Author Topic: Need oppinions on Jeep Cherokee. (Read 2443 times)

JS44 · « **on:** July 17, 2003, 12:39:57 PM »

I'm considering getting a 2000 or 2001 Cherokee (not Grand Cherokee). I have driven one for a few days 2 years ago (2001 Cherokee Classic) and liked the driving part of it well enough. I didn't find it to be all that rough of a ride or too noisy like some say they are. What I'm mostly interested in is RELIABILITY. Something that will get me where I want to go and back without needing to be pampered with maintenance or having problems.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks.
JS

Siskiyou · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2003, 01:04:28 PM »

Tough question: Depends on the vehicle. I worked for an outfit that had a lot of them. I had one assigned to me for a couple of years. It was not a bad vehicle. One problem is the body is below the unit body frame. This results in a private lake if your in and out in the snow a few times.

One of them was located at a high country station with resulting cold weather. Tempature would drop below 32 degrees and it would not start. Cure, traded it to a low country station.

We bought the wife a new 99 Jeep. It has been a good vehicle. Only negative thing is the drivers window came out of the frame. (power windows.) We bought her vehicle for bad weather use. It has 4X4, AWD, and locking rearend. For a long period of time they were rebuilding the mountain road to her work. It was steep, muddy, and slick. The jeep did the job and loved by her co workers.

I do not consider the Jeeps good tow vehicles. The rearend drops down, and I think the brakes in older models are not adequate for towing.

It is hard to tell the equipment on one Model name because they have fitted the cherokee models with numerous options.

ccanevit · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2003, 03:06:11 AM »

I purchased a 99 Jeep Cherokee Limited a month ago. Love the thing so far, only annoying thing is the brakes like to squeal, due to excessive brake dust. Other then that, so far it seems to be doing really well. Have around 67k miles on it, I've put about 8k on this so far. On one trip back from the mountains, it appeared it might be blowing smoke out the back on some of the uphill parts of the highway, but I haven't been able to reproduce it, or seen any problem with the fluid levels... maybe just air/fuel mixture for that altitude maybe.

I've only tested the 4wd a little, with highway tires, but it seemed to do pretty good, I only expect it to do better once I wear these tires down and move to something with a more aggressive tread on them.

The one I got did have the factory towing package on it, but I haven't towed anything yet with it, so I can't comment on that portion. I did however take myself and 3 kids camping, and it was a little cramped to get all the gear in there. I didn't put much up top on the roof rack except the fishing poles. I managed to cram everything in there, for the bare essentials. So the cargo space is a little limited.

As far as the ride, the suspension is stiff, you feel it going over bumps, and wind noise I haven't really noticed it much, people were always complaining about that in reviews I read. The only thing that I do notice as far as noise mostly, is everytime I go over a speed bump, or brake sometimes you can hear the dash make popping noises.

Hope this helps, So far its been a reliable vehicle.. you can email me anytime to check on its progress, chris@canevit.com

JS44 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2003, 01:37:58 AM »

Thanks for your inputs. I've read a lot of reviews on them at carreview.com and it seems like most owners are happy with them but some are problems. My other options are 4Runner, Tundra, or Xterra. The 4Runner is probably the best (reliability)of the four under consideration but they cost more. Right now I have a 92 Toyota 4X4 pickup. It's been a good truck except for needing a new differential after 100k (it's got over 195k now) and A/C problems but it's getting kind of ratty with age. It has been very reliable (so far) though. The A/C problem never stopped it from going anywhere and the differential died slowly so I had time to deal with that at my leasure. I'll keep it in addition to getting one of the above mentioned.
Thanks again.
JS

ccanevit · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2003, 04:27:35 AM »

No problem.
I read all the reviews I could as well before I went out and got mine. I think the biggest problem that I read in any review might of been about overheating, but I have yet to see a problem with that. And I live in Phoenix, AZ, where its been over 100 degrees this summer

Siskiyou · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2003, 06:01:50 AM »

The wife's 99 has the tow package w/extra cooling. Only problem is that she will not let me tow with HER Jeep. Which is okay because I tow with my 4x4 PU. The 87 Model Jeep that I had was a poor tow vehicle. Try and stop towing a thousand pounds would over load the brakes.

I do love the jeep in a parking over the PU.

Siskiyou

wolflake · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2004, 04:08:35 AM »

I had one for 173K miles and the only thing I had to replace was a fuel pump and brakes. It was one tough truck. I used it to haul the kids, pull all my toys and hunt.

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2004, 07:29:41 AM »

The only thing I did not like about the Cherokee is that my head hit the headliner. I am 6'3" and the Cherokee is apparently not made for people my height. I also felt cramped while I was driving one. I have a Wrangler and I love the 4wd. There is also much more head room in the Wrangler. Although I would like more room to haul more hunting stuff...

Simple Man · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2005, 05:22:53 AM »

BUY the cherokee and don't look back. You can not go wrong with one of these. The cherokee are a great jeep and the 4.0 engine will last 300,000 miles if you take care of it. They have solid axles in them and are built to 4x4. They ride and drive great, turn very well and have a lot of room. OH, and they are wicked off road. Here is my 96 cherokee wirth a small lift and 31" tires.

Couger · « **Reply #9 on:** August 21, 2005, 09:39:56 AM »

Those who posted ......

Do/did your Cherokee's have standard or automatic transmissions? What engines too?

Thanks.

Simple Man · « **Reply #10 on:** August 21, 2005, 09:44:13 AM »

automatic tranny and 4.0 6 cylinder engine.

mparks · « **Reply #11 on:** August 21, 2005, 03:25:52 PM »

I got 218K out of my '96 Cherokee Classic. Only problem I ever had was replacing the water pump once. I'm not a maintenance fanatic. Just changed the oil every 6-8K and the brakes when they started to squeel. The lady I sold it to is still driving it today. Great vehicle if you ask me.

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2005, 05:59:09 PM »

bdhaley,
What are the spec's on your lift and tire/wheel combo?
I have a 94 XJ Sport, and I ordered a Rubicon Express 3.5" lift w/full packs last week (since they have free shipping right now.... :mrgreen: ).
I was going to go with black rims, but yours look real nice...

Simple Man · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2005, 06:16:33 PM »

2.5" spacers in the front with 1.5" drop shackles and 1" blocks in the rear.
American Racing 065 (I think) wheels and hi-tec retread tires (with green diamonds). The wheels I bought new off Ebay for $325 shipped and the tires were $300 even shipped, the coils and shackles were $100 and I made the blocks.
I bought the jeep and lifted it two weeks later so I was on a budget with the whole lift, wheels/tires setup. Not bad for $725 if you ask me.

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2005, 10:30:58 PM »

Well you sure do have a nice looking rig.... What size tires are those?
I was thinking of running some 31x12.5's but I will most likely go with some 31x10.5's so I dont rub the lower control arm.
BTW.. Mine is the exact same color as yours..

Simple Man · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2005, 03:52:56 AM »

Thanks!

The tires are 31's. It seems that there are more red Cherokee's than any other color. Mine seemed to get really good gas mileage.
I would really like to see your lift when you get it installed, those Rubicon lifts are suppose to be wicked. If you can fit the 31-12.50's then I would say go for it as I think they would look awesome. Better get you some fender flares cause the mud & dirt is gonna fly.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** September 02, 2005, 03:41:24 PM »

I recomend the Cherokee as well.
If you are staying with the newer model, post 97 its pretty much a 4.0 only proposition, for good reason its a GREAT engine. Behind a good auto like the AW4 you have an honest 200,000mi vehicle if you take care of it.

If you get an older Cherokee be sure its ONLY A 4.0 thats the I6 engine. The earliest Cherokees had a Chevy 2.8 V6 that was junk, and the 2.5 was gutless. Standard or auto transmitions is your choice. Early models had a ba10 tranny that had its problems, I would shy away from those as well. AX15 is much better, NV3550 is the bomb! Again if you are looking at the post 97, none of these mentioned mad things where around.

Cherokees have had issues with the radiators it you had AC. If you have overheating problems, replace the radiator with one that has an extra row in it. You will not have another problem with it.

I have had a number of Cherokee's, This is one, my buddie now owns it.

currently my Daily Driver is a MJ. It is nothing but a Cherokee pickup. Here it is:

Good luck,
CW

herbie1 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 05, 2005, 05:34:22 AM »

hello js 44 whatever you do do not believe the 25 mpg stories they are all lies i have owned a few of these and they are very reliable good strong vehicles i love mine to death and woudnt sell it for the world keep front brakes on it and it will last you forever. by the way i have one with the 4.0 and automatic, just dont trade in your full size for fuel economy with one of these vehicles.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #18 on:** September 10, 2005, 03:50:03 PM »

Quote from: herbie1

hello js 44 whatever you do do not believe the 25 mpg stories they are all lies i have owned a few of these and they are very reliable good strong vehicles i love mine to death and woudnt sell it for the world keep front brakes on it and it will last you forever. by the way i have one with the 4.0 and automatic, just dont trade in your full size for fuel economy with one of these vehicles.

AHEM...the blue MJ above is getting BETTER than 20MPG AROUND TOWN!!! It is a 4.0 AW4 with 355 gears and 30" Tars. This is NO BULL!! Yes I have been driving like a grandpa!! :eek:

CW

peakoftherut · « **Reply #19 on:** September 12, 2005, 05:52:10 PM »

I have a 94 cherokee 4.0 liter, auto, 4x4 and love it. The one thing I would dispute is the fact that you have to be short to drive one. I am 6'6"and drive it every day. When I drive to my property which is about 100 miles my knee gets a little sore at about 80 miles. Less than 80 miles and I never notice it.

xraze · « **Reply #20 on:** September 13, 2005, 01:13:05 PM »

Bought mine off the showroom floor friday the 13th, january '89. So far has a new water pump; fuel pump; o-ring job on the fuel squirters. That's
it. 164,000 miles. Still smokes the michelins when nobodys lookin :shock: Best purchase I EVER made!!! Good luck!! Oh yeah; 4.0 motor/auto tranny/misc. upgrades by choice.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 14, 2005, 07:39:11 AM »

Last time i was in one (a couple years ago) i found it had very little leg room in the back seat. Could be maint issues as well.

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #22 on:** September 16, 2005, 07:03:46 PM »

Quote from: bdhaley

I would really like to see your lift when you get it installed, those Rubicon lifts are suppose to be wicked. If you can fit the 31-12.50's then I would say go for it as I think they would look awesome. Better get you some fender flares cause the mud & dirt is gonna fly.

I have had the lift for nearly two weeks, I am going to slap it on this weekend and will post some pic's. I haven't decided on a wheel/tire combo yet so the pics will be with the stockers......

Simple Man · « **Reply #23 on:** September 28, 2005, 02:43:25 PM »

I bought a brand new set of deep dish aluminum wheels off of ebay shipped to my house for $300. Give it a look of you wanna get a nice set and save some money.

Savage,

It has been my experience and many others that I have talked to that the Cherokee's are one of the most reliable 4x4's out on the road today. I have owned a few and still have one. Both of my best friends each have one (one has over 300,000 miles on it now). I have been a regular on the jeep forums for a while and have talked to 100's cherokee owners that will swear by them.
Just my $.02

longwalker · « **Reply #24 on:** December 20, 2005, 04:22:03 AM »

My 98 cherokee has over 125,ooo miles, 4 liter engine, 5 speed transmission. It pulls very well and will rescue much larger vehicals when called on to do so, use rope instead of chain. The comment on towing is proably right. Though I never had any troubles towing my boat, it is a small one by most opinions. I've had it in high country snows, plains of South Dakota and on the beachs of the east coast. Snow, mud or sand it will go and keep going.

Biggest single improvement you can make is to get the proper off road tires. If you feel the need for more ground clearance parts are relatively inexpensive and work.

The only problem, my daughter has it in Colorado where she uses it in the mountains.

longwalker

Simple Man · « **Reply #25 on:** December 29, 2005, 07:01:20 AM »

I picked up a 1998 Cherokee sport 15 days ago. This is even nicer shape than my 96. Yesterday I lifted it 3" and put some 30-9.50 Cooper mud tires on it and new wheels. The lift took about 3 1/2 hours to do but was well worth the time and money - the suspension flex is incredible now. Here are the before and after pics.

gp911 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2006, 01:54:21 PM »

+1 for the Cherokee.

I've been through an '89 4.0L and now drive an '01. I average about 17mpg overall with 3.55s and 30s. They last forever, just give 'em some maintenance when the mood strikes. That '89 was my father's neglectmobile (10k on an oil change, etc.) and still drives around with working 4WD and no smoke or noises at 160k+. Mine will be maintained much better. If you like how they drive then you can't lose.

My 2 cents...

gp911