XJ reliability?? Mostly good? Or mostly nightmares?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 35
From: Colorado
Year: 1991 2-Door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter
It doesn't to me, You are eliminating volume of coolant in a system that already is lacking. One of the reasons you add transmission coolers is the added volume (amount) of fluids that flow through the system as well as another radiator to cool those fluids. That is why when your temps get into the critical 220+ area one thing that helps is to turn on your heat so that the heater core acts as another radiator. I would eliminate the valve on the pre 97 XJs so that you have continues flow though.
Last edited by JandDGreens; Feb 7, 2018 at 07:15 AM.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 494
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I will say this.
My first XJ was a 96 that i bought for 800 dollars. i had to spend 1k on it immediately because it was neglected as F by this suburb teenager. after that and three years later the only reall issue it had was that i blew the heater core unction thing, but that was a 10 minute parking lot fix.
I was T-Boned, rolled it over, but the thing still started up and drove. the people that i sold it to for 500 dollars where going to drive it home until i protested the possible saftey issues of that.
This second XJ is a 98 and besides milder neglect than the first one, ive had no real issues so far (knock on wood). I get nervous about driving across the state, but thats probably more of my own paranoia is something should happen vs my actual trust in the vehicle.
tl;dnr in my experience they each have their own "personality" but ive never cursed them for failing me on a monthly basis. when i was a kid my parents had a 90 Taurus that my dad was about ready to set on fire and roll down a hill for this reason.
My first XJ was a 96 that i bought for 800 dollars. i had to spend 1k on it immediately because it was neglected as F by this suburb teenager. after that and three years later the only reall issue it had was that i blew the heater core unction thing, but that was a 10 minute parking lot fix.
I was T-Boned, rolled it over, but the thing still started up and drove. the people that i sold it to for 500 dollars where going to drive it home until i protested the possible saftey issues of that.
This second XJ is a 98 and besides milder neglect than the first one, ive had no real issues so far (knock on wood). I get nervous about driving across the state, but thats probably more of my own paranoia is something should happen vs my actual trust in the vehicle.
tl;dnr in my experience they each have their own "personality" but ive never cursed them for failing me on a monthly basis. when i was a kid my parents had a 90 Taurus that my dad was about ready to set on fire and roll down a hill for this reason.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 5
From: Ocean County, NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Do some XJ watching. And by that I mean keep an eye out for how many XJ's you see on the road. I ALWAYS see them. They're everywhere. That's usually a good testament to a vehicles reliability. Want to see what's not reliable? Try keeping an eye out for pontiacs or german cars from the same generation as the XJ
EDIT: Saw PatHenry already mentioned something like this. It's honestly a good way to see what's withstood the test of time.
EDIT: Saw PatHenry already mentioned something like this. It's honestly a good way to see what's withstood the test of time.
Last edited by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ; Feb 7, 2018 at 09:35 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 93
From: Syracuse, NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
My Dad put 400k on his 94 with minimal issues. The engine and transmission still worked perfectly when he took it out of service, his problem was rust. To quote him his XJ was "The best vehicle I ever had".
You routinely see folks on here with mileage over 200k. If the XJ was a reliability nightmare folks wouldn't keep them going or be willing to put time and money into them. Everybody has a breaking point where they say it's not worth it and NOT everybody is willing to replace engines/transmissions/transfer cases if theirs fails. Certainly not everyone on this forum is or was a professional mechanic - myself included.
Just as anecdotal evidence, I don't think I go a day without seeing an XJ driving around (not including my own) and often I see several in the course of a day. SInce the XJ model ended in 2001, that means every one I see is AT LEAST 17 years old. I live in a tough state to pass inspection, so junky vehicles that are barely drivable don't pass. This means the many XJ's I see are in pretty decent shape.
I owned a TJ, so I also notice any TJ's driving around. I don't see a whole lot of them and that model went until 2006, so any I see could be as young as 12.
What does that prove? Nothing scientifically of course.
You routinely see folks on here with mileage over 200k. If the XJ was a reliability nightmare folks wouldn't keep them going or be willing to put time and money into them. Everybody has a breaking point where they say it's not worth it and NOT everybody is willing to replace engines/transmissions/transfer cases if theirs fails. Certainly not everyone on this forum is or was a professional mechanic - myself included.
Just as anecdotal evidence, I don't think I go a day without seeing an XJ driving around (not including my own) and often I see several in the course of a day. SInce the XJ model ended in 2001, that means every one I see is AT LEAST 17 years old. I live in a tough state to pass inspection, so junky vehicles that are barely drivable don't pass. This means the many XJ's I see are in pretty decent shape.
I owned a TJ, so I also notice any TJ's driving around. I don't see a whole lot of them and that model went until 2006, so any I see could be as young as 12.
What does that prove? Nothing scientifically of course.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 23
From: Herndon, VA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It's a testament to how reliable these things are that there's a thread created on a forum about reliability nearly 17 years after the newest one rolled off the assembly line. There's no guarantee with any auto that old, and as others have said it's mostly about how they were maintained. XJs have always tended to favor the DIY types, and they typically take better care of their vehicles.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 35
From: Colorado
Year: 1991 2-Door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter
It's a testament to how reliable these things are that there's a thread created on a forum about reliability nearly 17 years after the newest one rolled off the assembly line. There's no guarantee with any auto that old, and as others have said it's mostly about how they were maintained. XJs have always tended to favor the DIY types, and they typically take better care of their vehicles.
I think the main draw back in road tripping for me is a lifted XJ is not the most comfortable long distance vehicle to travel in. They are out dated in that respect.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Napa Valley, Northern California
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
Funny, I rarely see XJs in my area. And, I never see any that are the same age as mine. Even the ones I find in the wrecking yards are much newer than what I own. This makes me worry about the availability of parts.
The one thing I do spot though is Grand Cherokees. Lots and lots of Grand Cherokees.
The one thing I do spot though is Grand Cherokees. Lots and lots of Grand Cherokees.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 8
From: SEMO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L6
There were 2,932,013 million XJs produced over a 17-year period with good part interchangeability, and they are long-lasting vehicles. I don't think you need to worry about part availability. In comparison, the first three models of Grand Cherokee were only produced for 5 years each (ZJ, WJ, WK) and the WK2 has been produced for 7.
Last edited by Tbone289; Feb 12, 2018 at 03:05 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 974
Likes: 14
From: Racine, WI
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Mine has 205k miles. I refurbished and renewed everything I needed to after I bought it, and have had only the most minor of maintenance items pop up over the years. I'm of course not counting all of the work and side effects of all the purely optional tinkering I chose to do. Same story with my XJ before this one.
Honestly, when they are maintained in good condition, they're so reliable as to be boring.
Honestly, when they are maintained in good condition, they're so reliable as to be boring.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: S\E Indiana
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4-0
I have been going over my new to me 96 and surprisingly for a 22 year old vehicle not only are the parts to be found in part stores but there are Jeep wrecking yards that are glad for your business.
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