Received the new pressure regulator and changed out. New regulator had pin hole leak in it spraying gas all over engine. Returned, and now another 3 days out on replacement.

 

I went through something similar on my 89, ended up being a bent flex plate...
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/ren...2k-rpm-259934/

 

We need a sticky of weird and unusual problems. Bad flexplates that only caused a problem at higher rpms, bellhousing bolts getting loose, push rod wore through and sticking through the rocker, etc. 95% of the time, it's the typical old XJ problems though. CPS (old or poor quality new), IAC, etc.

 

SOLVED

It was the fuel pressure regulator. Engine runs smooth through entire acceleration and sounds great. So even though fuel pressure was good it must not have been getting enough flow for the hard accelerations.
The previous owner had changed it so I was sort of pushing that off in the troubleshooting. Probably a bad "new" part from the beginning.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions and help on this. My daughter will be happy to be driving her jeep again. Here's to at least 6 months without more problems.

 

Congrats