Here’s a gem from Nevada that made its way to the east coast. I’ve never seen a cleaner unibody on a cherokee out here. Only 112k original miles.

Salvage title which I don't care about. It was recalled a year after being purchased in 94. I think electrical issues (wipers and blower motor don’t work, speakers are all rewired into the sun visors).

But it’s a rwd 4 banger. I can’t even find two doors for sale here, especially in a 4cyl 5 speed configuration, so it’s kind of hard to find parts to 4wd swap. Wouldn’t even care much for the 4.0 as I already have a TJ as well, just 4wd comes in handy here. The 2.5 in it also runs like a top. It apparently won’t sell either for the $700 I have it up. I can’t count the numerous people that came out without reading the ad, only realizing what it actually is when they get there. Had an old man come from an hour and a half away just to leave within 5 minutes.

I was thinking roofrack and a bed setup in the trunk and make it a camper vehicle. Maybe another fresh rattle can job white with a baby blue stripe down the side. The headliner is missing and I was gonna have a local michelangelo paint the roof so I can stare at something while camping in the back.

Suggestions? Shame to see such a cool vehicle sit around. Check out the ZJ grill and my TJ as well lol

 

If you want to convert the 2.5 to 4wd you can use a bellhousing off of a Dakota to use an ax-15 or nv3350 (think that's the right number) so that opens your transmission options up and gives you 2 stronger options. The rest of the drivetrain is identical for 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, 5 speed, auto, 2 door, 4 door. I think the driveshaft had a couple different lengths, but that can be googled pretty easy and figured out. Personally I'd build up the motor on it, keep it 2wd and rip around in it.

 

Yeah this Jeep would be just a kick around vehicle, if I can get the wipers to work it’d be a no brainer. Gas is great on this thing.
I’ve been reading up about an ax15 swap. Seems like if I were to put 4wd in it that’s the route i’d go. Finding the correct driveshaft lengths sound like the only pita. What can I do to this 2.5 to build it up a bit?

 

I've never looked into the 2.5 much, but bolt on easy stuff, probably injectors and a bored throttle body. Not sure there's much to do past that. I'd want to put a cam in it and bore it out a little, maybe get my friends who like to turbo everything to help me slap a turbo on it.

As far as wipers, I'm pretty sure it's a common problem with the intermittent wipers for the module to fail. I've seen quite a few threads about it.

 

We’ve replaced the switch so far but not the module. That’s something I’ll look into it. This vehicle honestly sits around so much, I know there’s a slow PS leak and it likes to stall every once in awhile down the road. Throws a CEL but I’ve never looked, happened to my TJ once and was the CPS. I’ll look into it.

 

CPS failure seems extremely rare on a stick shift. Now I don't know about the 4cyl, but after 715k over 3 manual Jeeps in the family (2 AX15, 1 NV3550), there's yet to be a single CPS failure. Also, if you do go the 4.0L route, stick with the AX15, the NV3550 I had in my 2k TJ was a total piece of junk.

 

Ill have to get the code when I get back from vacation. That was just my experience from my TJ.

 

I've fixed a few intermittent modules by reflowing solder joints. Worth taking apart and seeing if it has the tell-tale circular cracks around the solder joints.

 

Im pretty decent with a soldering iron, thanks for the heads up.

 

If both wipers and blower motor don't work, it's likely the brown wire at the ignition switch is burned along with the switch.

 

I would say look into a turbocharger set up for it. It wouldn't put down the most power but it would be very unique and surprise a lot of skeptics. Too bad there isn't a bolt on manifold for a turbo. If only there was someone currently working on such a part?

 

Keep it and do a 4wd swap. My grandfather had an 85 4cyl, auto, 4wd, and it was still a beast in the snow. Others on here would know more, but I think you could convert it using parts from a 4 door.

My advice, clean it up and keep it relatively stock , and you will have people offering you money left and right for it. I don't know why people would turn down a rust free XJ in NJ, they are hard to find.

 

4 door and 2 door are exactly the same mechanically speaking.

 

Probably an inability to drive a manual transmission.

 

I always figured if I got a rwd I would just drive it in the summer or even in winter when there’s no snow. Although all I drove was 2wd vehicles for the first 5 years I had my license. Never really had any problems. Only times I ever got stuck was trying to drive through muddy cornfields.