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12-29-2013, 12:10 AM
#1
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Model: Cherokee
Newcomer!
New guy here!
Looking at purchasing a Cherokee sometime in the next few months. Currently own a 2005 Ford Crown Vic which I've done a ton of work on. It's quick and comfortable but it's terrible in the winter. I've owned 2 cars and a truck but never a Jeep so I have no idea what to look for.
Reason why I'm wanting a Jeep is the Air Force is sending me to Idaho this summer. Want something that can handle the snow, something I can mod in the auto hobby shop on base and take out on some trails during the summer months.
My stepdad owned an 84 2-door that I fell in love with as a kid but we never did too much with it before we sold it.
I know I want that body style or possibly a sport with 4 doors.
What I need help on is what to look for. I know what years are good for Crown Victorias but I know nothing about Cherokees.
Looking at purchasing a Cherokee sometime in the next few months. Currently own a 2005 Ford Crown Vic which I've done a ton of work on. It's quick and comfortable but it's terrible in the winter. I've owned 2 cars and a truck but never a Jeep so I have no idea what to look for.
Reason why I'm wanting a Jeep is the Air Force is sending me to Idaho this summer. Want something that can handle the snow, something I can mod in the auto hobby shop on base and take out on some trails during the summer months.
My stepdad owned an 84 2-door that I fell in love with as a kid but we never did too much with it before we sold it.
I know I want that body style or possibly a sport with 4 doors.
What I need help on is what to look for. I know what years are good for Crown Victorias but I know nothing about Cherokees.
12-29-2013, 03:33 AM
#2
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Maybe I can help you out a little bit.
Jeep Cherokees (XJs)...
1984-1986 Cherokees came with the GM 2.8L v6. These are pretty undesirable... not anywhere near as common or durable as the 4.0s...
1987-1990s were the 4.0 I6, but they were the Renix years. These years lack OBD (on-board diagnostics), but some people prefer them. If you know your way around a multimeter then you would be fine working on one yourself, probably. There are a few Renix experts on this site. I believe Renix XJs came with a closed cooling system that a lot of people convert to open.
1991-1995 were OBD-I. No air-bags until mid-1995 model year.
1996 (what I have) switched to OBD-II and is kind of a bastard year. I'd stray away from this year probably...
1997-1999 were OBD-II as well, obviously. Starting in 1997, however, the XJ was redesigned inside and out. More on that below. Some claim 1997 is a wiring mess, but I'm not 100% sure on that. So, that would make 98-99 the "good years" from this body style... because:
2000-2001 had issues with the 0331 head. They were prone to cracking when they overheated due to bad casting. That's not to say that they're all bad... you just have to watch out when buying one, and be careful not to overheat it. However, I personally would probably stray away from the 00-01s because they switched to a Coil on plug configuration... you may not have an issue with this but I'm not used to it myself.
Transmissions!
Manuals:
1987-mid 89 came with Peugeot BA-10/5 transmissions. These have a bad rep (but don't ask me why, not sure.) Pretty sure it's because they're junky AND have an internal slave.
1989-1999 came with AX-15s which are "the" manual transmission to have. External slave (at least 1993 and after).
2000-01 came with the NV3550. Dunno much about it, you'll have to search.
Automatics:
All of the i6 XJs came with the AW4 transmission.
If you plan on lifting/getting bigger tires, I'd look for something with either a dana 44 rear axle (1987–1991 with tow package) or a 29 spline Chrysler 8.25 which came on late 1996-2001s without ABS.
Since you're going to be driving in the snow, I'd look for a NP242 which has a full-time 4x4 option.
I would go with a 97+. Here's why:
This is the interior on pre-97 XJs.
Here is the interior on newer ones:
And the exterior on older ones:
And the new ones:
And one last thing: I wouldn't go with a 2 door... if you have any friends. It's a pain in the *** for people to get in/out of the back seat. I have a 2 door and I wouldn't wish this kind of pain upon anybody.
Jeep Cherokees (XJs)...
1984-1986 Cherokees came with the GM 2.8L v6. These are pretty undesirable... not anywhere near as common or durable as the 4.0s...
1987-1990s were the 4.0 I6, but they were the Renix years. These years lack OBD (on-board diagnostics), but some people prefer them. If you know your way around a multimeter then you would be fine working on one yourself, probably. There are a few Renix experts on this site. I believe Renix XJs came with a closed cooling system that a lot of people convert to open.
1991-1995 were OBD-I. No air-bags until mid-1995 model year.
1996 (what I have) switched to OBD-II and is kind of a bastard year. I'd stray away from this year probably...
1997-1999 were OBD-II as well, obviously. Starting in 1997, however, the XJ was redesigned inside and out. More on that below. Some claim 1997 is a wiring mess, but I'm not 100% sure on that. So, that would make 98-99 the "good years" from this body style... because:
2000-2001 had issues with the 0331 head. They were prone to cracking when they overheated due to bad casting. That's not to say that they're all bad... you just have to watch out when buying one, and be careful not to overheat it. However, I personally would probably stray away from the 00-01s because they switched to a Coil on plug configuration... you may not have an issue with this but I'm not used to it myself.
Transmissions!
Manuals:
1987-mid 89 came with Peugeot BA-10/5 transmissions. These have a bad rep (but don't ask me why, not sure.) Pretty sure it's because they're junky AND have an internal slave.
1989-1999 came with AX-15s which are "the" manual transmission to have. External slave (at least 1993 and after).
2000-01 came with the NV3550. Dunno much about it, you'll have to search.
Automatics:
All of the i6 XJs came with the AW4 transmission.
If you plan on lifting/getting bigger tires, I'd look for something with either a dana 44 rear axle (1987–1991 with tow package) or a 29 spline Chrysler 8.25 which came on late 1996-2001s without ABS.
Since you're going to be driving in the snow, I'd look for a NP242 which has a full-time 4x4 option.
I would go with a 97+. Here's why:
This is the interior on pre-97 XJs.
Here is the interior on newer ones:
And the exterior on older ones:
And the new ones:
And one last thing: I wouldn't go with a 2 door... if you have any friends. It's a pain in the *** for people to get in/out of the back seat. I have a 2 door and I wouldn't wish this kind of pain upon anybody.
12-29-2013, 05:37 PM
#5
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
97's aren't a whole lot different from 98's, really. I can tell you that both 97 and 98 models are affected by a crappy fuel level sending unit, which causes your gauge to not work correctly. There was a recall for it for the 1997 model. Not sure why the recall wasn't for 98 either because it had the exact same issue.
12-29-2013, 08:20 PM
#6
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
97's aren't a whole lot different from 98's, really. I can tell you that both 97 and 98 models are affected by a crappy fuel level sending unit, which causes your gauge to not work correctly. There was a recall for it for the 1997 model. Not sure why the recall wasn't for 98 either because it had the exact same issue.
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