Jeep XJ Cherokee

[hfabricius]

I sold my Cherokee to a friend to buy me E30 too. Hmm, wonder if mine had the 4:10 gears? It had a factory tow package, can't remember what rear end was in it though.

I forget which company, APR maybe? They sell a kit to swap in a 1.9 VW TDI engine into a Jeep. That with a chip and a few mods would be an awesome DD. Or, and LS1 with a 6spd, you'd probably still get mid 20's hwy mpg

HPA, the guys that do a bunch of upgrade for Audi and VW. They did it in a Wrangler YJ and now have it ready for the Wrangler TJ and are developing for the new JKs. They are gauging interest for a Cherokee swap so thats why I wanted to do a Cummins swap. Plus my dad and I both have 6BT Cummins Dodges so I have a pretty good background on simple upgrades and we also have 2 diesel Jettas so I am familiar with those too. I have thought about the LS swap too. Novak adapters makes 99% of the stuff for that one. Either route, you can get better mileage than the 4.0

[mkoneod]

I have owned many... I just sold my parents 2000 XJ that they bought new...there great all around vehicles. The stick I believe has a different diff so the gearing is not as enjoyable to drive(dont flame me its my opinion and everything I own is stick)..The auto is honestly a better choice for multiple reason and if you have a problem with the trans...its usually the solonoids which is as hard as doing a tranny flush(yep,easy)..If you have an engine problem..its usually the Cam/crank sensor..Feel free to ask me how I know by how many I have owned. The grands are not as relaible or solid as the square guys. Death wobble is an easy cheap fix on non lifted ones, usually a couple bushings and back on the highway without dying..

[Nick_S]

My 90 had 4:10 gear so it only got about 14 around town and about 17 highway, it was pretty bad. Thats when I got my e30. Traded for my 90.



Yah, definitely check rust in floors, rockers, rain rails on the roof.

I have been contemplating doing a 4 cylinder Cummins diesel swap. 30+ mpg on 35 inch tires sounds good to me. Only downside is it costs about as much to do as probably an s52 swap and put a turbo on too.

I sold my Cherokee to a friend to buy me E30 too. Hmm, wonder if mine had the 4:10 gears? It had a factory tow package, can't remember what rear end was in it though.

I forget which company, APR maybe? They sell a kit to swap in a 1.9 VW TDI engine into a Jeep. That with a chip and a few mods would be an awesome DD. Or, and LS1 with a 6spd, you'd probably still get mid 20's hwy mpg

[hfabricius]

Same here. My 95 HO 5 speed gets around 16 mpg at the LOWEST. Usually right around 19-20 when mixed driving. I have a 3inch lift and 31s with the stock gears as well.

My 90 had 4:10 gear so it only got about 14 around town and about 17 highway, it was pretty bad. Thats when I got my e30. Traded for my 90.

My 96 HO averaged around 17 and that was after a full tune up although I think there was an issue with the trans not shifting into overdrive on the highway which I'm sure had to do with it. And mine only had a few small spots on the body. I even crawled under and only saw a couple small rust spots in the floor...small until I started tapping with a hammer. This turned into a much larger project than I anticipated. The rear was way worse. Lots of sheet metal, rivets and silicon later the floor was somewhat solid again.

So OP, thoroughly check the floor pans.

Yah, definitely check rust in floors, rockers, rain rails on the roof.

I have been contemplating doing a 4 cylinder Cummins diesel swap. 30+ mpg on 35 inch tires sounds good to me. Only downside is it costs about as much to do as probably an s52 swap and put a turbo on too.

[Nick_S]

Yah, there were a few tiny spots of surface rust but it was a solid car. My 97 gets 19 average almost consistently. Road trips I can get 20 or 21mpg around town its about 18. Its mostly due to the lower geared axles, I think they are 3.50 somethings I'm not positive though. I'm surprised regardless though since I have 3.5 inch lift on 31s, but after I get the e30 where I want, I hope to do about a 4 inch or 4.5 over spring.

My 96 HO averaged around 17 and that was after a full tune up although I think there was an issue with the trans not shifting into overdrive on the highway which I'm sure had to do with it. And mine only had a few small spots on the body. I even crawled under and only saw a couple small rust spots in the floor...small until I started tapping with a hammer. This turned into a much larger project than I anticipated. The rear was way worse. Lots of sheet metal, rivets and silicon later the floor was somewhat solid again.



So OP, thoroughly check the floor pans.

[Danny]

My 97 gets 19 average almost consistently. Road trips I can get 20 or 21mpg around town its about 18. Its mostly due to the lower geared axles, I think they are 3.50 somethings I'm not positive though. I'm surprised regardless though since I have 3.5 inch lift on 31s, but after I get the e30 where I want, I hope to do about a 4 inch or 4.5 over spring.

Same here. My 95 HO 5 speed gets around 16 mpg at the LOWEST. Usually right around 19-20 when mixed driving. I have a 3inch lift and 31s with the stock gears as well.

[hfabricius]

My dad had a 98 which I was told is the best year to buy. Don't quote me on this but it's the one that came with upgraded front and rear diffs and updated interior.

All of them have the same axles unless you got a towing package with the D44. But your right about the rear all 97+ should have a chrysler 8.25 and the interior is definitely nicer in the 97+

Wow a 90 Cherokee with no rust!? I have never seen such a thing in Ohio. BTW, what sort of mileage do you see from your 97+? I had heard they do much better. I want to pick up another XJ this year, preferable an 01 with lowish miles.

Yah, there were a few tiny spots of surface rust but it was a solid car. My 97 gets 19 average almost consistently. Road trips I can get 20 or 21mpg around town its about 18. Its mostly due to the lower geared axles, I think they are 3.50 somethings I'm not positive though. I'm surprised regardless though since I have 3.5 inch lift on 31s, but after I get the e30 where I want, I hope to do about a 4 inch or 4.5 over spring.

[Nick_S]

I have had two, a 1990 pre h.o. renix system model and a 1997 face lifted h.o. 4.0. I loved my old one but the mileage was terrible with 5 inches of lift. I definitely like my new one compared to the old because it is smoother running, better condition and better looking along with it, it has the chrysler 8.25 with 29 spline axles. Both were 4 doors, inline 6, 5 speed, 4x4 and standard edition models.



Pics for good measure:

Wow a 90 Cherokee with no rust!? I have never seen such a thing in Ohio. BTW, what sort of mileage do you see from your 97+? I had heard they do much better. I want to pick up another XJ this year, preferable an 01 with lowish miles.

[trackjunkie21]

My dad had a 98 which I was told is the best year to buy. Don't quote me on this but it's the one that came with upgraded front and rear diffs and updated interior. It was in mint condition and my father loved climbing piles of plowed snow in the mall parking lot:rofl: Sold it to a local Police Officer who still drives it to this day and put another 100k trouble free miles on it.

[Pac1373]

I found that the foot well does not have a dead pedal for resting your clutch leg, so you sit sort of uncomfortably in it. Pedals were spaced out a little weird too IIRC. Any other car i would take a stick shift, but for a jeep, I would do the auto. Just my .2 cents.

I agree, one of the few Vehicles I prefer the idea of Auto in.

[gtdragon980]

What is so uncomfortable about the 5 speed? Is the shifter in a weird position or the petal box screwed up? I really prefer driving a manual if at all possible.

I found that the foot well does not have a dead pedal for resting your clutch leg, so you sit sort of uncomfortably in it. Pedals were spaced out a little weird too IIRC. Any other car i would take a stick shift, but for a jeep, I would do the auto. Just my .2 cents.

[CrusherCurtis]

I had one, bought my mom one a couple years ago. Be sure to get a facelifted model 97 up. But if you really want to have some fun, get one of these instead like me:

whore:

[J3M93]

An xj was my family's first car, we kept it for 9 years, never had any problems except a blown radiator hose which was an easy fix. I will miss that car like no other.

sucks how aus didnt get a 2-door model, ours was a 4L auto in emerald green.

[ohthejosh]

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/4639/

[aworthybrother]

I have some lift kit for an XJ in case you end up buying one.