What say ye hive about Jeep Cherokees?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What say ye hive about Jeep Cherokees?

Posted: 6/20/2011 11:00:29 PM EDT

It occurs to me that I cannot afford a newer wrangler, and I hate to part ways with my pony in order to afford one.

How are the Jeep Cherokees? I am mainly looking for a winter vehicle to boot and possible BOV. Looking at the 2000 Cherokee Sport for around $4,000. Possible bigger tires/mild lift.

Posted: 6/20/2011 11:06:11 PM EDT

[#1]

I love my 1995 XJ. Good choice.

Posted: 6/20/2011 11:09:47 PM EDT

[#2]

Not tryin' to bust your chops, OP, but this question gets asked about every 3 months or so.

As long as it's got the 4.0 inline 6, and isn't beat to shit it should serve you well. They are easy to work on. One of my '98's has 315K on it, and runs like a champ.

Just maintain it, and it will treat you right.

LC

Posted: 6/20/2011 11:12:19 PM EDT

[#3]

The inline six is a beast.

Posted: 6/20/2011 11:13:16 PM EDT

[#4]

4.0 and it's good to go.

Posted: 6/20/2011 11:15:30 PM EDT

[#5]

This is the guy I am looking at.

Think they would take $4,000 in cash?

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:26:58 AM EDT

[#6]

Be careful. My soon to be mother in law swerved to miss a deer, and flipped hers 6 times, with my then 14 year old wife (both broke their backs, and got tore up bad). An my sister rolled hers on its side last winter (she was fine). An my uncle flipped his. Maybe they were all being dumb, I don't know. I stay they hell away from them.

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:39:59 AM EDT

[#7]

I had a 91 4.0L 4-wheel drive. damn i had some fun with that thing in the mud holes, do miss it.

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:40:56 AM EDT

[#8]

I have an 87 cherokee with the 4.0 inline six. they are great vehicles and there are plenty in junk yards for parts. plus you can lift them with junkyard parts from a ford and chevy!

they do have a very tight turning radius which I miss dearly, I can't wait to get back in mine.

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:44:27 AM EDT

[#9]

The one in the link says it has ABS, which means it has a dana 35, if you don't plan on running large tires it's not a problem, but its a weak point you should be aware of.

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:48:29 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
The inline six is a beast.

Hell yeah. You can lug that thing down so low you'd swear it was about to cut off, and it'll still pull.

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:53:24 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
The one in the link says it has ABS, which means it has a dana 35, if you don't plan on running large tires it's not a problem, but its a weak point you should be aware of.

if he grabs one with a tow package it should be 44 rear and 30 front right? (ive been out of the game awhile... my heep has been in storage since 2006)

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:57:21 AM EDT

[#12]

Tag for info.

I just bought an '88 for $500.

Any info would be great.

Posted: 6/21/2011 12:59:11 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

I love my 1995 XJ. Good choice.

yup, I'm going with this one too

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:03:37 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:

The one in the link says it has ABS, which means it has a dana 35, if you don't plan on running large tires it's not a problem, but its a weak point you should be aware of.

if he grabs one with a tow package it should be 44 rear and 30 front right? (ive been out of the game awhile... my heep has been in storage since 2006)

dana 44's are like hens teeth in the cherokee world. 87-90's only.

dana 30 went from high pinion to low pinion in 2000-2001 model year.

the chrysler 8.25 is much more common, 91- onward. Went from 27 spline to 29 spline in 97.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:06:15 AM EDT

[#15]

My mom has an old one, '97 IIRC with a straight 6, 4.0. It just keeps running.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:33:23 AM EDT

[#16]

ahh, thankyou for the education [cheers]

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:44:36 AM EDT

[#17]

A 5 speed, I like it.

Doubt you would get it for 4 grand though.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:53:24 AM EDT

[#18]

I'm probably the one guy here who absolutely HATED his Cherokee. It was a 98 and the biggest POS I've ever had. Problems with the A/C, power windows, front passenger side door...might have been because I bought off of Craig's List, but still. Drove it for 6 months and dropped it like a bad habit 3 days before I deployed.

Posted: 6/21/2011 2:05:17 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Tag for info.

I just bought an '88 for $500.

Any info would be great.

you sure as hell got a great price. one thing to bear in mind about the earlier XJs (up to about 92 IIRC) is that it has a closed pressure system.. note that there is no standard filler cap on the radiator. This can cause overheat problems in air pockets get into the block... it can be remedied by either "burping" the system or swapping it out entirely.

1. burping = parking uphill and pulling the tempurature guage (IRCC) and giving it gas to push air out of the block.

2. replacement = replacing the T-stat housing, radiator, hose and the heater control valve with like parts from a newer model cherokee... do this and you'll have no more problems.

other things I did, removed the carpet and used herculiner, installed a guarded switch in the dash and routed the electronic fan to it so that I can flip the switch when it heats up while off roading. I also bought some stock rubicon tires off a friend for cheap and then bought 16" steel wheels to match, great tires but the rubber is soft and wears fast.

if you are interested in the lift I used coils from a 78 f150 (I think), the top three leafs from an 87 Chevy S-10, break lines from a wrangler, and a home made 1" spacer to drop the transmission to eliminate vibes (although the safer bet is to buy a slip yoke eliminator but a young newlywed A1C will do what he must).

Posted: 6/21/2011 2:13:53 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
This is the guy I am looking at.

Think they would take $4,000 in cash?

They probably won't sell for 4K out the door.
You don't need to worry about the axles as long as you're not planning to run tires >33in and don't drive like a nut off road.
You can run 31x10.50 with 2 in. coil spacers and 2 in lift shackles ($100 or so).

Posted: 6/21/2011 2:43:21 AM EDT

[#21]

Got a 96 Laredo with a blown 4.0 in my driveway, getting ready to scrap it. The biggest piece of shit I've ever owned was a 97 Cherokee, was ready for the scrap yard after 3 years, 80k miles

Posted: 6/21/2011 3:23:12 AM EDT

[#22]

My 99' with 4.0l has 240 thousand miles and runs like new. I takes off like a Vett and climbs like a H1 hummer.
They are one of the best off road vehicles ever made.

Posted: 6/21/2011 3:24:58 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Not tryin' to bust your chops, OP, but this question gets asked about every 3 months or so.

As long as it's got the 4.0 inline 6, and isn't beat to shit it should serve you well. They are easy to work on. One of my '98's has 315K on it, and runs like a champ.

Just maintain it, and it will treat you right.

LC

Once you start lifting it and messing around with it, don't get mad when little issues start to arise. Death wobble, driveline vibrations, broken u-joints, etc...
Take care of it and do maintenance and they are hard to kill.

Posted: 6/21/2011 6:15:17 AM EDT

[#24]

I want to do a mild lift and bigger tires prob 33's. So I do not want one with ABS or the Dana axle?

Posted: 6/21/2011 6:21:01 AM EDT

[#25]

Mine has 168,xxx miles and runs great. Mine has the ABS and I was warned that it sucks but mine stops great.

Posted: 6/21/2011 6:23:24 AM EDT

[#26]

I would buy it for 4k

ETA, and I would not go more then around 2"-2.5" of lift and 31" maybe 32" tires and then some plates and probably 4:10's along with some tow points.

Posted: 6/21/2011 9:30:56 AM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
I would buy it for 4k

ETA, and I would not go more then around 2"-2.5" of lift and 31" maybe 32" tires and then some plates and probably 4:10's along with some tow points.

This with or without ABS

Posted: 6/21/2011 10:49:26 AM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I would buy it for 4k

ETA, and I would not go more then around 2"-2.5" of lift and 31" maybe 32" tires and then some plates and probably 4:10's along with some tow points.

This with or without ABS

The ABS in late model Cherokees is fine. If your planning to put 33s on it, your lift/modification budget will necessarily have to increase (probably want to lift 4- 4.5" and may have to trim fenders to prevent rubbing).
Many people run 33s with those axles and stock gears, you'll just have to be careful offroad and forget about towing on the highway.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:48:24 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
I'm probably the one guy here who absolutely HATED his Cherokee. It was a 98 and the biggest POS I've ever had. Problems with the A/C, power windows, front passenger side door...might have been because I bought off of Craig's List, but still. Drove it for 6 months and dropped it like a bad habit 3 days before I deployed.

Complaining that stuff doesn't work on a Cherokee is like complaining that pussy stinks.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:50:24 PM EDT

[#30]

"The finest utility vehicle ever made."

- me

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:51:45 PM EDT

[#31]

I'm a fan. Obviously

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:52:51 PM EDT

[#32]

I loved my '98 XJ

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:53:33 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
I want to do a mild lift and bigger tires prob 33's. So I do not want one with ABS or the Dana axle?

Dana 35 = ABS. The other option besides the rare as hell Dana 44 would be the Chrysler 8.25 which is non ABS only. This is a good axle, but still has limitations. I wouldn't swap the 8.25 unless you were going to a Ford 9 in or bigger.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:55:11 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
I love my 1995 XJ. Good choice.

I love mine too. 1995 Country model.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:55:59 PM EDT

[#35]

I wouldn't do 33's on a dana 35. 31's would be about as far as you want to go on that axle. All it takes is a bit of hop and a little too much gas on a rock and you come down and shred your R&P when it bites.

Just cuz it doesn't have ABS doesn't me it has an 8.25 either.

Look for the flat bottom on the pumpkin:

On 97's and up it will be the stronger 29 spline, but its not a deal breaker as they are dime a dozen on jeep forums. 100 bucks and an afternoon installing it yourself.

Posted: 6/21/2011 1:58:58 PM EDT

[#36]

Beware of the Death Wobbel.

Bilster

Posted: 6/21/2011 2:01:22 PM EDT

[#37]

I had a couple friends try to talk me out of a '96 XJ with 30k on it. (Lease return.)

Wound up being one of my favorite vehicles ever, probably the best. I owned it for 12 years and didn't do anything but put gas, oil and brakes in it. Oh, and a 3" lift, front and rear bumpers, a safari rack, 31x10.5's on AR-767s....

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What say ye hive about Jeep Cherokees?

General » General Discussion

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us