Hi...New guy here. Lately the past couple of days the XJ Cherokee has been crossing my mind. Let me first tell you a little background and why. I had a 2009 TRD offroad Tacoma, started out at 3" and 33's and then 6" and 35s to a 37". I liked this truck a lot. I cant ever stay with one vehicle though, and thought I was going to get bit by the diesel bug. So I sold my tacoma for a decent price and got a 2007 Dodge 2500 cummins 4x4. This thing was cool for about a couple weeks until I started seeing how much of a turd bucket that thing was. I went and started looking at BMW cars (like turbo vehicles) and test drove a 335i twin turbo. I left that Dodge truck with the dealer and drove home my new daily driver. So now I have 2 cars (my 335i and a c5 Z06 vette) Now I realize I miss something kind of trucklike and 4x4. I have a boat I want to pull this summer still...and want to have something I wont mind to take hunting etc. So I am considering selling my vette for another 4x4. I really liked my Tacoma, so I started eyeing the FJ cruisers lately, but then I saw that it seems like you can get in an XJ fairly cheap and I would still have mod money maybe. With that said, what years should I look for with what options? Most I find online are near 200k miles and look to be in rough shape. I would like to find a nice shape stocker.

 

Best years are 91-99. Body style and interior changed after 96. 00-01 known for head cracking issues and low pinion front axle. Pre 00 is high pinion.

If you want one in "really nice" shape look to pay 3-4 grand at least. Look for Cherokees from outside of the rust belt.

Pre 91 has the renix injection system. It's not obd1 and there is no real way to get engine codes.

I don't know a whole lot about 84-86 except that most have a 2.5 i6 or the 2.8 Chevy v6.

 

How big is your boat and how much does it weight?

 

I have a 17 foot fiberglass Chrysler boat andy 92 xj pulls of just fine but I guess it all depends on how big your boat is

 

Welcome to the forum a great place to learn about everything XJ!


Best Year " 1st half of 1999 had the best of all years, choices 97-99 (same applies) HPD30 and 29 spline Chy 8.25 rear differential very strong. 2000-01 doubled the amount of O2 sensors and known bad head issue on 4.0 (they all crack). Came wit5h the LPD30 instead of the HP like all the rest had.


Mileage, 200,000 is very common on the 4.0 and many here have over 300,000 on a stock engine they were tough ones. When I bought mine 3 1/2 yrs. ago it had 220,000 on it and still running strong same for the AW4 trans.


For a really nice stocker you may pay a higher price.

 

Thanks for the replies. My boat is just a 16 foot fish / ski boat. Nothing big. My 4.0 Tacoma on 37s and stock gears pulled it just fine. So I guess I shall look for a 97-99 when I start looking around. What are the differences of the sport classic and limited etc? Seems like limited maybe had leather

 

Yes they came stock with leather and some wood trim but all could be ordered as options on most of the models.

 

I just got my corvette sold so I can begin looking.

 

i dont know where you live but in illinois theres a dealer with some real nice stock xj's theyre pricey but low mileage.

LuxuryAutoFinder.com

 

Sells Corvette, buys XJ....

**** YEAH!!!

LMAO

Seriously though, welcome to the sickness. When looking for an XJ, be patient. There are some good ones left. Don't let higher mileage scare you, these things run like the dickens. Just make sure there's no rust in the obvious problem areas, that the cooling system is in good shape, and if you aren't that mechanically inclined, that the owner will let you take it to a shop for a pre-sale inspection. Good luck in your search!

 

I am mechanically inclined.

I havent fully made my mind up. I am thinking about 3rd gen 4runners too.
I didnt sell my Z06 to get a XJ, but because I never drive it and need the funds to pay some things off. I am going to take the extra funds and get me a cheap 4x4 that has enough cargo area to haul my drums to gigs when I want.
That is one reason I am looking at the 4runner as well is because of Toyota Reliability.
I love the look of the cherokee, but I love the quality / reliability of the Toyotas, so I am currently on the fence of either one.

Oh and I am from East TN.

 

I have owned a lot of Toy's...it's a tough call there, both the XJ's and the toy's are reliable. My previous rig was a Toyota pickup, extended cab, and it killed it with not much work. But after being in Moab with it and seeing an XJ hit it out there hard, I was sold. When I decided to get rid of it, I bought an XJ. Best decision I ever made, IMHO. But, honestly, you can't go wrong with either one.

 

Seems like all the used Toyotas are priced as if they are gold plated


We almost bought a 4runner for our daughters back in 2004 when they were in HS. It was a 1990-something with a 4 banger (economy!) and drove really nice. Then we drove it one more time and it started boiling over; I've since learned that was probably a head gasket. Got them a Subaru instead which was a whole other tin can of worms.

 

They do hold their value, for a reason. Because they RUN. LOL

All used Toys command a high price. They are just great cars. Period.

 

What about reliability when traveling hours away? Do you guys trust them.