Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
The XJ Cherokee was AMC's compact replacement for the big SJ Cherokee and the first American off-roader built as a unibody, with the body and frame as one structure. Much lighter and smaller than the SJ, it still offered part-time or full-time four-wheel drive, and the 4.0 L six from 1987 gave it strong performance. Its boxy shape stayed in production for 18 years with one major refresh for 1997. It is credited with starting the compact SUV boom and is still a favourite with off-road builders.
Model years
1984 to 2001
Built
1983 to June 2001 (United States)
Where
Toledo, Ohio, USA; Beijing Jeep, Beijing, China; Carabobo Assembly, Valencia, Venezuela; Ferreyra, Córdoba, Argentina; Arab American Vehicles, Cairo, Egypt
Body styles
2-door SUV, 4-door SUV
Four-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive (from mid-1985), Command-Trac part-time 4x4 (NP207 to 1987, NP231 from 1987), Selec-Trac part-time or full-time 4x4 (NP228/229 to 1986, NP242 from 1987)
Engines
| Engine | Power | Torque | Fuel | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L AMC I4 (carburetted) | 105 hp (78 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1984 to 1985 |
| 2.5 L AMC I4 (throttle-body injection) | 117 hp (87 kW) | 135 lb-ft (183 N·m) | Gasoline | 1986 |
| 2.5 L AMC I4 (throttle-body injection) | 121 hp (90 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1987 to 1990 |
| 2.5 L AMC I4 (multipoint injection) Wikipedia gives 130 hp through 1996; Consumer Guide says 125 hp from 1996. |
130 hp (97 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1991 to 1995 |
| 2.5 L AMC I4 (multipoint injection) | 125 hp (93 kW) | 150 lb-ft (203 N·m) | Gasoline | 1996 to 2000 |
| 2.8 L GM V6 | 110 hp (82 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1984 |
| 2.8 L GM V6 | 115 hp (86 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1985 to 1986 |
| 2.1 L Renault turbodiesel I4 | 85 hp (63 kW) | — | Diesel | 1985 to 1987 (North America) |
| 4.0 L AMC I6 | 173 hp (129 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1987 |
| 4.0 L AMC I6 | 177 hp (132 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1988 to 1990 |
| 4.0 L AMC I6 High Output Wikipedia lists 193 hp for 2000 to 2001 with coil-on-plug ignition; Consumer Guide keeps 190 hp. |
190 hp (142 kW) | 225 lb-ft (305 N·m) | Gasoline | 1991 to 2001 |
| 2.5 L VM Motori turbodiesel I4 (export) | 114 hp (85 kW) | — | Diesel | 1994 to 2001 |
Transmissions
- 4-speed manual (T-4 or AX-4) (1984 to 1988)
- 5-speed manual (T-5) (1984)
- 5-speed manual (AX-5) (1984 to 2000)
- 5-speed manual (Peugeot BA-10/5, with 4.0 L) (1987 to 1989)
- 5-speed manual (AX-15) (1989 to 1999)
- 5-speed manual (NV3550) (2000 to 2001)
- 3-speed automatic (TorqueFlite A904) (1984 to 1986)
- 4-speed automatic (Aisin AW4) (1987 to 2001)
- 3-speed automatic (30RH, with 2.5 L) (1994 to 1995, 1998 to 2000)
Sizes and weights
| Measure | Size |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 101.4 in2,576 mm |
| Length | 165.3–168.8 in4,199–4,288 mm |
| Width | 67.7–70.5 in1,720–1,791 mm |
| Height | 63.3–64 in1,608–1,626 mm |
A range covers the body styles and trims of this generation.
Trims and editions
- Base
- SE
- Pioneer
- Chief
- Laredo
- Limited
- Sport
- Briarwood
- Country
- Classic
- Freedom
- 60th Anniversary
- Pioneer Olympic Edition
Worth knowing
- The first American off-road vehicle with unibody construction.
- Mid-1985 brought a two-wheel-drive version, the first two-wheel-drive Jeep since 1967.
- Wikipedia puts total output at about 3 million from 1983 to 2001.
- Chinese production continued as the Beijing Jeep and later BAW models until 2014.
Year by year, newest first
2001
- Final U.S. year; production in Toledo ended in June 2001 and the Liberty took its place.
- The four-cylinder, the base SE, and the Classic were dropped; a 60th Anniversary Edition was offered.
2000
- The Limited returned as its own model with chrome trim, and a Freedom model was added.
- Six-cylinder models got coil-on-plug ignition and the NV3550 five-speed manual.
- Brighter headlamps and rear child-seat anchors became standard.
1999
- Sport models got body-colour trim, and heated front seats were offered on the Classic.
- Sentry Key anti-theft was added, and the 4.0 L got a revised intake manifold mid-year.
1998
- The lineup became SE, Sport, and the new Classic, with the Limited name back; the Country was dropped.
- A three-speed automatic returned as an option with the four-cylinder.
- Quieter steering and an aluminum radiator were adopted.
1997
- The major refresh: new grille, front end, and stamped-steel liftgate.
- A new interior and dashboard brought a passenger airbag and more sound insulation.
1996
- The four-cylinder dropped to 125 hp per Consumer Guide and lost the three-speed automatic.
- Chrysler's JTEC engine computer was adopted on some models.
1995
- A driver airbag was added, and the SE got reclining front bucket seats.
- The lineup was SE, Sport, and the four-door-only Country.
1994
- Side door-guard beams and a centre high-mounted stop lamp were added.
- The Base was renamed SE, and a three-speed automatic became available with the four-cylinder.
1993
- With the new Grand Cherokee above it, the Cherokee dropped its top trims; Country replaced Laredo.
- Right-hand-drive sales began in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
1992
- Little changed; an AHB police package was offered.
- Last year for the Laredo, Limited, and Briarwood.
1991
- The 4.0 L six became the 190 hp High Output, and the four-cylinder rose to 130 hp with multipoint injection.
- A four-door Sport was added, and the woodgrain Briarwood replaced the Wagoneer Limited.
- The four-cylinder was no longer offered with an automatic.
1990
- Final year for the Pioneer and Chief trims, and for the separate XJ Wagoneer.
1989
- The AX-15 five-speed replaced the Peugeot BA-10/5 late in the year.
- EPA listings no longer show the four-speed manual.
1988
- The Sport trim and a Pioneer Olympic Edition were added.
- The 4.0 L six was rated at 177 hp.
1987
- The 173 hp 4.0 L six replaced the GM V6, and the Aisin AW4 four-speed automatic replaced the three-speed.
- A Limited trim was added, and new NP231 and NP242 transfer cases arrived.
- Chrysler bought American Motors during 1987.
1986
- The 2.5 L four gained throttle-body injection and 117 hp.
- Last year for the 2.8 L V6.
1985
- A two-wheel-drive version was added mid-year.
- The Laredo trim and a 2.1 L Renault turbodiesel were introduced.
1984
- All-new compact Cherokee in two-door and four-door forms, much smaller and lighter than the SJ.
- Engines were a 105 hp 2.5 L four and a 110 hp GM 2.8 L V6.
- Command-Trac part-time or Selec-Trac full-time 4x4 was offered.
Notes
Wikipedia and Consumer Guide disagree on the four-cylinder's 1996 rating (130 or 125 hp) and on whether the 4.0 L reached 193 hp in 2000. The 30RH automatic years are from EPA listings, which show it with the 2.5 L in 1994 to 1995 and 1998 to 2000 (Consumer Guide puts its 1995 arrival late in that season). Length was 165.3 in (1987 to 1990), 168.8 in (1991 to 1993), 166.9 in (1994 to 1996), and 167.5 in (1997 to 2001); width 70.5 in (1987 to 1993) to 69.4 in (2000 to 2001). Curb weight, fuel tank, ground clearance, and towing were not confirmed. Sources differ on whether the Chrysler purchase of AMC is dated March or August 1987. Total output of about 3 million (Wikipedia) was not cross-checked, so units_built is null.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Jeep_Cherokee_(XJ)
- consumerguide.com /used/1990-96-jeep-cherokee/
- consumerguide.com /used/1997-01-jeep-cherokee/
- terryhowe.github.io /JeepTech/models/xj
- fueleconomy.gov /ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options