1armyguy

Okay, I have been lurking on here for some time now, while waiting for my wife to stop spending money and trying to save up for a cherokee.
What I'm looking for is your recommendations.
I want a cherokee but, not sure what model or years.
Most of my driving will be daily driving but, I do plan on modding and wheeling it. It's a jeep thing. I don't have a big budget to work work on modding so, what I need is advice as to which year and model you all recommend I should get for daily driving, easy and cheap to maintain and mod.

Thank you all for your help and advice and/or suggestions.

ken72

From what I understand they all seem to be very reliable, just make sure it was taken care of before you get it. Your modding plans can quickly fall into maintenance that the prior owner did not manage. Mine has needed a full on tune up from plugs, to injector o-rings, valver cover and rear main seal, new front and rear brakes and rear axle seals and today a new serpentine belt. Most all of this I did on my own except the rear brakes and axle seals but that stuff will quickly eat into your modding budget. I paid $3400 and planned on a $1000 for tires and lift within a month and ended up spending that mod budget on catching up maintenance. Still havent done the mods and I am having a hard time telling the wife that I need another $1000 to mod it. Like you, it is my daily driver so getting it running right took first place. Just be carefull and use your head with purchasing... good luck!

I'm still dreaming of Chip Foose stealing and overhauling it!

superj

its cheaper the lift the older ones. other then that, its up to you

FLETCH

If you ask me the best years are 97-99 because of the axles that come in these years.

jmm0122

Some people say that 99 is the best year for the cherokee. I would have to agree. It all depends on what body style you like tho, older or newer.

96_xj

x2

99 if newer style
96 if older.

just make sure it has a HP d30 up front and chry 8.25 rear

91 limited owner

"While waiting for my wife to stop spending money and trying to save up for a cherokee".....Glad I inherited mine, I would be dead before that would happen!

1armyguy

Well, I finally got 1 a couple of days ago. Not have to get the modding list together.
It's a 98 Cherokee Sport, 4 door, Automatic, 4wd, sun roof, ABS, power windows and locks. I wanted to find one with cruise as well but, I think I got a good deal on this one. It has 161K miles and I paid $2100.
Do you think it was a good deal? It needs some TLC since it had been sitting since Novemeber. I started that on the way home with a good pressure was to the outside and then a good vacuum a couple of days later. Today I put in new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. But, one of the screws that holds the cap on was rusted and broke, so now I have to drill it out. Will do that tomorrow. But, it did start right up with me holding the cap on and the 11 year old starting the beast up. Started right up.
Thanks to all of you for your advice and suggestions.

Here are some pics. It still needs a good hand wash but, it looks much better then when I first drove it home.

EUGENE the JEEP

good luck looks sweet

GreenClassic

I like it, those wheels actually look really good on it (they're from a Grand Cherokee I think). And is the chrome on the bumper?

And only $2100. Sounds like a great deal to me!

Tural

looks very nice. just to let you know, ABS means that you have the Dana turdy five.

tuxfan212

Looks pretty nice for 2100. Especially because of the rise in price of used vehicles since the massacre (Cash for Clunkers). For instance I payed 750 for mine with 156K on the clock before the massacre. It needed a little TLC though.