Jeep Cherokee XJ - History, Major Flaws, & Why It Got Cancelled! (1984-2001)
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- In this video we are looking at the Jeep Cherokee XJ! Launched for the 1984 model year, this was a compact sport utility vehicle produced until 2001. It was the first all-new design from Jeep since the 1963 SJ Wagoneer, as well as the first American off-road vehicle built with a unibody design. The Cherokee XJ was a pioneer for the new segment of sport utility vehicles, or SUVs, which wasn’t defined as such during the early days of the XJ. Jeep would market them as ‘Sportwagons’ instead. It's an iconic design, as Automobile Magazine says: “Possibly the best SUV shape of all time, it is the paradigmatic model to which other designers have since aspired.”
Unfortunately, by 2001, the XJ was getting outdated and it was time for a new vehicle. Watch along for a full history of the XJ, from release in 1984 to its cancellation in 2001!
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SKIP AHEAD:
Jeep Cherokee XJ History/Specs: 01:05
8 Flaws and Reasons for Cancellation: 17:22
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#CherokeeXJ #CherokeeXJCancelled #CherokeeXJFailure #XJ
Tbh the only reason it got discontinued was because it was old. It was a great vehicle
The reasons it was discontinued is because it was an AMC design with an AMC engine and the powers that be at Chrysler hated it... they tried to kill it sooner but it just kept selling to well.
Same with The Grand Caravan!
@@JeffDeWitt That . . and the german president of Daimler did not want it competing with the Mercedes products
Facts and it drank gas
This is the correct answer. All these people with rumors of secret German cabals to kill it because they hated AMC or were afraid of the competition have obviously never worked in the car business. They killed it because it was old. Jeep had developed what became the Grand Cherokee as a Cherokee replacement, but the original still sold well, and the new one had to be a more expensive vehicle, so they decided to keep the Cherokee around. But eventually tooling wears out and it becomes difficult to justify more investment into new tooling for what was a very old vehicle at that point. That's how the business works.
I have 2 XJs. They’re old and have their issues but at the end of the day is simply a damn good vehicle. If i could still buy a brand new one, i would never consider any other vehicle.
Amen to that Brother
You can get pretty much anything for them aftermarket, rebuilt one last spring. Restoring a zj now.
I’d die to buy a brand new one 😮
Same here, man. I've owned one since 2007 and its still going with 270000 miles. Built for function, easy to work on, and I still feel cool driving it. Absolutely amazing vehicle Paid 4000 for it, and I dont want a 60000 dollar vehicle. I can do anything to it because its simple. Never been to a shop with it
@@kevinmcdonald403 get thumbs up everywhere 👍in my kids!
Biggest mistake Jeep ever made was discontinuing the XJ. The Liberty and newer Cherokees are complete junk compared to an XJ. Same with 4.0 motor.
The mistake wasn't doing new vehicles... it was sacrificing what people liked about the Cherokee.
Can confirm. I had an old Cherokee Sport, a Grand Cherokee, and a Liberty... My favorite was my old XJ. I feel like they were chasing a customer base that was more at-home in a car. By shifting their target demographic, they pushed their customer base towards Toyoda.
@@billyjoejimbob56 they're catering to their market which are Morons.
People aren't buying new jeeps for the same reason we're buying xjs/fsj.
they're for mothers to go get the groceries now
Having owned an XJ and two Libertys, the 3.7 V6 is a piece of crap....it's used in the Mercedes as well and is notorious for blowing head gaskets and throwing rods. My 4.0 I6 has 215 thousand miles and performs flawlessly.
My one liberty has had both a new engine and transmission with barely 50 thousand miles, even with proper antifreeze, electrolysis eats it up.
The other 4x4 threw a rod while trying to get unstuck in mud.....not impressed.
I couldn't agree more, have a 98.5 XJ since new, bought a 04 Liberty for the wife, and was a POS, had so many problems, sold in 06. Still have the XJ.
I feel like having a conversation with someone who loves these would go like so-
"There is only one Jeep Cherokee"
"What abo-"
"We dont talk about the others"
This is correct.
In Europe we see it a bit differently: XJ will always be ,,THE Cherokee", but we count in the KJ Liberty as well since it was named Cherokee here and it was a pretty decent car. The KL models are just a bunch of horse manure, definitely not worth the Cherokee name.
you are correct sir!!!!
@@peterniepel6218 The Liberty became the "Chick" Jeep over here in the US.
@@jonkrol3038 There was always something about them that kind of turned me off, then one day my mom saw one, asked me what it was, and said it was cute. Then I understood!
The only reason the XJ was cancelled was because of the CEO at the time. The XJ could’ve easily continued selling well for a few more years. Some of the reasons mentioned don’t add up. The 4.0 engine continued to be used in the Grand Cherokee until 2004 and in the Wrangler until 2006. The death wobble was only an issue on some lifted vehicles or XJs that had not been properly maintained for years. The same front axle and suspension setup was used in the Grand Cherokee until 2004 and continues to be used in the Wrangler today. As for shifting strategy, Jeep could’ve introduced other models while selling the XJ.
I mean literally any solid front axle vehicle can get death wobble, it's just worn out suspension parts.
Yes I also noted that fact about the 4.0 continuing well past the murder of the XJ in 2001.
@@jonredcorn862 yep. Only once has my f250 been triggered into death wobble, but OMG I thought the truck was going to come apart before I got it slowed down enough to stop it!
@@msudawg1997 I saw a newer f350 bucket truck death wobble the other day at 75mph, looked terrifying, thankfully the driver safely got it slowed down.
Had death wobble on our 04 Grand Cherokee limited as well. XJ we have is so easy to work on.
One of the best all-around vehicles ever made. I own a 2000 limited 4x4. If I were limited to only one vehicle to use the rest of my life, the XJ Cherokee would be it.
do you still have It. rebuilding my 2000 grand cherokee ltd 4.7 xj any sugestions.??
@@charliejackson9315a small lift and winch on the front and you’ll never be stuck. I’ve been from Denver too western Wyoming on nothing but dirt roads. So much fun!
My 99 is fun to drive on the road. Other than the occasional death wobble. Especially fun while in cruise control going 60 mph. I've owned 4 Cherokees since 1990. A 91 (Bought new), 90 (Used & it burned from a faulty injector), 91 (Used. Sold with 300+k miles), and my current 99 bought used in 2008.
I think lots of good XJs were crushed during the Cash for clunkers campaign.
There is NO reason to be getting death wobble unless you have an issue in the front end. Get it fixed and dont worry about it.
Yea it’s usually a pretty easy fix!
ruclips.net/video/HFgCamSWIqk/видео.html
@@ta.entmoney3405 Usually but not always easy to diagnose. You usually find out a front-end part or bushing has failed via the exciting Death Wobble.
My last one was the trackbar bushings.
That was an easy to see issue.
Yeah I had a friend who traded his on a yaris 🤣😂😂
I wish they would rerelease the XJ today, preferably with the straight 6. It would make an absolute killing
Fact!
What they're calling a Cherokee today is pitiful, just pitiful.
@@dmelson7502 honestly, I’ve heard that the KL Trailhawks are a beast though
If they did, I'd buy two. One to drive and one to keep as a "garage queen".
I am still wondering how it would feel to drive and have a brand new xj🙂
I’m in 🇬🇧 and have a XJ 1996 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.5TD. I’ve owned it for 22 years and love it. Fitted with BF Goodrich all T/A tyres. Goes anywhere mud, snow, sand, deep water with added snorkel. Tows a horse trailer too. So sad that the XJ shape is no longer available, I would buy another one in a heartbeat.🥰
Watch towing kills transmission
The xj was probably the best cherokee ever. I have a 1998 jeep cherokee two door
yeah Cherokee hasn't been quite the same after, this is a real true Jeep
I had a 4 Door Classic lol
i have a 87 2D and 2000 4D, and possibly buying a 88 2D, its a sickness lol.
I'm have 13 of em....
@@nastyab8003 lucky
I have an '01. Still see other XJs almost every day. Probably the most popular 20+ year old vehicles around here.
Colorado?
@@2needey1 Southeastern PA actually.
I was the jeep mechanic at a local dealership and in the 80s they were total junk until they came out with the 4.0 liter engine and the AW4 transmission.
We got a 84 Jeep with a 4 cylinder, total dog on the passes, but we drove that thing until it completely died. It had the peeling paint, the engine finally blew over 250k, so it served us well.
The 4litre inline 6 along with the Aisin-Warner automatic transmission is a match made in Heaven.
The XJ Cherokee is definitely wayyyyyyy and looks wayyyyyyy better than new overpriced plastic eggshell crossover Cherokee. Also those old Jeeps have just as much dependability and reliability as Toyota
Certainly not as reliable as a Toyota. I have a 97 country which I got with 120k miles and I have 3k just in parts to prove it. Had issues with everything from brakes locking up to transmission solenoids to radiator, pwr steering, etc. But I live in the rusty northeast and I don't think it was very well cared for before me. The engine is pretty bulletproof though. Everything else seems to be designed to crap out at 120k miles.
@@velocity324 Maybe someone didn't take good care of it. I've seen those old Cherokees with 300,000 miles and still running around with little to no rust.
@@CJColvin a lot of reliability has to do with the owner and whether or not they maintain the vehicle properly.
@@wmhhealth2018 Right
Super durable super reliable buy not toyota reliable .....only mopar I like build in at least 3 years r jeep products former AMC lol them though
The very first brand new car I ever purchased was my 1998 XJ. I still have it today. It’s still going strong and probably the best car I’ve ever purchased.
I own a 1999 XJ Limited with 4.5"lift controlled with Bilstein shocks. The Chromoly axles front and rear enable me to have 31" tires with true track gears front and back. It is an extremely resilient and tough vehicle. The list of mods you can do is virtually endless. It also has a HUGE advantage with pretty much every junk yard selling parts for peanuts. These were built by the millions ( literally) and aftermarket / used parts are everywhere. Properly taken care of and brought back to life by loving hands, these vehicles are the envy. For the breed lovers... they never refer to their Jeep as a car but Cherokee owners...we just go by XJ.
I own an XJ '94 with i6 4.0 HO and police package more than 10 years and I love that car. It's something designed for post-apo world, easy to maintain, cheap spare parts worldwide, compact station wagon with off-road abilities bigger than one could expect. Yep, it has some flaws, but they are easy to fix. It's so fun to drive XJ around :).
One of the best. Period.
👍
It's only flaw is it's under rated...
UNDERRATED? What are you even talking about? I mean, I own an MJ but goddamn, everyone praises these vehicles like they were sent by Jesus himself to cast the holy trinity of cars.
They were getting old and are prone to rusting out. They're great but they rust out
@@jesusgarza9772 by those whom know yes. The general public sees only a old Chrysler.... Even by Chrysler I mean fiat I mean Benz...... people wand Bluetooth and radar Cruz and plan to trade before warranty.. the days of self repair are almost gone..... It the reason I'm thinking about spending 3k on a 99 civic LX coupe manual non VTEC. Has a 60k trans and motor. I offered 1700 a reasonable price but he looking for someone like me......
We had 3 of these. Ours were great. I would buy a new 2001 today.
Ive owned multiple xjs and have experienced every single issue you possibly could but i still love them.
I had 3 Cherokee chiefs. All 4×4. Traveled everywhere with mine
It's an icon when it comes to off-road vehicles. I had a 1997 Country model in my early 20s. It handled all the abuse I threw at it. It was a bad ass. After 11 years of use, the manual gearbox finally gave out. Couldn't find a replacement, and it stayed rusting in my backyard. I gave it away to my cousin. He replaced the manual gearbox with an automatic one. To me it was blasphemy.
I'm in my 40s now and just bought a 1998 manual sport model. It's in the autoshop getting some off-roading/performance/luxury upgrades that I now can afford.
Cannot wait to take her out with my kids 😌
I love this vehicle.
That is so silly,according to Daimler the XJ was too old, well if my memory is correct the Mercedes Benz G wagon was first built in the mid 70s, who was Daimler kidding, they could have fixed the XJ just as they did to the G wagon.
To think, they (Daimler) kept making those "old" G wagons until 2018.
I know which really makes the staff Daimler complete hypocrites.
Blame the wealthy Americans who kept paying 5 times whatever an XJ ever cost for that outdated box on wheels. At those prices, G-wagons were/are Evergreen!!!
I have driven both the Mercedes G wagon and the Cheroke, and I'll prefer the Cheroke 90% of the time!
Much appreciated. Thank you. My first new car was a 1999 2Door Up-Country I special ordered. That was when the XJ bug got me. I now have three of them. Two 2 doors, and one 4 door. Have owned 6 total since 99.
Do you know where i can order the inside door panels for a 2 door model?
Im in southern California and super difficult to find
@@BUKWulfSh0t Yes, they are super difficult to find. I almost cried a few months ago when I found a 2door in the pick a part yard . . .. And then found the door panels had been ripped off . . .
My appreciator of 2doors friend, all I can say is keep your eyes consantly open. You will probably not find them anywhere to order. Just like the window regulators, there isn't a big enough market for 2 door specific parts.
XJs are my favoriute 4x4s!
I have XJ with factory turbo diesel engine and I love that thing!
I had a 2000 XJ before I knew what I had. Sold it for $3000 in 2010. I'm still kicking myself.
I have 97 with an all original body ( oem fenders)with a 3.5 lift. I constantly get offers for it but I love my Cherokee as much as my jl and I don’t think I ever want to sell it.
Dont kick yourself to bad. That's a fair price for both parties. Not like these people these days with a 20 somthing yr old vehicle "o I know what I got" 😄 yea and you'll get whatever someones willing to pay for it. Just dont be the last person holding the vehicle when the price hits rock bottom.🤷♂️ its true.
@@motov8-garage832I bought mine for $2,800 and was offered $12,500 recently so it’s gone up more than gold!
Wolfgang was an idiot 😢 the XJ WAS JEEP!
The liberty was junk.
Found a solid one in northern b.c.Canada. new 4l, new brakes, new passenger floor, new springs installed by me, and 12000kms later she is a beauty
Squared up SUV's are popular again so now the XJ is cool. I'm approached almost every time I go out by people that had one and wish they'd kept it and people who wish Jeep still made it. I'll keep my Cherokee 'till it rusts away to dust. Great video by the way.
Great video, I bought my first XJ in 2001 and loved that model year but had to sell it 4 years later, in 2010 I bought another 2001 then sold it in 2020 and now I own a 1999 after having done some research I liked what that model year had to offer.
My stepfather also had an XJ and they figure well into American culture. You can’t watch any tv or movies without seeing one every 20 minutes, I hope to maintain my XJ and give it to my daughter in 2030 when she goes to college
I had the last of the XJ, bought new in 2001, that in-line 6 was almost indestructible. Only one major complaint, .was the mounting of the alternator on the bottom of the engine block,
seriously reduced the vehicles wading capabilities.
I have the 2001 xj too the best engine with 74,000 Kms like new... I love my xj.
Both my 95 and 97 have the alternator mounted almost as high as possible. Sure you're not thinking of the AC compressor? Or were US spec ones different to ours in the UK.
Barney, thanks for the response. I am in Mexico, my company provided me the last production model of 2001. I traveled all over Mexico and the truck never let me down, most probably because of keeping up with the maintenance. As a foreigner You do not want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere..
Yes I can confirm the alternator was mounted at the bottom of the engine block and the aircon compressor at the top. I immediately thought this was a stupid design layout. Not a big deal to have the aircon clutch solenoid soaked with water but the alternator definitely not a good idea. There was a flimsy spray shield protection but this was the first thing that was removed and not replaced correctly during service.
I have had three Jeeps great vehicles which I really enjoyed . Happy trails...
Finally someone who does an XJ video and actually covers all the bases. Great job! Wish we went the way of the Chinese and kept pumping these things out well into the 2010s
I've owned a handful (own two currently) in my opinion they're one of the best offroad platforms for the driveway mechanic.
That's one of the reasons I'm attracted to the xj, w/ the straight 6 there's so much room in the engine bay for wrenching.
@@taylorhickman84 the chassis itself is also diy friendly. Solid platform for sure
I have a 99 4 door 4.0 5 speed. Love the car it's just cool. Love modding it too.
Proud owner of 1997 XJ. 25 years and love it.
XJ has got to be one of the best vehicles ever built after 1986.
I did own an AMC vehicle with the early version of the straight 6. I believe it was 232 cubic inches. Very smooth, quiet, and powerful.
I am rebuilding a 1985 Jeep Cherokee. The block on the old v6 was cracked, so I bought a 96 with a good engine (the 4L inline 6) but it had a bad auto trans. So I bought another Jeep (an 84) with a good manual. My project is almost done. It was planned to be a 2 or 3 week project, but after discovery the crack, it’s turned into a 9 month project lmao. I’ve used all interior trim I could and was even able to find good carpet for it. It is going to be badass when I’m done with and, I did it all for under 5k
Since I was a little kid in the early 2000s I always loved the look of XJs and would point them out every time I saw one when I was in the car with my parents. Just recently I was able to acquire a 1997 Sport 4x4 5spd Manual in Forest Green with the tan interior. It’s bone stock and has never been messed with. The previous owner passed away from COVID when it all started so it had been sitting since about April of 2020. The Jeep is in pristine condition other than the inside being a little moldy from sitting under a tarp with the windows cracked. It’s low miles and I’m going to keep it as my prized possession for many, many years to come. There isn’t a single XJ in my area optioned out how mine is and I feel really lucky that I was able to find it. I’ve gotten so many compliments and people have stopped me in parking lots multiple times just to talk about it and every time I mention that it is a manual I instantly get an offer to buy it. I keep turning people down because it’s not about the money for me, this has been a car I’ve wanted since I first understood what cars were and I don’t think I could ever let it go.
Did you wash the Covid out with a garden hose before getting in?
Like your post. Ive owned 3 of them. Toughest and most reliable vehicles. I do repair them myself. Parts readily available. Only certain people understand why their so great. God bless.
I had two Jeep XJs, an earlier two door 2.5L manual and an '87 4.0L auto (both bought new). Both performed flawlessly and spent much time wandering around in the Cascade mountains. Good video!
Honestly I love the rugged look of the XJ. I wouldn't off road with it much but it's nice knowing you have a capable car that can handle some rough terrain. I can see it doing well using a modern V6, manual transmission, and some modern conveniences like NAV, blind spot monitoring etc while still creating a refined retro interior look. These older cars are way more inspiring than many cars today.
Agreed, they looked great! Modern cars all look the same.
My 96 XJ with 316k (original motor and transmission) I have been driving for 18 plus years has been my rock. Several other vehicles have come and gone in that time, with varying problems and failures. Subaru Outback RIP @ 154k, Chevy Trax RIP @ 114k, Ford Explorer RIP @ 167k, Pontiac Vibe RIP @ 202k... All considered dead to me when a repair costed more than the value of the vehicle itself. Repairs on my good ole XJ in 18 years have consisted of Alternator, Radiator, wheel bearings, shocks, cat, muffler, power steering pump, and most recently some worn out break lines. All fairly inexpensive repairs. Well, at least easier on the wallet compared to a 5-7k transmission, or motor rebuild. Changing fluids regularly, and some preventive maintenance, and the XJ's just keep going and going and going...
Well...!
That was a very informative well done video. I've owned 4 Jeep XJ, a 1992 two door 5 speed manual which I gave to my son, a 1997 two door 5 speed manual which I sold to my brother in-law, a 1998 2 door automatic which I still drive today, and a 1997 4 door 5 speed manual which has a 2 in lift kit and rides on 31 inch tires, and has a 10,000 winch, It's primarily used as a hunting, fishing recreational vehicle with 345,000 kilometers. I've driven it from Tuktoyaktuk to Washington D.C. twice and on numerous hunting and fishing trips. These vehicle are the most practical and reliable vehicles I've owned, and easy to work on. It's a shame they were discontinued.
For one of the greatest vehicles ever made, it was for too short. Every SUV on the road owes it's existence to that model.
I've got a 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport with the 4.0 and the AW4 Automatic, it's single handedly outlasted any car my family has owned in the past 3 years I've had it, has 245K miles and still chugging along.
I've had many Jeeps since 1986. I own (2) 1996 Jeep XJ Cherokees, a 02 Grand Cherokee WJ, and a 1982 J20 SJ. The J20 is the only V8, the rest are 4.0s, ranging from 116,000 to 236,000 miles. I wish Jeep continued with the XJ. I love them, and have abused them!
i have a 96 with 265k and would buy a new one right now if i could
@@1999tenorio The problem with all new vehicles is that they suck. They were tuning the 4.0 for several years, but yet the 2000 and 2001 models had the urge to blow head gaskets. Also newer vehicles have a lot more electronics, and those tend to fail more often then mechanical parts, and when they fail it can be harder or more complicated to fix then mechanical parts. I got a pre 1997 jeep cheroke xj and I like the exterior and interior better then the 1997-2001 jeep cheroke xjs, and it's better looking then any of the modern vehicles i have been in and seen.
If they were made now, they would still probably be pretty good, but it wouldn't be the made to last old jeep cheroke xjs, when money wasn't the only priority.
Old Faithful I still see xj's rolling on the road today 30 something years later
Thanks for making this video, I'm planing on getting a 2001 xj for my first car, I've seen it at the lot and it's in great shape.
My parents had a 94 Cherokee 4 door from 2006 to 2009, and despite me only being 6 years old when it was junked, I remember really liking that car. The reason why it was junked was because the rust got too bad underneath. It was an ex security vehicle.
Love the XJ video, definitely one of the best looking suvs of all time and most iconic. You should also do the ZJ when you get the chance, love your videos!
Always loved them. Had a 91 4 cylinder 5 speed, 85 with an automatic 2-88s, 94 4.0 with a 5 speed. The 94 was my favorite out of the bunch. And a 1996 automatic. Awesome vehicles.
I bought a 1996 brand new when I was getting out of the Navy and moving back to Colorado. Had it all through school then sold it to a buddy of mine when I moved to Houston. He STILL has that thing and enjoys posting pictures of it having fun in the snow on facebook. Dammit!!
This is the Jeep I’ve always wanted. 😍
Never getting rid of my 2000 Xj. It’s nice and hasn’t a winter in three winters. It won’t ever see another one too. It’s a gem and parts everywhere. Make sure to under wash after it’s been yearly coated
The export models, like both of mine in Japan, have the alternator mounted right up at the top of the engine near the battery...so I suggest a right-hand drive XJ
I have 3 XJs all 2 doors. They fit me better than anything else I ever owned and I can work on them. Just replaced the engine in the 2000 (275000 miles) with a rebuilt 1996 engine
I still have one 1993 xj county, 246k miles will still light up the tires and ice cold ac, with the croch cooler vent. Love driving this thing, owned 36 vehicles this is by far my favorite.
My first XJ was a 1987 never should have sold it, 2nd was a 93' Never should have sold it ! Now I have a 99' & a 01' Love them both
Regrets....I've had a few....well, one actually - selling my X reg Classic....
My wife drives a '99 XJ Country, and I drive a 2000 XJ Sport. I've had the 2000 for 17 years so far and I STILL love driving it. Over thirty years driving Jeeps, and I don't ever plan on changing. They just have to be 2001 or older.
My family had a 93 Cherokee Sport with a 5 speed and a 4.0 "H.O". It was surprisingly quick for what it was and would beat up on Civic's and Integra's at red lights!
Awesome brother.
i live in middle east, the XJ is one of the best vehicles I have ever had and still own a 1999 model.
I have had 3 Cherokees and intend to own one in some form for the rest of my life. Absolutely the best SUV ever conceived.
Thanks for the wonderful video, and a huge thanks for not ruining it with crappy background music.
I don't know why some people are compelled to add annoying background music throughout their videos.
The XJ was definitely a pioneer. It wasn't the first SUV, but it was the first to really appeal to the general public mostly due to having 4 doors, something most SUV's didn't offer at that time(the Suburban and Grand Wagoneer being the exception). I truly believe that if it weren't for the popularity of the XJ, the current SUV/Crossover craze probably wouldn't be as popular as it is now.
Exactly mate.
I had a 1995 Cherokee Sport, 4WD, 2 door, 5-speed, limited-slip differential. Put on 150K miles on it and was still going strong when I sold it. The only engine problem was a bad oxygen sensor. Took it off road often. While it is said it was a harsh ride on the freeway, compared to the CJ-5 I had before it, it was nice. That CJ-5 had the earlier version of that straight 6, the 4.2 liter one. And I think the XJ looked a lot better than the KL I now have.
Rode worse than a CJ5?! Now that’s saying something 😮
@@failranch9542 Nah, it rode better. I had to get rid of the CJ-5 due to a back injury and it was just to harsh on my back. Had no issues with the Cherokee.
Appreciate the time spent on putting this information together. I owned 2 XJs that I purchased from auction when the gas company was forced to sell them when they were bought out by another gas company. They were used for gas leak detection, so they were driven slowly with some kind of sniffer on them to detect gas leaks. I was working at the gas company so I found out that they were going to auction. The day they were up for sale happened to be on a very cold windy day with few buyers interested so I was able to pick them up cheap. Both had manual transmission. The one with the 4.0 ended up with my youngest son who drove it for many years before he bought a used Jeep Grand Cherokee that he still drives today with the 4.0L engine in it. The other one had the 2.5L engine. I drove it for a couple years and ending up selling it to someone who wanted it for his daughter who loved Jeeps. We still have 2 XJs, a Liberty, a TJ and a garaged J10 long bed (no rust) in our collection. Luckily I live in the rural part of Virginia Beach that is zoned agriculture otherwise the city would be after me to get rid of some of these vehicles.
I still own and occasionally drive my `97 Country 4X4. It was used initially to tow a 23' saltwater walk-around on a tandem axle trailer from Atlanta to South Florida and the Gulf numerous times. It was upgraded immediately before using it to tow with a Hayden transmission oil cooler. It has been further upgraded with a larger, tig welded aluminum radiator. It is garage kept and looks very nice in its original shiny black paint. I will never part with it. I have owned a Jeep Comanche, 2 Cherokee 4X4s, and 2 Grand Cherokees.
I just bought a 99 XJ with 85k miles. So happy to be driving a legend.
Iv'e had 4 of them, and still own a 2000. I love it.
Bro...I am hardcore XJ tard for life and this vid was legit. I would give it a sophomore in college B+. I am super interested in videos like this about other cars. Nice work man.
Appreciate the feedback man! Glad you enjoyed it
Legendary vehicle and still today it holds its own. I owe two, 1990 and 1999. Both fantastic. Thanks for the video and well presented video.
Owned 2 of them
Current is a 96 Cherokee Ltd
As a retired mechanic I enjoy the rugged simplicity of most parts and systems that don't need a laptop to diagnose
Also appreciate not just having to change a "non serviceable" part
Even with all the problems outlined in this video, the Cherokee beats anything that presently bears the Jeep emblem. I would not give a dime for most any jeep produced after 2000-2001. I do, however, make a fair amount of money repairing them.
I’ve owned five XJs in my lifetime. Nothing is perfect but DANG these things are the next all around mix of capability and reliability.
Just picked up a 2000 XJ. Fell in love with it. 4"lift 31×10.5 tires. Full bull bar with 9000lb warn winch... it runs and drives mint.. rockers are rotted but idc abt that the rest of the unibody is solid! 1500 bucks! Can't wait to wheel it.
I love my 99 XJ. She's got 250k on the clock, and still runs strong. Mine is about to get a newly rebuilt 4.6 stroker engine, then the existing engine will get overhauled and put in my grandparents XJ. At that point, I will have essentially rebuilt the whole car to hopefully give me 20 more years of running down the road. Nobody will ever convince me that the XJ wasn't one of the best cars ever built.
Very likable video.
After my 1996 Sport winter beater in Michigan (280,000 mls and one of the best cars I ever owned), I recently finished overhauling my rust free one owner 1994 Sport . We just came back from a cross country trip from L.A. to Detroit for the Woodward Dream Cruise. Not a single hick-up, very comfortable, 23 mpg and lots of compliments.
This XJ will stay with me for the rest of my life!
That inline 6 had a lot of life left in it. They could have redesigned the head and intake. I'm sure a better flowing head design, improved separation of intake and exhaust ports, and better computer control could have yielded more power and less fuel issues. Power could have realistically been bumped to 220 hp. If that engine were still around today it would probably be all aluminum, direct injection, vvt with possible forced induction options. Too bad.
One of the issues was the tooling was worn out after 6 million engines. Some were supplied with oversize pistons from new! But yes, the underlying point is correct - that Straight 6 was just right.
All and all they were a good little truck when the 4.0L came along, I believe it was based on the old 232, but don't quote me. In the late 80's that was actually a lot of Hrsprs and especially torque. I had a 93 Grand Wagoneer (Grand Cherokee) 5.2L, the first and only year it was offered, wood applique and all, nice comfortable vehicle, terrible on gas like all LA engines were.
theres a black one for sale on marketplace right now in troy michigan, ive never seen a woody ZJ before, pretty cool.
They had pillow leather seats too. Pretty hot stuff.
Your correct sir! It's a 242 cu in. I've owned a 232 and a 258, rebuilt a 242(4l) for my daughter's xj last spring. Love those engines!
This is correct. The AMC I-6 was an all new design in 1966 (maybe 1965?) and there was a 199ci and 232ci version. Increased displacement to 232/258 with a tall deck design in the early 70's then the final 242ci or 4.0L design everyone loves. AMC I-6's are were near perfection until Chrysler mucked with the head design at the very end and all of those now have cracked heads and blown head gaskets lol.
@@TheRetarp The problem wasn't the head design, it was the fact that they were casted and made with inferior metals in Mexico..
I still own one, and it has saved my life more times than I can count on my two hands.
1994 2 door Sport/Manual, A/C, Power Locks/Windows. Currently the longest owned vehicle of 37. Rusty, but just can't give it up. Great video, Thanks!
been waiting for this for a long time! my favorite vehicle!
You didn't mention the Jeep Cherokee SAVED the jeep brand with sales. I love my 2001 Jeep XJ, plus now it is rising in value since it has never been hacked on.
Another issue they had with the 4.0 was it was a reverse flow head. In the summer time the exhaust manifold will cook the fuel rail to the point of the fuel vaporizing and basically heatsoaking the engine. A lot of xj owners fixed this by installing hood vents so all that heat can escape quickly.
I added vents because of this, but the real culprit was injectors leaking after shutdown. Replaced the old ones and it starts right up, heat soak or not.
What solved the the heat soak issue for me was to use exclusively ethanol-free gasoline during the hot summer months.
Love my 95' sport 4.0 HO, almost 300,000 miles and running strong. Best vehicle I've owned.
My first car was a 1998 Cherokee Classic that my grandparents bought for me. They still have it. I had several problems with it over the years but it was a good car and never disappointed in the snow!
2K XJ Sport 4 dr named "Gertrude" here. I have built mine into an absolute BEAST of an overland rig, and it's still under 3500 lbs. Tight turning radius, narrow for tight trails, and very capable off-road, with outstanding aftermarket support. Wouldn't trade it for anything else, even a Wrangler. The only gripe is the smallish wheel well openings which necessitates a lift for even a 31" tall tire. She goes virtually anyplace I point her, even with open diffs, and still drives great on-highway. I've driven ol' Gertrude across the USA 3 times each way since I've had her. Not worth a carp for towing, but all around it's a peach. Wish they still made them .
✌🐸
One of my favorite vehicles that I never owned. A sister had a late one that I loved.
I have owned Jeep Cherokees since 1987. My wife and I wanted a 4 door SUV as we were expecting our first child in 1987. We test drove a 1986 model and the 2.6 V6 was so slow you wanted to get out and push. We tried the 1987 model and bought one with the Pioneer trim in March of that year. Both our children learned to drive in that vehicle (including some off road driving on Rollins pass.) The cooling system expansion tank and pressure cap were problematic (never use the STANT brand cap.) The neutral safety switch had to be replaced twice and was ridiculously pricey (well over $200.00 for a switch?) After market switches finally became available for $75.00 or so. I finally traded it in during the "cash for clunkers" program in 2009 and received $4500.00 for it with 248K on the odometer.
A few years later I missed the Jeep and found a 1989 in the Pioneer trim with only 161K miles. I have been driving that one ever since. It will probably be my final vehicle unless self--driving cars become available. Emissions were never a problem, but gas mileage was usually around 16 MPG in mixed driving (less in 4WD of course.) The 4.0L and 4 speed OD automatic make for an almost bullet proof drive train.
I love my XJ, really been one of the best vehicles I've owned and with 6 years and over 100k miles I put on it(nearing 300k) the thing has never let me down. Tough and reliable, always passes emissions and hasn't needed major repairs. Jeep lost that with the ugly as sin Liberty.
To cosign on that we had a 3.7 liberty. Yes it stunk - spun rod bearings with 100000 miles? Now we fixed it with our xj.
Good job! Own one and like the fact that many parts are still available. Engine longevity is a big plus.
My '85 had a Peugeot 5-speed that suffered worn bearings at 135K miles. I heard it was designed as a 4-speed with a bolt-on 5th.
The GM V6 was prone to head gasket failures, abundant rocker cover oil leaks and a carb float that starved fuel in hard left turns.
AMC's 4-cyl started life as a 6-cyl, and when GM quit selling them V6s, AMC added the extra two cylinders back on.
As an ex GM engine tech. Those 2.8, 3.1 & later 3.4's all had the same issues. Most were "assembled" in Mexico & apparently they had never been instructed to buy a little "dab" of RTV at the owners of meeting gaskets!! I'm not kidding - this was soooo common we were literally taking brand new as well as "program" (read rental cars) off the trucks when they came in & ran them through the shop for an engine "reseal" (ie. Pull the intake, replace the gaskets & the "dab" of RTV in the corners) - all covered by warranty no less (they knew what was up). I couldn't tell you how many of those I did back then!! We were a Chevy, Jeep dealer & had a sister dealership further in town that was Pontiac, Buick & GMC. I left in '92... 2 summers ago I was going through some of my old "stuff" from back then & found a couple of new gaskets I had from back then - tried to sell cheaply at a couple of garage sales & didn't- I threw them out as I'm certainly not going to be buying anything with that motor.
i’ve had my 01 sport for a little over a month and it’s already the best car i’ve ever owned. she’s got her problems and she’s far from the nicest example but despite having 235k miles she runs like a champ. looking forward to many years with her
Maybe the best jeep ever designed... A true sports utility vehicle and not a family carrier. I miss boxy SUVs
As a Chinese mopar fans, Xj is one of the famous mopar in China, probably is the first off road that import and have manufacture in China, it is so famous that even nowadays most Chinese still called any off road suv or a box shaped suv :"jeep", also many government department vehicle were Xj back in 80-90s, still the jeep i want since childhood
Yeah from my research I was surprised to find that this was hugely popular in China, produced all the way until around 2014! Cool to hear your perspective, love hearing about the Mopar presence around the world
@@MarspeedCars Also after XJ，DaimlerChrysler also manufacture 300C，sebring in China too. And i was surprise they even manufacture the 5.7 HEMI in China too，（also the cheapest V8 in market in that time）. I m glad chrysler bring their best vehicle to China at that time. Hope FCA will bring more to China in the future
I love my 2000 xj. It's got some rust and some issues but it's a go to vehicle for reliability, practical, super fun and gets alot of waves. They're the best.
I have good memories my dads 1989 limited black and gold fully loaded Cherokee a beast we miss her so much!!💔
Its a legendary jeep and they just took away the real reason over the year. A rugged off-road vehicle both with comfort and reliability. I've got a 98 cherokee and I love the simplicity of the interior
The Legendary 4x4 for all. Perfectly describes the XJ.
The 4.6/4.7 stroker kits I have helped to give new life to our 20 plus year XJ’s
Great video. I love my 2000 XJ. With 148k miles....it is just getting broken in. My last Cherokee ('86) went 286k before I gave it to a friend for a 12-pack of beer.
I had a 87 that I loved. It’s was one of the best fun vehicles I have owned. Since I could not get another I got a wrangler this year.