jeep4walkervally

Im looking to start A jeep project and would like some pointers on what cherokee to get. I would like an 88 or newer I think, but what package is the right one for the off road they have a few difffrent types. do the xj's say xj on the body or is an XJ any cherokee? or do you need to look at the vin? dose any cherokee have a stock rear posi. The cherokee has so many diffrent models what dose it all mean, laredo, chief, sport, pioneer, country, xj, I just want to get started with the right jeep so any pointers would be cool.

Thanks
from the soggy WA
off road rules
waiten for the mudd

Gee oh Dee

XJ is just a term for the common "boxy" looking Cherokee. So any late 80s to 2001 ( i think) that looks like the square body Cherokee, its an XJ. The trim levels have no bearing on it being an XJ.

WJ, ZJ, YJ, TJ, those are all different trucks. WJ and ZJ are different body style cherokees, for example a Grand Cherokee. YJ and TJ are both Wranglers.

Different parts came on different trims, (laredo, sport, etc) so you basically have to look at what your buying.

You'll wanna look at any Cherokee with a D44 or Chrysler 8.25 rear, and a HP D30 front, but most have the HP30s.

After that, there isn't much else to look for. Manual VS auto, and most came with the 4.0.

Donnie_K

84-01 cherokee or 84-90 wagoneer, NOT GRAND. Grands are not just a different body style, they also have different tranny's or even motors in some, the suspension setup is different, just a different vehicle.

Gee oh Dee

I think any Cherokee after 2000 has a low pinion front, the less desirable front.

Grands aren't bad, they are just different.

Some came with V8s, and most are just as capable with a little work done.

I think some, if not all, Grands came with a "D44" front, but not a good D44. Aluminum housing I think, and not compatable with other D44 parts.

Donnie_K

Not sure I've ever seen a grand with a D44? See most of them with the same dana 30 front and dana 35 rear alot of the XJ's have. Avoid the D35's unless you plan on swapping! And yeah, wasn't calling the grand's bad, just that they are not that similar to an xj at all.

spiceman

getting one with open loop cooling system is probably the most important... unless you want to just have to swap out the crap on the older ones for the new stuff

Gee oh Dee

I know something of the "less boxy" style Cherokee had a 'D44' up front. Not sure exactly what, though.

And they weren't true 44's either.

jeep4walkervally

So what is this open loop cooling? and what years have this type of cooling system

Gee oh Dee

Try searching. There is a write up and explination.

spiceman

the open loop has a radiator with a cap and overflow tank

closed has a pressure bottle and no rad cap or overflow. they arw terrible and overheat constantly even with normal driving

jeep4walkervally

Well I just drove home my project starter, 87 xj 4.0L runs drives dana44 rear 220K miles no lift new tires needs brake work. $600 drove it home tabs are good for 6 months. So Know I cant wait to do a lift and tires. Going to do a junkyard lift and mods after reading that post about junkyard builds. great post buy the way its what inspired me to buy a xj now that I know what an xj is. also read another post about how to tell the difrence between all the rear ends out there, also a great post, I was really excited to see this xj had a danna44. any tips will be great and I will keep you guys updated as I build this thing. gonna post some pics to wait till you see this thing.