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Jeep Cherokee hunting vehicle

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#22 ·
Interesting to see this thread as I,ve been contemplating a Cherokee(XJ) or a Grand Cherokee(WJ) myself.I've been doing a bit of reserch,seems the mid 99to late 01 XJ And WJ with the 4.0 motor with the head casting #0331 are prone to cracking.Its a fairly spendy repair unless you DIY and if not caught soon enough the bearings get wash out and ruined from the coolant.So Im looking at 98and older XJ's and 2002 or newer WJ's. The 4.7 v8 that was optional for the WJ is a pretty good motor but Im seeing more folks getting monster milage out of the 4.0 than the 4.7.Seems the 5.9 in the 98 WJ is a popular model as well.
They both look really good with a moderate lift.I dunno.Take a look at Jeeps Unlimited.com.Lots of good info there. also Edmunds as well.
 
#23 ·
HighCountry-

If I had to do it again I'd go for a 99 model XJ. Good head, better intake, and injection. Still had the HP Dana 30 up front(00-01s had LPs..) and 29 spline 8.25 in the back. Interior got an upgrade too.
 
#24 ·
Wasnt aware of the improved intake and injection on the 99 ,but i 'll take note. Seems the head probs started up after a build date around may and later.What year did they start putting the 8.25 rear in the XJ's? Is the 8.25 better than the Dana 35?
 
#25 ·
My buddy has a 96' with a stroked engine in it & rebuilt it himself. I just bought mine in March & intend on doing a few things, but, not getting too crazy. This is the first vehicle I've wanted to perform the work myself & it helps when you have an experienced buddy.

HighCountry46 said:
What year did they start putting the 8.25 rear in the XJ's? Is the 8.25 better than the Dana 35?
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, much better, 97-01 had the 29 spline 8.25 & the 91 through 96' had a 27 spline 8.25. They stopped using Dana 35's in 96'. Many folks consider the 29 spline 8.25 nearly as tough an axle as the Dana 44 & a hell of a lot easier to get ahold of.

ChaseK said:
I'd opt for one that's 97 or newer if you're gonna take it off road much.
Click to expand...
Why?

If you want a "newer" one, I'd look @ a 97' - 98' as the 99' & 01' used coil packs & the head or one of the cylinders, I can't remember which, was prone to cracking for some reason. While the older XJ's interior is not as "nice" in the older Jeeps, I think the newer XJ's feel a bit more cramped. I guess it's just the extra plastic. I actually do like the look of the 97 - 01's more though.

I'm not an expert by any means, but, I've been doing a lot of research & even more reading on forums.
 
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#27 ·
I have (Had) a 1996 4x4 I just gave to the daughter. Bought it with 15,000 miles & it's been a great vehicle (130,000 now). I always used it for my Bowhunting-in & out of state. I'm sure I can use it whenever I need a 4x4 since it's still in the family.
It's been a great vehicle-gas milage was never greatest but better than any other 4x4s or Pickup.. NO RUST anywhere on it...
 
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#28 ·
Finger_Flinger said:
My buddy has a 96' with a stroked engine in it & rebuilt it himself. I just bought mine in March & intend on doing a few things, but, not getting too crazy. This is the first vehicle I've wanted to perform the work myself & it helps when you have an experienced buddy.



Oh yeah, much better, 97-01 had the 29 spline 8.25 & the 91 through 96' had a 27 spline 8.25. They stopped using Dana 35's in 96'. Many folks consider the 29 spline 8.25 nearly as tough an axle as the Dana 44 & a hell of a lot easier to get ahold of.



Why?

If you want a "newer" one, I'd look @ a 97' - 98' as the 99' & 01' used coil packs & the head or one of the cylinders, I can't remember which, was prone to cracking for some reason. While the older XJ's interior is not as "nice" in the older Jeeps, I think the newer XJ's feel a bit more cramped. I guess it's just the extra plastic. I actually do like the look of the 97 - 01's more though.

I'm not an expert by any means, but, I've been doing a lot of research & even more reading on forums.
Click to expand...
I actually meant 97-99. Mainly because of the 29 spline 8.25 and HP Dana 30. That durn 35 blows!

I'd out my 8.25 up against the Jeep rear 44. Mine has one chromoly shaft, Auburn LSD, and 4:10s and has put up with a lot.

The 99 has the better intake and still has the good axles.
 
#29 ·
I've had a few XJ's.I think 91 and newer had fuel injection which is way better than the older models.They are cheap to purchase and you can get a lot of K out of them.Some have cooling issues so keep on that.2 of mine had 2"coil spacers and tapered rear blocks for lift; less than $100 plus install.That little bit of extra clearance sure helps.My other one had 4 1/2" lift w swaybar disconnect and really flexed good on the trails.Lots of torque too for towing!
 
#30 ·
A few of my buddies have cherokees and like them, but 3 of them have them have blown trannys while towing, nothing big either fishing boats and small popup campers. I always wanted a old CJ 7 jacked up with a ford 4.9 and military axles but its just a dream.
 
#32 ·
Here was my 1994, lower end went out and I decided to buy a newer on, think that was a mistake, this one was an offroad special, selecta-trac and full time four wheel drive. I took the roof rack off, but was told my ARB bumper wouldn't work on the 2001 I bought, found out later that was bad info, too bad that bumper hit 2 deer and never showed any sign of damage :)

Image


here is my 2001, its not a Grand, but it still does ok

Image


here is my dream Jeep huntin rig

Image
 
#34 ·
with my 1998 grand with the 4.0, i get around 20 hwy and the city part, i never paid attention to it...this is my 3rd jeep, i had a 1995 grand cherokee, and a 1992 cherokee...and the only issues i have had with them, are with the cherokee, it was over heating, so i ended up replacing the radiator, and on my current one, i put new wheel bearings on the front axle...and that is really easy to do since the hub and bearings are all one piece...these things are simple to fix, cheap to run...and dependable!
 
#37 ·
2007 Grand Cherokee Laredo 47,000 miles. 12 city, 21 highway. With the back seat folded down I can fit my cargo carrier in the back along with my deer cart, bow, cooler, pack and a bit of room to spare. I tie down the carrier and the cart to keep them from moving all around. No problems so far - except for what I consider to be poor mileage.
 
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