Jeep XJ Cherokee

[gearheadE30]

My family had one for awhile, a red XJ classic. I think it was a 2000. Auto, 4.0. It was very reliable for us, but was starting to get rusty. Plenty of power and reasonably comfortable, but a little small if you're tall. Also, rather noisy and bouncy, but that's pretty much par for the course on a jeep with solid axles and such. Never had much chance to take it off the beaten path.

[Beej '86 325es]

I had a 2000 "Classic" for about 6 years. I put 100,000 miles on it and replaced the battery, starter, brake pads, and a U-joint. They're probably one of the most indestructible cars built. But I'd spend about $1000 every 2 years at a garage and just have them go through everything...tires, and all the fluids, alignment, and the thing was a champ.

They're not very stable on the highway at 80mph though.

Mine had minor electrical issues like window motors and speakers cutting out.

[hfabricius]

This thread comes at a perfect time.

I've been looking to pick up an XJ 4.0 (must be 4-door and auto) for my wife to use as a commuter. We need one larger vehicle in the family, and this is the only SUV I've found that seems to have excellent visibility all around.

How are they for towing? These are unibody, not ladder-frame ... right? Would they be strong enough to tow a 2800 lbs race car on an open trailer at highway speeds?

I can vouch for towing with one of these. I think it would be fine for towing a car, maybe some minor brake upgrades. I pulled a 1960s 27 foot Chris Craft Sea Skiff about 15 miles. It was pretty nerve racking, but only because it is the biggest boat I have ever pulled with my Jeep. Otherwise, it has no problem towing my dads '61 Ski boat around.

[hfabricius]

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.

Depending on the year you get, there are a few things to look for that are good and bad. Some manuals used a Peugot BA 10/5 and those are terrible. If you can find a 97+ with a chrysler 8.25, those have comparable strength to a dana 44. Also, i have had the death wobble mentioned before and it really lives up to its name, mine started one day on my way to school at about 55mph. Scared the hell out of me. Mine was an easy fix, all i did was upgrade my steering linkage to a beefier setup.

Pics for good measure:

[e30lov]

my 4.0L

best thing i ever bought.

[Pac1373]

This thread comes at a perfect time.

I've been looking to pick up an XJ 4.0 (must be 4-door and auto) for my wife to use as a commuter. We need one larger vehicle in the family, and this is the only SUV I've found that seems to have excellent visibility all around.

How are they for towing? These are unibody, not ladder-frame ... right? Would they be strong enough to tow a 2800 lbs race car on an open trailer at highway speeds?

I wouldn't, I Had a 98' Grand with a V8 (5.2) AWD and it would have done a much better job than one of the XJ's. it is also Uni-bodied though.

poor economy though, and by poor I mean un-Godly craptastic.

[xwill112x]

Great vehicles, they run forever. Definitly get the 4door 4.0L auto, parts are easier to find. Fuel economy is the only real drawback, they run forever.

[Emre]

This thread comes at a perfect time.

I've been looking to pick up an XJ 4.0 (must be 4-door and auto) for my wife to use as a commuter. We need one larger vehicle in the family, and this is the only SUV I've found that seems to have excellent visibility all around.

How are they for towing? These are unibody, not ladder-frame ... right? Would they be strong enough to tow a 2800 lbs race car on an open trailer at highway speeds?

[Pac1373]

^^ that is a sick rig, do want.

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

it is quite uncomfortable driving the stick shift model.

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.

[ohthejosh]

get one and do this to it;

[Mako18]

Ive got a 2000. Love it. Has 135k, only had it for a little over a year. Just make sure the cooling system gets a good refresh. New waterpump, radiator, thermostat. They do have SLIGHT overheating issues, if you sit still too long on a warm day or are wheeling in 4LO for an extended period of time. But I've only had mine overheat once, it was when it was 108 outside, i started the jeep, a/c full blast, while waiting to finish a side job (ironically it was an overheating vehicle) then I looked over to see coolant spewing out of my jeep.

They're great vehicles.

I agree 100% I got a new water pump, t stat and radiator, dccontrol fan controller and ford taurus fan, now she is super cool all the time. The zj's are known to be super hot engine compartments maybe its a jeep thing?

[gtdragon980]

XJ is seriously my favorite jeep of all time. The motor is fantastic with enough oomph to get up and go, the tranny (auto) is bulletproof which is also why i would recommend getting an auto as it is quite uncomfortable driving the stick shift model. Otherwise, it's a great car. Inspect the track bar and steering damper as that will cause, as stated before, the "death wobble". My dad and bro have one and they are both over 200,000 miles and still pushing along just fine.

[kway]

My first car was an '86 Wagoneer XJ (basically a Cherokee with a different grille and taillights). 2.8 v6 with the three speed slushbox. There is nothing good about that drivetrain, it was a DOG.

I effing loved that car though. Planned on keeping it forever, but eventually it started getting rusty, then it broke a valve spring and I ended up scrapping it. If I could go back I definitely would have hung on to it and fixed it back up, just didn't have the knowledge back then.

Anyway, great rig. I'd love to get another one someday.

[Danny]

Yup. Get one. I love mine.