I have a 89 Cherokee 4x4 I got from a lady in Arkansas for free. It set for 9 years in the dirt. She told me if I could get in running I could have it. I put a battery in it and new plugs and points and replaced a short peace of gas line. And it fired up with no problems. I dug it up out of the dirt cause the front wheels was buried half way up the rims. And back wheels was flat. Put some air in the tires and drove it 327mile home. And didn't have any problems with it. I've had it for about 2 1/2 years and still have no problems. Just had to replace the tires and the harmonic balancer. But it runs like a champ. Love this car.
A buddy of mine had a 98’ or so and offered to sell it to me, I kicked myself for not buying it. He got a new Chevy Duramax bla bla, that Jeep had 88k on it, he wanted $2500 or so, dammit lol.
@@deborahchesser7375 oh man. That sounds like a sweet deal. I was very happy to find a 97 with 112k miles back in 2012. I now have 135k miles, so it should last a long, long time.
@@ProjectXJ yeh that was in 2010 or so definitely a good deal. That straight six was damn impressive too, they weren’t fast but they were quick, 0-50/60 they ripped
Bought my 96 XJ new and have driven it on many off road trips in Death Valley, Moab, Canyon Lands and all over mostly the West. Has 223,000 driven miles and another 150,000+ towed by my RV. Original engine and drive train. Love this car!
Great review and spot on. My 99 is the best vehicle I've ever owned, with proper care they last FOREVER and destroy expensive modern SUV's in bad weather/off road.
Just bought a 2000 4x4 that was preventatively maintained by a pilot since it was bought it looks showroom new with 1,100 miles on it has never had an issue and is pretty amazing.
Wow, that is an absolute freaking steal, great job man, I'm sure it was probably a bit pricey but well worth it, that thing will last you another 5 decades easy.
Paid $600 for my 98 XJ 4-door with 215 thousand miles and a bad fuel pump.....dropped the tank and had it back and running in an hour. Best vehicle ever.
@@arthurcunningham5831 Holy, that's a deal. Paid $2500 CAD for a 339km one about a month and a half ago that's arguably pretty ruffed up. Frame, Engine, trans, anything major is in really good condition. It's mostly been fun learning about it all as I fix up the random bits and pieces all over the place.
Paid 300$ for my first xj when I was 15. Needed a water pump, then ran great for the next year. Had to sell it because couldn't afford gas as a teenager. In 2012, I bought my 1997 and have had it ever since. It had always been my dream car, now it is my daily and truly part of the family
I have had 4 XJs, all had the bullet proof 4.0. Currently own a 2001 4x4 with 136,000 on it and 2 Comanches. My buddy ran up 450,000 on his 1993. It finally kicked the bucket and wouldn’t pass smog here in Cali. These cars are golden.
I bought a completely rust free Black Limited all options 2000 XJ for $1000 , the guy I bought it from had just replaced the cracked head with a $600 TUPI head , but he never checked anything else ,He couldn't get it to run smooth, so I brought it home took out the engine it had a worn cam lobe so new cam & lifters and cam bearings , since I had it out I put in a timing chain and gears, rear main seal, oil pump etc. the lower end looked nearly new cleaned up and painted running like new a few thousand miles later now. Can't beat an XJ , Well you can but they just keep going. 😁
I can confirm the seat bracket issue in the 97-01 XJ's. He clearly did his research because you can replace the seats with ZJ seats, which is definitely the way to go. They are much more comfortable, I got mine at a junk yard for $40. I don't remember the exact years of ZJ's that you can pull the seats from for a direct swap, but a simple google search of XJ forums will give you all the info you need.
My first XJ was an 87 4.0 auto that was just a beat up toy but I recently bought a 98 4.0 auto that’s my new daily in great shape and I couldn’t be happier with it
I was glad to see that you like it. While there are definitely some issues, a lot of them are relatively cheap to fix for people doing their own work and looking at the bad sometimes can make us forget the good to be able to weigh the balance.
My 96 was my daily driver until it hit somewhere around 500k (not sure of the actual mileage, the odometer wasn't working for a while.. turned out to be a ground on the block!). Best car I've ever had, and I've been doing a lot of work getting it ready to take on a road trip.
@@abstract1dea Mine had a rod start making a noise at around 300k, I replaced the engine with a quality rebuilt and here we are a few hundred thousand miles later.
I've owned 4 XJs, and currently have a few Grands (98 ZJ & 04 WJ) - all with 4.0L engines. So far, I've corrected the "overheating" issue by adding a high flow waterpump (FlowKooler Waterpumps). Everything operates at normal temps even while sitting in traffic for an hour plus.
The Renault "improvements" included a closed cooling system that they favored in their European vehicles. Problem is that the 4.0 does not work well with a closed system. It allows air bubbles to stay in the back of the engine, causing hot spots. You can sometimes eliminate these by elevating the back of the vehicle and running the engine until the bubbles clear. Better yet, restore the open system.
We've had 4 of them in the family and the video is right on rust...it's the only thing that's killed ours living in the rust belt. My current one is a 1990 XJ Poineer that I've coated with POR-15 underteath and inside of it so it will last.
I'VE HAD MY 87 AMC CHEROKEE LARADO XJ FOR 24 YEAR'S NO PROBLEMS ALMOST 300K IS STILL A BEAST 4X4 ALL POWER , AIR, CRUISE 8'' LIFT LOOKS AMAZING AND IS. OH I DID ONCE TWIST A FRONT AXEL INTO PULLING 3 FULL SIZE 4X4 TRUCKS OUT OF A VERY WET/MUDDY CALEACHI PIT ALL 3 AT THE SAME TIME LOL
Most simple reliable wonderful small SUV I've ever driven runs every day rain shine snow cold hot high low rough smooth it doesn't matter it gets you there and without gruff they should be saved every one we will never get SUVs like this again if you have never gotten to ride in or drive one of those you can never understand
It’s the best damn car ever made along with the mj, you can make anything out of it from a 8 second 1/4 mile drag car to a drift car to a off-roader with 40s and tons
I just purchased my first Jeep XJ Cherokee and I drove it home and I fell in love with her and right now she's in the shop because the battery died on it
I daily drive a 96 xj and I’ll say it’s like driving in a transparent car I can look any direction and see everything. No blind spots if you know how to move your head.
There’s a lot of body issues. The rear quarter panels, the roof, the a frame pillars. The interior always has sagging headliners. I love my 2000 xj. It runs brand new and never will see winter road salt ever again.
@@796andy2 No, but look at any vehicle that came with the foam backed headliner (Cutlass ,Monty Carlo most any vehicle from the 80's to mid 2000's) and they have either been replaced or they are full of thumb tacks I need to replace mine this spring . I'm just going to use a non foam black fabric .
@@papablista627 Ah, yes, thumbtacks in the headliner and the 2x4 for supporting the lift gate when you open it. All standard equipment that comes with any XJ.........
@@joesutherland2017 Any time you see those sagging foam-padded headliners. it's not the adhesive that fails.... it's the foam disintegrating over time. Replacing one with another foam-backed headliner and it will just happen again.
I had a black 2001 60th anniversary edition Supper rare jeeps the olny made 2200 of them and they only came in black and silver black being the rarest...... I felt so sillily selling it especially when I see them selling for $10,000 and up lol now I’ve got a red 2 door 87 manual witch I love but I think it’s time to say goodbye to her as well lol
‘87, first year of the 4.0, still runs like new at 330k, and would have a lot more miles chalked up if it wasn’t for my ‘92 Saab vert. Drove her from Wisconsin to Oregon (where no one knows how to drive, let alone drive in snow). Got rear ended at 30mph this summer, then stolen (disappeared for 3 months - no thank you Portland cops!). Back on the road now, and purrs like a kitten still. Verdict, XJ’s are friggin’ the best on the road still. (My new 2019 Compass sucks!)
Portland is a black hole for car thefts. My XJ was stolen from right in front of my house and was missing for a little over a year. It was only found bc it was dumped in a store parking lot when the steering pump died and the original cat converter had broken apart and was rattling like every bearing in the engine was shot. The body and interior are trashed, but after fixing those 2 issues it still runs just fine. 😂
@@rustyjeep2469 I agree on p-towns issues, but glad you still have your XJ, despite the repairs needed. I pull my starter relay when not driving it. Someday I’ll install a relay disconnect in the cabin so I don’t have to pop the hood. I expect I’ll get her to 500k someday.
I always thought they should have made a diesel variety of the 4 L in-line six this thing really would have been a beast then. I wouldn’t touch any models other than the 4 L in-line six or diesels.
My grandfather gave me his '91 XJ years ago and she's been my daily since. 380,000+ miles on her and she still purrs like a kitten. Sadly her rust is a problem and soon she will be a dedicated off-road rig. I also bought another one about a year ago that was the same year as mine and gave it to my sister as her first car. The dude I bought it from thought it was a worthless piece of underpowered crap. Yet it still runs and his new jeep doesn't lol
4.0 in line 6 overheating issues can be solved by not using a colder thermostat, but by using the factory 195 thermostat this is counter intuitive as people think a cooler thermostat will let the engine run cooler. In fact, it does not, a higher temperature thermostat will remain closed longer and allow coolant to cool better in the radiator under pressure. This solved my overheating issue, and I tried everything turns out you just need to use the factory oem thermostat temperature
I'm still PISSED at myself for getting rid of my 91 limited. I beat the hell out of her and pulled my Harley all over the country and she never let me down. That's why I'm looking for another one right now.
@The Lone Journey I use mine for daily commuting and the occasional off road excursion. Aside from the crappy Renix electrical system, it is a very reliable car. Just takes a beating and continues on
if you’re wanting to sell, now is the time lol, these were going for less than 5k a year ago and now i can’t find one for under 8k anywhere, not that i plan to buy another one lol
crazy how i bought my xj for $1,300 at the beginning of 2020 and now could possibly get 4k out of it. definitely not selling it though. love it too much.
Let me shorten the video Engine is solid, head gasket and leaks is the 4.0 main issues, especially rear main. Cooling is another thing to attend to. They are torque monsters, but stay away from oversized tires with out re gear Body, unibody. Has unibody problems Transmissions, decent. Both stick and auto Axles. The 35 is poor for longevity. 44 is the gold standard. Overall. They are robust vehicles with issues that is common for most older vehicles.
I always liked the design and features of the Cherokee XJ's but was hesitant to buy one because of the uni-body construction. I felt that this was too "car-like" and wouldn't be as rugged as the CJ's. I finally purchased a retired government 1996 XJ SE. This vehicle had all the right equipment and none of the fluff and fancy trim of the Sport and above models. All I can say is that I could kick myself for not buying one earlier. This has been the best, most capable, and most comfortable Jeep I have ever owned by far. Too bad that Wolfgang idiot from Chrysler (Daimler-Benz) nixed the Cherokee XJ line after 2001. I hope they fired that moron for that stupid decision. If I could buy a brand new 1996 Cherokee XJ today, like they were built and equipped back then, I would buy one or two without hesitation. They are that good. Thank You for this great and informative video.
The leaf spring perch’s like to rot out, the shit unibody frame rails like to rust from the inside out, the heads on the 2000s suck, when the heater core goes bad you’re going to lose your seat brackets and floor pans, heater core must be replace by taking apart the plastic dash. The 2 door models the doors are so heavy you’re going to have to fix them
Drove a 1996 for 21 years then sold it, still in driveable condition except for the turbocharger which came with the diesel version for Europe, which needs to be replaced.
I've owned 5...unfortunately living in Michigan eventually the bodies get eaten up...currently looking for #6 but the prices have gone thru the roof lately for a low mileage clean body example...there's a dealer about an hours drive away specializing in right hand drives w clean bodies and low mileage, but his start @ about $17k.
Very well done video, my only quibble is that sometimes the pictures don't quite match up with the narration. I'd like to point out another common issue with XJ's. The switch for the HVAC blower motor can burn up and it's a bit of a pain to replace, and part of that problem is finding a replacement, as the ones in the junkyard often have the same problem.
I had a 1996 grand cherokee v8. I put 240K on it. rusted in the rear hatch roof, had to sell it to a guy that bolted a trailer hitch to the front bumper and is still using it today to move boats in his boatyard. Anti-theft sucked. went to limp and lost a vacation trip. grounded the purple wire in the bundle in the door and it ran good. Otherwise no real big problems.
An xj is great for 4 wheeling in the sticks or its just as happy hauling you for groceries its built rugged for either purpose. Sure they develope their own set of problems but overall they are very rugged and reliable
The jeep xj has lots of pulling power it is easy to work on and maintain the 4.0 engine will outlast most people and it is easily modified to do about anything on or off road that you want also the xj is quite a bit lighter than a grand cheeroke also another great vehical
I got to admit it was kind of strange with my 87 xj to go and change the brakes and there of Ford style, Then go to change your oil and see a General motors logo on the back of your alternator
In 1997 I went to the Jeep dealer and found a very basic, red, 2 door, 2WD, 5 speed Cherokee with 20K on it. Sitting right next to it was a green, similarly equipped brand new one for the same price, but it had the 4cyl engine. I bought the red one. It's now almost 25 years and 600,000 miles later I still have that old Jeep, and am getting it ready to go on yet another road trip.
The high torque output of the 4.0 makes it great for off roading and it will pass lots of so called powerfull cars on the highway try it sometime stoplight to stoplight it will fool you
Just picked up a ex Arizona Park Ranger 1991 Jeep Cherokee manual 4x4. Has 200k got it for 2500, any tips on what to do for maintenance and what to look for?
Check and replace as needed: fuids, hoses, accessory belt; brakes; suspension bushings & ball joints including steering tie rods, make sure track bar bracket bolts are tight; check underside of body for rust. Being a gov't owned AZ rig I would suspect it would be a well maintained and rust free Jeep but it's still worth it to check.
Wow this makes sense. My 01 has gotten a check engine light recently for cylinder 3 misfire. I replaced the spark plugs, and coil pack rail. Didn’t fix, I was thinking it was the motor but recently found a vacuum leak that goes to the vacuum pressure reserver. Hopefully this fixes it 😬🤞🏻
I traded an 06 silverado 2 wheel drive for my xj the pickup would get stuck in a depression in the ground the little xj will push snow with the front bumper and keep on going
Why they ever stopped making the xj is beyond me you can fit an entire trophy buck under the hatchback like it was meant to be there while your rifle fits perfect across your back seat
2:07 had an '89 one just like that one. Biggest piece of shit I ever owned ! Bought it with 98k miles. Was well cared for, just horrible cooling system issues, header pipe, brakes ECT
The XJ Cherokee and Wagoneer were cool and later came the Japanese CUVs,these four-door models helped create the 4 door mania, and sadly because of the sells all you can get from Chevrolet is a four-door SUV or CUV, no good two-door Blazer S10 or K5 two-door for sale, these vehicles were good for the worker or outdoors and towed and had more storage space than a Wrangler. To top it off, today Jeep is going after Chevy sales by offering 3 row SUVs and Grand Cherokees. Chevy, sadly you offer no 2 doors offroad SUV, look Toyota still offers 4 doors offroad vehicle sand Jeep, Ford, and Land Rover sale 4 door and 2 door off-road vehicle. Chevy, in the past you were an SUV pioneer in offroad vehicles, please try again.
*OTHER REVIEWS TO WATCH*:
Chevy:
1972-1987 Square Body Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/78oolTruPdQ/видео.html
1988-1998 Silverado /Sierra Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/pLs-KWSucjo/видео.html
1994-2004 S10 Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/CmfgCOxW6XA/видео.html
1999-2007 Silverado / Sierra Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/LmN6_ubzyuI/видео.html
2007-2013 Silverado / Sierra Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/_UXTc5BGxsM/видео.html
Ford:
2004-2008 F-150 Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/duNWJA7m63s/видео.html
2009-2014 F-150 Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/3IpC-mHY0xM/видео.html
1997-2004 F-150 Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/eaKffURoFQY/видео.html
1998-2011 Ranger Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/fELUyrKY1U4/видео.html
2005-2014 Mustang Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/lrfpgzcgLI8/видео.html
Mercedes:
W211 E-Class Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/QpplQTp2DSQ/видео.html
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W204 C-Class Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/BtCbbrsQQ-Y/видео.html
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Mazda:
1990-1997 MX-5 Miata: ruclips.net/video/KjNB-LbkNSY/видео.html
Nissan:
2004-2015 Titan Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/2VFdZeEyGnA/видео.html
HardBody Pickup Truck Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/-mRVMByFh_I/видео.html
Subaru:
2014-2018 Subaru Forester SJ Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/Ir694Wah9PA/видео.html
Lexus:
2001-2005 IS300 Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/mtxoUg0zthw/видео.html
Toyota:
1995-2004 1st Gen Tacoma Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/WtyhiOD8Jm4/видео.html
2005-2015 2nd Gen Tacoma Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/9ZOhD0KU_gA/видео.html
2000-2006 1st Gen Tundra Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/9pIyUcFGf4c/видео.html
2007-2020 2nd Gen Tundra Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/fhH4UnFvJuI/видео.html
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2010-2016 Panamera Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/3giueysuXdU/видео.html
1999-2005 911 996 Buyer's guide: ruclips.net/video/rvdMzS8XdXk/видео.html
I have a 89 Cherokee 4x4 I got from a lady in Arkansas for free. It set for 9 years in the dirt. She told me if I could get in running I could have it. I put a battery in it and new plugs and points and replaced a short peace of gas line. And it fired up with no problems. I dug it up out of the dirt cause the front wheels was buried half way up the rims. And back wheels was flat. Put some air in the tires and drove it 327mile home. And didn't have any problems with it. I've had it for about 2 1/2 years and still have no problems. Just had to replace the tires and the harmonic balancer. But it runs like a champ. Love this car.
Its one of the best vehicles of all time! it was a sad day when the XJ went out of production. You can't argue with almost 3 million sold.
A buddy of mine had a 98’ or so and offered to sell it to me, I kicked myself for not buying it. He got a new Chevy Duramax bla bla, that Jeep had 88k on it, he wanted $2500 or so, dammit lol.
@@deborahchesser7375 oh man. That sounds like a sweet deal. I was very happy to find a 97 with 112k miles back in 2012. I now have 135k miles, so it should last a long, long time.
@@ProjectXJ yeh that was in 2010 or so definitely a good deal. That straight six was damn impressive too, they weren’t fast but they were quick, 0-50/60 they ripped
My XJ had 331K on it whem the engine finally gave up the ghost. Best, most reliable vehicle I've ever had. Rare 2 dr 5 speed 4wd.
@@abstract1dea i had a 94, 2 door, 5speed. I loved that jeep. I only sold it to get a 4 door when we had kids.
Bought my 96 XJ new and have driven it on many off road trips in Death Valley, Moab, Canyon Lands and all over mostly the West. Has 223,000 driven miles and another 150,000+ towed by my RV. Original engine and drive train. Love this car!
Great review and spot on. My 99 is the best vehicle I've ever owned, with proper care they last FOREVER and destroy expensive modern SUV's in bad weather/off road.
I’ve owned 2, amazing vehicles. My ‘96 has 208k with no rust!! Not only are they great offroad, but super fun zippy cars to drive around town in.
Just bought a 2000 4x4 that was preventatively maintained by a pilot since it was bought it looks showroom new with 1,100 miles on it has never had an issue and is pretty amazing.
omg you are a lucky fellow
Wow, that is an absolute freaking steal, great job man, I'm sure it was probably a bit pricey but well worth it, that thing will last you another 5 decades easy.
Paid $600 for my 98 XJ 4-door with 215 thousand miles and a bad fuel pump.....dropped the tank and had it back and running in an hour.
Best vehicle ever.
bought mine for 1400 just a couple days ago with a bad water pump and 160k miles… took me a day to get it running good
@@arthurcunningham5831 Holy, that's a deal. Paid $2500 CAD for a 339km one about a month and a half ago that's arguably pretty ruffed up. Frame, Engine, trans, anything major is in really good condition. It's mostly been fun learning about it all as I fix up the random bits and pieces all over the place.
Bought mine for 800 and needed a leaf spring with 198k on it runs so nicely
@@dmero01 800... Man oh man I wish we had deals like those here. Speaking of leaf springs... I need to find me some hah.
Paid 3 for mine with a bad fuel pump
My 99 Xj has almost 400,000 Miles and it's still just like new.... Best vehicle ever built
If you give the 4.0 fresh oil and coolant it'll basically run almost forever.
Paid 300$ for my first xj when I was 15. Needed a water pump, then ran great for the next year. Had to sell it because couldn't afford gas as a teenager. In 2012, I bought my 1997 and have had it ever since. It had always been my dream car, now it is my daily and truly part of the family
I have had 4 XJs, all had the bullet proof 4.0. Currently own a 2001 4x4 with 136,000 on it and 2 Comanches. My buddy ran up 450,000 on his 1993. It finally kicked the bucket and wouldn’t pass smog here in Cali. These cars are golden.
Legislation got the vehicle before it wanted to die haha. Kinda sad honestly.
any advise on the 01’? i’m bout to buy one with 200K miles on it
I bought a completely rust free Black Limited all options 2000 XJ for $1000 , the guy I bought it from had just replaced the cracked head with a $600 TUPI head , but he never checked anything else ,He couldn't get it to run smooth, so I brought it home took out the engine it had a worn cam lobe so new cam & lifters and cam bearings , since I had it out I put in a timing chain and gears, rear main seal, oil pump etc. the lower end looked nearly new cleaned up and painted running like new a few thousand miles later now. Can't beat an XJ , Well you can but they just keep going. 😁
Had an 86... her name was Julie... I miss her... I now have a 99... unnamed as of now... I hope to never miss it...
I can confirm the seat bracket issue in the 97-01 XJ's. He clearly did his research because you can replace the seats with ZJ seats, which is definitely the way to go. They are much more comfortable, I got mine at a junk yard for $40. I don't remember the exact years of ZJ's that you can pull the seats from for a direct swap, but a simple google search of XJ forums will give you all the info you need.
My first XJ was an 87 4.0 auto that was just a beat up toy but I recently bought a 98 4.0 auto that’s my new daily in great shape and I couldn’t be happier with it
Just got an 1989 XJ Wagoneer limited. Beige with wood paneling. A real throwback. Love it so far!
I was glad to see that you like it. While there are definitely some issues, a lot of them are relatively cheap to fix for people doing their own work and looking at the bad sometimes can make us forget the good to be able to weigh the balance.
I have a 1996 just turned over 300,000. It's still my daily driver
1995 XJ 4.0 & AT with 251,000 & still going strong.
My 96 was my daily driver until it hit somewhere around 500k (not sure of the actual mileage, the odometer wasn't working for a while.. turned out to be a ground on the block!). Best car I've ever had, and I've been doing a lot of work getting it ready to take on a road trip.
My 98 gave up a rod at 331K
Put a new engine in it
I hope it lasts another 20 years and 300K
@@abstract1dea Mine had a rod start making a noise at around 300k, I replaced the engine with a quality rebuilt and here we are a few hundred thousand miles later.
I've owned 4 XJs, and currently have a few Grands (98 ZJ & 04 WJ) - all with 4.0L engines. So far, I've corrected the "overheating" issue by adding a high flow waterpump (FlowKooler Waterpumps). Everything operates at normal temps even while sitting in traffic for an hour plus.
Thanks!
The Renault "improvements" included a closed cooling system that they favored in their European vehicles. Problem is that the 4.0 does not work well with a closed system. It allows air bubbles to stay in the back of the engine, causing hot spots. You can sometimes eliminate these by elevating the back of the vehicle and running the engine until the bubbles clear. Better yet, restore the open system.
I had a 98 Cherokee and a 99 I loved them both!! Especially the 99 limited classic! Wish I still had it!
We've had 4 of them in the family and the video is right on rust...it's the only thing that's killed ours living in the rust belt. My current one is a 1990 XJ Poineer that I've coated with POR-15 underteath and inside of it so it will last.
My 2000 XJ 4.0 has almost 200,000 miles and is still running strong aside from the fuel pump failure that I'll change this weekend.
Yes, it was the best of the modern Jeeps. No thrills, simple, reliable.
Great video! I own a Jeep XJ and this video hit home! Keep the content coming!
Thanks for watching! I appreciate the comments!
I'VE HAD MY 87 AMC CHEROKEE LARADO XJ FOR 24 YEAR'S NO PROBLEMS ALMOST 300K IS STILL A BEAST 4X4 ALL POWER , AIR, CRUISE 8'' LIFT LOOKS AMAZING AND IS. OH I DID ONCE TWIST A FRONT AXEL INTO PULLING 3 FULL SIZE 4X4 TRUCKS OUT OF A VERY WET/MUDDY CALEACHI PIT ALL 3 AT THE SAME TIME LOL
After owning 3 I can say that question has never entered my mind.
I love my 97 XJ. Rust kills for sure. Taking her on trails today 😉
Please man, don't need a long video to say 'heck yea', Awesome vehicle!!
Most simple reliable wonderful small SUV I've ever driven runs every day rain shine snow cold hot high low rough smooth it doesn't matter it gets you there and without gruff they should be saved every one we will never get SUVs like this again if you have never gotten to ride in or drive one of those you can never understand
Your spot on 👌🏽, XJ owner here
It’s the best damn car ever made along with the mj, you can make anything out of it from a 8 second 1/4 mile drag car to a drift car to a off-roader with 40s and tons
I just purchased my first Jeep XJ Cherokee and I drove it home and I fell in love with her and right now she's in the shop because the battery died on it
just a lil hint, there are grounding issues with XJ...and phantom drains, get a SOLID battery and ya won't regret having paid a bit more.
I daily drive a 96 xj and I’ll say it’s like driving in a transparent car I can look any direction and see everything. No blind spots if you know how to move your head.
There’s a lot of body issues. The rear quarter panels, the roof, the a frame pillars. The interior always has sagging headliners. I love my 2000 xj. It runs brand new and never will see winter road salt ever again.
did they come w sagging headliners ??
@@796andy2 No, but look at any vehicle that came with the foam backed headliner (Cutlass ,Monty Carlo most any vehicle from the 80's to mid 2000's) and they have either been replaced or they are full of thumb tacks I need to replace mine this spring . I'm just going to use a non foam black fabric .
@@papablista627 gotta do mine when it warms up some , its coming along nice check it out...
@@papablista627 Ah, yes, thumbtacks in the headliner and the 2x4 for supporting the lift gate when you open it. All standard equipment that comes with any XJ.........
@@joesutherland2017 Any time you see those sagging foam-padded headliners. it's not the adhesive that fails.... it's the foam disintegrating over time. Replacing one with another foam-backed headliner and it will just happen again.
Nice review. Definitely prefer the 97 - 01 four-door models. We have 3 in our family.
Got mine in 2013 at 85k. I'm on 160k now with offers being left on my window every couple months or so.
I love the XJs. I had three of them, traded them off at 200K miles. I wish I still have the 2000 Classic 4X4.
I had a black 2001 60th anniversary edition
Supper rare jeeps the olny made 2200 of them and they only came in black and silver black being the rarest...... I felt so sillily selling it especially when I see them selling for $10,000 and up lol now I’ve got a red 2 door 87 manual witch I love but I think it’s time to say goodbye to her as well lol
That was a bad choice they are going for $17,000 in med shape now! I was offered $22,000 by a dealer yesterday.
Have a right hand drive as my mail truck on a wooly rural route. Very solid
Mine was $2,800 and was offered $10,000 last year, and last week offered $12,500.
That's why I love my 2001 xj.
‘87, first year of the 4.0, still runs like new at 330k, and would have a lot more miles chalked up if it wasn’t for my ‘92 Saab vert.
Drove her from Wisconsin to Oregon (where no one knows how to drive, let alone drive in snow).
Got rear ended at 30mph this summer, then stolen (disappeared for 3 months - no thank you Portland cops!). Back on the road now, and purrs like a kitten still.
Verdict, XJ’s are friggin’ the best on the road still. (My new 2019 Compass sucks!)
Portland is a black hole for car thefts. My XJ was stolen from right in front of my house and was missing for a little over a year. It was only found bc it was dumped in a store parking lot when the steering pump died and the original cat converter had broken apart and was rattling like every bearing in the engine was shot. The body and interior are trashed, but after fixing those 2 issues it still runs just fine. 😂
@@rustyjeep2469 I agree on p-towns issues, but glad you still have your XJ, despite the repairs needed.
I pull my starter relay when not driving it. Someday I’ll install a relay disconnect in the cabin so I don’t have to pop the hood.
I expect I’ll get her to 500k someday.
Very informative. I have owned 3, a 1992, 1996 and a 2000. One could add noise from drive train (axles, transfer case) as another draw back
Is it any good? Its best ever IMO. I have a 97 and it still runs strong with 250k miles on it. Put a front and rear locker in it...its the best!!
now i love my cherokee even more 😘😘😘😘😘😘
I always thought they should have made a diesel variety of the 4 L in-line six this thing really would have been a beast then. I wouldn’t touch any models other than the 4 L in-line six or diesels.
I love the cherokee ! Juste the best car ever ! Thanks for the video
Great history on this jeep. Thank you!
Many thanks.
Hi from Turkey. 🙋🏻♂️
My grandfather gave me his '91 XJ years ago and she's been my daily since. 380,000+ miles on her and she still purrs like a kitten. Sadly her rust is a problem and soon she will be a dedicated off-road rig. I also bought another one about a year ago that was the same year as mine and gave it to my sister as her first car. The dude I bought it from thought it was a worthless piece of underpowered crap. Yet it still runs and his new jeep doesn't lol
4.0 in line 6 overheating issues can be solved by not using a colder thermostat, but by using the factory 195 thermostat this is counter intuitive as people think a cooler thermostat will let the engine run cooler. In fact, it does not, a higher temperature thermostat will remain closed longer and allow coolant to cool better in the radiator under pressure. This solved my overheating issue, and I tried everything turns out you just need to use the factory oem thermostat temperature
I'm still PISSED at myself for getting rid of my 91 limited. I beat the hell out of her and pulled my Harley all over the country and she never let me down.
That's why I'm looking for another one right now.
Jeep still struggling to find a replacement for the indestructible XJ series Cherokee. My 89 has 300k on the original motor!!!
@The Lone Journey I use mine for daily commuting and the occasional off road excursion. Aside from the crappy Renix electrical system, it is a very reliable car. Just takes a beating and continues on
mine is 91 with 400k
2000, with 175k, everything is mint so far!
I have a super clean XJ 4.0 that I was planning to sell, not too sure any more...
Prices have been going up lately
if you’re wanting to sell, now is the time lol, these were going for less than 5k a year ago and now i can’t find one for under 8k anywhere, not that i plan to buy another one lol
Visibility really is great on these, you can parallel park a jeep Cherokee easier than a BMW Z4
The XJ is the best value car on the market.
crazy how i bought my xj for $1,300 at the beginning of 2020 and now could possibly get 4k out of it. definitely not selling it though. love it too much.
Let me shorten the video
Engine is solid, head gasket and leaks is the 4.0 main issues, especially rear main. Cooling is another thing to attend to. They are torque monsters, but stay away from oversized tires with out re gear
Body, unibody. Has unibody problems
Transmissions, decent. Both stick and auto
Axles. The 35 is poor for longevity. 44 is the gold standard.
Overall. They are robust vehicles with issues that is common for most older vehicles.
I always liked the design and features of the Cherokee XJ's but was hesitant to buy one because of the uni-body construction. I felt that this was too "car-like" and wouldn't be as rugged as the CJ's. I finally purchased a retired government 1996 XJ SE. This vehicle had all the right equipment and none of the fluff and fancy trim of the Sport and above models. All I can say is that I could kick myself for not buying one earlier. This has been the best, most capable, and most comfortable Jeep I have ever owned by far. Too bad that Wolfgang idiot from Chrysler (Daimler-Benz) nixed the Cherokee XJ line after 2001. I hope they fired that moron for that stupid decision. If I could buy a brand new 1996 Cherokee XJ today, like they were built and equipped back then, I would buy one or two without hesitation. They are that good. Thank You for this great and informative video.
I love these Jeeps!
The leaf spring perch’s like to rot out, the shit unibody frame rails like to rust from the inside out, the heads on the 2000s suck, when the heater core goes bad you’re going to lose your seat brackets and floor pans, heater core must be replace by taking apart the plastic dash. The 2 door models the doors are so heavy you’re going to have to fix them
One reason lots of xjs have overheating issues is because the 4.0 engine requires a lot of engine compartment for which the xj has very limited space
Drove a 1996 for 21 years then sold it, still in driveable condition except for the turbocharger which came with the diesel version for Europe, which needs to be replaced.
Just going to put it out there if you pause at 5:30 just look at the odometer.......
Could you do one of these for the Chevrolet Blazer S10/Blazer Models?
You didn't mention the problem with the closed cooling system being problematic. The solution a open cooling system system being better ?
Love the way you say Waygon
If you drive it in the salt belt, Fluid Film the holy Jesus out of it.
My Jeep XJ 4.0 HO LIMITED its my love...
I've owned 5...unfortunately living in Michigan eventually the bodies get eaten up...currently looking for #6 but the prices have gone thru the roof lately for a low mileage clean body example...there's a dealer about an hours drive away specializing in right hand drives w clean bodies and low mileage, but his start @ about $17k.
Got a 95 country with 167k rust free would sell it for 7k
Very well done video, my only quibble is that sometimes the pictures don't quite match up with the narration. I'd like to point out another common issue with XJ's. The switch for the HVAC blower motor can burn up and it's a bit of a pain to replace, and part of that problem is finding a replacement, as the ones in the junkyard often have the same problem.
Just did that job last weekend on a 2001.
I had a 1996 grand cherokee v8. I put 240K on it. rusted in the rear hatch roof, had to sell it to a guy that bolted a trailer hitch to the front bumper and is still using it today to move boats in his boatyard. Anti-theft sucked. went to limp and lost a vacation trip. grounded the purple wire in the bundle in the door and it ran good. Otherwise no real big problems.
An xj is great for 4 wheeling in the sticks or its just as happy hauling you for groceries its built rugged for either purpose. Sure they develope their own set of problems but overall they are very rugged and reliable
The jeep xj has lots of pulling power it is easy to work on and maintain the 4.0 engine will outlast most people and it is easily modified to do about anything on or off road that you want also the xj is quite a bit lighter than a grand cheeroke also another great vehical
No beards in this XJ video, incredibly.
I got to admit it was kind of strange with my 87 xj to go and change the brakes and there of Ford style, Then go to change your oil and see a General motors logo on the back of your alternator
I Love my 96.... 4.0L “high output”
I have a 95 I love the look and power
I’d love to find a decent mid 90’s Cherokee with that legendary straight 6. Base model, manual transmission would be both fine and dandy, GC
In 1997 I went to the Jeep dealer and found a very basic, red, 2 door, 2WD, 5 speed Cherokee with 20K on it. Sitting right next to it was a green, similarly equipped brand new one for the same price, but it had the 4cyl engine. I bought the red one. It's now almost 25 years and 600,000 miles later I still have that old Jeep, and am getting it ready to go on yet another road trip.
I know it’s not mid 90s but I’ve got a 1987 Red 2 door manual 4.0 straight 6 that I’m gonna be putting up for sale soon if you’re interested
U mean the one I have in my picture, 91 2 door 4x4 strait six 5 speed base model with manual windows etc.
2000 XJ 194,000 Miles. Runs like new, actually it looks like new too, but the paint is starting to fade :(
The high torque output of the 4.0 makes it great for off roading and it will pass lots of so called powerfull cars on the highway try it sometime stoplight to stoplight it will fool you
Just picked up a ex Arizona Park Ranger 1991 Jeep Cherokee manual 4x4. Has 200k got it for 2500, any tips on what to do for maintenance and what to look for?
Check and replace as needed: fuids, hoses, accessory belt; brakes; suspension bushings & ball joints including steering tie rods, make sure track bar bracket bolts are tight; check underside of body for rust.
Being a gov't owned AZ rig I would suspect it would be a well maintained and rust free Jeep but it's still worth it to check.
Awesome video
Glad you enjoyed it!
ZJ-WJ buyers guide?
Once you gettum done right its great
Is 500 a good price? they say the battery is dead
I want to buy an 2001 XJ 130k miles. I'm not 100% sure. The owner replaced the whole cooling system because of radiator leak.. what you say
Get a mechanic to pressure test system to ensure no head gasket/head issues related to the radiator leak / potential overheating.
This is good car, we have one!
I really want to buy but ım scared from fuel and common problems rust :( i really dont know what i have to do right now can you help me guys?
Wow this makes sense. My 01 has gotten a check engine light recently for cylinder 3 misfire. I replaced the spark plugs, and coil pack rail. Didn’t fix, I was thinking it was the motor but recently found a vacuum leak that goes to the vacuum pressure reserver. Hopefully this fixes it 😬🤞🏻
Did it fix it ?
Does that model have fuel injectors?
@@OnlyJayBoss have not tried yet.
I traded an 06 silverado 2 wheel drive for my xj the pickup would get stuck in a depression in the ground the little xj will push snow with the front bumper and keep on going
Very good video
L.O.V.E CHEROKEE XJ 😏
Did anyone notice the frikin mileage at 5:28??!!!!!! I heard of some xjs going up to 500k, but holy shit!!!!
I've just bought one, so I'm hoping that you say it is a good one 😂
COOL! Thank you
I have a 97 jeep grand Cherokee limited ...is it an xj?
No
Just kidding, not bad. Very informative.
Why they ever stopped making the xj is beyond me you can fit an entire trophy buck under the hatchback like it was meant to be there while your rifle fits perfect across your back seat
2:07 had an '89 one just like that one. Biggest piece of shit I ever owned ! Bought it with 98k miles. Was well cared for, just horrible cooling system issues, header pipe, brakes ECT
The Jeep Cherokee is shaped a lot like the Volvo 740 in the back section.
If you've ever driven one, you know the answer.
The XJ Cherokee and Wagoneer were cool and later came the Japanese CUVs,these four-door models helped create the 4 door mania, and sadly because of the sells all you can get from Chevrolet is a four-door SUV or CUV, no good two-door Blazer S10 or K5 two-door for sale, these vehicles were good for the worker or outdoors and towed and had more storage space than a Wrangler. To top it off, today Jeep is going after Chevy sales by offering 3 row SUVs and Grand Cherokees. Chevy, sadly you offer no 2 doors offroad SUV, look Toyota still offers 4 doors offroad vehicle sand Jeep, Ford, and Land Rover sale 4 door and 2 door off-road vehicle. Chevy, in the past you were an SUV pioneer in offroad vehicles, please try again.