OK, as a past Cherokee owner I did a little research when I bought mine and recalled most folks liked the straight six with a certain Transfer case and trans?

I have a friend who was looking at a V8. I told him the sixes lasted longer, got better mileage and that there was a certain T case that was recommended by most Cherokee trail guys.

I do not recall which ones were best.

Looking for advise. I also think down the road I will get another one.

He was looking at a 2001.

What are your recommendations?


RUMBLON

If it had a V8 then he was looking at a Grand Cherokee (WJ). Totally different animal. Asking about the best year will bring out a lot of opinions. The most common XJ combo is 4.0/231/AW4. In my opinion, the best year XJ is a 98. Better head then the newer models, hp D30 front, 29 spline 8.25 rear. Again just my opinion

99 4.0 np231 aw4 hp30 8.25, upcountry package, limited model green with tan leather interior. Best combo, year, and options.

It's 00-01 with the iffy 0331 heads. It's not a major thing to worry about, but something you need to check when looking at one. The 99 has been deemed the best year but it's all comes down to what suits your needs

Ok, for the new guy to these rigs. whats what?

4.0 is the six cylinder. I GET THAT.

TRANS? NP231 HOW can I tell my checking a rig for sale?

aw4? Transfer case?

hp30?????? 8.25 is the rear, that I understand.

so when looking at a rig how do I tell what his has in it?

RUMBLON

Np231 is the transfer case. There's a
metal badge on it you can look at or look at the shifter.

AW4 is the transmission. It's automatic

Hp30 is the front axle. It's high pinion as apposed to the low pinion in the older models

You have the Trans and Transfer-Case reversed, the AW4 is a transmission and the NP231 is a transfer-case.


You can tell an NP231 by it having the following options on the transfer-case leaver (2HI-4HI-N-4LO), the NP242 will have (2WD-4Part-Time-4Full-Time-N-4LO), both are decent cases, the 231 is a little stronger and has more aftermarket support, but the 242 has a center-differential allowing for the 4Full-Time option which can be useful in the snow (saves you having to take in in and out of 4WD as you go from dry-road to snowy areas).


All 4.0L I6 XJ Cherokees (not Grand Cherokees) with an automatic have the Aisin-Warner AW4 (virtually identical to the Aisin A340 used in RWD/4WD Toyotas including the 4-Runner, Tacoma, Supra, etc.) , the manual options from 90 on (AX-15 91-99, NV3550 00-01) weren't bad either.


The high-pinion dana-30 (HP30) was used on 99 and earlier XJs, the Low-Pinion version (LP30) was used from 00-01.


For the rear you can look at the diff cover, the Chrysler 8.25" is significantly stronger than the Dana35 (note: all ABS equipped XJs have the Dana35 unless it has been swapped):



You'll hear various things on years, generally 98 or 99 are considered "best" but all 91-99s have relatively good reliability.

I personally love my ax15/231 combo. I've always been a stick shift kinda guy.