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steekers
Nomad
Posts: 255
Registered: 12-4-2007
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Jeep Cherokee - Best year to buy??
I am looking to buy a used Jeep Cherokee to use on some off road trips. Which years were the best for overall performance and maintenance? Which years
to avoid? Auto vs manual transmission? The Wranglers and Rubicons don't have the room that Cherokees have and are selling at a premium. Perhaps a 4
Runner might be as good?
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9230
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Build one up like this:
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Don Pisto
Super Nomad
Posts: 1232
Registered: 8-1-2018
Location: El Pescador
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Mood: weary like everyone else
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99 XJ...... but I'd opt for the 4runner!
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9230
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Watch it in action:
https://youtu.be/dRmV6aQMbs4
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 634
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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When you wrote "Jeep Cherokee", were you specifically referring to the Cherokee XJ model (years 1984-2001)? Or, did you mean to include Grand Cherokee
ZJ (1993-1998) and Grand Cherokee WJ (199-2004)? Or newer models of the Grand Cherokee? I'm assuming that you aren't inquiring about the old 1970s -
early 1980s full-size beasts.
I've owned numerous 4x4 Cherokee XJ's, 4-door automatics, and a 2-door "Sport" w/ 5 spd manual. All with the 4.0L HO (high output, approx 195 HP,
straight 6 cyl).
I'm on my third Grand Cherokee, a 2004 WJ model, the last year of the venerable 4.0L engine. Purposely sought a used 2004 to have that engine. Easy to
work on and open access in the engine compartment. You can easily access the row of spark plugs. That's not something you can do with a modern V
engine. My last Grand Cherokee had just shy of 300K miles when I sold it and didn't burn any oil between changes! I've had Wranglers with that engine
as well, and one bored and stroked to a 4.7L / 260 HP for running sand dunes.
Stay away from the older Cherokees with the 4.0L Renix engine. You want the 1991 and newer HO version.
The 4 cyl is durable, but under powered. I don't have first-hand experience with the V8 engines in the Grand Cherokees. They're fine, but you can
guess that I'm in love with the 4.0L HO.
If you are planning to build something for serious offroad and rockcrawling, be advised that the Dana 35C rear differential (ring and pinion gears) do
not have the margin of strength to abuse with anything over 30" or 31" tires. Don't ask how I know... Some models of the Grand Cherokee were available
with the significantly stronger Dana 44 rear axle. Look for a D44 if you are wanting to do a lift and run big tires.
I enjoy a manual transmission, and like that they can be bump started when the battery is weak or starter goes out. Automatics work well offroad too.
On the used private party market, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee prices tend to be remarkably low. Not because they are bad. It is because there
were so many sold and everyone wants to buy a newer vehicle.
Toyota Forerunners are great vehicles. However, they command a high resale price. Probably double the price of a used Jeep.
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
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Mood: Happy
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the 4.0 great jeep engine the v6 that replace it I think 3.6 crap engine .those early Cherokees the right year great rig
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
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Mood: Black Trans Lives Matter
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Best to worst according to Jp Magazine:
98 - '991/2
'00 and '01 with a manual
'91-'94
'87-'90
'95-'96
https://forums.4wdmechanix.com/topic/102-ranking-used-jeep-x...
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
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Love those Winder rescue videos.
Exercise regularly. Eat sensibly. Die anyway.
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defrag4
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 2-5-2011
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3rd gen 4runner > XJ
both are going up in value nowadays
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steekers
Nomad
Posts: 255
Registered: 12-4-2007
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Exactly the feedback I was looking for. Thanks! I will consider all you said. To me, the engine and tranny are the most important, then the ability to
get good coilover suspension. I am not into big time rock crawling as I mostly ride the baja canyons and washes.
So to convert a stock ideal model, it would cost for some King coilovers and perhaps some lift for rock clearance.
I was looking for some magazine articles on this subject so post if you know of some.
I heard some Chrysler trannys are crap.
Thanks Ken and others that have lots of Jeep experience.
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steekers
Nomad
Posts: 255
Registered: 12-4-2007
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Love this Winder Rescue one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8IfXPm9zrU&list=PLEi6DF...
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Go to www.fourwheeler.com and search for lifts etc for the Jeep Cherokee there are several articles on the subject.
[Edited on 10-29-2020 by TMW]
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9230
Registered: 10-3-2003
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That was sketchy af. You couldn't pay me enough to do that!
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steekers
Nomad
Posts: 255
Registered: 12-4-2007
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Looks like the straight six is a winner...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvnjtMIUtr0
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steekers
Nomad
Posts: 255
Registered: 12-4-2007
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Then getting more serious with a straight six...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWcZMjA7ZgQ
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17295
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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Get a 4runner. My 4runners were so dependable that I never once had to worry about the engine beyond doing regular maintenance.
I had a 94 Cherokee. It was reliable, drive train ever broke down, BUT the body had rust problems, the window motors failed, the trim fell off as it
aged, the interior fittings in cab broke. Just really chitty compared to my 2 4runners (Gen 4 and gen 4).
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 634
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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steekers,
Are you looking for power? A Brit named Robert Bryce discovered that a 4.2L crankshaft will fit in a 4.0L block with very little modification (just
1/8" trim off the snout). Stroker kits are available to build your own; search eBay "Jeep stroker". Or you can by a built long block for $3,500 -
$5,000.
I swapped out my Wrangler YJ's 4.0L for a HESCO built "stroker" engine, bored and stroked to a 4.7L. Installed bigger fuel injectors, a bored out
throttle body, headers, adjustable MAP sensor, better air intake. Never had it on a dyno, but similar builds got 260+ HP. With a pair of paddle tires
on the rear, it kept up with the sand rails on Glamis and Gordon's dune runs. I should note that it took a few other mods to do that: Ford 8.8" rear
axle swap, slip yoke eliminator kit, shackle reverse kit, full roll cage, locking diffs, Fox shocks, custom clutch.
My first car was an AMC '66 Rambler, 232 CID straight 6. AMC stroked that to a 258 (4.2L), which I had in a number of AMC Hornets, a Gremlin X, and
Jeep CJ's. The 4.0L is a more modern version of that old engine. Too bad it couldn't remain in production, due to increasingly restrictive smog rules.
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 634
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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mtgoat has a point. If you're not mechanically inclined, the Forerunner (or a Landcruiser) is probably a better option, though more expensive up
front. They have body-on-frame construction.
The Cherokee and Grand Cherokee have unibody construction.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I think it is '4Runner' (Four-Runner)?
When talking to steekers (Michael), I suggested both the XJ Cherokee and the 4Runner as potential vehicles for his needs. Plenty of Cherokees out
there and a popular rig to mod for serious off-road. They do break, yes, it's a "Jeep thing"...
The Toyota 4Runner is not as available because people keep them longer, plus the hold their value so the price is higher.
Then, I suggested keeping an eye open for Mitsubishi Monteros and Isuzu Troopers... Any opinions on those two or other SUV/ 4WD wagons?
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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I love my 2006 4 Runner 4x4. Lot's of power just ask the Texas Highway Patrol. I only pulled over because I didn't want them to feel bad.
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