Learn Me: XJ Cherokee

I've got a trade offer on my minivan parts car: A running, driving '86 XJ. I got to say, I don't know E36 M3 about these. I'm temped. This one is a pretty weird model. 2.5 AMC straight 4, TBI, 5 speed (don't know if it's a frenchie or not), 4.10 axles.

I'v never owned a Jeep/AMC/80s Chrysler. What should I look out for? What do y'all think, pull the trigger?

Do it, flog it, and sell it when you get an offer over $500.

I think that'll be the BA-10 trans. Like beans said, beat on it.

Word of warning: Renix sucks. It is THE reason I got rid of my XJ. I'm not sure if the Renix TBI is as bad as the Renix MPI in my '90 was, but if it is, I'd run away fast....

That said, it's not a terribly "weird" model. The straight 4 was pretty common in the early years of the XJ. It has about as much power as a Miata....though about the same as the early V6 in those same years, really. 4.0HO swap wouldn't be terribly hard.

Otherwise, simple to work on, sturdy, solid. Look for rust under the rear seat where water pools in the storage bins. Replace ALL bushings unless you like "death wobble." The interior feels like its from about 1965 rather than 1986, but some people like that.

irish44j wrote: Word of warning: Renix sucks. It is THE reason I got rid of my XJ. I'm not sure if the Renix TBI is as bad as the Renix MPI in my '90 was, but if it is, I'd run away fast.... That said, it's not a terribly "weird" model. The straight 4 was pretty common in the early years of the XJ. It has about as much power as a Miata....though about the same as the early V6 in those same years, really. 4.0HO swap wouldn't be terribly hard. Otherwise, simple to work on, sturdy, solid. Look for rust under the rear seat where water pools in the storage bins. Replace ALL bushings unless you like "death wobble." The interior feels like its from about 1965 rather than 1986, but some people like that.

I've heard some things about Renix, but nothing about the TBI. It runs as-is, and that's about good enough for me. As the above posters suggested, I'd probably sell it after a little while. If I were going to keep it, I'd rather have a GM V6 over a 4.0.

Had a '85 XJ Sport w/ AMC 2.5L, AX5 w/ 3.73s. Pretty fun to row through the gears w/ that axle. Optional was the 4.10 IIRC.

Engine issues were mainly 80s smog equipment stuff. Parts were still available, at least prolly 10+ yrs ago, now I dunno. Aftermarket had little for it, except for Clifford. My carb was still good tho after sorting out smogger stuff.

AX5 was the 5-speed trans, not bad for that XJ, kinda fun actually. My T-case was a NP207, not high on the food chain, had the smaller input shaft but could be swapped out for the larger input gear (from NP231??) don't remember. The smaller input T-case should handle well over 400 HP I was told so no big problem there unless you swap in a healthy SBC.

The 4 cyl. header panel and front cross member were shorter than the 6 cyl. models so a V8 or Jeep straight 6 cyl swap may take modification so said the research then.

I had a Advance Adapter kit to swap in a 4.3L Chevy w/ 700R trans w/ adapters to the NP207 but sold 'em off. Woulda been a decent XJ had it been finished.

I'd keep the 4 cyl., sort/ tune it up, drive it and flip it before getting carried away w/ swaps and all that stuff.

just my .02

If this were an inline 6 Jeep, I'd be offering you some cash and be driving it down. I sorely miss mine, even though it was a clapped out beater Jeep.

Great beaters, especially on rough roads.

According to internets, the BA10 wasn't introduced until '87, so this would have an Aisin AX5. Also according to the internet, the AX5 is pretty much a Toyota truck transmission, but just not as good.

Nah, boring. Can't be built into anything cool.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/1985-jeep-cherokee-xj/

And fragile too: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Do0cbG-5jYk

I'd snap it up. This is what Wiki says will bolt to the bellhousing in the truck:

• GM 2.8/3.1/3.4/3.5/3.9 L V6 (also used by AMC)

• Buick 3300/3800 V6

• Cadillac 4.1/4.5/4.9 L V8

• Isuzu 3.5L DOHC V6

• AMC/Chrysler 2.5L I4 found in Jeep Cherokee, Comanche, Wagoneer, CJ and Wrangler and Dodge Dakota

• GM Iron Duke/Tech-4 2.5L I4

• GM "122" 1.8/2.0/2.2 L I4

• GM 5.3L LS4 V8

• GM 3.5L LX5 "Short Star" V6

I'd play with the XJ for a while and keep an eye out for one of the LS4 from the Grand Prix GXP/Bonneville GXP/Impala SS. If you find one, you have a decision to make...

In reply to RossD: and then find a Wagoneer Edition XJ that came with a factory Dana 44.

I have had 4.0s that were Renix injected and Chryco "H.O." Neither ever gave me any problems with fueling. The only issue I had was with the closed cooling system on my earlier Jeep. I finally converted to an open cooling system by substituting a 2001 model radiator and eliminating the "exploding football". 4cyl models might already have open cooling systems, but I can't remember. Also be aware that you have the vacuum disconnect front axle. There are plenty of ways to defeat this, but a later model will bolt right in (don't forget to check axle ratios)

In reply to RossD:

Bolt up yes, but with the reports that these transmissions are only just strong enough to work with the stock engine, I'd think twice about swapping in anything with a lot of torque.

In reply to windsordelux:

Vacuum disconnect axle?

Bolt up yes, but with the reports that these transmissions are only just strong enough to work with the stock engine, I'd think twice about swapping in anything with a lot of torque.

96-01 2.5L dakota came with an AX15 with the same bellhousing pattern which is much stronger. As long as you are not launching on slicks or wheelhopping 35" tires on a bunch of rocks, you will not break the ax15. So there is a basically bolt in upgrade to hold the big-power swaps.

I'd rather have a GM V6 over a 4.0.

Well.. Id rather have the best GM 60 degree v6 than the best amc 4.0, but id WAY rather have the worst amc 4.0 than the worst GM 60 degree v6, which is the carb 2.8 they put in those early cherokees. They had bottom end issues and made crap power. They were way better by the time they went TBI and bigger crank journals in the Isuzu Rodeo/Trooper but by that time Jeep had a better engine anyway (4.0).

I think behind a little 2.5 the ax5 should be fine. It's been fine in both my 2.5 wranglers. Wouldn't this thing be carbed anyhow? No worries about renix. I've had a few renix jeeps and never had an issue anyhow, that wasn't user error.

They aren't terrible heavier than a wrangler, with marginally better airo, I don't think driving a 2.5 Cherokee would be that terrible. Especially with 4.10 axles.

Joey

The most fun in vehicles I have ever had was 2 years of offroading at college in BFE with a 700 dollar stock XJ jeep with used 31"s

I had a yj with similar running gear. It wouldn't win races or MPG contests, but it was reliable and had enough torque offroad.