Leftjab13

PICS ADDED.
Just purchased my first XJ. 97 Country. I hope to do all basics right off the bat.
My last "project" was a 01 Dodge Dakota R/T which I had a lot fun tinkering with. It was all stock when I got it so the list of upgrades was endless and the R/T deserved the attention. Most of my attention ended up on the 9mpg I got out of it though. Fun has limits.
Many years ago a well off friend of mine, whom normally drove a fancy Audi, came by driving an older beat up lifted Jeep Cherokee. I was a bit surprised so asked him why. That was beginning of my education on the I6 Jeep and the fun to be had. Its been in the back of my mind ever since.
Now its my turn.



Looks like I need some center caps!

gatormatt155

PocketsEmpty

Welcome to the forum! The best place to go to for all of your Cherokee issues!

Get to know your Jeep well before modifying it. Also know what common issues to be on the lookout for specific to your model...here's a few off the top of my head that I've dealt/am dealing with.

-Intermittent fuel gauge -replace fuel pump assembly is best fix.
-Leaky windshield. Look for wet floorboards in the rain. I am getting mine resealed this week on my 1998 Sport due to this issue.
-Get to know and go over that cooling system! If there are any leaks, beware of stop-leak that may have been used by the previous owner. You may have lots of cleanup to do if so (my case)
-If your A/C works, it would be a miracle.

Good luck & enjoy your new XJ!

1ATony

Welcome to the site

Leftjab13

Thanks for the list pocketsempty. I had a couple of those issues on my Dakota as well like the bad A/C and leaking radiator.
Hopefully I will have some pics real soon!

cherokee outlaw

Welcome from Michigan! Where you at in MI? Im from the White Cloud area.

Leftjab13

Vehicle Description JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Model Year 1997
Body Model XJ J L 74
Color PJN- Moss Green Pearl Coat
ISD 06/17/1997
*XJ Cloth Low-back Bucket Seats
ADAP Light Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ARXP Country Decor Group
AWHP Power Equipment Group
BAUS 117 Amp Alternator
BCDS 500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGAS Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
CACP Low Back Bucket Seats
CBVP Cloth Door Trim Panel w/Map Pocket
CDBS Reclining Front Seats
CFMS Rear Folding Seat
CGGS Traveling Inboard Seat Belt Buckle
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CKAS Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CKXS Midgate Box Access
CLEP Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAP Spare Tire Cover
CSC Cargo Compartment Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CSSS Illuminated Rear Assist Handles
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHNS Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System
DHSP Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever
DJHS 230MM Front Axle
DMDP 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GAL Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEEP Deep Tint Sunscreen Liftgate Glass
GFA Rear Window Defroster
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNCP Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GTZP Manual Remote Mirrors
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JBGP Instrument Panel Woodgrain Bezel
JCDS 100 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBP Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LBBP Courtesy Lamps
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LCDP Map/Dome Reading Lamps
LDAP Underhood Lamp
LDBP Cargo Compartment Lamp
LHDP Headlamp Off Time Delay
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
MBPP Body Color Front Bumper
MBQP Body Color Rear Bumper w/Step Pads
MCAS Rear Body Color Applique
MDAP Front License Plate Bracket
MFKP Body Color Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MMCS Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert
MMGS Belt Moldings
MMKS Hi Black Gloss/Black Mirror Molding
MNAS Black Door Handles
MWGP Roof Rack
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHMP Speed Control
PJN Moss Green Pearl Coat
QJNS Moss Green Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RASP AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCDP 4 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCGP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SHCS Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBB Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRVP P225/70R15 Eagle GA OWL AS Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJ7P 15X7.0 Luxury Aluminum Wheels
WKBP Matching Spare Wheel
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
XCYS Delete Remote Start System
XJFS Tethered Fuel Filler Cap
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

ol"blue

Welcome to CF.

PocketsEmpty

Nice list! Aside from all the interior bells and whistles, sounds like you have a NP231 transfer case and the Chrysler 8.25 rear. get those pics goin!

Leftjab13

Well, been driving for a couple of days. First drive, no problems, next day, idle problems at stops. Driving home it actually died at a light. Then died when I threw it in neutral on the off ramp. I am hoping its the regular stuff like dirty throttle body or bad battery. Gonna be interesting!

Leftjab13

Just added some pics. I got the wheels switched out from the alloy stock snowflakes to black steel with Goodyear Wrangler M/T kevlars. Rides better which surprised me a bit. I expected noise but the whole Jeep feels more planted. Really liking them so far.
The stalling/low idle issue? Seems like it was bad gas from sitting. Im happy about that.

PocketsEmpty

so is she running OK now?

Leftjab13

Yep she is running much better. I did throw in some seafoam (first time I ever bothered with that stuff) and it seemed to help almost immediately. That or it could have been the fresh gas I added.
The only issue I really found so far is the coolant looked like mud. Just old and gross. Got a flush and fill on that one. Everything else checked out great.
Looking to do a BB soon! When that starts to take shape I will start a build thread.
I was planning on adding the wheels later but a tire had a slow sidewall leak so I threw the new ones on immediately.

PocketsEmpty

Ohhh...mud coolant. Better start babying that cooling system. Check every fin and nook and cranny of your radiator for leaks. In fact, if you have the $$$, just get a new one anyways. Backflush your heater core too, how's your heat working? I bet not so good. Check out your freeze plugs under the intake and exhaust manifolds. Pray that your water pump is OK too, and might as well throw a new thermostat and gasket in as well. SMH at the people who use stop-leak.

What exactly do you mean by BB? I'll be preparing my build thread soon too when I get my Rampage lights in and Nate's4x4 front winch bumper...mmmm cant wait

Leftjab13

Interesting you ask about heat because it does kind of suck. Ive been reading about cleaning the heater core.
Got a whole list to pay attention to. This could be fun.
bb=budget boost.