Jeep Cherokee XJ - Contender for the Overlanding Crown?

[deadbeat son]

I owned an XJ as my only vehicle for a number of years, and drove it for about 90k miles. It was an inexpensive, simple, reliable, dependable vehicle. IMO, the following was it's biggest drawback:

The redesigned interior is particularly bad in the 97+ plus Jeeps from a tactile and quality point of view. The plastics are down right nasty and the interior is not very well screwed together. It looks decent enough for the time it was designed - late `90s "modern".

Then again, that simplicity and no-frills attitude was part of its charm. In addition to the "miles of plastic, as far as the eye can see...", complete with its assortment of squeaks and rattles from the outset, the driver's seat was horribly uncomfortable for significantly long drives.

My other issue with it was in inclement weather. It had no issues when in 4wd, but with just a little snow, it was practically useless in 2wd. I've been considering purchasing another XJ. If I do, I will likely swap in a 242 if not already equipped with the Selec Trac system.

[reece146]

The problem is not with a plastic interior but how that interior is put together. Everything is plastic nowadays, but it doesn't mean that crap plastic should be used. For example, take the dash apart on an XJ. It's just plain nasty and crappily made. Actually, it might not seem that crappy if decent plastics were used with more bearing surfaces where it snaps and is screwed together.

I find the driver's seat fine... I can drive my Jeep for hours on end without a problem. <shrug /> That said, mine has cloth seats. My buddy complains about how hard the leather seats are in his XJ.

Biggest problem for any vehicle in weather in terms of grip is tires and where the weight sits. XJs likely have a weight distribution similar to pickup truck. That and they have a torquey engine... whenever someone not familiar with XJs tries to drive my Jeep their first tip into the throttle ends up in wheel spin and thrown rocks when it occurs on gravel. <shrug />

I have Select-Trac in my Jeep but I don't drive it in the winter (salt belt) so if anything ever happens to it I'll likely swap in a Chev 241 w/ 2.72 ratio just for fun.

[GregB_00XJ]

Interesting read.

I loved the Cherokee XJ from the day I saw my first one in 1984 ish. I have wanted one right up until I got mine in 2007. Yes, build quality is not as good as other makes... but in all honesty it very utilitarian and does everything I ask it to. For what I paid I am happy with what I got. The stock XJ will go anywhere, it will tow up to 5000#, and has decent power. They were built for offroad, hence the solid front axle, and all the 4x4 stuff the OP mentioned, and they lack some of the creature comforts (ok most) that the newer generations have. Lots of great 4x4's out there, Toyota, Land Rover, Nissan etc. but this is the one I chose, and I don't think I could sell it if I wanted too?

If I were to part with my XJ, I would consider the Xterra as a potential replacement, or possibly the Wrangler, hopefully with a CRD should they ever wise up and release it in NA!! Bottom line, Cherokee XJ is capable, reasonable on gas, has good power, is simple and rugged and if maintained will outlast most of the wannabee junk out there. Mine is becoming exactly what I want, and with the trailer is going to take my wife and kids and I lots of interesting places we have yet to visit!

Trailer lid under construction...

[baca327]

Its really hard to argue with a engine design thats been evolving for 50 years, also backed by the Toyota AW4. Secondly solid axles front and rear and the ability to run the same driveshaft front and rear really makes it sound even better. Some uni-body stiffening plates and a good designed roll cage really tighten up the body. My complaint is not the interior build quality as the plastic mass manufactured panels are not what will bring you home. The vehicle does need upgrading for any serious terrain, specifically the cooling system but in reality its cheap and simple. I've highly contemplated selling my XJ but in reality at the end of the day I don't need a vehicle with heated seats, push button four wheel drive, or a quiet interior I want a vehicle that I know will start and if it doesn't the repair usually is not too labor intensive. I will soon bu updating my thread that I started so long ago as I move into another phase, essentially making the old new and upgrading the weak areas from a new paint job in sahara tan to long arms and a rebuild of the entire drivetrain. Also throughout the US the vehicle was mass produced for over a decade with essentially the same parts aside from sensors, ignition and fuel delivery so parts stores usually have the part you need in stock.I am forever sold on my XJ with the 242 as I have the ability to run AWD on the street or run 2wd on the highway for more MPG's.
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[Stumpalump]

Best bang for the buck of any used 4X4 ever.

[scootr29]

What is the holy grail of XJs?

[weaselguys]

The XJ is a great platform and from stock to extreme it is perfect for camping and travel and is almost unlimited in what you can do to modify it ,it can be a great solo vehicle camper with the addition of a roof rack and awning or a rooftop tent and can go most anywhere.Anything can get stuck no matter how capable or modified even the fancy stuff. I tow my camper off road and prefer areas that you need 4 wheel to get to and drive it daily -to me that is overlanding.

[Stumpalump]

What is the holy grail of XJs?

1998 is the holy grail. Some may say early 1999 with the high pinion front because of the larger intake manifold. For some reason they were the last of the high pinion and the intake only added the power back lost from the second cat they installed that year. Most 99' will be weaker low pinion. For me it would be a 97-98 with a 1999 intake installed on it.

[ADK_XJ]

Its just an outstanding good blank canvas from which I will start a less aggressive Expo style wheeler.

Hey again, JD - that's a great way to put it as a "good blank canvas" for whatever purpose you're looking to achieve out of your XJ. Can't wait to see how you build up your Expo wheeler, keep me in the loop!

[ADK_XJ]

I drive it everyday to and from work with a bullbar and winch mounted and regularly get 19mpgs. It's truly done everything I've asked of it, including taking my family of 5 on trips all around socal.

Hey, thanks for the comment and that's good to hear you're maintaining MPGs with a heavy front-end. I've heard some say throwing a winch on the nose is a surefire way to kill mileage, but I'm always skeptical since these are people who haven't dared to do it themselves AND, if you have the write load springs up front, it shouldn't make any difference in the ride or aerodynamics of the XJ, which are already that of a refrigerator box. A really good looking refrigerator box, though!

One thing I was sure to do in overhauling my whole suspension was that I put in Rusty's Heavy-Duty front coils that are rated for the eventual addition of a steel bumper, brush bar and winch. It makes for a slightly harder on-road ride with the stock bumper right now, but I think it's a good investment if you think there's even a chance you'll want to add on. Do it once and do it right!