Such a strong subject.

I say you can't go wrong with anything 91-99.
Old 09-18-2012, 04:35 PM
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Year: 2001
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Thread from the dead (2010!). Wonder if the OP eventually purchased one and, if so, what year with what options and eventual mods...
Old 09-18-2012, 04:41 PM
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I have 2- both '98's, 2 door, red, 4.0, auto. Twins! I would pick '97-'99.
Old 09-18-2012, 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by SpideYJeep
Thread from the dead (2010!). Wonder if the OP eventually purchased one and, if so, what year with what options and eventual mods...
Haha didn't even see the date...
Old 09-18-2012, 07:18 PM
  #43  
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Year: 1999
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Engine: 4.0L
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I have a 99 Limited with the 8.25 rear axle, and this is my first XJ. I'm very impress with it.
Old 10-06-2012, 07:49 PM
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I would say, (if living near mountains) ..... stay away from the vaccum disconnect front axle (easy to spot !! ... I have a 90) .. I do not like it, except deep snow or low speeds. going uphill in a basic snowstorm,it pops in/out .. like it thinks it doesnt need to be on 1/2 the time, until hitting ice & losing all traction

going downhill its fine, my ice fishing buddies always say "what a piece of sh.." climbing Berthoud Pass, Co in a mild snowstorm

when i bought it, the axle vacuum lines were missing, I rigged up some hoses & it took forever to kick in, so sprayed some cleaner thru the hardware, kicks in fast now, but still annoying .. 1st & 2nd gear its fine .. once cruising 3rd,4th .. it has a mind of its own


I just bought a 93 HO, gotta replace front u joints before any serious 4 wheeling. havnt got into the axles yet, gonna check the fluids tomorrow, not sure if stock. after new exhaust today it runs way better. 4x4 kicks in right away, will be getting that checked out too .. 93 is new to me, but Im liking it so far .. besides no engine temp gauge, that will be added soon



I also had a 1985 2.8 V6 .. bought at 145k miles .. starter & clutch master cylinder went out quick .. finally sold it with 208k miles, still running .. but i went thru 3 starters & 3 clutch master cyls. ... 1 clutch slave cylinder .. slave costed $300 with a friends discount .. was the last carb-vehicle I owned .. I cleaned up the carb one day .. didnt think to lube the carb moving parts .. got it on road .. throttle opened up wide & stuck .. glad it was a stickshift .. turned it off, coasted to a stop



overall .. like everyone says .. plenty of parts available for all of them .. that can be fixed easy on the street or trail .. junkyards in colorado always have a few xjs to steal from

This 93 i just bought is all basic. manual windows/doorlocks .. lovin that .. been drivin with a non-opening driver window for a cpl years, at least it died "up"

I need to take pics of the lift & such .. figure out what i really have .. it has rancho rs5000 shocks .. what model/brand lift .. dont know .. i will take pics tomorrow .. 1st jeep I bought that doesnt smell like bird dogs ..and is automatic

Last edited by dogkatcher; 10-06-2012 at 07:52 PM.
Old 10-06-2012, 09:46 PM
  #45  
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L i6
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Which would you buy?

1996 Cherokee Sport. 4L 6cyl engine. Automatic. Only 70k miles. Asking $4300 firm.
Adult owned, not beat on. Never off-roaded.
New radiator, water pump, fluids, many new hoses, brakes, tires, etc.
Inside is clean. Body is a 9. I see no rust or dents.

2000 Cherokee Sport. 4 cyl engine. Automatic. Only 112k miles. Asking $3300.
Adult owned, not beat on. Never off-roaded.
New brakes, exhaust, tires. Inside is clean.
Body has light rust inside the doors and rockers


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