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March, 2024

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Jeep XJ Cherokee

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DIPED_IN_SAUCE
Posts: 858 - Karma: 2,256
Does anyone have one? What are you thoughts on:
-reliability (I know the I-6 is indestructible, how about other things)
-snow driving
-on road driving
-what to look out for
- what years and options where good

Thanks and +k for help

inb4 volvo or subaru
inb4 op can't inb4
Mar 19 2014 8:36PM
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StillGhood
Posts: 305 - Karma: 613
Cons: road noise
Mar 19 2014 8:45PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 372
ive had a few, a 91 and 89 they were both alright.

i beat the shit out of my 89, blew the motor up at 150k put a new one in and ran it till i sold it at like 230k
theyre fairly reliable, pretty decent ride, bout 15mpg no matter what ya do.

theyre fun rigs but i dont think theyre as great as people think they are, to actually wheel em it gets kinda expensive as far as lifts and stuff go, the axles are pretty weak and the suspension isnt just leaf springs so lift kits are kinda pricey
Mar 20 2014 2:13AM
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JeremyClarkson
Posts: 1599 - Karma: 1,928
My first ride was a 93' Cherokee. Its still in my family as a plow truck/woods rig. What took it (and most other XJ's) off the road was the all too common problem of the rockers and floor pans rotting completely out. That old AMC strait six refuses to die though. I bet the body will rust off completely before it quits. Anyway, the three most common problems with XJ's are the Rust, Rear main seal and the valve cover gaskets.
Mar 20 2014 3:12AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304
pretty good summary here. I've had a 90 and a 95 both with the 4.0 and the one in the 95 screamed that thing was one great performing little SUV

one of the cons is hte price for an unmolested one, they can fetch a good chunk of change for a nearly two decade old vehicle

To wheel them does get expensive and you always have to worry about the stupid unibody. The HP30 is a great axle that can be built very easily and can sustain serious abuse, avoid any XJ with a D35 rear end as those are known to simply blow the r&p just driving on the street. Ask me how I know....

Look for a 8.25 rear end I think they came in mid 90's and newer XJ's, it was chryslers replacement for the d35 and is much more stout

Reliability is an 8/10 especially if you know how to turn a wrench, these things are very very basic.

Snow driving is a 9/10 if you have some decent siping on your tires, the wheel base and obvious 4 wheel drive make this thing a staple of the northeast for a reason...

On road driving? It's a fucking jeep...2/10

Keep your eye out for any 96-99 XJ's they are widely considered the best but 91-99 are also good buys
Mar 20 2014 8:39AM
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_Run4Life_
Posts: 31 - Karma: 34
I personally have a Wrangler LJ (05 Unlimted 4.0 straight 6) but I have a family friend who had a 93 XJ and man was that thing cool. He put about 20 grand into it and it was the best vehicle I have ever been in to go mudding/off-roading. Put a new 8 inch suspension with a 3 inch body lift on top of that with I believe 40inch mud tires, a new exhaust, and all the other technical stuff. Oh I forgot to mention it was also super charged. It was a beast. Idk if you're willing to blow a lot of money on upgrades but either way I have found that they are pretty reliable and nice looking SUVs in general.
Mar 20 2014 10:10AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304
Nice. I've got an '06 LJ rubicon. There is another member on here named penguin with a nice '05 LJ on 35's

LJ's are a great mix of wrangler/cherokee, but they jsut don't look right unless they're lifted and on at least 33's
Mar 20 2014 10:14AM
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_Run4Life_
Posts: 31 - Karma: 34
I've got 3 inch lift and 35's. It's my baby. I'm hoping to get a RIPPS Supercharger by the end of summer. I'm pretty stoked about it, I'm just going to have to work my ass off until then to afford it
Mar 20 2014 10:22AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304
Cool..you on JF or have a build anywhere? There is a guy in my local club with a heavily built JK and a RIPPS chargers on his 3.6...it's pretty badass
Mar 20 2014 10:37AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24703 - Karma: 29,679
I had a 94 for a few years. Transmission was problematic though, kept going into some weird 'safe mode' or whatever and giving me only 2nd and 3rd gear.... so maybe find a stickshift version, since honestly, it's going to be more reliable that way regardless.

theres not much you can do to fuck them up, though... so find one for around 1500 and go mob that sucker.



...also lets just say I have an "XJ savings account" of 800$ saved up for if I something happens and I really need a car bad. They're always easy to find on craigslist and are almost definitely going to work.
Mar 20 2014 10:40AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304
I bought a $700 '95 camry 4cyl 5spd on craigslist so I could build up my jeep/have something for DD duties. Might be the best $700 I ever spent...
Mar 20 2014 10:44AM
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DIPED_IN_SAUCE
Posts: 858 - Karma: 2,256
So, from doing a bit more research around the net, and your guys help, I've decided on a 95-96 or a 98-99. I would be leaving it at stock or 2.5" lift, and mounting some 29" BFG's my dad has lying around. I have a max budget of 6k so hopefully I'll find a good one with under 150k miles on craigslist. Thanks for the help guys.
Mar 21 2014 12:16AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 372
yeah for 6k you should be able to find a real nice one

i see my olf 89 is on cl for real cheap in WA, id trust it
Mar 21 2014 2:31AM
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D3NZ3L
Posts: 556 - Karma: 37
I have a 1990 xj. its my daily. 3.5 lift on 32 inch tires. It has 185k on it. Dont be afraid of high miles but look for things like head gasket, water pump, and some other stuff done to the engine on one closer to 200k because those are things that will go out before 200k usually. Ive found that a few little things will happen every once in a while but in the end its american, and very easy and cheap to fix.


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Mar 21 2014 2:39AM
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D3NZ3L
Posts: 556 - Karma: 37
BTW any lift below 3.5 inch is pointless IMO. If you are lifting to fit 29's, just cut the fenders or get flairs and your golden. If your lifting to wheel get like a 4.5 inch lift and 33/35's.
Mar 21 2014 2:42AM
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TheOrigin
Posts: 51 - Karma: 109
Car will rust out before it breaks down, drives like a beast in the snow (plus rear wheel in the snow is awesome), depending on tires road driving is fine, no issues to look out for with mine, look for a 1998 Grand Cherokee with the 5.9 in it (Limited)... thing fucking is fast as shit
Mar 21 2014 2:59AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304
ehh I'd stay away from ZJ's and WJ's - I know a few friends that have had those over the years and they've always been pieces of garbage. I htink OP is going in the right direction looking for an unmolested XJ. There is a reason you can get late model low mileage ZJ's and early model WJ's around here for like $1500-1800 but a mid 90's XJ can cost 3-4 grand.

Although my girlfriend dove a 5.7 hemi WK for a number of years and that thing was a fucking powerful beast and absolutely killed it in the snow. It was unfortunately plagued by electrical and trans issues...
Mar 21 2014 9:05AM
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CashmereCat
Posts: 2211 - Karma: 2,394
01 wrangler, super reliable and I love it to death. The only downside is the mileage. On a good tank I'll get about 15 mpg. Nothing beats coming to school in a jeep covered in mud though.
Mar 21 2014 11:03AM
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DIPED_IN_SAUCE
Posts: 858 - Karma: 2,256
They're 28's I just checked, should fit without lifting or cutting. They came off a totaled 95' xj and went on our van for a few months. If I'm going to turn it into a real wheeler (I'm not) I would go for a low COG rig with a 3" lift, full width dana 40's, and 35s.
Mar 21 2014 7:12PM
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Cheeko
Posts: 505 - Karma: 881
i have a 2000 cherokee and i love it, few issues since ive gotten it but it is sweet. 3" lift, bush whacker fender flares. sitting on bfg all terrain 31's. 195k on it
Nov 30 2015 9:08PM
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Brule.
Posts: 3846 - Karma: 5,658
Ski_the_east01ehh I'd stay away from ZJ's and WJ's - I know a few friends that have had those over the years and they've always been pieces of garbage. I htink OP is going in the right direction looking for an unmolested XJ. There is a reason you can get late model low mileage ZJ's and early model WJ's around here for like $1500-1800 but a mid 90's XJ can cost 3-4 grand.

Although my girlfriend dove a 5.7 hemi WK for a number of years and that thing was a fucking powerful beast and absolutely killed it in the snow. It was unfortunately plagued by electrical and trans issues...


I own a '98 ZJ with an AMC inline-6 and it's my first car. Only thing I like is the engine, other than that it's basically trash.
Nov 30 2015 9:35PM
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