dave1123

I just bought a 2000 Cherokee Sport that I haven't even got home yet, but I've been driving a 2000 WJ for 6 years and love it. The XJ will be a back-up set of wheels. My question is the build sheet says it has the "corporate 8.25 rear axle" in it. Is this normal? I was under the impression it's supposed to have the "tudy-five" in it. I looked it over pretty well and it's rusty, but not extremely so, holds 20 psi at hot idle, sounds strong with an exhaust leak, brakes are good, tires fair. I torqued it up in drive until stall speed and it doesn't slip. After all that, I never noticed the mileage! Can you believe what a dufiss I am? Now I have to go BACK to the old owner looking like a dumbass to get the mileage for my insurance company! It was owned by the president of a construction company so she could drive to construction sites and I need her signature on a State form for proof of purchase price to pay the taxes and she won't be back in town until Wednesday, but I can get the mileage from her mechanic.

What things should I watch out for when I get this on a lift? I know--spring brackets and control arm mounts, but what else specifically for XJs?

PatHenry

Corporate 8.25 means it has the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle and NOT the Dana 35. This is a good thing as the Chrysler 8.25 is widely considered the preferred axle between the 2.

On a 2000 the biggest thing to be concerned with is the 0331 head.

When it's on the lift, check out the condition of the floors, particularly the passenger side and over the leaf springs in the back. Otherwise, the normal stuff that you're probably already familiar with from the Grand Cherokee.

dave1123

Yeah, I know! Been thru that with my WJ. "Clearwater" head, $155 complete with new valves and springs + shipping both ways. This XJ only had 125K on it so I've got some time....hopefully.

PatHenry

I put 302k on a 2000 TJ and it still runs today with the original head. Unfortunately it seems like it's a total crap-shoot - most of them fail, I happened to get lucky. Hopefully it won't be a problem for you.

dave1123

Well, I kinda got lucky. Mine cracked at 165K and then only into an exhaust port, not into the valve area with the oil. I just had coolant steaming and dripping out the tailpipe. Got 240K on her now.

dave1123

I just drove her home! Very loud exhaust, brake pedal goes almost to the floor then works okay, hatch won't open, airbag light is on. Runs really strong and the trans is perfect. Front end doesn't shake up to 55 mph but haven't had it higher because of the brakes and 2 soft tires. Tuesday I may get it up on the lift and check out the brakes and weld up the exhaust. It's CA emissions and I'm pretty sure the header pipe after the converters is cracked at the Y. Then to check out the low oil pressure. 15-20 psi at hot idle. OH...radio works! Mileage? 125,992 Just a baby!

Those of you who know me, it's Fern Green. What do you think about a camo job? After all, it's living with a zebra!

2 things; the headliner fabric is separated from the backer board and sagging a little. Any easy fixes? Other than a stapler? LOL! Tips on getting the hatch open? The key latch works and the latch releases, but won't open. Is it a single latch or 2 like in my WJ?

dave1123

5-Speed

I like it dave! For the hatch, you will probably have to pop the inside plastic panel off to get to the arm. The clip that holds the cable to the arm is probably bad. No way really to open it from the outside without it being connected.

dave1123

Yeah....That might be a problem. There's a big heavy plastic bin in the back that I'm pretty sure won't fit thru the door. Worst comes to worst, I'll cut up the bin with my Sawzall. I can see a Haynes manual on the floor in the back. I just today downloaded the FSM for it. Curiously, a SKIM was an option that year and mine doesn't have one. It has keyless entry through. The airbag light is on. Can I just take the bulb out of it? There's no CEL lit but IDK if it will show up on a inspection scan. My ABS on the WJ doesn't.

JTE Brett

dave1123

I got the bin out thru the rear side door, but now I've got concrete dust and pebbles all over the cargo area! Maybe I'll get to cleaning that up today. My WJ is jealous I think. The driver's window went down and that's it. It won't go up or down now. It's been raining off and on for the past couple of days and I'm covering it up with a beach towel and magnets when I park it. The front brakes are starting to drag after they get hot for some reason. I just had new pads put on too! I have an appointment for the window at 8 AM Tuesday so I might as well spend the day cleaning up the XJ.

I just noticed! It's got aluminum wheels on one side and steel wheels on the other! Why didn't I notice that before?

SatiricalHen

I always reach down in the trim to get my hatch open, and the air bag light seems to usually be the clock spring from what I've seen. When the light is on it means the air bag won't work in an accident. I've always liked the fern green color personally.