I have been shopping for a "new" Cherokee Sport for my wife and have crawled under half a dozen poorly maintained '98s through '01s in the past few weeks. Everything under the Sport is fine for our uses (Dana 30 fr, Chrysler 8.25 rear, NP 231....) so it has been a matter of noticing some differences in body trim and under the hood when compared to my '98.

I got thrown for a loop tonight when leaving a lot that had a real stinker, when I saw in another lot what I thought was a shiny new Sport sitting right outside the lot office and being admired by no less than three of their salesmen. I swung in and asked if it was available, took it for a "drive," crawled around under it and decided it was too nice (too expensive) for our budget. It's an '01 and has 80k miles, looks/feels/smells/sounds NEW. I could not find a thing wrong to point out to the salesman.

Everything about it says "Sport" but it is labeled "Limited" and has a somewhat nicer interior than a Sport. It's got everything I was looking for plus some stuff I could live without but decided I could put up with (heated leather seats, CD player, etc......).

Am I overlooking something? Was the "Limited" just a gussied up Sport, or I am not seeing some important omissions or additions other than the "fer purty" stuff? Since it was essentially a Sport, and not an SE or Classic, I brought it home. No kidding, it's so nice, I feel like it should be in a museum. I have never seen a Limited before and I almost didn't stop because it didnt have "Sport" on it and it had the wheels like I have seen on the Classic.

Nothing against the other versions (SE, Classic...), but I have a '98 Sport and prefer the command track and know the axles are good enough for what I do with mine. The commonality of, and familiarity with, major drivetrain components was a factor as well in case I find a donor vehicle later.

Anyone know what's different besides the interior?

 

Yes, Limited is the gussied up trim level. Usually means beter interior, solid paint, painted flares, chrome....

 

Mechanicaly all trim levels are the same.. You could get either TC, axel, motor or trany, or nearly any combination of them with any trim package.

 

yes a purdy sport... but i want to see a picture of this thing!

 

Thanks, guys.

It was well after dark by the time I got it home but I will try to get some pics up soon.

 

Where are you located? I'll drop by and steal it.

 

It's got lots of fufu to post back about when electric this/power that starts breaking. Just kidding (not)........at least you're at the right place to get your questions answered when that moment starts. LOL

 

Quit bashing. My '92 Limited has everything power from factory still working. At 18 years old the starter died, & the driver window motor went, but only after I dunked the XJ. I wouldn't say the Limited is a gussied up Sport ... it's the other way around: Sport is the poor stepchild of the Limited .

OP I recently discovered another worthy upgrade of the Limited over a Sport (y'know in addition to leather seats, power everything, and so on ). The Limited carpet is way more heavy duty than the others: heavier backing, longer pile, and thicker padding. At least in the older Limiteds.

 

Ummmmm, New Zealand!
Yeah that's where I live....

 

Man, that's cold, but you know that's what I was thinking even while I was slobbering all over it. Bad enough I had my head so far up my but when I ID'd the axles. I don't know WHAT they are. Front looks like a D30 punkin but low pinion and the rear,..... not an 8.25 and not a D44. Have to research it a bit.

Yessir, the rug is definitely thicker. Given that this one didn't smell like it was being used as a kennel for chain smoking dogs, I gave the "ammenities" a cursory glance. Drove it to work today and have to admit the interior is nice - seats actually slightly more comfy than my custom-fit-to-my-butt Sport seats. I still love the old car smell of my '98 and how much smoother everything seems when broken in though.

 

Didn't mean to be cold or bash......sounds like u found a Caddy XJ.

 

C'mon, man. I expect that - NEED that.
I was struggling to make sure I was thinking with my head when I found it.
No one there to keep an eye on me.

 

Glad to see someone on here who can take a joke. So refreshing. Welcome to CF!!

Tends to happen unless you actually get on your knees ...
To see the axles I mean

 

Thanks!

Oh, I got lower than being on my knees. I was rolling around under half a dozen of these things looking at everything I knew/thought could be/become and issue. Still, with the dynamic effects of shading due to constantly changing light (yeah, it was dark up there) I mistook it for a 8.25 as I glanced at the rear-end from the front end while checking out the other stuff.

Or maybe I was in denial because I liked the car so much. Needs bearings "back there" so I will weigh the expense and effort against grabbing a 8.25. Have to research the spline count and drive shaft length first.

 

Definitely a D35. Those are the only 3 axles offered stock in the XJ. Does it have ABS? Then it's confirmed. Unless someone's been swapping stuff under there, but I doubt that since you say it looks pristine.


Make that, "yes'm" ...