I'm looking to purchase a Cherokee and needed opinion on which would be better - 1996 or 1999?

 

Depends on price and condition. Not just rust, but overall maintenance.

 

Thanks - I'm looking at both are are similar in miles and condition with stock set ups for engine (4.0) and auto trans. I know both are from different "generations" so just curious what thoughts might be out there assuming both were in same condition.

 

Like others said, 96 and 99 are good years, I think most people will agree that 99 is the best year for the XJ, but a non-rusty 96, I will take over a 99 with a little rust any day, because 96 are a solid year too. Depends on condition of them, miles, rust, records, etc.

 

If you are a stickler for appearances, the 96 has the slightly boxier look with less rounded edges, where as all 97+ models have the more rounded appearance.

Also a 96 has a 8-slot grill where as 97+ got the uniform 7-slot grill found on all Jeeps now.

A 96 also has the front driver/passenger window vent/wing window bar where the 97+ has the entire window as one piece of glass that goes up and down.

If you really love XJs, the differences stand out. To most people on the street, however, they look identical.

The 96 has a fuel tank that makes the fuel pump serviceable without lowering the tank (the hole is on the front of the tank instead of on top). However, the fuel pump assembly is a part that has become difficult to find, because it was somewhat unique for the 96. 96 PCMs are in pretty good supply though (because of the large number produced). The fuel pump assembly is the only part I've found to be of concern regarding availability.

Some people don't like the 96 because it has a mix of 95/97 year parts on them. This is because they were using up the remaining 95 components, while also preparing to transition to the 97 components. This is particularly noticeable when dealing with wiring diagrams, fuse box diagrams, connectors, and things like that. For example on my 96 I have a 95 fuse box, mostly 97 connectors for sensors, and a power distribution center that doesn't look like anything on a 95 or 97 (the PDC is the fuse box under the hood with the relays, and larger fuses). But the 97 sensors has been a blessing, because they are pretty easy to locate and buy from multiple sources, where as the older 95/96 components can be more difficult to find. (97 used a rectangular connector on many components where as the early 96 and earlier used a more oval/round shaped connector).

The 99 will have a little more data filled out in the OBD2 data if you are into using scanners to watch your vehicle's operation. The 96 has OBD2, but because it was the first year, it doesn't have as many data points implemented.

I have a 96, and have really enjoyed it. I would really like 99s as well though. If I didn't have a 96, I would be looking for a 99.

There were a ton of 96s on the rode at one point, so the amount of questions/answers/videos on the web and parts for them is pretty good. Some body-related aftermarket parts are for 97+ only. But it is rare. Anything below the body tends to be pretty uniform between them (suspension, steering, etc) or at least highly available.


Good Luck!

 

Excellent points.
I vote for the style of the '96 myself, I otherwise have no knowledge to pass on having a '90 Renix era I couldn't help with technical differences since I have NO experience with any other Cherokee.

 

Like Jordan mentioned, some parts for the 96 are getting difficult to come by. There are a handful of parts that were only made for the 96 model year,, like the fuel pressure regulator. Difficult, if not impossible, to find, or get ready to get creative in your solutions to make one from a different model year work.

One other thing I've noticed, is my 96 has some major differences to what the FSM says. I ended up buying a 95, 96, and 97 FSM, and just use the one that matched the closest for whatever I'm working on. Example, the 96 and 97 FSM both show the fuel tanks with the top mounted fuel pump assembly. The 95 shows a tank with the front mount, which the 96 has (well, at least my 96 has), but the fuel pump assembly, once its removed, doesn't match the 95 exactly. You don't run in to it in everything, but I've run in to it enough that it has gotten a little frustrating at time.

That said, I've absolutely loved mine, and its all been worth the added hassle. I also have a 90 xj and a 95 yj, and some parts for those are getting difficult to track down too, so hard to find parts just seems to be par for the course in some instances.

But like others have said, I'd let condition be the driving factor. He who has the most rust, loses.

 

I also bought the 95, 96, and 97 FSMs. I believe the 96 FSM is actually an edited 97 FSM (the knowledgeable folks here sometimes point out that there really isn't a true 96 FSM available).

By the way, HEAP of JEEP, I commented on your videos a lot, because I was doing a lot of the same jobs, just a few months behind you. They were most helpful in knowing what to expect. My hubs, for example, came off in much the same way (and with the same level of effort) as yours! Good to see you.

 

I'd never heard that about the 96 FSM but that sure makes a lot of sense as to why it isn't quite right.

Thanks for checking out my vids. Good to know I'm not alone in dealing with all of the challenges... misery loves company? or something along that line. lol