Hello all, thinking about adding a 90's 4.0 Auto Jeep Cherokee (not Grand) XJ 4X4 to the stable for a fun offroading project rig.
Everything I can find on it seems to be the model that time forgot once it was rolled out and a pre-DaimlerChrysler is the same as a post-merger.
BUT! the Scotty watcher in the back of my head keeps going back to the history of failed company buy-outs and changes that are made internally to quality that are never advertised, etc. So, are there any major differences mechanically to the Jeep XJ that I should avoid or watch out for or did it really just fly under the radar and and clean, no-rust, solid engine Cherokee will do?
Thanks all for your help.
The XJ Cherokee had a long production run (1984-2001) from two manufacturers (AMC and Chrysler) and a lot of changes were made over the years.
The general consensus among the Jeep crowd is the 1999 model year is the best year for the XJ, with 1997-1998 a close second. The 1996 models have a lot of one-year only parts being the first year for OBD2 and the last year before Chrysler made changes to the body and interior. These changes included rounding the exterior edges a bit and changing the rear hatch from fiberglass to steel.
For 2000 a new cylinder head was introduced which had a design flaw making it prone to cracking. When this happens if it is not corrected the coolant seeping into the oil will wipe out engine bearings. Replacement heads with the design flaw corrected are readily available. (Starting in 2000 direct ignition was also adopted, no more distributor.) California models for 2000 had 3 catalytic converters (two built into the exhaust manifold) and 4 O2 sensors. All 2001 XJs have that setup.
Pre-1996 models can be OK but they lack standard OBD2 diagnostics. 1987-1990 models used the "Renix" (Renault-Bendix) control system, the Chrysler system being introduced for 1991. The 4.0 was not available in early models (1984-1986). An AMC 4-cylinder 2.5 engine or Chevrolet 2.8 V6 were available those years. (The Chevy engine is not well-regarded.)
An Aisin-Warner (Toyota) 4-speed automatic transmission was most commonly paired with the 4.0 from 1987-2001. Virtually bulletproof.
I beg to differ a little. I think the 94 is the best to have, if you're a do it yourself type. Actually, any early 90's ending in 94'. You don't have to worry about as many sensors or as many wiring problems. Less things to go wrong. I've owned 4 xj's. I currently own 2. A 94' and a 95'. The only reason I don't recommend the 95' is because of the airbag. My 98' wasn't even close, when talking reliability. Neither was my 99'. Both constantly had something going wrong. Nothing too major, but always something! Usually it was electrically related. However, I still love all XJ's from 90' to 2001'!! I just prefer the 90's models!👍😉
Guess I'm lucky, my '99 has required very little, had it for six years now and all I've done aside from regular maintenance and some mild upgrades is replace the alternator, track bark, and cat-back exhaust. I think the main XJs to avoid are the very last that have weak cylinder heads and crazy emissions system with 3 cats and 4 O2 sensors, as well as the very early models with that crappy Chevrolet V6.
I will second Chuck there. I had a 91 for about 14 years until it cracked/rusted away. I searched around until I found the 99 that I currently have. I feel it or a 98 is the best. I am always leary of the first year of anything that changes and have heard of wiring issues with the 97. The 99 received the intake manifold destined for the 2000+ modified heads so, with the 99 you get all of the good without the bad. I would avoid the ABS version as it will come with a Dana 35 which is garbage. Thanks.
mid-late 90s seems to be recommended.
Forgot to mention that you might also want to check out a forum specific to those vehicles. Lots of good information here:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/
As it is not needed for a daily I finally get to be a bit choosier in getting one I want and this helped.
Thank you all, great information. 😀