Before you buy a Jeep Cherokee XJ, look for these two things!

There are many things a person should look for when purchasing a Jeep Cherokee. As a long time Cherokee owner here are two problems that I ran into that you don't want to deal with if you are in the market for an XJ series Jeep Cherokee (or they may serve as negotiation items of buying).

[dekumatech]

Good video brother. 6 years later and you still got guys like me looking to purchase these babies. I respect old technology

[avexp]

I bought mine brand new in January of 1988 and it's still rolling along at 942, 000 miles. The engine was replaced at 599K. It still ran, but was leaking a quart of oil a day through the rear seal. The transfer case and rear axle are still untouched.

[jethro]

That jeep is in above average shape. Cherokees that havent been beat to crap and severely neglected are getting harder to find.

[flex-jsteve]

I recommend changing leafs yourself....it's so straight forward and not difficult

[Vsalem]

I m from saudi arabia . I have jeep Cherokee
I love the United States because of this car . my sweet car jeep cherokee 98

[blairfinkmoore]

I'm still kicking myself for selling my 94 XJ.

Hands down best vehicle I've ever owned.

[broeheem]

For those that don't already know: The 2000-2001 models have an issue with cylinder head cracking. If you see one with cylinder head casting number of glide by that one and look at another XJ. It's not worth the risk, especially if you think a heater core is an expensive/laborious repair.

[MeLancer]

Thanks for the information. I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4 that I purchased new in 2001. It's been one of the most trouble free vehicles I've ever owned. A few years ago the headliner started sagging so I had the interior restored but it was well worth doing.

[joshuadavis]

I have a 1994 2 door, 5 speed, 4.0, 4x4, I absolutely love it, it has never let me down.

[xadventure_pl]

The Jeep Cherokee XJ is an offroading legend, and this video does it justice. What a beast!

[gorillacookies]

I bought a 91 brand new. I put 267, 000 miles on it without a single problem . Fuel, filters, fluids, shocks and tires were the only exspenses. I gave it to my aunt whoneeded a car when I bought a new pickup. It now has 340 k miles on it and passed emissions test first try. It finally got a new started and alternator last year but still going strong

[Jeeptalkshow]

1999 is probably the best year to get. Never buy one with the 4 cylinder. 6 cylinder 4.0L only. The 1997+ XJs come with a Dana 35 or Chrysler 8.25. The Chrysler 8.25 is much stronger and the one you want. An easy way to tell if you have a Chrysler 8.25 rear end is to see if the XJ has ABS. ABS only came on the Dana 35. All the front axles (4x4) are Dana 30. Not a really strong axle, but will handle locked 33" tires if you're careful with the skinny pedal.

The Dana 30 comes in high pinion and low pinion. High pinion is preferred if you want to lift your XJ.

In 2000 and 2001 they made a change to the head design that lead to the head cracking if the cooling system overheats. Can crack, not DOES crack. Again 1999 is probably the best one to go with since it doesn't have the cracking head.

Half way through 2001 they modified the head. That means a 2001 XJ MAY have the newer head that is less prone to cracking.

Heater core is about $30 and it will take you the better part of a day to remove the dash, replace the heater core (and I'd change out the fan and a/c evaporator while you're in there)

Leaf springs (any springs) sag over time. You can get new leaf springs from Amazon for about $170 each. Very easy to replace, not as easy if you're in the rust belt.

Jeep Cherokes "XJ" are great, inexpensive GO ANYWHERE vehicles and will last a very long time.

[eleveneleven]

Bought mine new in the UK in 1998. Many cars have come and gone since then but my Jeep is still with me and going strong.

[michaelmixon]

I purchased a 2001 Cherokee Xj and love it! Shocks and steering stabilizer were replaced immediately making a big difference. It is a really good vehicle to drive. $3800 out the door at a dealership and the interior and paint, with 175, 000 miles are in good condition.

[rctjacksonville]

We have built over 135 of these over the last 2 years. The rear leaf springs can sage over time, especially if the rear shocks have warn out and not replaced. The replacement of rear leafs is not bad and does not require special tools. The typical 4.5 inch lift kit will come with new rears and shocks, take you a good days work unless you live where it snows and then rust may slow you down. The heater core issue is NOT USUAL in these and if you regularly service the cooling system it can be avoided. We do not recommend using "Stop leak" in the cooling system to solve the issue if it does happen because the 4.0 has some small coolant channels inside the block around the cylinders and these can become clogged causing a massive over heat. You are right, these are becoming scarce because most were not rust proofed at the factory subsequently they have rusted away up north. You also hit the head of the nail when you said they built these from late 80s until 2001 with very little change, but since that production run was included 2 wheel drive, 4X4s are extremely valuable with little to no rust. We sell lifted versions with fresh wheels and tires, refreshed engine and trans, serviced diffs and cooling system that include good AC for around $8K to 12K.

[robinmccann]

Just got a 1996 jeep cherokee country. I love it. Doing all the good stuff. Tune up oil change. Cold air intake and more. .my first jeep. So far I love it

[chgojoearchivist]

In 2005, I was a Service Writer at a Chrysler / Jeep dealer. The Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Chrysler mini-vans were notorious for having the heater core fail. The only way our techs were taught to do the job by Chrysler, was by removing the dash. Even the experienced techs always seemed to forget at least one screw. If you're going to have it done that way, it's always a good thing to replace the blend doors in the HVAC, too. Those always seem to fail, as well.

[ProjectDanH]

If you're looking at a 2000 or 2001 check inside the oil cap for TUPY stamped on the cylinder head. AVOID if it doesn't have tupy.. The non stamped head WILL crack. Poor casting.. ticking time bomb!

[AnEverydayGamer]

Just got mine yesterday for 1, 300. 156k miles. 4x4. Little roof rust and clear coat is coming up on the hood. But it isn't anything major. Radio, clock, and a/c don't work. Also this is my first car so I was expecting/wanting a fixer upper. Runs great though!

[tundraxj]

Great info! I have two xj's and absolutely love them both. both have treated me very well