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School me on Jeep Cherokees

Started by ducatiz, August 12, 2011, 12:51:35 PM

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ducatiz

August 12, 2011, 12:51:35 PM
I want a Jeep Cherokee.  Not a Grand Cherokee, not a Liberty, not a Wrangler.  I like the way they look and the AMC engine they use. 

I know there are different generations of that I6.  I am looking at 99 and up models.  I don't have specific questions except which years and engines should I watch out for and how do these engines fare?  I am seeing 99-2000 models with 200k miles on them (!).

I'd prefer a stick with 4x4.  Seems most of them are 4x4 but not many stick. 
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

fastwin

#1
August 12, 2011, 01:51:54 PM
My current wife and her ex had one in the era. If I remember right they really liked it. I'm IZ_ on details since it was sort of before my time. I know it was an auto. Wifely unit doesn't do a stick. Yeah, that's right... I said it that way on purpose! [laugh] Late afternoon entertainment. ;D I bet most of them will be autos. I can see manuals being few and far between. I'm on pretty good terms with her ex, I'll ask him about it next time I see him.
I plan to list the Federal Gov't. as a dependent on my next 1040 tax filing!

I have flying honey badgers and I'm not afraid to use them!

The fact that flame throwers exist is proof that someone somewhere said "I'd sure like to set those people over there on fire but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

CONFIDENCE: the feeling you have right before you understand the situation.

Stella

#2
August 12, 2011, 02:52:22 PM Last Edit: August 12, 2011, 02:55:39 PM by Stella
"To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites." ~ Robert Heinlein

ducatiz

#3
August 12, 2011, 03:37:40 PM
Quote from: Stella on August 12, 2011, 02:52:22 PM
Derby


http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=48032.0

That's on jeeps in general.  I'm looking for specific info on the Cherokees.. i.e. engine, fueling, electrical etc
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

DW

#4
August 12, 2011, 03:51:13 PM
Jeepforum.com. Consensus is the '99 is best. Strongest engine and also upgraded rear axle. I may be biased, I own one

ducatiz

#5
August 12, 2011, 03:52:42 PM Last Edit: August 12, 2011, 03:55:40 PM by ducatiz
Quote from: DW on August 12, 2011, 03:51:13 PM
Jeepforum.com. Consensus is the '99 is best. Strongest engine and also upgraded rear axle. I may be biased, I own one

The 99 has a better axle than the later years?

I assume the engine output is related to emissions limitations?

I googled the 99 model and they have a 4-cylinder model too?  What motor is that?
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

DW

#6
August 12, 2011, 03:59:38 PM
Quote from: ducatiz on August 12, 2011, 03:52:42 PM
The 99 has a better axle than the later years?

I assume the engine output is related to emissions limitations?
Backwards actually. The '99 on received a stronger Chrysler rear axle, but mid 2000 they changed the head design. Output is the same, but the 2000-01 head is prone to cracking. Look up the XJ section at jeepforum for all the answers you could want. 

Hence the '99 is the best of bthe old cOmbined with the best of the new.  Also axles change based upon abs as an option. Tons of configurations.

El Matador

#7
August 12, 2011, 04:44:16 PM
Expect to change electric window motors. CONSTANTLY.

Other than being really light on the rear and prone to skidding in the wet, they're uber solid.

They also have a particular smell that can only be described as the Cherokee smell. Every single one I've been in has it.

Stella

#8
August 12, 2011, 05:34:42 PM
Quote from: ducatiz on August 12, 2011, 03:37:40 PM
That's on jeeps in general.  I'm looking for specific info on the Cherokees.. i.e. engine, fueling, electrical etc

The convo in the prior thread covered a bit of what you were originally looking for. 


Re:  engines, fueling, electrical, etc. - yes, jeepforum is the place for that.  (Also www.cherokeeforum.com)

My '99 is still holding strong at 277k - original engine.  No electrical issues other than a one-time
window motor fail that we fixed at home with minimal effort. 

Can't say it has any particular smell that I ever noticed nor has anyone brought it to my attention.
Maybe I'm used to it after so many miles?!   If anything, it smells like Armor All.   [thumbsup]

Good luck w/your search!
"To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites." ~ Robert Heinlein

Mother

#9
August 12, 2011, 05:35:49 PM
It's from the off gasing of the plastic interior or so the theory goes

Avoid the peugoet(sp) transmission

You WILL replace the header often

On the I6 At 250,000 miles you should consider changing the timing chain

On the 258's you will want to change out the plastic valve cover

found my old skin suit

DW

#10
August 12, 2011, 06:20:53 PM
[quote
They also have a particular smell that can only be described as the Cherokee smell. Every single one I've been in has it.
[/quote]
That's funny. Mine smells like sweaty mountain bike gear. Pretty much overwhelms everything else...

ducrider45

#11
August 12, 2011, 07:55:27 PM
Lift kits for the Cherokee sports are fairly cheap as well. There is lots of aftermarket stuff for them as well. I'm considering building one as well.
Cop: "That thing is so nasty I can't bring myself to write you a ticket."

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from
those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson


Washington D.C. area riders check out CAM on the local boards.

ducatiz

#12
August 12, 2011, 08:07:12 PM
I'm not interested in modding it too much.  I originally got interested because the early models had a Renault diesel in them.  I see them pop up every once in a while.  The look has grown on me and a girl in my office has one which she's let me drive and I rather like it. 

I had a Ranger for a truck and it died, and I've been thinking maybe a ute would be better, esp since I have a trailer for when I need a truck bed. 
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

A.duc.H.duc.

#13
August 12, 2011, 09:41:49 PM
You don't want a 99 and up, you want a 98. In 99 they changed the head design. Smaller exhaust ports to decrease emissions. The new casting is prone to warping when it gets hot, and Cherokees have a tendency to get hot.

Justin
"Listen, not a year goes by, not a year, that I don't hear about some escalator accident involving some bastard kid which could have easily been avoided had some parent - I don't care which one - but some parent conditioned him to fear and respect that escalator."

DW

#14
August 13, 2011, 05:09:08 AM
Quote from: A.duc.H.duc. on August 12, 2011, 09:41:49 PM
You don't want a 99 and up, you want a 98. In 99 they changed the head design. Smaller exhaust ports to decrease emissions. The new casting is prone to warping when it gets hot, and Cherokees have a tendency to get hot.

Justin
Reference above, '99 still has the old head design.
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