Which year was the best for the Cherokee XJ?

[rctruckchopshop]

I am looking to get a Cherokee XJ 4x4 in a few months. I assume this is a good 4x4 for the snow? I plan on lifting one and running 33's .... What gearing should I have installed for 33's? Also what lift (Company) do you recommend for medium duty offroading (This will also be my daily driver for work)? What was the most reliable year for the XJ?

Thanks

 

[cmsurfer]

I had a '93 and currently have a '96. I love them both.

I personally prefer the '96 and earlier... I'm not aware of any problems with a particular year, so I can't say much more.

Are you planning on getting an auto or a stick? I'm not too familiar with gearing on an auto, but I have 33's and 4.10's on my YJ with a stick and should be good for a DD. Mine was for 5+ years. Some others may say 4.56, but I'm happy with my setup.

The I6 is a great engine and if you take care of it, you'll be good to go. My '93 XJ had 255,000 miles on it when I sold it (all original). The only work I ever had to do to it was changing the oil every 3k miles and tune-ups here and there.

I don't have experiece with lifts for the XJ, but be expected to lift it at least 5" or so for 33's.

 

[KSchweikert]

Avoid the ones built before 87 as the have the GM 2.8L V-6. The 2.8 was voted the biggest engine turd of the millenium by 4-Wheel and OffRoad magazine back in 2000. The 87-90 models have the Renix injection system that doesn't have self diagnostic capabilities. In 91 Jeep changed the injection system and gained some horsepower. They got a slight redesign around 96. The newer models tend to have more driveline vibration when lifted than the older ones do. I'd recommend buying one built between 91-95. I have two 89 XJ's and they are very reliable for a domestic vehicle.

Kelly

 

[shortbusjeep]

i dont own a xj but i would recomend rubicon express, best company out there in my opion, cost more but i think it is worth it, i have a tj and my father an zj and both drove nice with there lifts on them.

 

[Crawlsalot]

i didnt know there was a good year cherokee. buy a toyota more reliable no matter what year you buy, and you can fit 33" tires with out lifting it. my 02 cents

 

[Trike Kid]

Rusty's offroad makes some pretty popular lifts for XJ's. Crawlsalot, that may be, but then you're stuck with at most a 3.0, where the majority of XJ's and MJ's have a 4.0 that is very reliable.

 

[Got Rocks?]

any 91 and up cherokee will do and if i may suggest a lift use the rubicon express do not wast money on a short arm kit:mrgreen: i run the 5.5 well actually it was the tj lift modified to fit but that was before they released the cherokee long arm kit:lol:

 

[hwm3]

The best all around year is 96. You get the newer, sealed T-case so a SYE and CV driveshaft is much cheaper. It also has the older, more square body which is much easier to trim for bigger tires, and the washer fluid bottle is under the hood rather than in the fender. The only reason to get a 97+ Xj would be to get the 29-spline 8.25 rear. As long as you don't plan to go larger than a 33" tire, the 29-spline 8.25 should hold up fine. HTH

 

[TwistedXT]

on the 97+ the 231 transfer case was changed a little and is easier for the Slip yoke conversion, interior is also more pleasing (pretty :roll: ). ive got a 97 with @ 140XXX, and it is still running strong, also the outsid eof the body has slight changes, different grill/taillights, rounded edges , different liftgate, it just has a newer feel. but... thats just my opionin :mrgreen:

 

[Got Rocks?]

^true if your gona spend any money on a cherokee a 97+ will be the way to go and if there is any first mod to do add some chassis braces because the cherokee is unibody and it will not hold up to off road stress:x

 

[Trike Kid]

92 and up also have a better cooling system.

 

[rctruckchopshop]

Thanks everyone. What was the last year of the boxier (SP?) body style? Thanks

 

[sicj]

The XJ stopped at '01. I was looking into buying one and everyone said get the newest one you can find. I loved everything about the truck except how freakin' small it is (this was the 01 that I test drove) They are like little tanks though. I think from 97-01 were the better years. Around 96-97 they beefed up the roof and did some electrical work etc... There's tons of information on what was changed between the years.

 

[hwm3]

Thanks everyone. What was the last year of the boxier (SP?) body style? Thanks

96.

 

[crawldog]

i have a 89 xj with a rubicon short arm lift everything hits as in tires hit the lower arms it has a 4.5 springs and 1.5spacers with 33.and it flexs to much and brakes drivelines :twisted:. talked to a 4x4 shop and they told me to take the lift off and throw it away.i would go with i think its called TNT lifts they have the best xj lift out from what i read online www.tntcustoms.com .

 

[sicj]

96.

the XJ went up to '01 with the box style body...
2001

1996

or were you talking about boxiest out of all the XJ's...?

 

[badtodabone]

check out www.naxja.com