Best Year of Jeep Cherokee XJ

[noutlawjeeper]

What do you think about this one, to much money?
http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/1489792616.html

That guys smoking crack if he thinks he's getting anywhere near 13k for that. :doh:

 

[drknyt]

dude its a 60th anniversery lol i'd say best year would be a 2000 with a HP D30/D44 combo, with the 4.0 engine and t case out of a 94 xj

 

[danwho]

I did all the same research 3 years ago and bought a 99 with 91K. Other than a weird electrical short (fixed), it's a great rig.
However, I have come to love the Waggys and if I could find a nice low mileage Wagoneer Limited or a Briarwood, I'd have 2 XJ's.

 

[keep0njeepin0n]

2000-01.
Mechanical issues are easy to fix. (Im swapping a hp d 30, and my engine's head is fine.)

In my opinion, the newer the better. You can ALWAYS fix drivetrain issues. But a worn, rusty unibody is harder to repair.

The 2000-01 all black interior is awesome.

For the love of GOD man please adjust your rear brakes!!! You should not be able to pull your parking brake handle to the moon! Save yourself the money of having to replace front pads so often too!

 

[zacattack]

Things I like about my '01: distributorless system, NV3550 manual tranny, 29-spl 8.25 rear (although now a hp30/D44 swapped in).

 

[Sean5294]

i have had a couple 2001 models. they were ok but had some engine issues (both had the air conditioner go out as well) along with car payments. I sold them and bought a 92 XJ. it has 198k miles and everything works great including the ac. I guess i like it because it is payed for and i can do anything to it with out worry. So I would say a payed for XJ is the best

 

[1990cherokeee]

Whats wrong with a 1990 xj limited? I have not had any issues with mine.

 

[srmitchell]

For the love of GOD man please adjust your rear brakes!!! You should not be able to pull your parking brake handle to the moon! Save yourself the money of having to replace front pads so often too!

Haha calm down. I did the zj rear swap. All good now. :eeks1:

 

[jeepintexas]

Well, I love my 87'. It's running like a charm right now, knock on wood. It's treated me great for the past 6 years that i've had it. It's my fun vehicle, i've done a few slight modifications to it. I plan on keeping it forever.

I also have a 91' that I just bought for $1000. Right now it's my DD, everything works so i'm not going to complain. So far so good, I haven't done any major modifications to it. I plan on keeping this one a long time also.

If I were to buy another one, i'd go with everyone elses opinion.

DD: 99' Auto
Fun: 99' Stick

ABS might not be that bad. You'll get the 297 u-joints.

 

[Darky]

297 joints came in sometime in the early 90's I'm pretty sure. ABS not required to get them.

 

[99xj4x4]

I normally would say 96 because they came with all the same things the 97+ did but had the old body style which made getting junk yard parts a lot ez'er. But with the cash for clunkers bringing in lots more 97+ models into the junk yards Id have to say 99 for sure.


To the above posts... ABS is bad... ABS = dana 35 rear.

 

[kastein]

heck no!

I love my 96 but it's a bastard child of the XJ family. Stupid 97+ fuel pressure regulator design, but cursed old metal tank that will rust out. Fuel level sender is one of a kind, not the same as either 95-down OR 97-up, and buying a new sender+pump unit will run you more than a new XJ in some cases. It has the new slip yoke design on the TC output shaft, too. My vote is either 95 (if you like the old body style, I do) or 99 (if you like the new body style) still.

 

[keep0njeepin0n]

Haha calm down. I did the zj rear swap. All good now. :eeks1:

Haha, ok good!

 

[$700later]

Things I like about my '01: distributorless system, NV3550 manual tranny, 29-spl 8.25 rear (although now a hp30/D44 swapped in).

i've always wanted to drive one with the nv3550, how is it different from the ax-15?

 

[Rescuehoundemtd]

Sorry I am a newbie. What is OBD I and OBD II? Just bought a 96 and lovin it. No rust at all which is amazing on the East Coast. Is it Old Body Design I and II?

 

[kastein]

On Board Diagnostics I and II. Google for more info, OBD II was required by law on all vehicles to be sold in the US as of the 96 model year.

 

[zacattack]

i've always wanted to drive one with the nv3550, how is it different from the ax-15?

not much difference really...slightly lower 1st gear (4.01 vs. 3.83), and a higher torque rating for some peace of mind. I'd also like to get a short throw kit for it some day which B&M makes.

 

[fubar XJ]

'91-'94 for the best of the cheap XJs (OBDI instead of Renix being the main difference) '95 has better power brake boost, but trying to find one particular year can be difficult when XJ shopping. Word is that '98-'99 are the best of the 2nd gen (29 spl. 8.25", better cylinder head design than later models)

Related to the manual vs. auto issue, I don't know how you guys wheel XJ's with a manual. Not having a granny 1st gear is a deal-breaker IMO. I love the T-18 in my CJ, but the AW4 in my XJ is so nice for controlled ascent/descent.

 

[89xj]

'91-'94 for the best of the cheap XJs (OBDI instead of Renix being the main difference) '95 has better power brake boost, but trying to find one particular year can be difficult when XJ shopping. Word is that '98-'99 are the best of the 2nd gen (29 spl. 8.25", better cylinder head design than later models)

Related to the manual vs. auto issue, I don't know how you guys wheel XJ's with a manual. Not having a granny 1st gear is a deal-breaker IMO. I love the T-18 in my CJ, but the AW4 in my XJ is so nice for controlled ascent/descent.

i have 31's, 4.10 gearing with a 5 speed and when in 4lo, 1st gear is lower then any work truck ive driven with a granny gear. when in 4lo, i start on flat ground in either 3rd or 4th gear without giving it hardly any throttle and the clutch grabs much lower then in 2hi.

 

[RedZeppelinXJ]

depends on what you want....for a DD i would go with a '95-'96 for old body style '97-'99 for new body style, mainly because of the airbags which i would say are a must

personally i love my '96 Sport

but for a trail rig, or if you like woodgrain go with a '91-'92 Briarwood