Best model year for XJ?
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,869
Likes: 14
Ask and you shall recieve. I would vote for the 87 as the best year because it is Renix and has 44s and the great thing about the Renix is that it is NOT a OBD controlled Jeep. It means you get to think instead of letting the computer think for you. But that is just the way that I was taught about diagnmosing problems as a mechanic.
Most everything on Renix Jeeps can be figured out using a few hand tools and a multimeter. That is the traditional way that Jeeps were designed.
Jeeps came out of WWII and they were fix on the spot or abandoned. I think that tradition of fix on the spot lives on in the Renix era Jeeps but the subsequent years require a complicated diagnosis designed to make the owner return his Jeep to the delership for service. What WWII G.I. could have done that?
So I have explained the reasons that I think Renix is the ideal Jeep for the guy who plans to do his own repairs but for the less mechanically inclined the 96-99 might work for you and your mechanic just fine.
Most everything on Renix Jeeps can be figured out using a few hand tools and a multimeter. That is the traditional way that Jeeps were designed.
Jeeps came out of WWII and they were fix on the spot or abandoned. I think that tradition of fix on the spot lives on in the Renix era Jeeps but the subsequent years require a complicated diagnosis designed to make the owner return his Jeep to the delership for service. What WWII G.I. could have done that?
So I have explained the reasons that I think Renix is the ideal Jeep for the guy who plans to do his own repairs but for the less mechanically inclined the 96-99 might work for you and your mechanic just fine.
and obd isn't your enemy, it's your friend.
for obd1 xj's all you need to do to diagnose them is turn the key from acc to run 3 times and count how many times your cel flashes, then look up the code.
for obd2 vehicles, 96-present, you can just bring your vehicle to autozone, or buy a $40 code
reader.
Oh, and if you happen to own a 88-90 renix xj sold in california (maybe other states as well) it is obd1
Last edited by ktmracer419; Sep 24, 2008 at 01:57 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,661
Likes: 15
From: Smiths Station, Al
Year: 87
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0 I6
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,661
Likes: 15
From: Smiths Station, Al
Year: 87
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0 I6
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Oh yes '99s FTW. 
-Highest h.p. and torque ratings out of all the production years (195 h.p/225 torque)
-Still came with a high pinion d30 (2000^ are l.p.)
-If it has a Chrysler 8.25 it has 29 spline axle shafts as opposed to 96 and lower, which had 27.
I may be forgetting something, but thats what I got off the top of my head.
Keep in mind, that those are all moot points if you plan on doing extensive upgrades. ie: stroker motor, and/or going full width axles.
But, if you plan on keeping it mild and wheeling it on the weekends, the '99 is a good platform to start from.
As far as trim levels go, it was just that, trim; comfort and vanity stuff.
-Highest h.p. and torque ratings out of all the production years (195 h.p/225 torque)
-Still came with a high pinion d30 (2000^ are l.p.)
-If it has a Chrysler 8.25 it has 29 spline axle shafts as opposed to 96 and lower, which had 27.
I may be forgetting something, but thats what I got off the top of my head.
Keep in mind, that those are all moot points if you plan on doing extensive upgrades. ie: stroker motor, and/or going full width axles.
But, if you plan on keeping it mild and wheeling it on the weekends, the '99 is a good platform to start from.
As far as trim levels go, it was just that, trim; comfort and vanity stuff.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
Model: Cherokee
Hey, I have a 1990 Cherokee Limited 4.0 I don't know too much about Jeeps, but she runs great...after a 5min warmup. Is the year I have a bad one, or are there good upgrades for them? Im looking to just get a lift maybe 3" and some tires maybe 33's. Lemme know if this setup will work. Also recommend any brands that you may think is better.
Also, What rear axle is on this thing?
Also, What rear axle is on this thing?
Last edited by etti_seXJ; Sep 25, 2008 at 06:40 PM.
Renix Super Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 24,653
Likes: 19
From: In yourz postez fissin jurr spelinzs
Year: 1990XJ/1989MJ
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0L Renix
Hey, I have a 1990 Cherokee Limited 4.0 I don't know too much about Jeeps, but she runs great...after a 5min warmup. Is the year I have a bad one, or are there good upgrades for them? Im looking to just get a lift maybe 3" and some tires maybe 33's. Lemme know if this setup will work. Also recommend any brands that you may think is better. Also, What rear axle is on this thing?
Also, What rear axle is on this thing?
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,883
Likes: 6
From: W-PA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Canton, MI, USA
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
When I was looking for a Jeep Cherokee, I was looking at a nice 99, but my friends dad who is a seasoned mechanic told me that the head gaskets on the 1999 and the 2000 are known to crack after 100k. but they are still solid and run great, you just need to keep an eye on the head gasket.