What's wrong with Cherokee?

[mercrocker]

Been waxoyling (other brands are available and recommended) the Minor today.   Stuff me, I will have to stop driving the poor bugger through salt water. 

So for the first time evah I am considering a WBOD.  

 

Don't really want another 50s/60s car because I know damn well it will end up being a keeper.    I missed out on a Cheap Jerokee last year for £700 so I naturally started thinking about one of those.    Also the van goes away in the winter and deprives me of a useful estate car so it would make sense (to me anyway) and it would also lightly (but only lightly) tickle the Yank thing. 

 

Any advice - I am thinking only of the square model from the early 90s, by the way - ridicule, stupid suggestions, etc welcome.  

 

 

I have already decided I will continue my lifelong Dizzle avoidance by the way.

[eddyramrod]

I'm sure I started a very similar thread a few years ago when I was considering a Cherokee, but I can't find it now.  The one I was looking at was a 4.0 straight-six auto, which seems to be the ideal spec.  They're not actually that spacious inside; level with the likes of Escort/Astra estates, maybe, but significantly more comfortable.

Pay close attention to the chassis and floor, especially from about halfway back.  Also check out the fuel system closely, as the tank is exposed and you can have rot issues.  LPG is probably a bonus if you can get it, as the six is going to be a bit thirsty.

I'm led to believe these (in 4.0 form) did very well in the respected Michigan State Police fleet testing!

 

Good luck

[Junkman]

Don't really want a Cherokee because I know damn well it will end up being a keeper.

EFA

 

Hence:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-Rover-P38-4-6L-HSE-/272804100118

[Rod/b]

They're small vehicles really, made to seem smaller by the spare wheel stood upright in the boot.

 

They also have a problem with transmission leaks, which you can see as there's a hole in the bellhousing that the fluid eventually falls out of.

 

I nearly bought one a few years ago but couldn't meet the bloke on price so i left it, but deffo would. Good cars.

[wuvvum]

They are rather cramped, and the interior build quality is as poor as most other American cars of the era.  They also don't handle, and always feel like they're on tiptoes.  Go like f*ck with the 4-litre though.  I prefer the Grand Cherokee meself, but that has a rather more temperamental transmission setup.

[BorniteIdentity]

If you like American things, what about a Ford Explorer?

[sierraman]

Watch the film Eden Lake if you want to know what they bomb about like.

 

I'd avoid the diesel, being the separate cylinder heads VM unit I think they are prone to HGF. The petrol will be cheaper anyway

[Rod/b]

Early 2000s Explorers are ok and you can find them in RHD from Japan. But they're expensive for what they are.

 

The 90s Explorers are weapons grade shite and I couldn't recommend one.

[mercrocker]

Thirst not an issue - only do 6 miles each way.    Actual interior space by volume not an issue either - just need something that I can throw stuff in the back of rather than all over the Merc or Morris interiors.     Cheers!

[Junkman]

Why don't you buy an S-10 Blazer?

You wouldn't have to ask whether they are good or not.

Keeper alert, though.

[Junkman]

Here:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/chevy-blazer-/322639137408

 

 

All you need to do is ditch those stupid drain pipes at the sills and change the fuel pump.

[Junkman]

I just checked, it's cheaper to insure than a Pooshow 405 estate.

Not sure why I checked...

[PhilA]

Renault fuel injection up to 1991.

 

Expect to change sensors (particularly intake and coolant temperature), also the big combi plug on the firewall gets water in and corrodes, sending the fuel injection haywire and giving all manner of crummy running problems.

 

 

Phil

[Asimo]

They are quite small, escort estate sort of space inside, quite light weight because proper (Renault inspired) monocoque. Proper petrol engines with pushrods, 2.5 four is derived from the 4 litre six. Most sixes are auto, fours are manual. Sadly the two doors and the 2 wheel drive didn't make it to GB.***

Many are rusty as hell but really nice ones do seem to still be around, for tiny money compared to any Landrover product.

 

***If I found a 2dr & 2wd 4litre with no rust I'd have it in a flash!

 

Ok, it "needs a headgasket" but if it was a good runner it wouldn't be much more.

 

https://www.gumtree.com/p/jeep/jeep-cherokee-1997-70k-miles-genuine-one-lady-owner-from-new-repair-or-spares-%C2%A3595/1260680214

[fordperv]

Can I be the first to say it, im sure they like exploding if hit up the chuff? If so That's what's wrong with them

[Lacquer Peel]

Renault fuel injection up to 1991.

 

Expect to change sensors (particularly intake and coolant temperature), also the big combi plug on the firewall gets water in and corrodes, sending the fuel injection haywire and giving all manner of crummy running problems.

 

 

Phil

We didn't get them in the UK til 1993.

 

I like their looks but it'd have to be a VM diesel or death for me

[UltraWomble]

Cherokee - marching on the trail of tears.

 

They were driven hard, across the plains
And borked for many moons
Cause the winds of change,
Had made them realize, that the dealers promises were lies

[Dick Longbridge]

Scratch that American itch, but with amazing* emmpeegees:

 

 

 

 

They're the next big thing. Get in early.

[spartacus]

4.0 auto, they don't drive too badly, have a fair smattering of toys, just thirsty, but you've covered that.

The diesels are shit, avoid like the plague.

[DodgeRover]

Here:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/chevy-blazer-/322639137408

 

 

All you need to do is ditch those stupid drain pipes at the sills and change the fuel pump.

I raccoon that's actually a Holden Suburban, Wierdly there is no price, would definitely have one though

 

 

Anyway back to Jeeps; early square ones rusted at top speed (I remember being offered rotten ones 15/ 20 years ago) so have a careful poke round, rear axles can be temperamental too if used hard, easy fix was to swap from a scrapper but there seem to be less around now.

6 cylinders much better than 4, most will have LPG by now which they run well on if it's been a decent installation. Diesel is a VM.

 

Father now has a 2001? grand cherokee with the bigger V8, auto (obviously) now fitted with LPG, masses of toys including body temperature sensing climate control and electric everything, very comfy drive and after following him, it goes very quickly around corners with minimal body roll which I was absolutely not expecting, did about 15mpg on it's first long run after being converted to gas, which seems reasonable.

[DodgeRover]

Scratch that American itch, but with amazing* emmpeegees:

 

They're the next big thing. Get in early.

 

Van conversion, side pipes and turbo vecs, hell yes! Best use of one yet

[eddyramrod]

Here:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/chevy-blazer-/322639137408

 

 

All you need to do is ditch those stupid drain pipes at the sills and change the fuel pump.

Run away!  Screaming, if possible.

I had one, in 2013, and after only 8 weeks, traded it in on the Tacuma.  Says it all.

And I love "big and American" as we all know!

[Steve79]

Had a 93L 4-litre Limited SE for around 3-years and never had a moments trouble with it, bar the usual service items. Decent enough to drive and had plenty of grunt from its 190bhp. Mine had an LPG kit fitted and got around 20mpg on unleaded and 16mpg on LPG.

 

The Cherokee XJ gives the impression of being a large vehicle but interior space isn't the best with legroom in the rear being particularly cramped. Boot space is just about ok, but the side mounted spare tyre in the boot doesn't help. 

 

Things you need to keep an eye out for:

 

Rust - These can rot like any other 4x4 (maybe not as bad as a discovery!) and they can rot in unusual places. Favourite seems to be in the roof of all places, around the roof rails. Mine did this so just sanded back and wobbed with filler, didn't rust again!​ Check for wet carpets as floorpans like to rust as well.

Rear Springs - Facelift (post '97) XJ's seem to suffer with sagging rear leaf springs that earlier models didn't seem to suffer with.

Selec-Trac 4WD selector - Unless it's used regularly it can seize. When it does it's an absolute bastard to get it functioning correctly. DO NOT shift to Part Time on tarmac as handling will become 'interesting'. Shifting to and from 4wd and 2wd is best done on the move and can be done up to 56mph. Interestingly fuel economy was just as shite in 2wd as in 4wd. (Note: the 2.5 4cyl didn’t have full time 4wd, only part time)

Differentials - Dana 30 in the front and Dana 35 in the rear. Usually very hard wearing but recommend oil changes every 30k to ensure longevity. LSD additive is absolutely essential for the rear diff. Knackered diffs will whine like crazy but will go on forever like this. Rear axle bearings can let go as well and requires the removal of the half shaft with the new bearing needing to be machine pressed on.

Engines - Cooling system on 4-litre need to be kept on top of as they usually like to run hot at around 97 degrees. Take off viscous fan and install electric one for moar powaah!. The 2.5 Petrol only come with a manual box and engines feels a bit weak and doesn't really suit. The 2.5 VM Motori turbo diseasel pulls well enough but suffers with porous cylinder heads which seem to have polished most of them off.

Ventilation – Pre ’97 cars suffered with poor ventilation akin to U11 Bluebirds and the aircon is crap. Post ’97 cars had a much better revised system.

 

Despite the above, i loved mine and would have another in a heart beat (unless i found a nice grand cherokee zj)

 

Nostalgic pic of mine below

[Pete-M]

Exhaust manifold will crack and the diffs are crap.

 

Otherwise, provided you avoid the diesel they're not too bad.

[RichardK]

3 Cherokees here. Don't think of them as a big SUV. Think of them as a Mk II Escort estate with a long nose and on stilts, plus wide arches. They're not big, which becomes apparent when you park near any modern car.

 

First was a '98, from new. 4.0 Limited. 2WD = 28-30mpg on a run or 4mpg on the instant readout when floored. 4WD was a 4mpg hit, I only used it in snow or on fields. Selector stuck early on. Immobiliser and locking faults are common - mine was okay.

 

Handling was good. A little light on the rear - you could get the back end wagging, nice power to weight ratio. Seats okay. Legroom in rear poor. Spare wheel in boot a pain but I'd rather that than a bloody LPG tank. Quite refined.

 

Second was a Limited S.E. 4.0 High Output. '94, pre-airbag. These are my favourite - square edges, lots of leather bits, Momo wheel. MPG on a 140,000 mile example was 24-25 best; 4WD hit it a little less though. Rust on rear edge of sills, inner sill near middle. Death Wobble - worn track bar bushes makes for interesting handling trait where on ridged roads, the front axle will hop alternate sides. 65mph on the M42 was fun; I'd go faster and eventually it was too fast for it to bounce. Girlfriend at the time objected to the phrase "Death wobble" so it was renamed "Super happy funtime wobble". Vacuum pipe leaks. Signs of saggy rear leaf springs.

 

Third was another Limited S.E., but a blue with black interior, 180Kish. Rust on roof, sills, gutters. Gaffer taped over it. 27mpg best. No death wobble but really sagged back end.

 

2.5 petrol and diesel are part-time 4WD only and the diesel is a VM multi-headed monster. Don't.

 

Grand Cherokees - many of the same remarks but worse MPG apparently. I like the idea. They're allegedly heavier on front bushes, due to being an XJ Cherokee in a fatsuit, but they are usefully big inside.

 

WJ Cherokee gives you the 4.7 Magnum V8 option. Yum. It also, on models around 1999-2001, gives you the NV(NP?)247 transfer case, which was a novel experiment by Chrysler in making a 4x4 transmission entirely out of cheese. Freelander Mk 1 owners look at these Cherokees and laugh at their centre diff arrangement/strength.

 

See also: The Liberty/Cherokee and Mercedes ML. I would consider an ML 430 over a Cherokee for many things, but gearboxes... ugh. The Cherokee is a baby rusty tank that can be fixed with gaffer tape and a hammer.

 

For real world use a Shogun Challenger is probably more rational...

[Steve79]

3 Cherokees here. Don't think of them as a big SUV. Think of them as a Mk II Escort estate with a long nose and on stilts, plus wide arches. They're not big, which becomes apparent when you park near any modern car.

 

First was a '98, from new. 4.0 Limited. 2WD = 28-30mpg on a run or 4mpg on the instant readout when floored. 4WD was a 4mpg hit, I only used it in snow or on fields. Selector stuck early on. Immobiliser and locking faults are common - mine was okay.

 

Handling was good. A little light on the rear - you could get the back end wagging, nice power to weight ratio. Seats okay. Legroom in rear poor. Spare wheel in boot a pain but I'd rather that than a bloody LPG tank. Quite refined.

 

Second was a Limited S.E. 4.0 High Output. '94, pre-airbag. These are my favourite - square edges, lots of leather bits, Momo wheel. MPG on a 140,000 mile example was 24-25 best; 4WD hit it a little less though. Rust on rear edge of sills, inner sill near middle. Death Wobble - worn track bar bushes makes for interesting handling trait where on ridged roads, the front axle will hop alternate sides. 65mph on the M42 was fun; I'd go faster and eventually it was too fast for it to bounce. Girlfriend at the time objected to the phrase "Death wobble" so it was renamed "Super happy funtime wobble". Vacuum pipe leaks. Signs of saggy rear leaf springs.

 

Third was another Limited S.E., but a blue with black interior, 180Kish. Rust on roof, sills, gutters. Gaffer taped over it. 27mpg best. No death wobble but really sagged back end.

 

2.5 petrol and diesel are part-time 4WD only and the diesel is a VM multi-headed monster. Don't.

 

Grand Cherokees - many of the same remarks but worse MPG apparently. I like the idea. They're allegedly heavier on front bushes, due to being an XJ Cherokee in a fatsuit, but they are usefully big inside.

 

WJ Cherokee gives you the 4.7 Magnum V8 option. Yum. It also, on models around 1999-2001, gives you the NV(NP?)247 transfer case, which was a novel experiment by Chrysler in making a 4x4 transmission entirely out of cheese. Freelander Mk 1 owners look at these Cherokees and laugh at their centre diff arrangement/strength.

 

See also: The Liberty/Cherokee and Mercedes ML. I would consider an ML 430 over a Cherokee for many things, but gearboxes... ugh. The Cherokee is a baby rusty tank that can be fixed with gaffer tape and a hammer.

 

For real world use a Shogun Challenger is probably more rational...

 

Don't forget that the Grand Cherokee ZJ had permanent 4wd and liked to knackered both diffs!

[RichardK]

Too new for me to have paid attention (Edit: Oh, I got my codenames mixed up)  I like XJs. Tiny, good power to weight, look like a box, quirky backstory (should have been sold as a Renault as well, designed by Dick Teague, etc. - some were sold with Renault 2.1 engines). In a parallel universe AMC ensured Renault was selling SUVs in Europe ahead of the curve and Dacia's Duster got an intermediate step between ARO10 and rebadged Nissan.

[RichardK]

Don't forget that the Grand Cherokee ZJ had permanent 4wd and liked to knackered both diffs!

 

 

Hang on, I thought the Grand was the WJ THEN ZJ. Bloody confusing. XJs have fulltime 4x4 as well - so what's with the diff knackering? The platforms used different differential manufacturers so is there a specific one that fails?

[Junkman]

Run away!  Screaming, if possible.

I had one, in 2013, and after only 8 weeks, traded it in on the Tacuma.  Says it all.

And I love "big and American" as we all know!

 

What?

Did you buy the only borked one in existence?

[eddyramrod]

Probably!