XJ Cherokee
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Common Design
In 1984 Jeep introduced its first unibody Jeep, the Jeep Cherokee (XJ). The 1984 Cherokee shared nothing with its predecessor, the full sized Cherokee. The 1984 Cherokee had a wheel base (101.3 inches) that was over seven inches shorter than the previous model and an overall length (165.3 inches) that was 21 inches shorter than the full sized Jeep Cherokee. The smaller Cherokee with its unibody was much lighter, weighing in at around 3,100 pounds. Both two-door and four-door body styles were offered, as well as a pickup variant from 1986-1992 known as the MJ Comanche. The Cherokee completed its model run in 2001, and was 'replaced' in 2002 by the KJ Liberty (Export model known as the Cherokee.); however, in Asia, the Jeep 2500 remains to continue the XJ tradition. (Cherokee with updated front end and tail lights)
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Dimensions
(small differences may occur depending on optional equipment or trim level)
- wheelbase = 101.4"
- overall length = 165.3" - 168.8"
- overall width = 67.9" - 70.5"
- track = 58"
- height = 64"
- height with roof rack = 66.8"
- ground clearance (from differentials) = 7.3" - 8.3"
- approach angle = 37.6Ű - 38Ű
- departure angle = 31Ű - 32.1Ű
- breakover angle = 21Ű - 21.9Ű
- curb weight 2wd = 2,891 lbs - 2,993 lbs
- curb weight 4wd = 3,057 lbs - 3,386 lbs
- cargo capacity = 71.0 cu ft.
Body
The body comes in both two-door and four-door styles with a rear hatch (liftgate).
In '94 side-impact beams were added in the doors and roof was strengthened. The third brakelight was added to the top of the liftgate.
In Apr '95 the limited export models to Australia routed from the Saudi Arabian market to cover the short fall in orders were found to be weak on the chassis rail steering box but the factory supported a customer service recall replacing and strengthening the affected areas .This recall at the time of writing is still in force.
In '96 the body structure was strengthened some although it was not noticeable in appearance.
In '97 the body (and interior) was redesigned to freshen it up a bit. Most noticeably it gave the body smoother lines by changing the bumpers, flares, and moldings. The front fender was trimmed just below the headlights and replaced with plastic bumper endcaps that wrap around to the wheel well. The liftgate was also changed from fiberglass to sheet metal in this year. The windshield washer bottle was also moved to the inside of the driver's side front fender. Jeep badges were also changed noticably to a more refined look. This year was the first where both front vent-windows were removed giving the front full-glass.
The Wagoneer version (which I believe to be its own product line, since it had it's own set of trim levels) differes from the Cherokee only in its taillights (Red/Red vs. Red/Orange) and headlight/grille (the Wagoneer has 4 headlights vs. 2 for the Cherokee, and a modified grille to match).
Engines
- 2.5L I-4 Carbureted - 105 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 132 ft lbs @ 2,800 rpm - used in '84-'85.
- 2.5L I-4 TBI (Throttle Body Fuel Injection) - 117 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 135 ft lbs @ 3,500 rpm - used in '86 and updated in '87-'90 to 121 hp and 141 ft lbs.
- 2.5L I-4 MPI (Multi-Port Injection) - 130 hp @ 5,250 rpm, 139 ft lbs @ 3,250 rpm - used in '91-'00.
- GM 2.8L V6 - 115 hp @ 4,800 rpm, 145 ft lbs @ 2,400 rpm - used in '84-'86.
- Renault 2.1L I-4 Turbo Diesel - 85 hp @ 3,750 rpm, 132 ft lbs @ 2,750 rpm - used in '85-'87.
- Italian VM 2.5L Turbo Diesel - 140 hp, 236 ft lbs - used in overseas XJs.
- 4.0L I-6 MPI - 177 hp @ 4,750 rpm, 224 ft lbs @ 3,900 rpm - used '87-'90.
- 4.0L I-6 HO MPI (High Output) - 190 hp @ 4,750 rpm, 225 ft lbs @ 3,900 rpm - used in '91-'01 ('00-'01 models use a distributorless ignition system).
Transmission Info
Automatic
- TF904/TF909 - 3 speed auto - used '84-'86 with 2.5L I-4 and 2.8L V6 engines (909 is 904 w/ lock up converter)
- TF999 - Auto trans used in '91 with 2.5L engine.
- 30RH - 3 speed automatic - used with 2.5L I-4 engine '94?-'00
- AW4 - 4 speed automatic with lockup torque converter, electronically controlled - manufactured by Aisin-Warner - used from '87-'01 ('87-'91 models include a Power/Comfort switch that adjusts the shift points and the torque converter lockup)
Manual
- T-4 - 4 speed manual - manufactured by Borg-Warner - used '84 with 2.5L I-4 only.
- T-5 - 5 speed manual - manufactured by Borg-Warner - used '84 with 2.5L I-4, 2.8L V6 and 2.1L I-4 Turbo Diesel.
- NOTE: The T-4 and T-5 were used in '84 only, as substitutes for the AX4 and AX5 during a production shortage.
- AX-4 - 4 speed manual - manufactured by Aisin-Warner - used '84-'87 with 2.5L I-4 and GM 2.8L V6.
- AX-5 - 5 speed manual - manufactured by Aisin-Warner - used '84-'99 with 2.5L I-4, 2.8L V6 and 2.1L I-4 Turbo Diesel.
- BA-10/5 - 5 speed manual - manufactured by Peugeot - used '87- Mid '89 with 4.0L I-6.
- AX-15 - 5 speed manual - manufactured by Aisin-Warner - used Late '89-'99 with 4.0L I-6.
- NV3550 - 5 speed manual - manufactured by New Venture - used '00-'01 with 4.0L I-6.
Transfer Case Info
The transfer cases used are all chain driven with aluminum housings. NP stands for "New Process" which is the brand, if you will. The newer ones are NV instead which stands for "New Venture". It is the same transfer case just a different name.
- NP207 - "Command-Trac" part-time only - 2.61:1 ratio low range - used '84-'87
- NP231 - "Command-Trac" part-time only - 2.72:1 ratio low range - shift pattern 2H - 4H - N - 4L - used '87-'01
- NP228/NP229 - "Selec-Trac" - 4Hi(full-time) - N - 4Lo (part-time) - used '84-'87
- NP242 - "Selec-Trac" part-time OR full-time - 2.72:1 ratio low range - shift pattern 2wd - 4part-time - 4full-time - N - 4LO - used '87-'01
Driveshafts
Front
On '84-'87 XJs (NP207 t-case) the front shaft is a "GKN" style shaft. On '87-'01 XJs (NP231/242 t-case) the front is a "double cardan" two-piece driveshaft with a CV joint at the transfer case end.
Rear Driveshaft
The rear is a one-piece shaft with standard u-joints at both ends. The slip yoke is located on the output shaft of the transfer case. On '84-'95 models, the yoke slides in and out of the transfer case and is lubricated by the ATF fluid internally. On '96-'01 due to a design change, the slip yoke is external (does not slide in and out of the transfer case). This slip yoke is covered with a rubber boot, with a retaining clamp.
Axles
Front
- Dana 30 high pinion - reverse cut - 27 spline, 1.16" diameter shafts, 7.13" ring gear - used '84-'99 (some axles through '91 are vacuum disconnect, '92+ are non-disconnect, '89-'95 with ABS have 5-297x u-joints, all '95+ have 5-297x u-joints, all others have 5-260x u-joints)
- Dana 30 low pinion - standard cut - 27 spline, 1.16" diameter shafts, 7.13" ring gear, 5-297x u-joints - used '00-'01
- Dana 44 low pinion - available on some XJs sold in South America.
Rear
- Dana 35 non c-clip - 27 spline, 1.18" diameter shafts, 7.58" ring gear, 2.62" axle tube - used '84-'89
- Dana 35 c-clip - 27 spline, 1.18" diameter shafts, 7.58" ring gear, 2.62" axle tube - used '90-'01
- Chrysler 8.25 - 27 spline, 1.17" diameter shafts, 8.25" ring gear, 3" axle tube - used '91-'96
- Chrysler 8.25 - 29 spline, 1.21" diameter shafts, 8.25" ring gear, 3" axle tube - used '97-'01
- Dana 44 non c-clip - 30 spline, 1.31" diameter shafts, 8.5" ring gear, 2.75" axle tube - used '87-'89 on some(not all) XJs equipped with towing package.
Note: Dana 35 axles sometimes are referred to as Dana 35C - The "C" does not stand for c-clip. It stands for "custom" meaning it came from Dana unfinished.
Note: Chrysler 8.25 was not used on XJs with ABS brakes. If you have ABS, you have the Dana 35. Without ABS you could have either axle. All 8.25 axles have c-clips.
Gearing
- 3.07 - used with 4.0L I-6 engine / manual transmission.
- 3.31 - only available on older (pre '87?) two-door XJs with "Fuel Economy" package.
- 3.55 - used with 4.0L I-6 engine / automatic transmission.
- 3.73 - found in some XJs with the towing package.
- 4.10 - used with 2.5L I-4 engine usually, and older XJs with the "Off-Highway Vehicle" package.
- 4.56 - rare but can be found on some older (~ '89 ~) models with 2.5L I-4 engine and auto transmission.
Cooling System
Open style - any normal cooling system used today. Opposite of closed style described below.
Closed style - has no radiator cap and utilizes a pressure bottle. This style cooling system was used in '87-'90 XJs.
Airbags
Drivers side airbag (mechanical) was added in '95. Passenger side airbag was added in '97. Airbags changed from mechanical to electronic in this year also.
Production Numbers
Number of XJs built in given year:
'84 - 93,326
'85 - 120,328
'86 - 107,225
'87 - 139,295
'88 - 187,136
'89 - 207,216
'90 - 151,230
'91 - 151,578
'92 - 137,826
'93 - 144,961
'94 - 123,391
'95 - 120,234
'96 - 286,463
'97 - 258,958
'98 - 182,845
'99 - 186,116
'00 - 165,590 (Freedom Edition - 2,821)
'01 - 120,454
Total = 2,884,172
Trim Levels
'84 - Base, Wagoneer, Pioneer, Chief
'85 - Base, Wagoneer, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo
'86 - Base, Wagoneer, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo
'87 - Base, Wagoneer, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo, Limited
'88 - Base, Wagoneer, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo, Limited, Sport
'89 - Base, Wagoneer, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo, Limited, Sport
'90 - Base, Wagoneer, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo, Limited, Sport
'91 - Base, Briarwood, Chief, Laredo, Limited, Sport
'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
'00 - SE, Sport, Classic, Limited, Freedom
'01 - Sport, Limited, 60th Anniversary Edition
Common Mods & Extras
This is a modified XJ, based on a 1990 Laredo 4.0L I-6. It has 7.5" of lift, 35" tires, a winchbumper, roofrack, modified axles, disc brakes all around, HID lightning, GPS navigation and dozens of other modifications. ItŴs used mainly as an offroad- and travel-vehicle across europe. It´s called BlueGerbil, more information about this vehicle can be found on www.bluegerbil.de
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Other resources
Write ups and Tips
Books/Literature
High-Performance Jeep Cherokee XJ Builder's Guide
Cherokee Technical Forums:
Factory Service Manuals http://www.techauthority.daimlerchrysler.com/ or by calling: 1-800-890-4038 (US) 1-800-387-1143 (Canada)
Have Any Technical Questions?
