Fisrt of all I will say thanks for all your input.

I'm looking for a Cherokee and was wondering what if any years I should stay away from or look for? Would prefer a automatic as I'm lazy. I think there were a couble of different 4wd configurations, what would be more bullet proof?

I know I want a 4.0 and thats about it. This will be a 3rd car for us to be used for whatever. Not going to be used off road or anything but will be used mostly for all the little nasty snow storms we get around here. I was looking at ford escapes, rav4 and to be honest I forgot about the jeeps until I saw one on the road. I like the old school 6cly and rear wheel drive plus they seem like it could be a fun little truck.

I do most of all my own maintance as far as brearings, fluids, breaks etc. About the only thing I wont do is rebuild a motor and transmission.

I would like to find one with under 140,000 miles or so, any thoughts on the number of miles? If I put on 5,000 miles a year it should last me a few years I would hope.

Thanks again,

Jay

btw, I'm in Minneosta if that makes a difference.

 

Hi and welcome to CF from Tj.. IMO I would get one between 1992 and 2001. I "Think" 1999 was one of the best performance year's, but I'm sure someone will chime in with their opinions...Tj
P.S. Craigslist is a good place to start looking...

 

If you like the older body style, go with a 95-96 (96 would be the more desirable)
If you like the new style, 97-98 (99-01 has possibilities of head cracks.)

 

i like my 99, IMO 97-99 are good because of the 8.25 which i a bit stonger than the d30 of previous years, but they are known for electrical problems. I would stay away from anything newer than 99 because of the head cracks and low pinion front axle. If i could have it my way i'd have a 95 body with 98 internals, but that will never happen on my dime.

 

Thought it was 00 and 01. not 99.

 

I've heard the same things. My '96 has been extremely reliable over the course of its 225,000+ miles. It is an SE (no pwr windows or door locks), and I keep up with the manufacturer's recommended maintenance. I also live in the south where rust isn't an issue.

Besides maintenance items, I've replaced the water pump twice, the fuel pump once, the alternator once, the steering column clockspring connector, and transmission cooler hoses. The engine, transmission, transfer case, and axles have never been into, and the A/C has never needed servicing. Knock on wood. It is, by no means, the most refined vehicle ever built, but mine has been pretty bullet proof.

One of my favorite features are the ventless vent windows. They keep my hair from blowing wildly up to 45 mph. Also the automatic is one of the smoothest shifting that I have ever owned in any vehicle. (It's good for off-road work, too.)

It is no longer my daily driver. I'm preparing it for light to medium off-road use. I guess I'll see how bullet proof it can be off of the interstate.

 

yeah i'm prety sure that right

 

I think the 0331 head started in 99 on the wranglers or Grands, which gives me the idea that theres a possibility of getting one on a 99 (maybe a late year production).

 

'99. definitely. they didn't put 0331 heads on XJ in '99. the first year of updated intake and last year of distributors. i've seen more 2000 and 2001 have problems than 1999. pre '96 seems to hold up to lift kits better, though i've had zero problems with a lift kit on my '99.

 

my 96 seems to hold up pretty well.. 4.5 rc lift, i get small vibes down by 1k rps but after i dont get vibes untill about 3-3.5k i also still have to do alot of work to it but its a start. i also heard somewhere that 96+ uni"frames" are stronger the pre 96 but i dont remember where i heard that.

 

Just to clear everything up, 2000 and 2001's have the head problems. Not any others.

 

Was wondering if there is any certain milage that the heads are known to crack at? Also how come the wranglers aren't known to have this problem?

 

Theoretically they could crack at anytime. Murphy's law anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

The Wranglers also have this problem. I don't know anything about it on the wranglers though.

 

Thanks for all the information, I like the newer style a little better and being up in salt county I think it better to stay with the 97, 98 or 99 by the way it sounds. As far as electrical goes I should be good as I do electrical engineering as my day job. Of coarse I may need a to be pointed in the right direction.

I do realize this is a Jeep community but if compared to like a Explorer or Durango is this thing going to stay togather a little longer? It seems it would hard to bet some 30year old technology,

Thanks again,

Jay

 

correct

99 is the way to go