Jeep as our only transport & whats the best used Cheroke

[woodsytc]

my wife and I own a 1998 Wrangler with the 4cyl engine and so far it's been great. she loves the ability to remove the soft top and have some wind and not get stuck on the steep(ish) SW Virginia hills/mountains. Our minivan is aging and i'm thinking about replacing it with a used Cherokee (the used grand cherokees seem out of my price range) in the under $9~10k price range. are there engine/transmissions to avoid? are there "packages" to avoid (orvis/laredo... etc?)

what are your favorites and what have you found to last the best.
thanks for your help.

i think it might also be kinda cool to own only jeep 4x4's
(my borthers/sisters and parents think we're nuts to do it! )

-woodsy

[ThePhantum]

Go with an I6, it's a rock. The trannies that came with that engine, either the auto (AW4) or a stick (AX15) are both good. Stick with 92-99, they have non-vacuum disconnect front axles...you'll be much happier. I'd also stay away from ABS and try to get one with a 8.25 rear axle (as opposed to the D35).

In terms of packages...they are all really just about trim. Here's a breakdown of what was available across the years specified above.

92 - Base, Briarwood, Chief, Laredo, Limited, Sport
93 - Base, Sport, Country
94 - SE, Sport, Country
95 - SE, Sport, Country
96 - SE, Sport, Country, Classic
97 - SE, Sport, Country
98 - SE, Sport, Classic, Limited
99 - SE, Sport, Classic, Limited

Good Luck
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97 XJ Sport with a bunch of stuff

[woodsytc]

please pardon the following "newbie" questions...

1) the I6 refers to inline 6 cylinder engine, yes?
2) how do i determine if the model has the 8.25 or D35 axles?

also, my ever-helpful-father-in-law has told me i shouldn't do it because the front seats are uncomfortable and famous for breaking... is there any truth to that rumor or is he just "trying to help"?

thanks for the input,
-woodsy

[Huey]

Haha, I loved the seats in my 96' Grand cherokee and now also my 01' cherokee sport, never had a problem with them breaking tho.

[CoreyXJ]

Your father in law is most certainly just trying to help... The only seats that I have ever had to repair in any Jeeps are the power ones. Avoid them if you can.

Inline 6 cyl engines are the 4.0 engines. It will 99% of the time say on the tailgate "4.0 Litre" or "4.0 High Output" They come in most Sport, Classic, Country and Limited models.

If you get underneath the rear of it, look at the axle center (differential) and I believe it will say D35 or 825. The 825 is a little better. I have the D35 and I have not had any problems......yet.

Good luck, and thank God you aren't buying another mini-van!!!
CoreyXJ
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"Get busy living, or get busy dying..." - C.W.

"Do what you love to do...the money will eventually follow" - I. Larry

[ThePhantum]

Here's some pics of the axles (8.25 is on the left, D35 is on the right)


I've had problems with my (non-power) driver side seat in the XJ. I just ended up welding the frame...the original welds on it were crappy, which is why it broke...but I'm 6'4" and weigh around 240. So if yer not a fat ass like me you should be OK.

.
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97 XJ Sport with a bunch of stuff

[ecrab3]

I say try looking for any 97 Cherokee. It will have the I6, comes with the better rear end, has a high pinion front differental, new body style and because I have one :-)

I lucked out on mine when I bought it, I didnt know anything pro or cons when Cherokee shopping. Though it seems I got a good one.

Good luck!!

oh, btw, thephantum.......your a lightweight compared to me! hehehe With the lift and my fat ass, im gonna kill my front seats outboard cushion jumping in and sliding out!
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97 XJ with some stuff

[CoreyXJ]

Man I feel like a midget compared to you lugs.... Im 5'8" at 160. I have to "hop" a little bit to get in my Heep just cause I don't want to split my pants ! ! ! LOL

-ShortyXJ
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"Get busy living, or get busy dying..." - C.W.

"Do what you love to do...the money will eventually follow" - I. Larry

[acrid]

i agree with phantom.... i went with a stick cuz i hate chrysler and their tranny's.... had nothin but problems with chrysler cars and the auto's goin out before there time.... i'd stay away from power accesories, except for steering and brakes, stay away from ABS, more headaches and money when it comes time to fix... besides ABS is for idiots that don't know how to brake, try slidin it around a corner with ABS, ok, maybe you won't, but i stay away from all the power accessories like windows and seats... just more of a pain when it stops working.

I6 HO the only way to go for jeeps...

good luck...

acrid.
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'94 xj 4d w- '97 4.0HO 5 speed ax15 dana 30 c8.25 ar767 15's 31" bfg MT's TBS 1", 62mm TB K&N cone flwmstr exhaust. 5" homebrew 1/2 rusty's (f) 1/2 dakota packs (r) 2d shim 2" tranny drop wilderness r-rack full spare hi-jack

[acrid]

the c 8.25 has a chrysler pentagon (w- the "c" in the middle) cast into the housing on mine, passenger side before the pumpkin.... also the axle is larger than a d35.
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'94 xj 4d w- '97 4.0HO 5 speed ax15 dana 30 c8.25 ar767 15's 31" bfg MT's TBS 1", 62mm TB K&N cone flwmstr exhaust. 5" homebrew 1/2 rusty's (f) 1/2 dakota packs (r) 2d shim 2" tranny drop wilderness r-rack full spare hi-jack

[ChesterXJ96]

I'm relatively new also, but learning a lot in all your postings. I have a 96 XJ with a C8.25; how is it better than a D35?

Anthony
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Stock 1996 XJ, looking to upgrade... but on second thought, why change a perfectly good design?

[ThePhantum]