A fun trivia question for vehicle buffs and Jeep fans might be something like: “How many generations of the Jeep Cherokee were there?” This nice-looking second-generation 1986 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer can be found here on craigslist in Nipomo, California and the seller is asking $9,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for sending in this tip!
Even though there were five generations of the Jeep Cherokee, this version was born in the AMC-Jeep era and ended in the DaimlerChrysler era, with regular ol’ Chrysler Corp in the middle nine years or so. The Pioneer model was made from the beginning until 1990, and it wasn’t exactly a luxury model, but it was above the base Cherokee.
From 1983 for the 1984 model year, up until 2001, these little Jeeps were running around in both four-door versions and two-door models, as seen here. They also came with all four wheels providing power or just the rear wheels spinning. Jeep made the Commanche pickup model, which was based on the same platform. The seller says that this two-door 4×4 Pioneer model is a one-owner Jeep with just over 88,000 miles and it sure looks nice in the photos that they show.
The interior looks really nice. Those seats were part of the Pioneer package, as was an AM radio. I know, fancy, not even FM. I can’t tell if this radio was upgraded or not, this is the only photo showing the dash. The back seat looks like new and the rear cargo area looks like it’s never been used. This is one nice Jeep.
The engine, according to the VIN, is a GM-sourced 2.8-liter V6, which would have had 115 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. It’s backed up by a three-speed automatic with a floor shifter. This looks like a great example of a two-door Cherokee, have any of you owned one?
Everyone said buy 6cyl. XJ ,no not the V6
Yes..the 4.0 liter engine ..NOT the V-6 a real shaker of an engine..Could never get to run smoothly,,,
I always thought the fake louvers thickening the rear pillars on the 2-door Cherokee was kind of awkward-looking. I guess it was needed to add back the stiffness lost from not having the fourth pillar just behind the rear doors the 4-doors had.
This is a real timewarp, I haven’t seen an early Pioneer with the white-painted wheels in ages.
I had an ’86 Laredo 2-door with the 2.8/automatic and quadra-trac. It was so slow, there were times I thought I was going to have to get out and push.
Sorry… Selec-trac, not Quadra-trac.
I was thinking of getting one until I sat in a co-worker’s Cherokee. It was a tight fit and my line of vision was at the very top of the windshield.
My brother had one with over 200k miles on it before it finally was sent to the scrap yard
I had a 1988 4door with the 4 liter straight 6 and the Aisin-Warner 4 speed automatic automatic.that went 250k miles with no major components replaced. It had an appetite for alternators and starters crankshaft position sensors. It was one of the best useful vehicles I ever owned. Utilitarian with class and style. I finally turned it in to the CARB old car retirement program for $1500 which is about what I would have got trying to sell it privately. That was at the very bottom of the market just before folks realized their collector value and subsequent rise in price for nice used ones. I had too many vehicles at the time. I just had no place to keep it and I wasn’t keen about being low-balled by a parade of idiots from craigslist. Was sorry to see it go and I would like to own another someday
Hmm, might get some backlash on that one, Wiki claims there were 5 generations of Cherokees, unless it’s one of Scottys trick questions. The original SJ, then these XJs, then KJs, KKs, and finally, KLs( lost the “J” apparently) These were okay replacements for the SJ, but the V6 was a terrible motor. I wouldn’t put one in a boat, except as an anchor. The tried and true in line 6 was the best, and I don’t know why this was even offered.
And new owner, I wouldn’t take this across any “Injun” Reservations. Apparently, they are still upset about the name. In these thin skinned times, eventually they will have to call it something else. No word from Jeep yet, whoever owns them now.
You’re right, Howard! I was thinking of the second-gen Cherokees as having been updated a few times, but you’re right, this was clearly not the only generation, sorry about that.
A shame, really. Jeep was part of the mainstreaming of the V6….the Buick unit, which Kaiser bought – the line, rights, the whole nine yards. But AMC, in one of their less-wise decisions, had no use for that engine, and returned it all to GM.
Ten years later they were frantic for a smaller engine to fit in their new XJs, and negotiated to buy the pathetic Chevrolet 60-degree V-6. Which was not up to it…AMC’s French owners wanted NOT to use the Rambler I-6, but down in Mexico, VAM’s engineers found that the inline six was, with modifications, the best choice. And so it was, for ten years.
Funny you mention the Mexico plant and the in line 6. The very last thing Chrysler made in Kenosha was the in line 6. I actually hauled some of the last motors made there. Chrysler begged the union to take considerations, as Kenosha workers were making $35/hr, when the Mexico plant did the same thing for $7.50/hr. Oh, they pizzed and cried, had the big union kingpin came in and said, “Stand firm, workers, we have them now” 2 months later, Chrysler closed the Kenosha plant for good. Way to go,,
1985 had to decide between 2 new cars I was looking at. Buick Regal Turbo T-type, or a Jeep XJ Cherokee. Went with the Jeep, should have bought the Turbo Regal!
But the Cherokee was a great vehicle. 2 door, black, no ac!!, 5 speed manual, 2.8v6. Nothing stopped that jeep, standard 4×4, no accu-trac. 2.8 was a pos. No power, carb needed adjustment constantly. Cant imagine what a dog this one would be with AC Can still see my kids sweating in the back in summer, but unstoppable in snow. The 4.0 was a huge improvement, looking for one with a 5 speed. Rare and getting more expensive every day.
Interesting to see all these praises of the 4.0 in the comments. I had a 90 Commanche Pioneer with the french 5 spd which wasnt synchronized in 1st. (You had to put it in reverse before 1st to avoid grinding). The 4.0 was a good runner and i often wondered how it stood the test of time. I had it for 3 yrs and 66k miles. It burned a bit of oil. Nothing terrible.But the electrical system was wrought with issues. 2 alternators. New fusebox. Bad ground. Catalytic converter needed replacing as well. We were one repair away from using the lemon law in the 1st 6 months
I had a 1988 which had the (Peugeot) 5 speed you speak of. Never had any shifting issues, actually thought it shifted better than the 5 speed they used later. I shifted frequently without using the clutch. That version used 75-90 gear oil. Later version had angular contact ball bearings and called for ATF in the manual. Some shops didn’t pay attention and put ATF in the (Peugeot) 5 speed. Good way to ruin it quick. Sold mine with 265k miles. Leaked some oil but didn’t burn any.
Had n ’85 Loredo..and a ’91 Loredo .nice for family..BUT the GM V6 was a real shaker.. Could never get it to run smoothly… AGM V8 with last 2 cylinders cut off…
Thank God for the 4/0 Liter ….Still have my 2000 Sport.. 246,000 0n her..
That 2.8 liter V6 about ruined the Cherokee reputation. I think it was GM’s plot to kill it. The 4 cylinder Jeep engine with a manual transmission was a better option. Or buy two years newer and get the 4 liter.
JMB im really surprised to see all these comments about the 2.8. Chevy used them for 6 yrs. Our 85 Camaro had the 2.8 and we beat it like a rented mule. 130K miles and zero issues except needed an injector cleaning. I wonder why the 2.8 in the Jeep had so many issues. Interesting
Concurrently had my Jeep with the 2.8 and a 1989 Eurosport 2.8, fuel injection made all the difference, the Chevy had decent power.
As nice and original as this is, I’d strongly suggest the next owner to find a late model donor xj with a 4.0 and transfer everything over.
I had 2 Cherokees over the years. First one I bought used in Beijing. It was a 4 door, manual 5 speed 4X4 with the 4.0 liter straight 6. Could not kill that thing even in China. But the clutch slave cylinder was the only problem I remember having. Then moved back to the US in 2012 and bought a used 2 door version of the same car. Even the paint was the same. Had myriad problems with the valve train, and the cooling and a/c systems. I never knew they had the option of the V6 back then.
2.8 V6 from 84-86. 4.0 Inline 6 started in 87 & on. There was also a 2.1 Renault turbo diesel from 85-87. The 2.5 inline 4 cylinder was offered from the beginning.
Nice jeep. I had a 86 and it was a trooper. The price is fair to. Should last a while if it’s taken care of. Mine went to 201, 000 miles before the frame rotted.
I had a 93 Cherokee two door back in 1998 when I was 16. Automatic, 2wd with the 4.0. I loved it until the rear end locked up going down a dirt road (at excessive speed) and ruined the tranny. I think it was at 130k miles. I keep my eyes out for a two door 4wd with a 5 speed.
One of the problems was the EGR valve in my Canadian Jeep was for a US Rocky Mtn Jeep..The engine was GM; transmission was Chrysler’ rear end was Ford.. Body made in Tijuana..Any problems were bound to happen. My friend who worked for AMC had a Brand new Renegade with the new Ford redesigned 6 cylinder 4.0 Liter engine..Dynamite!!!! Jeep never looked back until the Pentastar garbage engines…too bad..great engine..still in my 2000 Cherokee..
Seen several with SBC swap has GM bell housing , swap a 4.3 throttle body in it then you will have sumpin.
A delusional price for one of the worst vehicles produced by Jeep.
Nice truck . The only thing I would do is change the intake gasket. Saw many in my time that would fail and let coolant into the crankcase.The Rochester vari jet is a decent carb if you dial in the apt adjustment screw.
I bought a 1986 Jeep Cherokee Laredo with the V6, 2.8L manual transmission new in that year. And, I still have it. The V6 runs like a champ with 299,000 miles on it. Smooth as silk. Body with no rust, except a bit on the rear chrome bumper. I guess everyone’s experience with the 2.8L varies, but I think a lot of it is owner care (and maybe luck). I’ve done nothing with the engine at all, except had it resealed to stop annoying oil drips. It’s been a great vehicle.