How Do You Know if Your Jeep Is a Xj

If you really need a robust, reasonably comfy all the same highly capable off-roader, the Jeep Cherokee could be the reply. Here's what to look for

It'due south fair to say that despite sharing a proper name with what was finer a two-door Chiliad Wagoneer dorsum in the 1970s, the Cherokee 'XJ' was a radically new vehicle for Jeep in 1984. Developed under AMC with Renault, the meaty SUV had revolutionary design features for a car of this grade.

While other American manufacturers were rushing out rebodied pickups, AMC's Jeep introduced the Cherokee XJ with a unibody structure and well-damped suspension that offered unrivalled on-road operation while maintaining almost of the off-road power for which the company was famous.

Evolution for a replacement began immediately simply would ultimately become the Grand Cherokee 'ZJ' in 1993. Offer an upmarket selection to the Cherokee, which remained on with improvements, would prove to exist a marketing masterstroke. They could hardly sell enough and the competition scrambled to take hold of upwards – including Land Rover.

Jeep had been importing the Cherokee to the United kingdom in limited numbers and in left-hand drive since the beginning, only it was in the 1990s that right-hand drive examples of both the XJ and ZJ began streaming into the UK market in much higher volumes. First came the XJ Cherokee, in 1993, through 80 dealerships, followed by the Thou Cherokee in 1996.

These were e'er highly equipped vehicles, specially in the UK where the value prospect was a big part of their market entry strategy. The 1993 UK-spec Cherokee Limited undercut rivals like the Isuzu Trooper and the Land Rover Discovery, while offer greater levels of standard equipment. Y'all got power steering, alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, remote fundamental locking, vi speakers, ac, prowl control and an automatic gearbox all for free.

Electric everything? Of course: all iv windows, the door mirrors, the front seats, and naturally the aerial for that impressive stereo. Metallic paint was a cheap option, and even leather seats were a very reasonable £1000.

As fourth dimension went on, the level of standard equipment quietly went down, with automatic gearboxes becoming optional for example. The cheaper Sport model became the natural base spec, losing standard equipment like electrical seats, prowl control and color-coded bumpers. The Orvis was introduced later on, too, and would become the range-topping specification for both the Cherokee and 1000 Cherokee in a higher place the now mid-range Limited – just with there being little more from Chrysler's big pot of goodies to add, it was mostly just an extended interior leather pack and a showering of Orvis badges.

Despite the course-leading on-road performance of the Cherokee range, the Sport moniker was a stretch even for the lighter Cherokee XJ permit solitary the Grand Cherokee, so the base spec model for the bigger ZJ was the Laredo. These models did without leather seats, automatic gearbox, cruise control and quite so much electronic control just all the options were still available to gild.

The upshot is that almost whatsoever Jeep Cherokee, Grand or otherwise, will be highly specified. That said, many notice the more modestly equipped models appealing in themselves, peculiarly those with the five-speed manual gearbox.

Bodywork

Thanks to beingness the upmarket model, the Grand Cherokees tend to exist spared at least some of the working corruption and dirt that the Cherokees are subject to and and so their bodywork is generally in amend condition these days.

There are few special places to look for rust on either model, so just await at the usual places at the door bottoms and sills. If a Jeep is going to be rusty in a large fashion it's likely to exist underneath, on the chassis runway. If the frame has been subject area to an unusual amount of table salt, mud and refusals to launder information technology, then there can be structural bug to probably walk away from.

Engines

Early Cherokees were fitted with AMC'due south 2.v-litre 4-cylinder petrol with the selection of a larger 2.8-litre V6 or a 2.one-litre turbodiesel unit from Renault. Well-nigh of the pre-1987 petrol models were the smaller 2.five-litre unit that has been criticised as underpowered, although even in its very earliest, pre-injection forms information technology made a half-decent 105bhp, and 132lb.ft of torque at 2800rpm. This is about on par with the French diesel, only with 20 more bhp.

Near say that the engine to get for is the four-litre straight-six petrol unit, which was made available from 1987 correct through to the 2000s. These are inherently stiff engines that take demonstrated bully feats of reliability and endurance, although at that place are still things to watch for. Those made before 1990 are mostly referred to every bit Renix engines, later on their fuel injection organisation, and can suffer from troublesome wiring harnesses and wonky sensors that can be hard to diagnose.

The subsequently iteration of the 4-litre petrol unit of measurement featured Chrysler fuel injection and is generally referred to as the high-output engine, considering of its hike in power from effectually 175bhp to 190bhp. Torque remained roughly the same at 225lb.ft but at a significantly higher height. This engine saw service from 1991 and proved to be uncommonly reliable, while its revised electronics were easier to diagnose when issues did crop up.

Many UK-supplied Jeeps featured the VM diesel as soon equally it was released in 1994, primarily for its superior fuel economic system – it can return a good 30mpg on a run while the iv-litre petrol will struggle to hit 20mpg. However, there are reliability issues. The biggest is with the head gasket, which is of an unusual blueprint in being comprised of four parts – one for each cylinder. Be very careful to audit the usual signs of head gasket failure, as these are now getting to the point of age-related failure and they oasis't proved very strong anyway. A new jumpsuit item is an available upgrade and ideally should have been done already.

Also continue your optics open up for blue smoke with heavy applications of throttle, suggesting a blown turbocharger. Only producing 114bhp from new, these diesel Jeeps aren't rocket-ships but should withal provide a moderate shove, so if it doesn't then be wary. Replacing the turbo on these engines is especially tricky and can chop-chop stack up the labour hours.

The final large thing for the VM diesels is the starter motor. Pay shut attention to how cleanly it spins over and if there is whatsoever suggestion of grinding or inconsistency be prepared to walk away. At that place are two starter motors available for this engine (with nine and 11 teeth) and information technology'due south crucial that the correct one is fitted, equally the incorrect ones volition somewhen intermission and can leave the starter band in the flywheel.

On all Jeeps, regardless of engine, you should get underneath for a expert wait at the various components that might toll yous money. Oil leaks are quite common just more often than not easy to fix. The rear main seal and sump gasket, for example, can exist replaced without removing the gearbox, while the valve encompass gasket is some other that often leaks but isn't too troublesome to replace. Strangely enough the oil filter gasket can be a tricky i to supercede, owing to awkward access, so plan the time for that 1.

Like so many cars that piece of work for a living and are neglected, the cooling organisation of all Jeep Cherokees and 1000 Cherokees is an area vulnerable to deterioration. Kickoff past inspecting all the coolant hoses for leaks or perished rubber. Notation that the coolant reservoir caps tin wear out and aftermarket replacements often don't fit – truthful enthusiasts will tell you that one off a Volvo 940 Turbo does though.

Earlier Renix units run off a closed loop coolant system and information technology is worth thinking about upgrading to an open loop one; it will be a good sign of devoted ownership if this has been done already. Any fourth dimension spent on the coolant organization in the contempo past will exist a good thing, as extended fail can hide nightmares waiting to happen.

One of the worst challenges to confront is replacing the engine freeze plugs located nether the intake and frazzle manifolds for example, and then go on an heart when going through the history for piece of work that, a skillful 20-30 years on from new, should really take been done by at present.

Running gear

There are a good few choices when it comes to gearbox and transfer case options for both models. The Cherokee is generally available today with either the manual gearbox or optional automatic, while the 1000 Cherokees tend to exist automatic. About all Grand Cherokees with manual gearboxes you'll detect are those with the VM diesel engine. Both gearboxes are stiff and should merely be paid the usual maintenance and clothing checks.

When it comes to transfer boxes, things get more complicated. The Cherokee was available with two different types, known as – in Jeep lingo – Control-Trac and Selec-Trac. Control-Trac is a simple part-time arrangement that features iv-high and 4-low modes through the NP231 transfer instance that can but really exist used on low-traction surfaces. This relatively basic arrangement was available on the K Cherokee just was discontinued before the model officially reached the Great britain.

All 1996-on Grand Cherokees would accept either featured the Selec-Trac or Quadra-Trac systems. Selec-Trac is like to Command-Trac but provides the option of four-wheel-drive with an open central differential, allowing the utilise of four-bike-drive on the road without transmission current of air-up.

The Quadra-Trac system is more than sophisticated in that it employs a viscous-coupling cardinal differential to actively lock upwards if excessive traction is lost, therefore acting as both an on-road and off-route full-fourth dimension 4wd arrangement.

Mail-1995 models featured a positive central differential lock in 4-low style to reduce response times. As usual, the more complex the system, the more than vulnerable information technology is to failures, so be enlightened of misbehaviour on and off the road as much equally possible. The Quadra-Trac system is very effective when working, just its circuitous shift linkages are susceptible to getting stuck and eventually damaged. Some owners resort to replacing it with the simpler systems.

The rest of the running gear is pretty potent, with almost components robust enough to take plenty of abuse although whatever untoward noises and whines from driveshafts and differentials should be red flags. Any modified vehicles should be approached with extra caution, as these can add extra strain on components. Jeeps equipped with ABS, including all Thou Cherokees, are fitted with the slightly weaker D35 rear axle that can give up under the strain of big wheels and uprated driveshafts for example.

Earlier taking a examination drive, try to go a thorough impression of the suspension, peculiarly at the front. Yous'll demand to have a good understanding of its condition because if it doesn't bulldoze right then the interruption of a Cherokee or Yard Cherokee can exist a frustratingly fourth dimension-consuming matter to set up. At that place shouldn't be whatever excessive bounce or skittishness, and progress should exist pretty smooth, even round bumpy corners. Recollect that this car was class-leading in its on-road operation.

If the steering is vague then this could propose a worn steering stabiliser, which are reasonably affordable to obtain or even upgrade. Worn anti-curlicue confined can exist behind off-putting sensations of beam-tramp on acceleration, although worn bushes and dampers tin can disguise almost any authentic pin-pointing of such problems.

If the whole front end feels off and vibrates at speed, something common enough to be given the name 'death wobble' in Jeep Cherokee circles, then cistron in a through re-going over of the entire front intermission. Badly washed lifts tin can as well make an unstable front end and show that the possessor doesn't fully appreciate how to maintain the correct geometry for these vehicles. Be careful not to autumn into someone else's suspension problems.

Electrics

The trouble with 'electrical everything' on a automobile that was great value when new is that they tend to break and the Jeep Cherokee range is, sadly, no exception. Fundamental locking is the famous one, known to piece of work intermittently or break completely with signs often kickoff seen on the rear tailgate, while the factory fitted alarm can be temperamental, and speakers for the stereo take also been known to give up.

Go around the interior and check that everything works, then check the dashboard for whatever warning errors. If in that location are none, wipe your eyes, because there should be. Many are false readings just check them anyhow. Common ones include coolant sensor bad, rear lamp failure, and service 4wd switch. Plus, if the radio aeriform doesn't work, be prepared for a surprisingly awkward task that volition involve your head in the rider-side footwell.

Upgrades

There is no shortage of things you can practice to your Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee to better its capabilities, especially off-road, merely if you lot desire somewhere to offset then there are a few established recipes with which you can't go too wrong.

The established wisdom is that if you lot're looking to go serious green-laning, and then you'll want a suspension lift. A 2" lift is near right and accommodates 30" Goodyear tyres without the dreaded consequence of bicycle-arch rubbing. It's important to combine these two with an uprated steering stabiliser designed to compensate and be aware that any previously subtle front end suspension wear will chop-chop become more obvious on a lifted Jeep.

Extra power is useful for the additional rolling weight of larger wheels and tyres, so the usual intake and exhaust upgrades are worth thinking about, or even going for a left-hand-drive but V8 model. And then there's uprated brakes to think about, especially if you lot're carrying extra weight for expeditions, and many also upgrade the rear anti-roll bar to improve stability. It's also definitely worth installing a range of underbody protection, and a new front bumper from ARB for example will improve your approach angle too as providing a good base for mounting various accessories.

No affair what you desire for your Jeep, whether yous keep information technology standard and let it gradually appreciate into a modern classic like the older Grand Wagoneers are doing, or modify information technology into a more than affordable Land Rover challenger, the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee range is yet a great value talent.

Jeep Cherokee: our verdict

There'due south plenty to similar about the Jeep Cherokee: its handsome in a indigestible way, practical, pleasant to drive on the road and very capable off it. As an culling to a modern classic estate motorcar, the Cherokee makes a lot of sense.

If you similar the idea of a genuine off-roader without the inflated costs associated with archetype Land Rover ownership, information technology's very easy to recommend the American alternative.

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Source: https://classicsworld.co.uk/guides/jeep-cherokee-buyers-guide/

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