Looking at maybe picking up an '89 Jeep Cherokee... Info?

[Daven]

Hey guys. There seems to be NO good rbv's in my price range that are 4x4 (to my liking anyways lol). So i decided to look at how much the odd jeep goes for and found a really nice Cherokee. It also has a 3" lift and 31" tires, so it has a pretty nice stance as it is now. But i was wondering if there is anything i should look specifically for when if i go to look at it and probably buy it? The add says 200 under kms so im asuming that means 200XXXkms lol, but i asked in the email anyways

Thanks guys.

 

[Vanner1993]

Look for oil leaks, floor rot (look very closely), was it previously wheeled? My friend has a 90 cherokee......unless its mint or close too it dont bother. You will have so much problems its crazy. He just bought a 92 cherokee from original owner for replacement.

 

[RatDog8o8]

What year?

 

[Daven]

What year?

1989 with a v6 engine

 

[4.0B2]

v6? which one is it???

 

[RatDog8o8]

1989 with a v6 engine

The only years the XJ had a V6 was '84-'86..the 2.8 Chevy engine.

 

[Will]

Not a V6.

 

[4.0B2]

inline 6 maybe? the 4.0? i like the i6 4.0 now..

what axles are under it? the dana 35 rear axle is garbage... the 8.25 is better. but the ford 8.8 is a major upgrade. the front should be a dana 30.. that year was low pinion i believe. cad? idk... vacuum disconnect? probably, that's not a biggie tho.

you can upgrade it to TJ shafts or some of the newer xj's had better shafts with the larger u-joints up front.

unibody-- not really a big deal, but no cheap lifts.. did a rusty's 6.5 longarm kit on a xj the other weekend, worked out great after all the cussing was over.dits a pain, but its not that bad. can do jk coils up front for an inch or 2, add a leafs or blocks in the rear, or shackles... the control arms are weak.. just stamped U shaped arms... would look into upgrading those if offroading at all, long arms are preferred by pricey.. i know a guy w/ control arm drop brackets and the 4 cyc xj that goes anywhere he wants to on 35's..

edit just saw it has a 3" lift already, what lift is it???

 

[kirk3000]

If its the v6 i would stay away. Way too underpowered, the 4.0 strait six is a great motor though. Just look for the usual stuff; leaks, steering, joints, that sorta thing. Also the wiring on older xj's is crap (actually chyrslers in general wiring wise). Avoid power options like the plague. An 89 might a have a D44 but most likely a D35 rear end, the 8.25 diff came later in the 90's.
From what ive seen dollar for dollar xj's are the most capable trucks out there.

 

[4.0B2]

Not to nitpick; just to clarify to save the OP confusion-- the rear that Kirk was saying was it might be a d44(it is likely, would be a score if it is bc most d44 ones were 4.10's r 3.73's with the toe package) or a d35 (not a d30 rear; d30=front axle). D35 are the common rear axle in those. And the d35 should be Lincoln locked till it explodes... Then 8.8 it or 1 Ton it.

 

[Daven]

Sorry guys, just saw that i said "v6" Lol Not used to refering to other six-cyls Ya, it would have the inline six. Axles, idk for sure but a quick wiki said it should be the dana 30 and 35 setup? Idk what model it is because it doesnt say in the add, but from the pictures it almost looks like it could say "Pioneer"? But idk for sure yet lol.

Rough Country 3" Lift. What else can i do to lift it other than getting a whole new susp lift? Spacers? Sucks that i wont be able to do a BL :/ lol

 

[RatDog8o8]

"Pioneer" is a trim package.

 

[kirk3000]

For more lift you could add another coil isolator on top of the spring (3/4") add v8 grand cherokee coils (an inch or two) and shackles in the rear. The zj coils still flex good and if you get them at a boneyard take the steering too, way beefier.

 

[4.0B2]

The v8 ZJ steering, he's right. Way beefier is probably an understatement lol. I have a write up on that swap I'll share with ya if you get it.

3 inch lift of plenty. Just trim the fenders out and you'll be fine.

 

[RatDog8o8]

A lot of lifted XJs around here have had the flares removed. Opens up the wheel-well arch a bit.