Buyers guide for Jeep Cherokee XJ 1994 - 1996.....

Buyers guide for Jeep Cherokee XJ 1994 - 1996.....

Author
Discussion

97BlackC5

Original Poster:

352 posts

245 months

Monday 7th September 2009
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Anyone know of anything major/inparticular to look for when buying one of these old Jeeps?

Lefty Guns

16,675 posts

209 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
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I've owned 2 of the 97 models, a 4.0 and the 2.5TD.

4.0 is very strong, box is good too. They eat UJ's. Check for rust and have a good look at the gas tank. Rear leafs sagging is common. Many 4.0's have had the leafs replaced with those from the TD which give a 1" lift.

Look for obvious offroad use - they don't have great clearance as standard (small tyres) so many get their diffs scraped.


97BlackC5

Original Poster:

352 posts

245 months

Thursday 10th September 2009
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Just bought a pre face-lift 1996 Cherokee, moss green with sidesteps 74000 miles on the clock service history, picking it up tonight!

Lefty Guns

16,675 posts

209 months

Thursday 10th September 2009
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Cool. 4.0 Ltd?

Mind me asking how many beer tokens it cost you?

97BlackC5

Original Poster:

352 posts

245 months

Thursday 10th September 2009
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4.0 ltr 180 high output Limited SE £1700 little toppy I guess but has a full ticket 5 months tax 5 new tyres new pads & was from a trader!!! It is however in very good nic.

jumplead

1,823 posts

219 months

Thursday 10th September 2009
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Good choice, I've got a midnight blue '93 in the same spec as that. (minus running boards). One thing I've noticed is the spares situation can be a little pricey. But I've found 2 very good parts suppliers www.mansfield4x4.co.uk and also jeepchryslerparts on ebay or www.jeepchryslerparts.co.uk (took them 6 minutes to dispatch my new hub assemblies after purchasing them earlier today)

I've found that the engine and box are very good and its generally reliable, mine is lifted and off road prepped so I'm beginning to find that parts are wearing after 120k miles and now the off road abuse.

Enjoy it.

97BlackC5

Original Poster:

352 posts

245 months

Thursday 10th September 2009
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Thanks for the heads up on spares suppliers, hopefully won't be needing them just yet. Although I might try to refurb the origional alloys over the winter as like most of the Jeeps I looked at they have oxidised a tad & look pretty scruffy at the mo, letting the rest of the car down.

97BlackC5

Original Poster:

352 posts

245 months

Friday 11th September 2009
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Quick question.....What should the oil pressure be showing on a 4ltr petrol 1996 cherokee? I only ask because when i test drove the car a week or so ago the guage was looking fine holding steady at a reasonable level. However when I picked the car up last night the needle was showing anything between 3 & off the scale!!!!! (Scale being 0 (no pressure) 3 (middle) 5.4 (top end)). I don't think this is anything to worry about as the engine sounds silky smooth, the car has a fully stamped up service history & the engine didn't feel tight on the 30 odd mile drive home. I think it is more likely to be an electronic issue (pressure guage sender unit perhaps?). I speak with general knowledge of American electrics having owned various Corvettes!!!!!

Any thoughts would be appreaciated.

John MacK

3,170 posts

213 months

Tuesday 15th September 2009
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97BlackC5 said:
4.0 ltr 180 high output Limited SE £1700 little toppy I guess but has a full ticket 5 months tax 5 new tyres new pads & was from a trader!!! It is however in very good nic.
eek

I'm going to be selling a face-lifted '98 4.0ltr Ltd soon. Max price would be half that!
MOT till May '10.


97BlackC5

Original Poster:

352 posts

245 months

Tuesday 15th September 2009
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Must admit it does seem a bit toppy but it has 74000 miles on the clock & a fully stamped up service history. I had looked around & seen a few rotten ones but I was happy to pay the premium for a good car. BTW Oil pressure guage is tempremental (nothing wrong with oil pressure as I previously thought). I also specifically wanted a pre facelift Cherokee & good ones of these seem to be few & far between!

All the best with the sale of your Cherokee