Hey hows it going, Alright I've been researching Jeep Cherokees for a couple of months, and I'm ready to pick one up this month. Long story short I'm a geology student, and am about to start my upperdivision classes. My advisor suggests I pickup a 4WD for all the field projects I have to do, the next couple of years. And my Taurus SHO's have issues with speed bumps and unleveled pavement, so they aren't going to cut it. My year choices are between 96 (because I want OBD II) and 99 (because 00 and 01 are too expensive). As far as I can tell the only differences between them is cosmetic changes. I've read about paying attention to the transfer case wether its vaccum or linkage. But I can't tell if that applies to these years. The Jeep doesn't have to be perfect, I'm savy enough to keep my SHO's running all these years. I just need to know what to look out for. I know the 4.0L is a die hard motor, but how reliable are the transfer cases and Tranny's. Are there a better year for one or the other? And should I throw a tranny cooler inline when I get the Jeep? Also besides the typical rocker panels, are there any hidding spots for rust? And what about oil leaks, I can live with them, I read the 4.0L likes to leak on the oil filter adapter plate, which looks easy to fix. Thanks for the help.

 

I can tell you this:
I had an 88 pioneer manual trans inline 6 4wd and currently have a 2001 4.0 4wd auto trans and they are both bullit proof. One of the easiest motors to work on yourself. Others may have more to say but in my opinion, unless your gonna do some serious off road/ rock crawling , you will probably be fine with the transfer case... IMHO.

 

Awesome, thanks. Is there a mileage that the transfer cases or Tranny's like to give out at? I know at 100K miles the SHO tranny is about to expire? Or do the transfer cases/tranny go 200K without a problem?

 

Transfer cases and Tranies in XJ's are nearly as bullet proof as the motor. Properly maintained they will last longer than you will.

 

My 88 had 250,000 when I sold it ( w no probs) and my 01 has 147,000 now. All good. Knock on wood!!

 

As far as rust, try and crawl under and check over the entire thing. I didn't notice when I bought mine, but there's a large rust hole in the floor, and quite a bit in other places. Also check out the rear suspension. If it's sitting even with the front, it's probably been modified in some way

 

CHEROKEE 4.0L FTW!!! Best TANK ever built.

 

96-99 best years for OBDII, 2000-01 had coil on plug ignition systems, cylinder head issues, and low pinion front axles. Now to open your options a little you can look at 93-98 Grand Cherokees too. You can find them for about the same price as a clean XJ.
ZJ pros:
A little bigger
More plush and comfortable
Most were adult owned
Available with a V8 if you feel the need.
Better ride with rear coils
Rear disc brakes on 94 and up
More ground clearance stock than a stock XJ
ZJ cons:
Transmissions in the earlier years could have issues
Low pinion front axle
Less aftermarket support for lifts and bumpers.
Gas mileage may suffer.

 

wish i could say the same i think mine needs new head but hey i will sell it to you for $2000 cash.

 

Don't schools provide a vehicle(s) for school sponsored field trips? If not, save your money and hitch a ride with your prof/adviser in his/her (most likely state/school provided) 4X4 vehicle. One of your SHOs with a lift kit and locked diff might surprise u........and others.......

 

X2 on rusty floors . Mine is an 88 besting running vehicle I've owned and easy to work on . And if you cant figure it out there always is somebody on here that can help you . Best group of people you will ever associate with

 

x3 on rusty floors, definately crawl under and look it over real good, mine only had one spot, but ive heard of worse

 

96 has a crack-prone fiberglass hatch, 99 has a sheetmetal hatch, just another fact to throw out there. Personally, I'd say the 99, but that's just me.

 

Cool, I figured about checking floor pans for rust, But I didn't know about 2000 - 2001 having swapped over to COPS. Or the cylinder head problem and I would rather have a sheet metal rear hatch. I didn't go for the grand cherokee because I didn't want anything too large and I really want descent fuel economy. The 1999 looks like a good deal, and probably the one I'll go after. And no my school couldn't afford to buy portable GPS's yet alone lend us a vehicle. And now that Summer Pell Grant is gone our Geoscience department will close completely for the summers. Kinda sucks. But thanks for the heads up, as soon as I pick one up, hopefully within the next few weeks, I'll post it here. I will probably need your guys help to troubleshoot whatever issues it might have. This is my first 4WD.

 

Exterior (including the metal rear hatch) and interior were redesigned in '97. If an exceptional 4X2 came available, an auto locking (lunchbox) rear diff can be installed in a couple hours. Depending on the circumstances, a locked 4X2 can out perform a open diff 4X4.