1997 XJs
 

So in looking for another xj.. I've come across a few comments saying to avoid the 1997 model. Does anyone really know why? Anyone w/a '97 that has had a bunch of problems?

I know it's the first year of the re-design, but the power train, engine, and most of the jeep stayed the same.

yup; me; my 01 XJ was better; (til my then 16 yo son rolled it, that's when I got the 97) I have a wiring issue from He11 going on, been 3 months as a garage ornament and counting; I am gonna copy/paste details in a different thread.

I've never heard That. I've had my 97 for nine years without any serious issues. Just usual wear and tear stuff. Mine also came with the Chrysler 8.25 out back and a high pinion Dana 30 up front. I love my xj and I don't know if I'd buy another year frankly.

That's rediculous. Every Cherokee has it's problems and '97 shouldn't be singled out without some definitive proof. This rumor might come from the fact that the XJ was completly for this year and people say never to buy the first year run of any vehicle that's had a major redesign. Any Cherokee you buy that's over ten years old (since they all are) could have problems, it all depends on how well it was taken care of.

If I were going to build an XJ I would build a '97, and as a matter of fact I am.

The early release 1997 xj's did have wiring issues and tranny issue's. Then the later 1997's got updated to try fix the issues on some it work others well nope, this is quite well known, but any new car truck jeep has it's share of problems ,just the 97 had a few more.Research it and you will find a boat load of info on it.

All good with my 97. Only thing needed in 108k miles is brakes 'n clutch.

i would get 97-99 if it was me. 00-01 have heat sink issues..

They are all the same for the most part! I am sure some of the problems that they have could be due to a model year change but it is still an XJ and they all have their quirks! From 97-01 it seems like the damn wiring plugs change every year and as previously posted, some 00-01s have serious heat soak issues! Just take your time and don't have any love at first site finds and you will be good. Just make sure you go over it completely.

x2 never just jump on something, theres usually ALWAYS a better deal you'll find the next day after you buy one lol

I wish I could find my wiring issue with mine; TPS codes, 2 computers, 2 wiring harnesses (98s do NOT work on a 97 BTW) clockspring unhooked and I cant get my fingers off the buttons of the scanner fast enough and they are already reset Po123....

I wish I could have my 01 back./

i remember i bought a cheap '98 w a faulty tranny. at times ran fine, others, the tranny would drop into 3rd. worked on it for a while, and later found out, you couldn't drop another model year tranny into the '98. major pita and makes think twice of the '98 also. at this point, leaning towards a '99-01.

Honestly I've never researched transmission problems (except for a few years ago with my 99), but I thought they all used the same transmission, the AW4. Which from most accounts is a pretty rugged trans.

When I had trouble with my 99 I found the problem to be a blown fuse, thankfully...nice easy fix.

I should be pulling my 97's transmission today or tomorrow, I'll be sure to take some pics so I can compare to other years and see what the differences are.

I've had two '97s and nothing extraordinary about them. The first was bought as a lease return in 2000 with 43,000 on it. Sold it with 218,000 11 years later and never put big money into it. It's still on the road. The one my wife has was also bought used with 140,000 and has 240,000 now. Replaced the engine at 235,000 with a cam issue. Other than that, nothing extraordinary.

My '98 has 181,000 and needs little, nothing expensive anyway. I've heard of more issues with the heads on the post '98 models than prior. No reason to stay away from the initial years of the last gen XJs.

Try this, pull the the wireing harness apart at the firewall where the inside and outside go together,clean and di-electric grease this up, clean up this very good too, the 1997 have this issue of corroading there and cause's alot of problems. good luck