Hi all, glad I found this site. I am so stoked, I beat everyone to a listing for a 96 XJ 145,000 miles that appears to of been taken care of with a part list that is impressive.
Are the 96 XJs any thing special, meaning the axels any more beefier or anything like that. I am going to look at it soon.

 

they are actually considered the bastard year, as it was the crossover year from the old body style to the new. Not all that familiar with them, but from my understanding, getting parts for them can be hard sometimes. But again, not 100% sure

 

I've had my '96 for 10yrs now and haven't had any problem getting parts. With any vehicle I've had if possible I take the part I want to replace with me when getting a replacement. Of course CF has helped big time also. I'd not let the fact that XJ is a '96 and in good shape stop me from getting it.

 

The first thing to know is that 96 was a split year for the XJ, so early year 96s were OBD1 and have some other things that make them more similar to a 95.

Late year 96s were OBD2 and many of the sensors and connectors are more similar to the 97s.

I have a late year 96, with a 231 transfer case, dana 30 front axle, and a chrysler 8.25 rear axle. Generally speaking this a desirable combo, and parts availability for anything suspension/driveline related has been just fine. Nothing special there.

The rear hatch is fiberglass instead of metal. So being in the rust belt, I like that.

I have worked a lot on my 96, and swapped out / upgraded a lot of parts. I have not ran into any parts availability problems. Sometimes however, I have run into parts-matching problems, where a website says a part will work for a 96, but there data base is wrong, and I need to order the part that would be for a 97 instead, this is particularly true with sensors, connectors.

I think the only item that really stands out as being harder to find these days is the fuel pump assembly for inside the fuel tank. Crown still manufactures it though, its just not cheap. ($200-300). Everything else so far has been cake.

So the cons are that the 96 is a bit of a blend year between 95/97 and can lead to a few misordered parts, or information found on the internet not quite matching what you see in person. But the pros are that the 96 was the largest unit-sales year for the XJ, so there were many many of them on the roads. So generally speaking, parts availability and cost is still very good.

I have really enjoyed my late model year 96. I also really enjoy having the older body style, which makes it stand out just a little bit.

 

I have been scouring looking for a Cherokee for awhile and this one really stands out with the list of things that have been done to it. I was having such a problem finding one that I was looking at the Libertys, didn't really want to go there.

 

Go check it out. Got any questions or concerns just check in here.

 

let's see pictures, and Whatsbeen done

 

I was thinking the same thing.
it was the crossover year could be OBD1 or OBD 2 for the ECM.
Used unique connectors so different from a 95 or 97.
other than that, nothing wrong with them.
i got one i need to start assembling, later.

 

Jeep decided to make 2 versions of the cherokee in 96 since they didn't make a wrangler that year.

 

Good that the OP is checking things like that out ahead of time to find out about parts availability and if it was a year that was good or stay away from.

Curious on a note that some have touched on... Just so I know... was OBDII required starting 1996 models and newer?
Just asking because I've had a couple 93-94 year vehicles (not Jeeps) that were already OBDII compliant.

 

I have found out it has the OBD2 and has the 8.25 rear end.

 

Most will praise the 8.25... the OBDII is nice.
As for the diff, depends on what you're plans are for it. I may get a few boos and a couple of hisses for saying it...but I've got a D35 with LSD and it does just fine. But she'll never be a crawler so I don't really care. Good balance of on and off road to me.
The 8.25 is a little beefier.... but you also do not get ABS either. Some like it... I personally hate ABS and want to rip it out.

Let's see some good pics of the potential purchase