Jeep Cherokee (XJ)

Jeep Cherokee (XJ)

The Jeep Cherokee (XJ) was a compact SUV manufactured and sold by Jeep from 1983 to 2001. Being a compact, it was smaller than the full-sized Jeep Cherokee (SJ) and didn’t have a traditional body-on-frame chassis.

Even though the XJ wasn’t launched until the model year 1984, the original design work goes back to 1978 when a team made up by engineers from both AMC and Renault worked together on sketching a compact-sized Cherokee. Due to Renault’s involvment, early sketches show a clear European influence. For the finnished product, most of the style cues came from AMC engineers led by vice president of design Richard A. Teague.

With its light-weight unibody design, the Jeep Cherokee XJ was originally marketed as a Sportwagon. Back then, the term SUV was yet to become a household name.

The Jeep Cherokee XJ is chiefly famous for its role in supplanting the station wagons with SUVs on the North American market. As the XJ became increasingly famous, many other automakers sought to copy Jeep’s success by coming out with their own SUV:s.

The XJ is often hailed as the first small crossover SUV in the United States and a trailblazer for the car-based crossover utility-vehicle fad.

When the XJ Cherokee was introduced for the 1984 model year, it was the first Jeep ever with a ladder-boxed chassis integrated into a single monocoque unit. (Traditionally, Jeep used a separate body-on-frame construction.) The new construction made the XJ robust and sturdy, yet lightweight enough to perform amazingly well with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine.

jeep xj

Short facts about the XJ

Manufacturer

 American Motors (1984-1986)
Chrysler Corporation (1987-1998)
DaimlerChrysler (1999-2001)

Also called

  • Jeep Wagoneer (1984-1990)

  • Beijing-Jeep BJ 2021 (4WD)

  • Beijing-Jeep BJ 7250 (2WD)

Production

  • 1984–2001 USA

  • 1984–2014 China

  • 1987–2001 Venezuela

    1992–2001 Egypt

  • 1996–2000 Argentina

Assembly

Toledo, Ohio, USA

Beijing, China

  • Valencia, Venezuela

  • Cairo, Egypt

  • Ferreyra, Córdoba, Argentina

Class

Compact SUV

Body style

  • 2-door SUV

  • 4-door SUV

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive

Wheelbase

101.4 in (2,576 mm)

Length

  • 1987-1990: 165.3 in (4,199 mm)

  • 1991-93: 168.8 in (4,288 mm)

  • 1994-96: 166.9 in (4,239 mm)

  • 1997-2001: 167.5 in (4,254 mm)

Width

  • 1987-1993: 70.5 in (1,791 mm)

  • 1994-96: 67.7 in (1,720 mm)

  • 1997-99: 67.9 in (1,725 mm)

  • 2000-01: 69.4 in (1,763 mm)

Height

  • 1987-88 2WD: 63.4 in (1,610 mm)

  • 1987–1993: 63.3 in (1,608 mm)

  • 1994–99 2WD: 63.9 in (1,623 mm)

  • 1994-2001 4WD: 64.0 in (1,626 mm)

  • 2000–01 2WD: 63.8 in (1,621 mm)

Curb weight

3,357 lb (1,523 kg)
Transmission

  • 4-speed Borg-Warner T-4 manual Aisin AX-4 manual

  • 5-speed Borg-Warner T-5 manual Aisin AX-5 manual

  • 5-speed Peugeot BA-10/5 manual

  • 5-speed Aisin AX-15 manual

  • 5-speed NVG NV3550 manual

  • 3-speed Chrysler A904 automatic

  • 3-speed 30RH automatic

  • 4-speed Aisin AW-4 automatic

Doors

The XJ Cherokee was always offered in 2-door and 4-door variants. Both versions had exactly the same track and wheelbase measurments, but the 2-door models came with longer doors and the front seats could be folded forward to allow passangers passage in and out of the backseat.

Engines

Engines

Name Displace-ment Layout Power Torque Other info Years
2.5L
AMC 150		 2464 cc

(150 CID)

 I4

OHV

 105 hp (78 kW)

@ 5000 rpm

 132 lb⋅ft

(179 N⋅m)

@ 2800 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Single-barrel carburetor

 1984–

1985
117 hp (87 kW)

@ 5000 rpm

 135 lb⋅ft

(183 N⋅m)

@ 3500 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Renix TBI

 1986
121 hp (90 kW)

@ 5250 rpm

 141 lb⋅ft
(191 N⋅m)@ 3250 rpm		 Gasoline

 

Renix TBI

 1987–

1990
130 hp (97 kW)

@ 5250 rpm

 149 lb⋅ft

(202 N⋅m)

@ 3250 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Chrysler MPI

 1991–

1996
2.8L V6 2838 cc

(173 CID)

 V6

OHV

 115 hp (86 kW)

@ 4800 rpm

 145 lb⋅ft

(197 N⋅m)

@ 2400 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Chevrolet LR2

 1984–

1986
2.1L TurboDiesel
Douvrin J8S		 2068 cc

(126 CID)

 I4

SOHC

 85 hp (63 kW)

@ 3750 rpm

 132 lb⋅ft

(179 N⋅m)

@ 2750 rpm

 Diesel

 

Renault J8S

 1985–

1994
4.0L
AMC 242		 3964 cc

(242 CID)

 I6

OHV

 173 hp (129 kW)

@ 4500 rpm

 220 lb⋅ft

(300 N⋅m)

@ 2500 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Renix MPI

 1987
177 hp (132 kW)

@ 4500 rpm

 224 lb⋅ft

(304 N⋅m)

@ 2500 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Renix MPI

 1988–

1990
190 hp (142 kW)

@ 4750 rpm

 225 lb⋅ft

(305 N⋅m)

@ 3950 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Chrysler MPI, high output

 1991–

2001
2.5L TurboDiesel
VM 425		 2499 cc

(153 CID)

 I4

OHV

 114 hp (85 kW)

@ 3900 rpm

 221 lb⋅ft

(300 N⋅m)

@ 2000 rpm

 Diesel

 

VM Motori 425 OHV

 1994–

2001
2.5L
AMC 150		 2464 cc

(150 CID)

 I4

OHV

 125 hp (93 kW)

@ 5400 rpm

 150 lb⋅ft

(200 N⋅m)

@ 3250 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Chrysler MPI

 1997–

2000
4.0 Litre
AMC 242		 3964 cc

(242 CID)

 I6

OHV

 190 hp (142 kW)

@ 4600 rpm

 225 lb⋅ft

(305 N⋅m)

@ 3000 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Chrysler MPI, high output

 1991–

1999
193 hp (144 kW)

@ 4600 rpm

 231 lb⋅ft

(313 N⋅m)

@ 3000 rpm

 Gasoline

 

Chrysler MPI, high output

 2000–

2001
TurboDiesel 2499 cc

(153 CID)

 I4

OHV

 114 hp (85 kW)

@ 3900 rpm

 221 lb⋅ft

(300 N⋅m)

@ 2000 rpm

 Diesel

 

VM Motori 425 OHV

 1997–

2001

The re-introduction of the 2WD Jeep

In the mid-1985, a two-wheel-drive version of the Cherokee XJ was introduced. This was the first time any Jeep was offered with two-wheel-drive since 1967.

The 1997 update

In early 1997, both the interior and the exterior of the Cherokee XJ was given an update. Among other things, the fiberglass liftgate was replaced with a steel one, the front header panel became more aerodynamic and the spare tire was moved from the exterior to the interior. Issues with noise and vibrations were reduced thanks to a stiffer unibody frame and new door seals. Inside, the car was fitted with a groundbreaking cluster/airbag bracket invented by peter Gruich.

Examples of trims

Laredo (1985-1992)

  • Air conditioning
  • Infrared remote keyless entry for cars with power locks
  • Chrome accenting
  • Five-spoke alloy wheels
  • AM/FM radio with four speakers (option: Jensen AccuSound speakers)
  • Cloth plaid-pattern (1985-1987) or luggage fabric (1988-1992) or Briarwood leather-and-vinyl (option available for the 1992 model year)
  • Option: Dual power seats
  • Option: Overhead console

Pioneer Olympic Edition (1988)

  • Cloth upholstery
  • AM/FM radio with two speakers
  • Air conditioning

Country (1993-1997)

  • Two-tone paint (simialr to Laredo).
  • Option: Champagne gold paint with silver accents
  • Lace-spoke wheels
  • AM/FM radio with cassette player and four speakers
  • Option: Jensen AccuSoun speakers
  • Option: Overhead console (excluding 1993 model year)
  • Infrared dual-botton keyless entry 1993-1996
  • Radio frequency dual-botton keyless entry 1997 for cars with power locks
  • Optional: Dual power seats
  • Air conditioning

60th Anniversary (2001)

  • Monotone paint color
  • Special badges
  • Special floor mats
  • 16 inch alloy wheels
  • AM/FM radio with cassette
  • Radio frequency remote keyless entry
  • Air conditioning

Police use in the U.S.

In the early 1990s, the Jeep Cherokee XJ became a popular choice for certain types of professional use, including police work.

For the 1992 model year, a special police package (the Cherokee AHB police package) was introduced. For 1996, Jeep launched a special version of the XJ Cherokee SE for police and fleet use. Among other things, this special car had no indoor handles on the rear doors and it was fitted with a revised 190 hp high output version of the 4.0 L Power-Tech inline 6-cylinder engine.

The Cherokee Special Service Package of the late 1990s and early 2000s featured a engine capable of producing 195 hp (145 kw). The package was discontinued in 2001, when the Cherokee XJ was replaced by the Jeep Liberty (Jeep Cherokee KJ).

Postal use in the U.S.

A right-hand-drive Jeep Cherokee XJ was created for the United States Postal Service.

Eventually, this version was used to popularise the Jeep Cherokee XJ on right-hand-drive markets abroad, such as Great Britian and Ireland.

The XJ in Europe

In 1985, the Jeep Cherokee XJ was introduced to markets in Europe where you drive on the right-hand side of the road, just like in the U.S.

It would take until 1993 until XJ:s with the steering wheel placed to the right were formally launched in Europe, but this type of XJ:s had already been privately imported to Europe from the U.S., albeit on a very small scale.

On some European markets, a van version of the XJ was available, with either righ-hand drive or left-hand drive. These vans had no rear seats, a flat cargo area, and metal panels instead of rear side windows. The motor was a VM Motori 2.5 L diesel engine, while transmission was the manual Aisin AX-1. The XJ van could be purchased as either 4WD or 2WD.