Looking to by Cherokee (XJ?)

[akorna]

I'm thinking of buying a 90-96 Cherokee 4 door I6/auto 4X4 to help me get around during the winter on fairly decent mountain roads. I have to drive on the highway quite a bit so gas mileage/relaibility is a concern also.

What would be the best year(s) to look for. Any Cherokee specific problems that I should be on the lookout for? Did the Cherokee's come with a variety of gears? I would prefer a lower numerical set up for economy.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Most all I6 autos came with 3.55 gears, so the field is pretty even there. I recommend the '95 or '96.

 

[mingez]

Pre 97, because it's a lot cheaper, and not at all less capable. The 97+ tend to have shaft vibes after lifting.

 

[akorna]

Thanks for the feeback. I don't plan on going off road or lifting the vehicle - so going to a 97 or later would be OK if I can find one for a reasonable cost. 3:55 gears would be fine. I would assume that earlier vehicles are slightly lighter (which is better).

I've read that there are 2 kinds of 4WD systems offered a part time and full time - how would I tell which the vehicle had, and which would be better for primarily highway driving.

 

[judge09]

I am not sure that cherokees can have full time 4WD. But I have had both part time in a wrangler and full time in the grand cherokee. Def. go with the part time. Being able to cruise in 2WD can save tires and gas mileage when 4WD is not needed. Look at the center conole and you should easily be able to tell if its part time or full time.

 

[MudderChuck]

95 would be my first choice, 96´s had some fuel pump issues. 96 was a changeover year, have heard 96 and a 1/2`s have some different parts. The 91 to 95 run corrected many of the problems from the earlier models, after 96 they changed many components, but it seems many weren´t an improvement, just different. If the computer in the 91-96 fails it´s expensive, the 96 and later more expensive, used to be around $1,000 for an OBD 1 (91-95/96) computer, but the price may have come down some. Haven´t looked at the recall list for the post 95`s, but have heard it grew conciderably in 97.
Much of my commentary is just hearsay.
Just bought a low mileage 95 HO, Black limited, 16 inch five spoke TJ rims (silver) 225X75X16 AT´s, for the wife. Looks sharp, runs good, and mostly can be fixed by the driveway mechanic.
I´ve got an old 88 myself, I abuse it and it breaks alot, junkyard parts are plentifull and cheap.
The shift lever for the full time, says full time, part time, right next to the shifter. The full time is a better choice for snow covered streets and such.

 

[ROGLSTUBB]

XJ's come with either selec-trac or command-trac with the difference being that the selec-trac you can leave in 4WD full time and not wear out your drivetrain a dry roads. My newer grand has selec-trac and its works great for the wife in rainy conditions it kinda helps make it harder for her to break traction on the rear wheels when she a little heavy on the gas. However both systems offer a 2WD which is best for all around use. I have command-trac in the older grand and I dont notice any difference on the road or off the road from the newer one same mileage. I dont think it would matter much unless you live in an area with a lot rain or light snows. Then maybe the added benefit of going from dry to slighty wet a slick roads with little more traction may you gain an advantage with the Select-trac system.

 

[XJNick]

Hi,

if it has the NP231 Transfer case (PART TIME), the shifter would look like:

2H
|
4H
|
N
|
4L

if it has the NP242 Transfer case (FULL TIME), the shifter would look like above, except it would have

4H part-time
4H full-time

in place of just

4H

-Nick :!:

 

[TwistedCU]

cheap sye

The XJ's with "full time" 4wd can be run the same as the ones without. It is selectable, so the question is would you ever use it?

I wouldn't make it a priority, but it wouldnt hurt to have.

By the way, welcome to Jeepz!

 

[mingez]

Yes... welcome!