Doug DeMuro back again with the average cars no one cars about. Your channel is getting boring Doug’s past acts a minivan and 2 suvs no one gives a fuck about. Up your game
So I just got my XJ after looking for one in good shape for years. I was passing by my neighbors garage and there was always a covered car in his garage, well a few days ago the wind was crazy and it uncovered the beauty, a 1996 Jeep cherokee with 120k miles, him being the only owner and it was there because it wouldn’t start. I told him if he was willing to sell it and he said, how much you got, I said “ i only have like a thousand”, i was just kidding I had no shit. And he said, let me get the title, I had to get a loan to buy it lol, I pushed to my house, ( this vehicles are not heavy) I got it in, called a friend, turns out it was only the crankshaft sensor, It costs 60 bucks, i bought my friend a 6 pack. Now I have a really nice, impeccable jeep cherokee.
My mom had a 95 (I think) cherokee, she paid $600 and it worth of upgrades into it for offroad use and such, it lasted her about 5 years until the sub frame cracked. Not too bad if you ask me. Definitely got her money's worth out of it.
Holy shit, I've had my XJ for sale online for 2 weeks with only 2 legit offers. Doug publishes this video and within 48 hours, I get 8 offers and have a bidding war that's pushed the sale 30% over my asking price between 3 people. Thanks, Doug!
Sell it LOL...don't hold out sell it to the first person who shows up with the cash. Then go out and buy another one and modify it for 4 Wheeling and you'll be able to sell it in a heartbeat.
The Cherokee Xj is one of the best offroading vehicles ever. Excellent wheelbase, great powerplant, good visibility, and tons of aftermarket. They are fantastic.
The newer Cherokee is not a real jeep if you ask a jeep enthusiast, if you like it awesome, but as a jeep enthusiast I would never drive one unless it's a 2001 or older
old cars are more reliable, and thats just facts. they were built to last forever, new cars are made to last until the warranty runs out so you need a new one
MMO Pipe my dad bought a 98 ZJ Grand Cherokee in the same year. It's been in our family ever since and I still drive it. Bit of a gas hog with the 318 though
I bought a low mileage rust free 2 years ago that I use for daily driver. I have upgraded it with a Sony Android unit with car play and rear view camera. I don't need another car.
i watched this vid for the first time like two years ago and became obsessed, started hunting for one then and there. yesterday the stars aligned and i finally had the money at the same time one was available and now i’m the extremely proud owner of an ‘01 XJ sport!!
2001 Xj sport also, 3.5 in lift. Went over Colorado mountains from Boulder up Switzerland trail, 4th of July trail, through rivers, and of course snow all the way to Estes Park and Grand Lake. You Tube those trails they’re dream type memories without scratching paint. Take care of it I may want to buy yours if I win some money soon😂.
I'd buy one, but by the time they would get it to meet current government standards, it would be about as much the same is the new VW Beetle is to the original.
unfortunately they cant though. Many manufactures want to recreate old cars, but modern saftey rules prevent them from making such simple, light-weight cars
My wife's brother gave us an '85 XJ with 100,00 miles in 1994. Having five kids the back seat was a little small and we insisted that everyone wore a seat belt. No problem. We went to a local salvage yard and bought the back seat from a wrecked wrangler with seat belts. Recovered it and bolted behind the back seat. It fit perfectly and we didn't even need to move the spare tire creating the first seven passenger Jeep. It worked great for our little family for another 100,000 miles.
The XJ Cherokee is my favorite car ever. Had a '96 I planned on restoring one day. People though I was crazy. But I hit a large ice patch one winter and rolled it. Loved that vehicle. Miss it so much.
So sorry to hear that. My mom and dad gave me their 99 XJ Sport when they bought new cars 10 years ago...I'm about to hit 200K, this thing is a tank and I will never ever let it go 😅😂
Joshua Myers lol That’s funny I don’t understand why we can’t have throttle cables back. Computers Taking over everything even our throttle response. These new engines have so much more power but they don’t always feel like it because the computer has pampered it down so much and rolls the throttle on slowly no matter what you do with your foot. The old engines with half the power felt more powerful to drive Just because of the instant response when you push the pedal.
@@theaveragejoestinkeringand4407 Cable throttle does has a different response than what the ECU gives you, but the ECU is far more reliable-- albeit more expensive to replace.
@@theaveragejoestinkeringand4407 New engines don't feel like they have that much power because they're built into bodies with much better stiffness, suspension, and noise isolation.
Every time I go to an offroad park in my K5 Blazer, I end up following one of these XJs through the trails. The owners are always awesome and the Jeeps themselves range anywhere from weekend beaters to serious offroad rigs. I watched two of these XJs just going through the woods as the crow flies. No trails, no pathway, just going up and over fallen trees and huge rocks.
Loved my Cherokee 4L. It never let me down. It plowed through deep snow like a champ,on the beach and off road it was a billy goat. It was nice to know that when you got in it you weren't limited where you could drive. It gave me 330,000+ miles of fun.
I've owned 2 of them, both 96 models. My current 96 is a Sport model with front end fascia and panel swap from a 97 for a cleaner front end look. This is about the 15th time I've watched this video haha
So many of these "Quirks" are just typical for older vehicles. For example, those door handles operate like just about every truck door handle used to. Rotating the headlight knob is the instrument cluster dimmer control, and every single vehicle I have ever seen turns the dome light on when you turn the dimmer switch all the way up (usually there is a detent).
Those door handles were great for squatting next to the car then using them as a handhold to pull yourself up. As long as you do not touch the button, the door will not open. Nicer than pushing yourself back up from a gravel covered road shoulder after looking under the car to see what might be wrong.
Figuring out how to put the NP231 transfer case into full time for wheel drive was rather complicated. Especially when the NP231 did not have the full time selection on that transfer case. Some of them had the NP242 transfer case that had part time four wheel drive and full time four wheel drive. It was a bit weaker than the NP231 that did not have full time four wheel drive.
@@indridcold8433 I always swapped the 242 for the 231 every time I got a XJ with the garbage 242. The Np231 was waaaaaay better Imo. The full time just sucked the fuel and was hard on the drive line.
Anas Takiyudin if it’s a great looking car, yes. Styling is the most important thing on a car. This Jeep Cherokee is a style icon. Complexity infuriates 95% of buyers. They just want a cool car.
Automakers today are not targeting the enthusiasts, they are targeting emerging markets where car use is not as prevalent and want to give them cars that are more convenience than anything else, daily drivers that's all. They keep cutting the car's arse's in half to make them more compact for their high congestion roads and all, their market research is more on point than perhaps any other industry.
thats why i like my 99 buick century....... 3.1 v6....4 speed auto.....power brakes and steering thats it car is 3200 pounds due to not having 500 pounds of sensors and computers........handles GREAT, seriously like a sports car with a bit more body roll (it over-steers....so fun) easy as fuck to work on.....everything just pops apart
It's too bad... Chrysler toom the one thing and I mean the one thing they had going for them and literally threw it in the trash. My mom has a new, "Cherokee". She drives it to work and back basically and it is a hunk of junk. It shifts rough (laughable except not really), the a/c doesn't blow cold once warmed up which makes no sense if you know how an a/c that doesn't blow cold all of the time works... And it has a unique feature that is after it rains it for some reason unknown to my mom or I sounds like the roof is going to flap off, with nothing visibly moving or otherwise different from before the rain. Junk. I used to love taking my old jeep road tripping. Her rig is miserable. The only thing that finally killed my step dad's XJ was the New Hampshire rust. If preventative shit had been done since he got it it'd be on the road today. We went everywhere in that rig though for many years. Never an issue besides a/c (Chrysler) not working.
1999 XJ owner here. 6 inline 5 speed. I'm a chick and am slowly becoming a mechanic cuz I love my Jeep. I blew a brake line yesterday. Every day is a mystery. You never know what will break. Fun! In the past 2 weeks I have cured the death wobble, stopped the door locks from locking and unlocking by itself, fixed front speaker, replaced turn signal relay, reinstalled brake stop button and replaced the serpentine belt. Now I get to replace a brake line.
I actually own 3 Cherokees at the moment! Various years! Have owned a Cherokee for the last 25 years! That inline 4.0 is one of the best motors built!!
Had a 96 classic,black with full power and the 4.0 HO,put a bunch money in it and then sold it. The thing had plenty of power and ran like a clock. Now it's worth double what I sold it for.
I still love it. The only thing I didn't like was when I had to wax the Jeep. I spent MORE time getting caked up wax out of all those nooks and crannies than actually putting and removing the wax!
For me, getting in behind the wheel is a lot like climbing into, say, a Piper Cub. My 94 had no metal left on the floor pans, just amazingly durable carpets and mats. Mine was a 4-speed and everything was manual. Sciatica caused by pumping the clutch in city traffic finally compelled me to part ways with my little grey XJ. Oh how I miss it!
Nice review, Doug. I've had a 1999 Cherokee for 14-15 years and last week I just bought another clean 1999 XJ. Clean ones are getting harder and harder to find. I love the simplicity, reliability, versatility, nimbleness, and off-road capability. Early XJ's had also had a button on the rear gate. Many old cars had the dome light turn on after max dash brightness. Here's some more technical info for your watchers: 1999 was the best year for the XJ Cherokee: In 96 the XJ's got the benefit of the larger Dana 44 size 760x u-joints in the front axle. The only difference, between it and the Rubicon TJ Dana 44 is the size of the ring and pinion gear. And since the Dana 30 in the Cherokee is reverse-spiral, the late 90's Cherokee Dana 30 is arguably as strong as the Rubicon TJ front Dana 44 axle, except maybe for the pinion gear. Somewhere in the 90's they also ditched the weak and problematic CAD axle housing. (Thanks, Jeep, for bringing it back in the 2018 Wrangler, ugh!) 29 spline axles in the C-8.25 rear axle came along in 1997, replacing the 27-spline axles, making it almost as strong as a Dana 44 rear, and is the same axle found in many Dakotas, Durangos and Ram 1500 pickups. The other axle available in the rear was the weaker Dana 35 like in the YJ and TJ Wrangler (non-Rubicon models). 99 was the last year for the high pinion Dana 30 front axle (00-01 had the low-pinion axle just like the TJ). 99 was the last year for the 0630 cylinder head with larger valves than the 00-01 models (and some late 99's) with the 0331 head. The 0331 head has smaller valves, for emissions reasons, and is almost guaranteed to crack between cylinder 3&4. In 2003 they fixed the head, with the 0331 TUPY head casting in the TJ and WJ, but it was too late for the XJ. 1999 was the first year for the curved intake runners and larger runner volume, which purportedly make about 15-20 more horsepower. 99 was the last year for the distributor and single ignition coil; 00-01 models came with coil on plug. The performance difference is minimal, but the distributor model is easier to diagnose and fix.
ScoutSkills I agree with you for the most part, but in 99 and up models you forget about the massive recall that Chrysler put out on the 4.0L for having imperfect material in the pinstons themselves.. That's why if you find a 4.0 with coil packs don't buy it,unless you want crack pistons.. But whats funny, unless you plan on really pushing that motor, people didn't even notice a performance loss accept at cold , low idle, with a great ticking noise.. I've had 9 of these bad boys.. Everyone had been a 5 speed too..
Agree on the dome light/headlight control. And many pickup trucks when you do that, it also turns on a white light pointing into the bed. (Usually in the same housing as the high center brake light, if it's new enough to have that.)
Garrett Chapman, didn't know about the piston recall, just the cracking 0331 heads. Good to know... I'll need to research that. Both of my 99's have 0630 heads and no coil on plug. My "old" 99 has developed a tick (125,000 miles), which I am planning to investigate as soon as I get a "warm" day. 153,000 miles on the "new" one. No ticks.
I bought one of these (albeit, in need of some serious tuneups) for a whopping $500 last year, and after cleaning it and getting it fixed up, it’s quite possibly the coolest car I have and ever will own
I'm 17 and I got my 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4 liter for 2000$ with only 90,000 miles. Best deal ever and I didn't even know it until a couple weeks ago.
Jamtoad I got a 1995 Cherokee sport 4l inline 6 with 200k miles for 3k but it has new ecu and an old guy bought it brand new and was a daily driver so it’s more like 100k miles I’m also 17 lol
I'm 17 and I just picked up an immaculate condition 1988 volvo 240 GL sedan for 1200 bucks. Has all the options, factory alloy wheels, black leather interior and a sunroof.
I have a friend who had a mid-'90s one of these. As far as I can remember, only two things broke on it in all the years he had it, but they were both kind of important things. One was the transfer case, which was expensive, but the other one was much more dramatic: the ratchet holding the driver's seatback upright. We were on the 580 outside Oakland one day, carpooling back from work, and WHOMP suddenly he's sort of lying down with his head in the back seat rather than, you know... _driving the car._ That was special. Got to love that mid-'90s Chrysler interior build quality. :)
Not a surprise, Chevy blazers also had seat back problems. I was doing around 80 on a elevated roadway In Saudi Arabia when the seat broke and I found myself looking at the hardtop. Had to stuff a box of water and a 25 Kilo bag of rice behind the seat to force it back into a usable position. Not recommended but it worked.
I had this car back in the 8o’s. Held is value and was reliable reliable other than a fuel pump. Not the most refined ride. I remember always ordering a medium coffee in a large cup so that I could drink it without splashing some on my shirt.
I dumped my modern cars and bought a 96 XJ two years ago with 49k miles. I look forward to driving it every single day. There is a lot to like about it. Especially if you do your own work. I'll be very sad if it gets wrecked or rots out from underneath me, because good ones are getting so rare. I wish manufactures would pay attention to this nostalgia that exists and provide a product that people want. Finding simplicity now is very difficult. My next vehicle, if not an XJ, will be something from the same era.
If you want a simple reliable SUV from that era and you can't find any clean jeeps around then I would say import a jdm rhd Toyota hilux surf you can get it with a v6 gasoline or a 4 cylinder turbo diesel
I didn't know much about the different model years when I bought it. But I sure have learned a lot since then. 96 is now my favorite (perhaps I'm biased) I think the 96 (as long as it is the late model year 96) is the best of both worlds. It has many of the improvements that are associated with the 97+ (primarily sensors and connectors), has an OBD2 system (can use a cheap scanner/diagnostics on it), but retains much of the body, trim, and electrical simplicity of the pre-97 models. The body has a more square classic Jeep look which was slightly rounded for 97+. Some people call it a bastard year, but really there few unique parts on it. The fuel pump assembly being the one that most people mention, as it is getting harder to find. 96s were also the biggest sales year, so there were actually more 96s on the road than any other year. I love the way it drives, and I hope it lasts forever.
I suspect they could have sold even longer if people didn't feel it should be the government's job to bubble wrap the world for the uninformed consumers. Today's crossover buyers just want a fancy station wagon that won't be called a "family car" you know, for the family.
I've been driving a Jeep Cherokee for almost 25 years now. Drove my first one (a 1990) for 17 years, and I've had the second one ever since. I have no complaints whatsoever - it can fit in any parking spot, plenty of room in the backseat for the kids growing up, and that back cargo area can fit quite a lot. I've used it to bring home smoker pits, washing machines, all kinds of stuff that other people thought would never fit back there. And they're dang sturdy vehicles - if you take care of one, it'll last dang near forever.
when i was a kid and fantasizing about my adult life i'd always pictures myself owning one of these cars with a german shepherd and siberian husky riding along with me
This vehicle should go down as one of the best ever built. I have owned 6 of them. I bought one for each of my kids as their first car and two of the three are still driving theirs and never plan on selling them. Count me as loving them.
Both of my kids learned to drive in Jeep XJ's. Once they have had some experience on jeep roads near timberline, even paved mountain passes are a piece of cake.
I have a 96 xj sport 4.0 It won't die. Still my favorite vehicle to drive. Absolutely no blind spots and can easily see all four corners of the vehicle. Mine is not lifted yet has gotten me through some aggressive terrain with no problems.
@@joycedistler9762 I have my 92 4.0 since 14 years ;) And note for @Doug - there were rear headrests in 1st gen XJ since 1995 or 1996. I've swapped my rear sits with such one and since a few years ago I've got front and rear headrest. And... You should take a look into a Cherokee before 1997, there is a few differences in the interior, including windows steering switches U need to see ;)
@@mrbiggiecheese312 do no more than 3,5 inch, it works well with 31" tyres and U still have an useful car for daily driving and for longer trips too. But I understand, now I have a comfy hydropneumatic Citroën for family trips since a few years and this is it :-)
I got a 91 Jeep Comanche 4.0 (MJ) with 79k original miles. It's just a Cherokee turned into a regular cab pickup. Best truck I've ever owned. I've towed suburbans with it multiple times
Yes, I think they are much more prone to failure. I wonder if the change was influenced by ADA, easier to open the new ones with fewer digits, hook, arthritis, etc. That, styling, and planned obsolescence.
@@nickhearn7288 The original comment said "weirdly enough I see XJ's more than I do the new ones" ...leading me to believe that he thought it was odd that the older one's might be more popular. W/e the case the OP obviously thought it was strange... So I just simply clarified the mystery as to why, and it being due to the fact that the older XJ's are more reliable & durable and that would likely be why they are seen as often as they are. Your response was "No shit....." Uncalled for and made zero circumstantial sense in the thread, that's why you're a smart ass. Goodbye now.
As much as I love XJs as a base platform, it just doesn't compete on standard "off-road" goodies. Open diffs front and rear (usually), small tires and low ground clearance and long(ish) overhangs. They are great in most situations, but the limitations show when the surface is very slippery. On the other hand, the articulation is pretty good, they are pretty light and there's plenty of aftermarket to bring them into Defender or Land Rover territory.
My older sister had a mint condition 1994 Cherokee and after it went down the line to my little sister it had 300k miles on the odometer. The only reason we had to scrap it was the frame was so rusted the body was separating from the welds on the frame. Absolute tank of a vehicle, never once broke down and Indiana winters were an afterthought after dropping in 4x4
This makes me feel a lot better about potentially buying this 96 Cherokee down the road from me. Has 188k miles so at first I was scared off, but the inside all looked clean. Think I’m gonna go take another look at it tomorrow if I can, we’ll see how it goes Of course, buying a used car with that many miles isn’t the safest bet anyways because it’s dependent on how well it has been taken care of. So I’m hoping it’s in decent shape and I’m hoping I can get it because I really like these jeeps.
This is gonna be a stupid question/statement but in hindsight do you think subjecting it to an undercarriage wash Weekly would've helped? I see SOOO many XJ's with rocker panel damage in Chicago.
@@landonbenford8369 Yes, I believe so however it was driven by 4 teenagers. Outside of regular maintenance we weren't exactly concerned with keeping it clean. We grew up in the boonies and thrashed on it for weekend off-roading and camping.
Had my 2001 Jeep Cherokee for over a year now it’s the first car I’ve ever had, I wouldn’t replace it for anything. Waiting for the tires to wear out to get it lifted 2”.
pretty much the same thing here, except with every car with a rear mounted spare I wasn’t probably the only one either as I see many cars with rear mounted spare tyre covers that say “Jeep” on them
Doug: The XJ is so great because it’s so simple Also Doug: criticizes the Mitsubishi Mirage because of the parts sticking out and all the exposed screws 😂😂😂
Wow, lucky. I live in Michigan, United States. Lots of snow and ice so it was wonderful for that but all the salt began rusting it out. I think we had over 200k on it before we had to lay her to rest.
As a Jeep owner for the last 23 years, I can appreciate the low cost repair work that can be done to XJ, WK, and ZJ Jeeps which are very cheap to buy in the UK and maintain if you pick the right ones that have not been abused too much. I run a WK 5.7 HEMI on LPG which gives me the same running costs as a small car. Can't really say this about the newer ones!
Hoovies looks totally mint. I can understand why doesn’t want to get rid of it. But then I can understand why he doesn’t want to get rid of any of them. Oh, maybe except the LS 996 mongrel. Not sure about that.
One of the best cars I've had by far! You can't kill that engine! The instrument panel is perfect layout and have both gouges and warning lights for the four main like temp, gas, volts, oil press. I just bought a white 4x4 97 for my son. I'm sure he will enjoy it and remember it as ones of his best rides! That thing will sell like crazy if they build it again!
Placing the jack under the rear seat also has the advantage of not having to unload the cargo area if you have a flat tire. This is especially efficient on backroads when you may have substantial outdoor gear in the rear.
He's exactly right about it being like driving your best friend... And durable? Have I got a story... I was coming over a blind hill in mine, and ran into a couple idiots parked in the middle of the road! It folded the left front tire under and destroyed the front end. In a rush to keep that from happening again, I quickly helped push the other car off the road... I jumped back in my jeep, oil and water all over the road, and turned the key.... it cranked right up no problem! I was able to put it in reverse and backed it off the road! That night made me a believer in my Jeep Cherokee... RIP old friend!
I was riding to dinner in my friend's '90-something 2-door, many years ago, when some guy riding a stolen Ducati at around 4 million mph crashed into the back of us, trying to split the lane while we were stopped at a traffic signal. He hit the left rear corner. You know... where the spare tire is? I feel bad for the owner of that bike, because he (or she, I suppose) must have gotten what was left of it back in an _envelope._ (Dude who stole it must have landed 15, 20 yards farther down the road. He probably didn't even find out he was under arrest until sometime the next week.)
I hit a giant Buck (deer) jumping the divider going at least 60 mph and plowed right through him. Since he was in mid-leap I caught him around his shoulder and his ass swung around and just bashed my left fender...didn't even slow me down. $1100 fix and I still don't have a wiper fluid reservoir...also lost the JEEP logo off the grill.
If you rate the XJ with the 4.0 as a 1 on acceleration, you would have to rate the Blazer, 4Runner, Explorer, etc as -3. The 6cyl XJ was among the fastest of it's day.
I have had 3 Jeep Cherokees in the past. The 4 liter motor shines when towing. I towed a 24' self-contained travel trailer with the 4 liter, and I was very impressed. I've towed on the interstates and mountain highways with plenty of grunt. I loved the size and nimbleness of the Cherokee and the fact that it towed better than many vehicles with standard V-8 motors like the Chevy 305, Ford 302, and the Mopar 318. I now drive a 2017 Grand Cherokee, but if I still had my 1997 Cherokee, then I'd rather drive it.
Yeah John they're great for hauling as long as your leaf springs are in good condition. Also, don't screw around when you're wiring a tow harness up or you're bound to unearth some infamous MOPAR gremlins...
I had a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It had a v8 and was all wheel drive. It was unstoppable in Minnesota winters. When we got hit with a big snowstorm, I would go out for a drive just for the fun of it. It was a great SUV.
In 2003 I bought a Saturn Ion 3 brand new; my 1st car EVER with abs. Late one snowy night coming home from 2nd shift, I decided to try out my abs in my empty alley. I was surprised at how long the stopping distance was. Somehow I assumed it was going to be shorter. And the feedback was an odd, awkward feeling. I did get used to it, eventually. I had simply got accustomed to pounding the brakes repeatedly without abs.
The Gray Penguin because those cars serve completely different purposes... that’s like if someone complained about their new Rolls Royce having a cheap key and you said “a Toyota from 1990 had a cheap key too and it was fine!”
Same with turning the headlight knob to turn on the dome lights. Not really a quirk. Nearly every American car used this type of headlight/panel dimmer/dome light combo switch for at least a few decades.
artistmac eh they’re not really a new item. It really just depended on the car. My 98 4Runner has pull handles. A 77 Maserati has pull handles. But an 03 F-150 has a button. Up until the mid 2000s I wouldn’t really call either one more prevalent. I’m sure the only reason they used it here is for ruggedness
This video makes me miss my '92 Limited, first car when I was 17. Same color and everything. I honestly prefer the older interior over the Classic one, the only downside is the non-Classic XJs didn't have cupholders! I managed to find some OE add-on ones that were flimsy as hell but better than the aftermarket ones.
my brother had one of these back in the day, I drove it one winter and could not get the thing stuck no matter how much I tried. I would drive into our parents driveway through the snow covered yard and ditch.
Jeep Cherokee XJ...a truly icon. I have a 2001, which I acquired in 2007. I have done some work on replacement of some suspension parts and accessories etc. I still must attend to the "Death Wobble", but what a wonderful decision I made way back in 2007 I often tell myself. Thank you Doug et al👊
I understand that with new regulations the Cherokee really could not have survived much longer than it did, but damn do I wish you could still get newer ones. For me the Cherokee and the Wrangler TJ were the last real Jeeps.
that's why there was an 01 XJ, and why the liberty was called the Liberty, overseas it's still called the Cherokee, but they premiered it and the preorders took them too far into the 01 model year to still call it a 2000.
97-98 Cherokees are the best mix of pre-cali emissions junk, and still having the refreshed interior and exterior. The AMC 4.0 Straight-6 is one of the best engines ever produced. My Dad's ZJ had over 400k miles on it when he sold it, and had almost no issues other than 2 trans swaps (the ZJ transmissions were garbage, but the AW4 in the XJ is almost bulletproof when maintained) Tons of low end torque, excellent reliability, and decent fuel economy to boot. Before I modified my XJ I would see 20 MPG on the highway without even trying. The Jeep XJ has so much flex even in stock form, just install some sway bar disconnects and it would wheel with the best of them. The 2000 4-runner was not really geared for off-road as much as the Cherokee. It was much bigger, much heavier, and had independent front suspension instead of a solid axle. The Dana 30 has been really solid in my experience, on 35's I have not broken an axle shaft, only the cheap vatozone u-joint I hastily installed. The build quality, I will admit is not stellar. Good enough for a daily driver though, with Grand Cherokee seats mine is really comfortable. Parts are cheap, and everything is generally easy to repair. Honestly, in over 150k miles mine has given me no mechanical issues. Some minor electrical issues that were present when I bought the XJ were easy to trace and fix, and of course all the 4-wheeling carnage I have inflicted...
Justin, it also causes increased carbon build up on direct injected engines, it increases vehicle complexity and systems interdependence which hurts reliability significantly. New cars are built to be disposable. Less and less are repairs designed to be easy and feasible, now requiring pulling a motor to change a simple sensor or whatever. New cars are designed to last 150k miles and then are to be discarded for a new model. Old cars were designed to last generations. It's not as cut and dry as "it's better for the environment". What about all the environmental waste that was generated from Cash for Clunkers? Discarding perfectly good cars for ones that are less reliable Thankfully my XJ survived cash for clunkers. Should be around for another 20 years if I have any say in the matter. :)
reddyuda There is a Chevrolet Volt with over 400,000 miles and still running with routine maintenance. There have always been some cars that were better and more reliable than others. We just tend to remember the best ones and forget about the worst ones.
reddyuda 97 5.2 gc is a killer 4x4 with the power to back it up. but your damn right about the cali emissions bs, and the electrical. but i love to dump the money in my ol grey mare, cant help it.
Big time memories in this one! Muddin down trails in central Florida. My dad owned two while I was growing up but never got another jeep after the Cherokee was disconnected
I loved my XJ. It was my first car,and well it got totaled unfortunately. But I haven’t even had a second car yet and I already can tell you that I’ll miss that car for the rest of my life despite only owning it for a month and a half
Jaguar XJ ain't got nothin' on Jeep XJ.
ily doug
When's the Z8 video coming?
Doug DeMuro back again with the average cars no one cars about. Your channel is getting boring
Doug’s past acts a minivan and 2 suvs no one gives a fuck about. Up your game
Daddy Doug
new doug car
So I just got my XJ after looking for one in good shape for years. I was passing by my neighbors garage and there was always a covered car in his garage, well a few days ago the wind was crazy and it uncovered the beauty, a 1996 Jeep cherokee with 120k miles, him being the only owner and it was there because it wouldn’t start. I told him if he was willing to sell it and he said, how much you got, I said “ i only have like a thousand”, i was just kidding I had no shit. And he said, let me get the title, I had to get a loan to buy it lol, I pushed to my house, ( this vehicles are not heavy) I got it in, called a friend, turns out it was only the crankshaft sensor, It costs 60 bucks, i bought my friend a 6 pack. Now I have a really nice, impeccable jeep cherokee.
You are one lucky - thief. You stole that one😁
I picked up a 92 limited with 80k miles on it for 1k. Slightly inherited though.
My mom had a 95 (I think) cherokee, she paid $600 and it worth of upgrades into it for offroad use and such, it lasted her about 5 years until the sub frame cracked. Not too bad if you ask me. Definitely got her money's worth out of it.
Nice find!!!
Sweet!
Holy shit, I've had my XJ for sale online for 2 weeks with only 2 legit offers. Doug publishes this video and within 48 hours, I get 8 offers and have a bidding war that's pushed the sale 30% over my asking price between 3 people.
Thanks, Doug!
Is doug getting a cut? Lol
Sell it LOL...don't hold out sell it to the first person who shows up with the cash. Then go out and buy another one and modify it for 4 Wheeling and you'll be able to sell it in a heartbeat.
got that DougBump (TM)
Its tax time buddy
Hmmm sell you one???
Doug's the type of guy who still talks about that one really great sandwich he made in the 90's.
Cmon man, it was a perfect sandwhich.
it was a fucking great sandwich
@@a.ortega4505 the best
So good
Dang is this King and the Sting now?
The Cherokee Xj is one of the best offroading vehicles ever. Excellent wheelbase, great powerplant, good visibility, and tons of aftermarket. They are fantastic.
My favorite 4x4!
Glad you said that, l'm thinking about buying one. Always liked them, but don't know much about them!😂
My father he owned that car before in Qatar .
01' Jeep Cherokee Xj German manufacturer , dark green color with 4.0L 6 cyl .
And very lightweight! great for sand dunes and the beach
my grandma TO THIS DAY drives a 1990 Jeep cherokee laredo with 300k miles 😭 my 2017 jeep cherokee has more issues than hers
⁰⁰0
Because you bought a modern pile of crap lol
The newer Cherokee is not a real jeep if you ask a jeep enthusiast, if you like it awesome, but as a jeep enthusiast I would never drive one unless it's a 2001 or older
@@mikeLs32 until you get one and you have to accept that
old cars are more reliable, and thats just facts. they were built to last forever, new cars are made to last until the warranty runs out so you need a new one
Bought my 2000 XJ in July of 2000. Wouldn't sell it for anything. Still driving it today after 17 1/2 years. Love it.
MMO Pipe bought my '98 in '99. Not feeling like I need to get rid of it, either. Look forward to the weekends driving
MMO Pipe my dad bought a 98 ZJ Grand Cherokee in the same year. It's been in our family ever since and I still drive it. Bit of a gas hog with the 318 though
Proud daily driver of a 2001 Cherokee. No tech but the radio, no luxuries, just a car that starts drives and stops, and never breaks.
still driving my 1999 and have 167,000 on it and it still is driving on the beach for me
i have a feeling it doesnt break or brake
I bought a low mileage rust free 2 years ago that I use for daily driver. I have upgraded it with a Sony Android unit with car play and rear view camera. I don't need another car.
the striaght 6 is just a awsome engine
I have a manual 1993 with 140k miles. Best car I’ve ever owned. Will never sell it
i watched this vid for the first time like two years ago and became obsessed, started hunting for one then and there. yesterday the stars aligned and i finally had the money at the same time one was available and now i’m the extremely proud owner of an ‘01 XJ sport!!
2001 Xj sport also, 3.5 in lift. Went over Colorado mountains from Boulder up Switzerland trail, 4th of July trail, through rivers, and of course snow all the way to Estes Park and Grand Lake. You Tube those trails they’re dream type memories without scratching paint. Take care of it I may want to buy yours if I win some money soon😂.
@@2needey1 i unfortunately don’t have it anymore, but it treated me great for the two years i had it!
Doug is the type of guy who swapped his E63 wagon for an Odyssey because it has a built-in vacuum cleaner
Gordon Greninger roflmao
This is one of my favorite comments of all time
@@gordongreninger6109 you stop vacuuming when you drive?
He was appreciating simplicity here. As he said, the Cherokee's greatest quirk is simplicity itself.
Ardimo Harsa hahahahhahahaha
Gotta believe that if jeep released a throwback version of the cherokee that is a near copy paste of the XJ that there would be a ton sold
I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
I'd daily one! Oh wait, I do daily one!
Korey Jentes they’d never do it. They were built to actually last longer than 80,000 miles.
I'd buy one, but by the time they would get it to meet current government standards, it would be about as much the same is the new VW Beetle is to the original.
unfortunately they cant though. Many manufactures want to recreate old cars, but modern saftey rules prevent them from making such simple, light-weight cars
My wife's brother gave us an '85 XJ with 100,00 miles in 1994. Having five kids the back seat was a little small and we insisted that everyone wore a seat belt. No problem. We went to a local salvage yard and bought the back seat from a wrecked wrangler with seat belts. Recovered it and bolted behind the back seat. It fit perfectly and we didn't even need to move the spare tire creating the first seven passenger Jeep. It worked great for our little family for another 100,000 miles.
Do you have a picture of this?
Charles Martinez
No because he lied
The XJ Cherokee is my favorite car ever. Had a '96 I planned on restoring one day. People though I was crazy. But I hit a large ice patch one winter and rolled it. Loved that vehicle. Miss it so much.
So sorry to hear that. My mom and dad gave me their 99 XJ Sport when they bought new cars 10 years ago...I'm about to hit 200K, this thing is a tank and I will never ever let it go 😅😂
"They obviously tuned the accelerator to respond instantly."
Yes Doug, its called a cable throttle...
Joshua Myers lol That’s funny I don’t understand why we can’t have throttle cables back. Computers Taking over everything even our throttle response. These new engines have so much more power but they don’t always feel like it because the computer has pampered it down so much and rolls the throttle on slowly no matter what you do with your foot. The old engines with half the power felt more powerful to drive Just because of the instant response when you push the pedal.
@@theaveragejoestinkeringand4407 I agree totally. Cable throttles felt much better.
@@theaveragejoestinkeringand4407 Cable throttle does has a different response than what the ECU gives you, but the ECU is far more reliable-- albeit more expensive to replace.
I love the wheel wobble and the cable throttle
@@theaveragejoestinkeringand4407 New engines don't feel like they have that much power because they're built into bodies with much better stiffness, suspension, and noise isolation.
Every time I go to an offroad park in my K5 Blazer, I end up following one of these XJs through the trails. The owners are always awesome and the Jeeps themselves range anywhere from weekend beaters to serious offroad rigs. I watched two of these XJs just going through the woods as the crow flies. No trails, no pathway, just going up and over fallen trees and huge rocks.
Loved my Cherokee 4L. It never let me down. It plowed through deep snow like a champ,on the beach and off road it was a billy goat. It was nice to know that when you got in it you weren't limited where you could drive. It gave me 330,000+ miles of fun.
Got a 96 modell Limited with a 2.5 litre diesel and 5 speed manuel girbox, it's a tractor, but still a nice car.
Can someone explain to me why I'm watching this again? I have watched it 3 times atleast and now I own one.
I've owned 2 of them, both 96 models. My current 96 is a Sport model with front end fascia and panel swap from a 97 for a cleaner front end look. This is about the 15th time I've watched this video haha
i had watched this video a couple times before i bought mine like a week ago and i’ve watched it like every other day since
I swear this is my 10th time watching this😂
These vehicles seem to grow on you. I never had a vehicle that gave me so much trouble, yet I love the damn thing.
So many of these "Quirks" are just typical for older vehicles. For example, those door handles operate like just about every truck door handle used to. Rotating the headlight knob is the instrument cluster dimmer control, and every single vehicle I have ever seen turns the dome light on when you turn the dimmer switch all the way up (usually there is a detent).
Brad Noyes Doug only drives new cars though.
I'd argue most of the viewers have never seen these features, so it was cool to see.
If you've been living in a cave.
Don't forget the foot operated dimmer switch on the floor.
Doug's youth is humorous at times.
Doug being amazed by a door handle that was fairly common on trucks, vans, and many SUVs in the 80's into the 90s
Same deal with the dome light on the headlight knob.
Maybe Doug would like to obsess over the ones on my d100 and the dome light on my headlight switch
Those door handles aren't so unusual. That's how they all were in the '60's and '70's. Same with the headlight/domelight switch.
Those door handles were great for squatting next to the car then using them as a handhold to pull yourself up. As long as you do not touch the button, the door will not open. Nicer than pushing yourself back up from a gravel covered road shoulder after looking under the car to see what might be wrong.
The spelling of liter was the most complicated thing on this Jeep
The spelling of what? 🇨🇦 🇺🇸 🇪🇺
Figuring out how to put the NP231 transfer case into full time for wheel drive was rather complicated. Especially when the NP231 did not have the full time selection on that transfer case. Some of them had the NP242 transfer case that had part time four wheel drive and full time four wheel drive. It was a bit weaker than the NP231 that did not have full time four wheel drive.
@@indridcold8433 I always swapped the 242 for the 231 every time I got a XJ with the garbage 242. The Np231 was waaaaaay better Imo. The full time just sucked the fuel and was hard on the drive line.
Don't take it so serious 🤣 that comment made my day
@@indridcold8433 The NP242J had 2wd Fulltime 4hi 4low. The NP242 ONLY had Full time 4hi and 4low.
I didn't know the XJ was unibody. Thank you Doug...my 12 year old loves you.
Simplicity sells. That's what automakers today won't understand or pretend don't understand.
Anas Takiyudin ikr
Anas Takiyudin if it’s a great looking car, yes. Styling is the most important thing on a car. This Jeep Cherokee is a style icon. Complexity infuriates 95% of buyers. They just want a cool car.
Dacia gets this
Automakers today are not targeting the enthusiasts, they are targeting emerging markets where car use is not as prevalent and want to give them cars that are more convenience than anything else, daily drivers that's all. They keep cutting the car's arse's in half to make them more compact for their high congestion roads and all, their market research is more on point than perhaps any other industry.
thats why i like my 99 buick century.......
3.1 v6....4 speed auto.....power brakes and steering
thats it
car is 3200 pounds due to not having 500 pounds of sensors and computers........handles GREAT, seriously like a sports car with a bit more body roll (it over-steers....so fun)
easy as fuck to work on.....everything just pops apart
Simplicity is beauty. Jeep has really screwed up since 2002 !
That’s why I drive a tundra
It's too bad... Chrysler toom the one thing and I mean the one thing they had going for them and literally threw it in the trash. My mom has a new, "Cherokee". She drives it to work and back basically and it is a hunk of junk. It shifts rough (laughable except not really), the a/c doesn't blow cold once warmed up which makes no sense if you know how an a/c that doesn't blow cold all of the time works... And it has a unique feature that is after it rains it for some reason unknown to my mom or I sounds like the roof is going to flap off, with nothing visibly moving or otherwise different from before the rain. Junk. I used to love taking my old jeep road tripping. Her rig is miserable. The only thing that finally killed my step dad's XJ was the New Hampshire rust. If preventative shit had been done since he got it it'd be on the road today. We went everywhere in that rig though for many years. Never an issue besides a/c (Chrysler) not working.
@@Goodywagon that's what killed my '99 XJ sport, road salt from northern Indiana winters. Best vehicle i ever owned.
That 4.0 was indestructible
Agreed
I have a friend that had one for his 18th bday. He still has is....we’re 45 now!
WoW lucky cat is he! we' re about same age
aww it's so lovely how old people connect so quick
Eril Burgos that’s a Jeep for ya
I was thinking maybe earlier model year?
he got his cat mobil in 1991...not necessary talking about the last 2001 model amigo
My grandpa had a 96 XJ and man the memories from that SUV. Remember that cars are chapters in our lives filled with memories and happiness.
beautiful comment
1999 XJ owner here. 6 inline 5 speed. I'm a chick and am slowly becoming a mechanic cuz I love my Jeep. I blew a brake line yesterday. Every day is a mystery. You never know what will break. Fun! In the past 2 weeks I have cured the death wobble, stopped the door locks from locking and unlocking by itself, fixed front speaker, replaced turn signal relay, reinstalled brake stop button and replaced the serpentine belt. Now I get to replace a brake line.
That's hot.
What was causing the door locks to behave like that? That's usually a Ford phenomenon.
@@thebruce9042 I learned it's not uncommon for Jeeps as well. I replaced the door lock/window master control switch in the passenger front door.
Good info,thanks
Isn't it awesome I can be both?
I actually own 3 Cherokees at the moment! Various years! Have owned a Cherokee for the last 25 years! That inline 4.0 is one of the best motors built!!
Had a 96 classic,black with full power and the 4.0 HO,put a bunch money in it and then sold it.
The thing had plenty of power and ran like a clock.
Now it's worth double what I sold it for.
Popular Mechanics thinks so, too!!
Ah, my first real crush. Always loved the classic Cherokee.
I still love it. The only thing I didn't like was when I had to wax the Jeep. I spent MORE time getting caked up wax out of all those nooks and crannies than actually putting and removing the wax!
@hyperliterider861
Beer drinking project with the radio on and no one bothering you
For me, getting in behind the wheel is a lot like climbing into, say, a Piper Cub. My 94 had no metal left on the floor pans, just amazingly durable carpets and mats. Mine was a 4-speed and everything was manual. Sciatica caused by pumping the clutch in city traffic finally compelled me to part ways with my little grey XJ. Oh how I miss it!
Nice review, Doug. I've had a 1999 Cherokee for 14-15 years and last week I just bought another clean 1999 XJ. Clean ones are getting harder and harder to find. I love the simplicity, reliability, versatility, nimbleness, and off-road capability. Early XJ's had also had a button on the rear gate. Many old cars had the dome light turn on after max dash brightness. Here's some more technical info for your watchers: 1999 was the best year for the XJ Cherokee: In 96 the XJ's got the benefit of the larger Dana 44 size 760x u-joints in the front axle. The only difference, between it and the Rubicon TJ Dana 44 is the size of the ring and pinion gear. And since the Dana 30 in the Cherokee is reverse-spiral, the late 90's Cherokee Dana 30 is arguably as strong as the Rubicon TJ front Dana 44 axle, except maybe for the pinion gear. Somewhere in the 90's they also ditched the weak and problematic CAD axle housing. (Thanks, Jeep, for bringing it back in the 2018 Wrangler, ugh!) 29 spline axles in the C-8.25 rear axle came along in 1997, replacing the 27-spline axles, making it almost as strong as a Dana 44 rear, and is the same axle found in many Dakotas, Durangos and Ram 1500 pickups. The other axle available in the rear was the weaker Dana 35 like in the YJ and TJ Wrangler (non-Rubicon models). 99 was the last year for the high pinion Dana 30 front axle (00-01 had the low-pinion axle just like the TJ). 99 was the last year for the 0630 cylinder head with larger valves than the 00-01 models (and some late 99's) with the 0331 head. The 0331 head has smaller valves, for emissions reasons, and is almost guaranteed to crack between cylinder 3&4. In 2003 they fixed the head, with the 0331 TUPY head casting in the TJ and WJ, but it was too late for the XJ. 1999 was the first year for the curved intake runners and larger runner volume, which purportedly make about 15-20 more horsepower. 99 was the last year for the distributor and single ignition coil; 00-01 models came with coil on plug. The performance difference is minimal, but the distributor model is easier to diagnose and fix.
ScoutSkills I agree with you for the most part, but in 99 and up models you forget about the massive recall that Chrysler put out on the 4.0L for having imperfect material in the pinstons themselves.. That's why if you find a 4.0 with coil packs don't buy it,unless you want crack pistons.. But whats funny, unless you plan on really pushing that motor, people didn't even notice a performance loss accept at cold , low idle, with a great ticking noise.. I've had 9 of these bad boys.. Everyone had been a 5 speed too..
ScoutSkills lol nice essay
Agree on the dome light/headlight control. And many pickup trucks when you do that, it also turns on a white light pointing into the bed. (Usually in the same housing as the high center brake light, if it's new enough to have that.)
Garrett Chapman, didn't know about the piston recall, just the cracking 0331 heads. Good to know... I'll need to research that. Both of my 99's have 0630 heads and no coil on plug. My "old" 99 has developed a tick (125,000 miles), which I am planning to investigate as soon as I get a "warm" day. 153,000 miles on the "new" one. No ticks.
ScoutSkills how long did it take to write that
Doug's the kind of guy who drops his pants to his ankles at the urinal
he's the real life butters
That's confidence
So that just makes it easier to take a piss
LOL so fucking brutal!!!
So... I still have my mom wipe my bum.
The off-roading community loves them for their front and rear solid axles and the 4.0L Straight Six motor is indestructible.
ΣHAANTI yep.. It's a shame they don't make them anymore!
*undestructable
ΣHAANTI my friend had two both of the engines blew up
Don't forget great ground clearance.
hopefullyApro 'undestructable' isn't a word, dumbass.
I bought one of these (albeit, in need of some serious tuneups) for a whopping $500 last year, and after cleaning it and getting it fixed up, it’s quite possibly the coolest car I have and ever will own
Idk why but I love the boxy styling on this Cherokee classic
me too!! its so sad they dropped they kind of style because i honestly just dont like the cherokees after 2001:/
Doug the type of guy to clean his house with the Odyssey vacuum cleaner
The Frattelli’s getaway car from the 1985 Goonies, love the XJ!
I'm 17 and I got my 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4 liter for 2000$ with only 90,000 miles. Best deal ever and I didn't even know it until a couple weeks ago.
Jamtoad I got a 1995 Cherokee sport 4l inline 6 with 200k miles for 3k but it has new ecu and an old guy bought it brand new and was a daily driver so it’s more like 100k miles I’m also 17 lol
Great deal
Not a bad deal. But I got a 97 for $500. Clean AF too.
Wow.. Soo cheap.. lucky for you there.. here in Indonesia the XJ will cost us around $ 15.000 - $ 20.000 , the ZJ around $ 10.000
I'm 17 and I just picked up an immaculate condition 1988 volvo 240 GL sedan for 1200 bucks. Has all the options, factory alloy wheels, black leather interior and a sunroof.
I have a friend who had a mid-'90s one of these. As far as I can remember, only two things broke on it in all the years he had it, but they were both kind of important things. One was the transfer case, which was expensive, but the other one was much more dramatic: the ratchet holding the driver's seatback upright. We were on the 580 outside Oakland one day, carpooling back from work, and WHOMP suddenly he's sort of lying down with his head in the back seat rather than, you know... _driving the car._ That was special. Got to love that mid-'90s Chrysler interior build quality. :)
Not a surprise, Chevy blazers also had seat back problems. I was doing around 80 on a elevated roadway In Saudi Arabia when the seat broke and I found myself looking at the hardtop. Had to stuff a box of water and a 25 Kilo bag of rice behind the seat to force it back into a usable position. Not recommended but it worked.
Anyone else feel like Doug would be a perfect family guy character
NOMAD Giggety!
Quagmire
I had this car back in the 8o’s. Held is value and was reliable reliable other than a fuel pump. Not the most refined ride. I remember always ordering a medium coffee in a large cup so that I could drink it without splashing some on my shirt.
I dumped my modern cars and bought a 96 XJ two years ago with 49k miles. I look forward to driving it every single day. There is a lot to like about it. Especially if you do your own work. I'll be very sad if it gets wrecked or rots out from underneath me, because good ones are getting so rare. I wish manufactures would pay attention to this nostalgia that exists and provide a product that people want. Finding simplicity now is very difficult. My next vehicle, if not an XJ, will be something from the same era.
Jordan Moore I have a 95 (crashed now), 96, and drove my buddies 2000 for a week. 96 is my favorite year by far 😁
If you want a simple reliable SUV from that era and you can't find any clean jeeps around then I would say import a jdm rhd Toyota hilux surf you can get it with a v6 gasoline or a 4 cylinder turbo diesel
I didn't know much about the different model years when I bought it. But I sure have learned a lot since then. 96 is now my favorite (perhaps I'm biased) I think the 96 (as long as it is the late model year 96) is the best of both worlds. It has many of the improvements that are associated with the 97+ (primarily sensors and connectors), has an OBD2 system (can use a cheap scanner/diagnostics on it), but retains much of the body, trim, and electrical simplicity of the pre-97 models. The body has a more square classic Jeep look which was slightly rounded for 97+. Some people call it a bastard year, but really there few unique parts on it. The fuel pump assembly being the one that most people mention, as it is getting harder to find. 96s were also the biggest sales year, so there were actually more 96s on the road than any other year. I love the way it drives, and I hope it lasts forever.
4runners are great too
I suspect they could have sold even longer if people didn't feel it should be the government's job to bubble wrap the world for the uninformed consumers. Today's crossover buyers just want a fancy station wagon that won't be called a "family car" you know, for the family.
The door handles ARE the "normal" handle design, and were normal for decades.
RJ IMO much more reliable don't snap off in cold weather and can easily be used with gloves
Normal when they were metal.
When everything started going plastic, door handles was one of the things that infuriated me.
My Studebakers have basically the same design.
Brick-nose F150, same deal.
I've been driving a Jeep Cherokee for almost 25 years now. Drove my first one (a 1990) for 17 years, and I've had the second one ever since. I have no complaints whatsoever - it can fit in any parking spot, plenty of room in the backseat for the kids growing up, and that back cargo area can fit quite a lot. I've used it to bring home smoker pits, washing machines, all kinds of stuff that other people thought would never fit back there. And they're dang sturdy vehicles - if you take care of one, it'll last dang near forever.
when i was a kid and fantasizing about my adult life i'd always pictures myself owning one of these cars with a german shepherd and siberian husky riding along with me
Well? Did it become so?
Never too late to make it a reality.
Those are my favorite breeds of dog too! Hope it turned into reality
It’s a great dog jeep just put the seats down
Doug; the type of guy to actually read a car's owner's manual from front to back before driving it.
Matty P lol
Lol. I totally do that.
This vehicle should go down as one of the best ever built. I have owned 6 of them. I bought one for each of my kids as their first car and two of the three are still driving theirs and never plan on selling them. Count me as loving them.
Both of my kids learned to drive in Jeep XJ's. Once they have had some experience on jeep roads near timberline, even paved mountain passes are a piece of cake.
I have a 96 xj sport 4.0
It won't die.
Still my favorite vehicle to drive.
Absolutely no blind spots and can easily see all four corners of the vehicle.
Mine is not lifted yet has gotten me through some aggressive terrain with no problems.
We are buying a 92 this weekend for $1,500.00
@@joycedistler9762 I have my 92 4.0 since 14 years ;)
And note for @Doug - there were rear headrests in 1st gen XJ since 1995 or 1996. I've swapped my rear sits with such one and since a few years ago I've got front and rear headrest.
And... You should take a look into a Cherokee before 1997, there is a few differences in the interior, including windows steering switches U need to see ;)
i am not gonna lift mine until i get more cars
@@mrbiggiecheese312 do no more than 3,5 inch, it works well with 31" tyres and U still have an useful car for daily driving and for longer trips too.
But I understand, now I have a comfy hydropneumatic Citroën for family trips since a few years and this is it :-)
@@v0yt4ss i wont lift it any more than 1 inch. i just dont want to affect it that much.
I love my 96 Cherokee. Its a great rig. 355k on the odo and still going strong!
Doug is the type of guy that's amazed at exposed screws when every vehicle engineered in the early 80's had exposed screws
Lousybarber But did anything after this have exposed screws? Planned obsolescence killed this trend.
Yeah but this is a 2001
Just replaced the headliner in my 92 limited XJ and the trim screws are not exposed. They have covers.
Doug the type of guy to LS swap a corvette
Rahuli42 after already swapping his 2jz-gte Toyota Supra
Alright. That was pretty damn good LOL
Doug is the kind of guy who leaves his mouth open to listen
New yawkkkk
I was actually at the part where's he listening for the engine noise when I read this and it was true. His mouth was open.
Like yours
He gets better signal that way
HAH!
I miss my 1994 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 I6, so much! My current vehicle is in every way superior, but nothing beats this!
I got a 91 Jeep Comanche 4.0 (MJ) with 79k original miles. It's just a Cherokee turned into a regular cab pickup. Best truck I've ever owned. I've towed suburbans with it multiple times
Our 1991 XJ which we bought New, has 420,000 miles and still running great.
JEEP XJ = BEST CAR EVER !!!!
Kimberly Sabillon wow
420 I know that’s a lie
I got 647k on my 98, my 90 has 169k, 92 has 179k and my other 92 has 283k
Hunter Sieling I want to buy one just for this reason
2000 has 265K nothing major repaired ever
Those door handles never broke though. Many pull handles are much more fragile.
Michael Hohe they will never open if something hooks on them or bumps them while offroading either
Yes, I think they are much more prone to failure. I wonder if the change was influenced by ADA, easier to open the new ones with fewer digits, hook, arthritis, etc. That, styling, and planned obsolescence.
Weirdly enough, I see more XJ Cherokees on the road then I do new Cherokees.
The ones you see are the ones that still work.
@@Blessed.2.Teach.4God no shit. He said he sees them on the road lol
@@nickhearn7288
His statement could've simply been referring to popularity and not necessarily durability, smart ass.
@@Blessed.2.Teach.4God popularity or durability they are on the road. How am I a smart ass. Lol
@@nickhearn7288
The original comment said "weirdly enough I see XJ's more than I do the new ones" ...leading me to believe that he thought it was odd that the older one's might be more popular. W/e the case the OP obviously thought it was strange... So I just simply clarified the mystery as to why, and it being due to the fact that the older XJ's are more reliable & durable and that would likely be why they are seen as often as they are.
Your response was "No shit....."
Uncalled for and made zero circumstantial sense in the thread, that's why you're a smart ass. Goodbye now.
My pops put well over 400,000 miles on his without an engine rebuild and it's still running really well
Damn he must be a stickler for maintenance
Wet Lettuce yea he is but only for mechanical stuff he could give less of a shit about the interior lol
Doug the type of guy to wear a fake moustache when he goes to Mexico
Aldo S Lmao only one to actually make me laugh
he tells people his name is Diego
Aldo S lmao
Aldo S those “the type of guy jokes “‘are getting old come up with something original , get a life idiot .
mikixP lmao I didn’t force you to read my comment and yet you took the time to reply to it... like, close your eyes bruh🤣🤣 keep scrolling 🤣
Doug, I would love to see your $70,000 Land Rover Defender in a test vs Hoovies $300 Jeep Cherokee.
Lol Cherokee vs Deffender hmmm... what a wrong match up ...!!!
As much as I love XJs as a base platform, it just doesn't compete on standard "off-road" goodies. Open diffs front and rear (usually), small tires and low ground clearance and long(ish) overhangs. They are great in most situations, but the limitations show when the surface is very slippery. On the other hand, the articulation is pretty good, they are pretty light and there's plenty of aftermarket to bring them into Defender or Land Rover territory.
My older sister had a mint condition 1994 Cherokee and after it went down the line to my little sister it had 300k miles on the odometer. The only reason we had to scrap it was the frame was so rusted the body was separating from the welds on the frame. Absolute tank of a vehicle, never once broke down and Indiana winters were an afterthought after dropping in 4x4
This makes me feel a lot better about potentially buying this 96 Cherokee down the road from me. Has 188k miles so at first I was scared off, but the inside all looked clean. Think I’m gonna go take another look at it tomorrow if I can, we’ll see how it goes
Of course, buying a used car with that many miles isn’t the safest bet anyways because it’s dependent on how well it has been taken care of. So I’m hoping it’s in decent shape and I’m hoping I can get it because I really like these jeeps.
This is gonna be a stupid question/statement but in hindsight do you think subjecting it to an undercarriage wash Weekly would've helped? I see SOOO many XJ's with rocker panel damage in Chicago.
@@landonbenford8369 Yes, I believe so however it was driven by 4 teenagers. Outside of regular maintenance we weren't exactly concerned with keeping it clean. We grew up in the boonies and thrashed on it for weekend off-roading and camping.
I bought a 2001 XJ for $5000 in 2009 and sold it for $4000 in 2014 after putting 70,000 extra miles on it.
oisiaa wet dream of every person that buys used car
oisiaa
U drive too much
That sucks u spent over 140k on gas in the time frame
That should get it a much higher Value score!!
I bought my 99 in 2015 for 1500, and after a could thousand in parts its worth closer to 5k.
Quentin Tarantino trying to get me to buy an XJ, I’m sold.
Dude, that’s Hilarious😂😂! Only 171 likes ??
Had my 2001 Jeep Cherokee for over a year now it’s the first car I’ve ever had, I wouldn’t replace it for anything. Waiting for the tires to wear out to get it lifted 2”.
when i was a kid my uncle had a Cherokee and I thought that all SUV's were called "Jeeps"
pretty much the same thing here, except with every car with a rear mounted spare
I wasn’t probably the only one either as I see many cars with rear mounted spare tyre covers that say “Jeep” on them
everytime i tell people i drive a jeep they ask me what brand lool
We all thought of that. Please Where are you from ?
@@paganizondasroadster1660 Germany
I thought a fjcruiser was a “toyota” thats the brand lmao
Doug: The XJ is so great because it’s so simple
Also Doug: criticizes the Mitsubishi Mirage because of the parts sticking out and all the exposed screws 😂😂😂
I know you're joking, but this is a Jeep. It's what they're known for. The Mirage is a new car and thats why Doug criticized it so much.
Ok but 20 year difference of car is DRAMATIC 😂
Zach Reynolds I like that as well. It’s good to know that you can work on your car using tools that you can find in your common toolbox.
Weirdly enough, I see more XJ Cherokees on the road then I do new Cherokees.
@@rum724todnothib8 that’s because new cherokees suck ass and are built by fiat Chrysler who are known for terrible quality control
Just bought my 3rd XJ. (Well one belongs to my son now). Safe to say I will forever be an XJ owner!
My first vehicle was a hand me down 1995 Jeep Cherokee and it was by far my favorite vehicle.
NoFearIsHere same
Driving one across Australia right now.... 301k miles on tight now.
Wow, lucky. I live in Michigan, United States. Lots of snow and ice so it was wonderful for that but all the salt began rusting it out. I think we had over 200k on it before we had to lay her to rest.
My mathilda is going strong and keeps us save in the outback.
As a Jeep owner for the last 23 years, I can appreciate the low cost repair work that can be done to XJ, WK, and ZJ Jeeps which are very cheap to buy in the UK and maintain if you pick the right ones that have not been abused too much. I run a WK 5.7 HEMI on LPG which gives me the same running costs as a small car. Can't really say this about the newer ones!
Doug the type of guy to ask his food for permission to eat it
The headlight switch is also the dimmer switch for the gauges
You should've borrowed Hoovies for the review.
813Productions well his has 360k+ miles, so it wouldn't be as good as this one for an example.
Leo his is clean as hell
Ashraf Zahra I know, but not as good as this one, and this one is stock too. Hoovies has a slight lift to it
Hoovies looks totally mint. I can understand why doesn’t want to get rid of it. But then I can understand why he doesn’t want to get rid of any of them. Oh, maybe except the LS 996 mongrel. Not sure about that.
kinda like hoodie "borrowed" Doug's style of making videos
One of the best cars I've had by far! You can't kill that engine! The instrument panel is perfect layout and have both gouges and warning lights for the four main like temp, gas, volts, oil press. I just bought a white 4x4 97 for my son. I'm sure he will enjoy it and remember it as ones of his best rides!
That thing will sell like crazy if they build it again!
They did. Right outside Chicago. I see A LOT of them, but reportedly Jeep just didn't sell enough of them.
Placing the jack under the rear seat also has the advantage of not having to unload the cargo area if you have a flat tire. This is especially efficient on backroads when you may have substantial outdoor gear in the rear.
Doug that type of guy who reads the owners manual like a novel
manan mehta with his reading glasses and pajamas on and a lamp on that sits on his night stand
We ALL should!!!!!🧐🧐I learned some stuff.
He's exactly right about it being like driving your best friend... And durable? Have I got a story... I was coming over a blind hill in mine, and ran into a couple idiots parked in the middle of the road! It folded the left front tire under and destroyed the front end. In a rush to keep that from happening again, I quickly helped push the other car off the road... I jumped back in my jeep, oil and water all over the road, and turned the key.... it cranked right up no problem! I was able to put it in reverse and backed it off the road! That night made me a believer in my Jeep Cherokee... RIP old friend!
I was riding to dinner in my friend's '90-something 2-door, many years ago, when some guy riding a stolen Ducati at around 4 million mph crashed into the back of us, trying to split the lane while we were stopped at a traffic signal. He hit the left rear corner. You know... where the spare tire is? I feel bad for the owner of that bike, because he (or she, I suppose) must have gotten what was left of it back in an _envelope._
(Dude who stole it must have landed 15, 20 yards farther down the road. He probably didn't even find out he was under arrest until sometime the next week.)
I hit a giant Buck (deer) jumping the divider going at least 60 mph and plowed right through him. Since he was in mid-leap I caught him around his shoulder and his ass swung around and just bashed my left fender...didn't even slow me down. $1100 fix and I still don't have a wiper fluid reservoir...also lost the JEEP logo off the grill.
I love boxy cars, and I actually hate curved luxurious cars. I like those older 40’s-90’s normal cars, like the kūbelwagen.
If you rate the XJ with the 4.0 as a 1 on acceleration, you would have to rate the Blazer, 4Runner, Explorer, etc as -3. The 6cyl XJ was among the fastest of it's day.
Actually, it is even fast by today's standards.
Paul Standaert it also responds very well to mods. Got a 4.0 in my Comanche (literally this except a regular cab pickup) and it hauls ass
Blazers are faster
For a box.
ExcessMean my xjs wax 4.3 blazers all day lmfao, my 4.6 stroker will spank a 5.3 ls
I have had 3 Jeep Cherokees in the past. The 4 liter motor shines when towing. I towed a 24' self-contained travel trailer with the 4 liter, and I was very impressed. I've towed on the interstates and mountain highways with plenty of grunt. I loved the size and nimbleness of the Cherokee and the fact that it towed better than many vehicles with standard V-8 motors like the Chevy 305, Ford 302, and the Mopar 318. I now drive a 2017 Grand Cherokee, but if I still had my 1997 Cherokee, then I'd rather drive it.
Yeah John they're great for hauling as long as your leaf springs are in good condition. Also, don't screw around when you're wiring a tow harness up or you're bound to unearth some infamous MOPAR gremlins...
I always liked the Commanche pickup version of this!
I had a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It had a v8 and was all wheel drive. It was unstoppable in Minnesota winters. When we got hit with a big snowstorm, I would go out for a drive just for the fun of it. It was a great SUV.
In 2003 I bought a Saturn Ion 3 brand new; my 1st car EVER with abs. Late one snowy night coming home from 2nd shift, I decided to try out my abs in my empty alley. I was surprised at how long the stopping distance was. Somehow I assumed it was going to be shorter. And the feedback was an odd, awkward feeling. I did get used to it, eventually. I had simply got accustomed to pounding the brakes repeatedly without abs.
Exposed screws in the:
2001 Jeep Cherokee: GREAT!!
2017 Mitsubishi Mirage: HORRIBLE!!
What a difference 16 model years make.
yes but thinking about practicality, he could still rate mirage with the ease to take things off and repair. It was the point of that car, simplicity.
The Gray Penguin because those cars serve completely different purposes... that’s like if someone complained about their new Rolls Royce having a cheap key and you said “a Toyota from 1990 had a cheap key too and it was fine!”
2001 Jeep Cherokee is great because I like it very much. 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage is horrible because I don't like it.
@@johnknoxis7916 maybe if the Mirage was...ya know...on par with Rolls Royce
The XJ Cherokee and the ZJ Grand Cherokee. The pinnacle of Jeep.
MrCarGuy20 I don't like the ZJ as much as the XJ. They're nice, but still, I'd rather have an XJ.
Spencer Christiansen I have a 5.2 ZJ, I love it and I hope I never sell it
TJ Wrangler was the pinnacle of Jeep!
ZJ is a turd that should not be mentioned in the same breath as XJ. Two completely different vehicles.
Gordon Greninger Why it is a turd?
You must be very young, Doug. Push-button door handles ARE normal. Pull handles are a relatively new item.
Same with turning the headlight knob to turn on the dome lights. Not really a quirk. Nearly every American car used this type of headlight/panel dimmer/dome light combo switch for at least a few decades.
Seriously
artistmac eh they’re not really a new item. It really just depended on the car. My 98 4Runner has pull handles. A 77 Maserati has pull handles. But an 03 F-150 has a button. Up until the mid 2000s I wouldn’t really call either one more prevalent. I’m sure the only reason they used it here is for ruggedness
my 22 year old car has pull handles...
Pull handles became popular in the 70's Wagoneers and Cherokees had push button since 1962 or 63. The XJ kept a lot of the FSJ features.
This video makes me miss my '92 Limited, first car when I was 17. Same color and everything. I honestly prefer the older interior over the Classic one, the only downside is the non-Classic XJs didn't have cupholders! I managed to find some OE add-on ones that were flimsy as hell but better than the aftermarket ones.
Best example of the KISS principle.
Keep It Simple Stupid
dont you mean Stupid Simple?
Thoemaaas yeah i think thats what he meant
Maybe it's, Keep it simple, Stupid. He's addressing the person as 'stupid'
Thoemaaas its an acronym from the early navy. The KISS principle states that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than complicated
The best things are complex.
my brother had one of these back in the day, I drove it one winter and could not get the thing stuck no matter how much I tried. I would drive into our parents driveway through the snow covered yard and ditch.
watched this in my 2000 xj and found out some new features, thanks doug.
i suppose
Jeep Cherokee XJ...a truly icon. I have a 2001, which I acquired in 2007. I have done some work on replacement of some suspension parts and accessories etc. I still must attend to the "Death Wobble", but what a wonderful decision I made way back in 2007 I often tell myself. Thank you Doug et al👊
01 XJ to 02 Liberty as the worst redesign in history..... YES
I understand that with new regulations the Cherokee really could not have survived much longer than it did, but damn do I wish you could still get newer ones. For me the Cherokee and the Wrangler TJ were the last real Jeeps.
Agreed, I have had (and have) xj’s and I’ve had a kJ. The kJ gets a bad wrap actually, they drive really well, just ugly
nah, the worst was going from the Sunfire to the G5
😐😐😐
that's why there was an 01 XJ, and why the liberty was called the Liberty, overseas it's still called the Cherokee, but they premiered it and the preorders took them too far into the 01 model year to still call it a 2000.
97-98 Cherokees are the best mix of pre-cali emissions junk, and still having the refreshed interior and exterior.
The AMC 4.0 Straight-6 is one of the best engines ever produced. My Dad's ZJ had over 400k miles on it when he sold it, and had almost no issues other than 2 trans swaps (the ZJ transmissions were garbage, but the AW4 in the XJ is almost bulletproof when maintained)
Tons of low end torque, excellent reliability, and decent fuel economy to boot. Before I modified my XJ I would see 20 MPG on the highway without even trying.
The Jeep XJ has so much flex even in stock form, just install some sway bar disconnects and it would wheel with the best of them. The 2000 4-runner was not really geared for off-road as much as the Cherokee. It was much bigger, much heavier, and had independent front suspension instead of a solid axle. The Dana 30 has been really solid in my experience, on 35's I have not broken an axle shaft, only the cheap vatozone u-joint I hastily installed.
The build quality, I will admit is not stellar. Good enough for a daily driver though, with Grand Cherokee seats mine is really comfortable. Parts are cheap, and everything is generally easy to repair. Honestly, in over 150k miles mine has given me no mechanical issues. Some minor electrical issues that were present when I bought the XJ were easy to trace and fix, and of course all the 4-wheeling carnage I have inflicted...
ill never get rid of my 98 xj. ive driven it through hell and back and with the exception of the crank sensor going bad, its NEVER stranded me.
Emissions control is not junk. It helps keep air cleaner and slows the rate of climate change.
Justin, it also causes increased carbon build up on direct injected engines, it increases vehicle complexity and systems interdependence which hurts reliability significantly.
New cars are built to be disposable. Less and less are repairs designed to be easy and feasible, now requiring pulling a motor to change a simple sensor or whatever. New cars are designed to last 150k miles and then are to be discarded for a new model. Old cars were designed to last generations.
It's not as cut and dry as "it's better for the environment". What about all the environmental waste that was generated from Cash for Clunkers? Discarding perfectly good cars for ones that are less reliable
Thankfully my XJ survived cash for clunkers. Should be around for another 20 years if I have any say in the matter. :)
reddyuda There is a Chevrolet Volt with over 400,000 miles and still running with routine maintenance. There have always been some cars that were better and more reliable than others. We just tend to remember the best ones and forget about the worst ones.
reddyuda 97 5.2 gc is a killer 4x4 with the power to back it up. but your damn right about the cali emissions bs, and the electrical. but i love to dump the money in my ol grey mare, cant help it.
Those door handles aren't so unusual. That's how they all were in the '60's and '70's. Same with the headlight/domelight switch.
Yup. I'm surprised he thinks those features are strange.
Ok boomer.
@@Bartonovich52 dead meme smh
Exactly what I was thinking. Go look at any car from that era except they were all chrome metal.
never realized it was so tiny, guess I'm used to seeing them lifted
goes from reviewing rare lamborghinis in Dubai to a jeep cherokee in Colorado
I find most of his Dubai videos are rather boring
Doug the type of guy to call his kids “Sport” or “Champ”
Vehicle Vaginas Your name gets me every time.
I though you were Parker at first lol. Did you think I am Doug?
OMFG That’s probably the most accurate joke I’ve heard.
Vehicle Vaginas Doug would take his kid to little league practice and talk to the coach about his unlimited mile bumper-to-bumper warranty
Vehicle Vaginas Nice fake profile bruh!
Big time memories in this one! Muddin down trails in central Florida. My dad owned two while I was growing up but never got another jeep after the Cherokee was disconnected
Discontinued*
I had this jeep. It's a great vehicle and runs for ever. I sold it to a friend and he's still driving it. Great jeep.
I'll be hitting the quarter million mile mark in a couple months on my '00 sport
That's awesome. My wife and I brought her '04 GC to 205,000 and gave it to my nephew for his 16th Bday 2 years ago. He's loving it!
Awesome!!! I just bought a 99 cherokee and it's about to hit 180k
The lady in that '05 Honda Accord almost rear ended you bro
I've seen it 100s of times. The old bag was late for her appointment at the hair salon.
nlpeaden Oh nah, I own an Xj. They’re made of cheap ass metal. Basically tin cans
nlpeaden Well, mines never quit running and still doesn’t have any rust on it yet at 235k miles but dents are sure easy to put in it, lol
I saw that to
@@jackwatters9502 idk, a buddy of mine rear ended a xj with his 2014 Impala and totaled his car. The xj however wasn't any worse for wear
These types of Jeeps remind me of little kid car drawings, Boxy and Beautiful.
I loved my XJ. It was my first car,and well it got totaled unfortunately. But I haven’t even had a second car yet and I already can tell you that I’ll miss that car for the rest of my life despite only owning it for a month and a half