Hey. I am in the early stages of looking for a Jeep Cherokee. Without getting too long winded, I hesitantly began looking into the Cherokee and started to like what I saw and heard.
I am a cop, and over the last 12 years have recovered over 100 stolen Jeep Cherokees. Dont know how common knowledge this is, but Cherokees are very easy to steal. Because of this, I never considered owning a Cherokee. THe area I now line in is pretty rural, and has a very low theft late. So, I am no longer against owning one.
Also, I never realized you can get a Cherokee with a stick shift. Little tip, if you want to reduce the chance of your car getting stolen, drive a stick shift. I've only recovered one stolen car that was a stick shift. The majority of thieves do not know how to drive a stick.
So after looking into these 4x4's, I really liked what I saw and heard.
Here's what I'm looking for. I want a 6cyl, stick, 4wd.
I have been hanging out on a jeep website and picking thier brains abotu Jeeps. I was told that I should investigate the xj series. So here I am.
Questions.
What are the main mechanical issues the xj has?
Are there any rust issues?
Are there any specific areas I need to concentrate on when looking at xj's?
are there any specific years that are better or worse?
Also, I am looking to keep the purchase price under $3000. I dont need all of the lift/heavily modified stuff. I'm a fan of the acronym K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid)
I have never been a fan of the 96 and newer model cars. I hate all of the electronics with the OBDII stuff.
Well, I think I've babbled enough for now.
Thanks in advance for any tips/opinions/advice you may offer!

 

1, they like to brake exhaust manifolds and the rear main seals leak both can be fixed
2, the floors tend to rust out as do some of the body panels, (lower rear quarters and under the fender flairs)
3. 2 door or 4 door
4 with your comment that you dont want a post 96 i say keep your hunt for 92-95 models, you have the newer I6 all the bugs worked out from the early ones and they are basicly bomb proof. Also find one with out ABS, the XJs with ABS get a weaker rear axle.

with $3000 to spend you can get a very nice 92-95 XJ, I paid 1000 for my 92 with a lift and 180k on the clock and 900 for my gf 96 with 100k but a few minor problems that we fixed in a weekend.

welcome to the madness

 

Thanks for the advice!!!! 92-95.... ok.
I recently saw an older one for sale for $1200. I didn;t have time to check it out. but I though to myself "Hmm, what is wrong with it?". I guess I need to change that thought huh?
I do not mind working on a car. Hell, my toys cars have been Fiats for the last 4 years! Before that, Triumph bikes. THE first Tiumph was a 65 bonniville. NOW THAT was a toy that I had to work on!!!
Again, thanks for the advice.
Armed with the info you gave, I'm gonna refine my search.

 

Welcome! I have loved mine ever since i bought it. Problems come and go if you make something you play in. Oh yeah rust but 3000 should get a nice one.

 

I have a 90 with over 320,000 on it. (and it's a daily driver.) Go with the straight six 300 if your gonna get one. The only problem i really have besides normal wear and tear is the rear main seal leaking. Doesn't leak bad, not enough to fix anyways. And as far as theft, do what i did, hide a push button ignition switch to crank it. You can turn the key in my jeep all day, but it's not gonna crank unless you have the key in the on position and hold the push button down. Good luck.

 

I think I will do the Army anti-theft accessory. Because combat vehicles do not have keys, to prevent them from being stolen, they bolt a massive chain to the floorbaord under the left front corner or the driver seat. When they park it, they wrap the chain around the steering wheel and lock it with a serious padlock.
I've been looking around alot lately for Jeeps. I noticed the stick shifts are few and far between. I am new to off roading. My Nissan Frontier is an automatic. In the limited offroading I've done in it, it was fine with the auto tranny.
Should I look specifically for a stick, or would an auto suit me just fine?
Thanks again for the advice guys. Youare all helping me out a great deal.

 

I would say auto would be fine. I think its just a personal preference.

 

Add a kill switch for the fuel pump and you've solved the theft problem.....just don't advertise where it is or what it is.

 

 

Back in the '90's I worked for the Oshkosh Truck Corp. (They manufacture military Vehicles.) Several of their trucks (Hemitts) where stolen off their property. (and yes, they don't have keys) One was found in Utah, With a Winnebago camper slapped on back of it. The prep is in a Federal prison now. As for off roading, I prefer an auto trans. Ever launch a boat with a stick. It sucks.