1997 XJs
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 689
Likes: 2
From: Upstate N.Y
Year: 2000.1999,1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
#17
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 6
From: Summerville, Ga
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 4 cyl.
that is true, but there's still the possiblity of getting one with a cracked head. That was really the true concern i was trying to get across lol. Just gotta check tha heads on dem jeeps
#18
i remember i bought a cheap '98 w a faulty tranny. at times ran fine, others, the tranny would drop into 3rd. worked on it for a while, and later found out, you couldn't drop another model year tranny into the '98. major pita and makes think twice of the '98 also. at this point, leaning towards a '99-01.
I have never heard this. Where did you get the info?
Why cant you swap in another year?
Any links on this? I have a 98 and this would **** me off lol!
#19
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, comp cam, 99 intake, apn header, neon injectors, Thunderbolt 2.5" High Flow Cat
The early release 1997 xj's did have wiring issues and tranny issue's. Then the later 1997's got updated to try fix the issues on some it work others well nope, this is quite well known, but any new car truck jeep has it's share of problems ,just the 97 had a few more.Research it and you will find a boat load of info on it.
I haven't read through the rest of this thread yet, am about too, but that one just stood out to me.
I'd take a 97 over any 98-01. Why? cuz in 98 they started changing all the plugs on the sensors, so even though they're the same sensor with a different plug, they cost 2-4 times as much! 99 they started with the higher emissions control which cost them 15 horsepower (they made it up with the intake, but that means there's no intake upgrade available for 99+), 00-01 they started with the low pinion dana 30 (wtf? why in the hell would you want your pinion closer to the ground and a worse driveshaft angle on a JEEP?), and the 0331 heads which are prone to cracking...
SO... if you want the new body style, 97 is indeed the best option. I won't buy a jeep newer than 97, chrysler started messing with them too much.
and there is NO WIRING ISSUE WITH THE 97 JEEP CHEROKEE!!! unless someone has hacked in an alarm, or you have power everything which is just more stuff to break. but that has nothing to do with the year.
#20
Tranny issues? that's funny, the ax-15 and aw4 tranny didn't change going into or coming out of 97... so I gotta call big ol bull turds on that one.
I haven't read through the rest of this thread yet, am about too, but that one just stood out to me.
I'd take a 97 over any 98-01. Why? cuz in 98 they started changing all the plugs on the sensors, so even though they're the same sensor with a different plug, they cost 2-4 times as much! 99 they started with the higher emissions control which cost them 15 horsepower (they made it up with the intake, but that means there's no intake upgrade available for 99+), 00-01 they started with the low pinion dana 30 (wtf? why in the hell would you want your pinion closer to the ground and a worse driveshaft angle on a JEEP?), and the 0331 heads which are prone to cracking...
SO... if you want the new body style, 97 is indeed the best option. I won't buy a jeep newer than 97, chrysler started messing with them too much.
and there is NO WIRING ISSUE WITH THE 97 JEEP CHEROKEE!!! unless someone has hacked in an alarm, or you have power everything which is just more stuff to break. but that has nothing to do with the year.
I haven't read through the rest of this thread yet, am about too, but that one just stood out to me.
I'd take a 97 over any 98-01. Why? cuz in 98 they started changing all the plugs on the sensors, so even though they're the same sensor with a different plug, they cost 2-4 times as much! 99 they started with the higher emissions control which cost them 15 horsepower (they made it up with the intake, but that means there's no intake upgrade available for 99+), 00-01 they started with the low pinion dana 30 (wtf? why in the hell would you want your pinion closer to the ground and a worse driveshaft angle on a JEEP?), and the 0331 heads which are prone to cracking...
SO... if you want the new body style, 97 is indeed the best option. I won't buy a jeep newer than 97, chrysler started messing with them too much.
and there is NO WIRING ISSUE WITH THE 97 JEEP CHEROKEE!!! unless someone has hacked in an alarm, or you have power everything which is just more stuff to break. but that has nothing to do with the year.
Donnie, not to hijack the thread but is the 99 intake upgrade really worth it? I can grab one cheap and have been thinking about doing this.
Oh and I found that a 98-01 AW4 is interchangeable so thats not an issue they are around.
#21
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 6
From: Summerville, Ga
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 4 cyl.
Originally Posted by Donnie_K
Tranny issues? that's funny, the ax-15 and aw4 tranny didn't change going into or coming out of 97... so I gotta call big ol bull turds on that one.
I haven't read through the rest of this thread yet, am about too, but that one just stood out to me.
I'd take a 97 over any 98-01. Why? cuz in 98 they started changing all the plugs on the sensors, so even though they're the same sensor with a different plug, they cost 2-4 times as much! 99 they started with the higher emissions control which cost them 15 horsepower (they made it up with the intake, but that means there's no intake upgrade available for 99+), 00-01 they started with the low pinion dana 30 (wtf? why in the hell would you want your pinion closer to the ground and a worse driveshaft angle on a JEEP?), and the 0331 heads which are prone to cracking...
SO... if you want the new body style, 97 is indeed the best option. I won't buy a jeep newer than 97, chrysler started messing with them too much.
and there is NO WIRING ISSUE WITH THE 97 JEEP CHEROKEE!!! unless someone has hacked in an alarm, or you have power everything which is just more stuff to break. but that has nothing to do with the year.
#22
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, comp cam, 99 intake, apn header, neon injectors, Thunderbolt 2.5" High Flow Cat
a bit off topic, lol. but yeah, it definately helped the throttle response on mine, but it's useless without upgrading the exhaust too... an engine can only take in as much as it puts out.
#23
no prob there already have high flow cat, muff and 2.5 pipes. Just dont want to pull the intake, AGAIN lol. I swear I have that thing off at least 5 times between this and my previous jeep. Thanks!
#24
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,071
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...1053970&page=4
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...=987463&page=4
i may be mistaken... say's 98-01 uses same tranny, but i remember reading something particular about the '98s as well when i was tryin to find a used tranny.
#25
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, comp cam, 99 intake, apn header, neon injectors, Thunderbolt 2.5" High Flow Cat
#26
Registered Users
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Ny
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0ho
I hate to be the cat pissing into the wind here, and actually fuel these kind of claims that a specific modle year sucks.
The wiring in my 97 was perfect, no codes (it was bought cheap as a parts vehicle)
it runs like a top with 200k, however ther neutral saftey common issue is present, to the point that the previous owner tore all the **** out of the center of the consoul around the shifter.
The transmission also slips and has odd shifts, the jeep came with a new filter in a box, I never noted it as being a 97 problem tho, the jeep has 200k, its probabaly from mileage.
take that for whatever its worth.
The wiring in my 97 was perfect, no codes (it was bought cheap as a parts vehicle)
it runs like a top with 200k, however ther neutral saftey common issue is present, to the point that the previous owner tore all the **** out of the center of the consoul around the shifter.
The transmission also slips and has odd shifts, the jeep came with a new filter in a box, I never noted it as being a 97 problem tho, the jeep has 200k, its probabaly from mileage.
take that for whatever its worth.
#27
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, comp cam, 99 intake, apn header, neon injectors, Thunderbolt 2.5" High Flow Cat
The neutral safety switch is a problem on all years. I agree, I can't see anything 97 specific whatsoever.
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 689
Likes: 2
From: Upstate N.Y
Year: 2000.1999,1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
x2 I agree with you, I just went ahead and bought a performance head and swapped it all out before The factory head decided to crack,So I did the head(yes bolts and gaskets) timing chain,and gears, cam and lifters (had a shiney spot). Then I replaced everything to do with the cooling system.Sorry on the HI_JACK
#30
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Kankakee Illinois
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks. I have a thread here about this issue. I have replaced the harness twice! computer 2X as well; parts HAVE TO be sourced from a .97 only; '96 computers let the engine run but not the gauges; 98 wire harnesses dont plug into the 97 tranny or tranny control module and have more wires in the harness to the tranny connector than the 97 harness does.