Hey Guys...I just joined this forum. I had a 68 Wagoneer when I was in high school in the 70's, sure wish we had a place like this back then.

I joined because my son, wants to get a Cherokee for his first car. He is looking at mid 90's and the inline 6, probably 4wd. He wants a basic model, something that we can work on together if it has problems.

We have a light boat to tow, 1400 lbs. Don't plan on much off roading but trips to the snow in winter.

I was hoping to get some advice or recommendation on model years, engines etc? Are there any significant issues, changes with the various years in regards to reliability etc?

I searched the forum but could not find any info.

We appreciate any advice, thanks!

 

1997 sport 4.0L with tow package
enough said

 

Well first off Hello and Welcome to CF!
I have a 97 with the inline 6 4.0L. I love it! I have had a couple wranglers over the years as well. 97 is the first year for the newer body style. (different grill and rear hatch ect.) I would deffinately find one with the 4.0L. I'm not too familiar with the older Renix era motors and such but it seems many guys love em. when your looking make sure to check things like the 4wd and look at u-joints and such. Also look at rust areas like the floors and around the rear fenders. Those are the things I would look at along with fluids and stuff. There is lots of knowledge out here and lots of opinions on everything. Reliability wise... You can run them into the ground and keep going. There are a few threads out here that go over specifics on model years and motor changes but if you find one that looks decent and clean you can't go wrong!

 

Welcome...

I would recomend any XJ between 1991 and 1999 with 4.0. Both the manual and the Auto trannies are good, go with your personal driving preference. With a 4x4, there are 2 transfer cases available the 231 and the 242, the main diference being that the 242 gives the option of using 4wd on the street, the 231 is an Off-Road ond 4wd system. Towing a light load you mention is no big deal, would advise adding a Tranny cooler if you go with the auto. XJ's are old, they will all need mantenance and most likely will need rear springs if you tow alot. I don't care if you buy one from your best freind do a complete Preventitive Maintenance job on any XJ you buy. These thing will last forever if taken care of, some consider 150000 barely broken in, 200-300k is common service life before needing a motor or tranny. Most issues that people run into are maitenance related, or due to lifting on the cheap.
Remember these things were and are an Economy minded vehicle, except for gas mileage, that always sucked. The people who bought them new, bought them because they were cheaper than some of the other vehicles on the market. May not have taken as good of care as they should.

 

Welcome. I have a 91 Laredo and love mine. I would try any find one with a fact. tow package. I have one and it comes with 3.73 gears. Everyone is ganna say different years but as long as it has no RUST and has the 4.0 your good to go. Keep us posted on what you guys get. Do you have any pics of the 68?

 

Guy's,

Thanks for the input I appreciate it.

I checked out a 96 a neighbor is selling. Not to bad of shape, runs pretty good but had a spot of cancer on the upper right A pillar, but no rust in the quarter panels or frame.

And thanks for reminding me about the photos of my Wagoneer, I need to dig out the old slides and show them to my son...see the old man when he had hair and a cool car.

 

Look at the floor borads from the bottom. Alot blow through. But then again if its little project for you guys then some work wont be bad. Ya dig them up and lets see the 68!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

96.
OBDII (if youre into that stuff, I like my Pre-obd renix), Very reliable, last year of Old body style (soulds like thats what hes looking for, "mid 90s"), body mods where done in 96 to make the unibody stronger, lots of other stuff.
Look for one with the 8.25 Rear end, it will be NON-ABS but it is much stronger than the turdy-five.

 

i have no problems with my OBD2. it helps to be able to receive codes of whats wrong and most of the modifications that we do do not trip the computer anyways. Also, i love my 96 2 door cherokee, i have the 8.25 in the rear and i the ax15 and i love how reliable it is, it has 170xxx(almost) on the clock and with 33" tires and 3.07's in the axles it still runs like a top and beats alot of cars off the line still =]

the only thing that you need to watch out for it paint in my opinion the 1 coat paint that they put on the jeeps is crap in my opinion.... but you wont be sorry with a 96. =]

i agree look for:

strong engine
8.25 in the back
not run into the ground
poke the floor boards for rot
let idle and observe engine temp! =]