In recent months, a lot has been written about the XJ-series Jeep Cherokee. It’s been more praise, to be honest, heaped on what seems like years’ worth of swooning from enthusiasts. Put simply, the Cherokee is well-loved, and it’s only getting more popular. There’s just one problem: really nice XJs are getting harder to come by. These trucks have become surprisingly scarce, mostly because the good ones get snatched up quickly and plenty of others have been turned into trail rigs. That’s why we tend to pay attention to clean survivors like this 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo posted here on craigslist for $6,900 in Portland, Oregon.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the find. The Cherokee in the 1980s seemingly defined the growing SUV segment, and like the Dodge Caravan, it quickly became a staple of suburban neighborhoods. In that regard, it’s rather amazing how many home runs Chrysler was hitting at the time, and the company really seemed to have a grasp on what consumers would want. The Cherokee was the best combination of off-road capability and on-road manners the world had seen up until that point, and it was powered by the legendary 4.0L inline-six that would become the stuff of legends for its durability and power.
Now, this being a slightly earlier Cherokee means it’s not as modern as the ones that came around the middle 90s like the Classic and Limited trims. Still, the Cherokee formula didn’t change all that much over time, but the lack of an airbag steering wheel (not a bad thing, mind you) is one tell-tale sign that this is an older model. Still, the condition is exceptional for a truck that hasn’t been restored, with minty bucket seats, relatively stain-free carpets, and a backseat that looks like it has never been used. The seller reports that the mileage sits at under 100,000 miles at the moment, and the condition would seem to validate that.
The beauty of the XJ Cherokee is that you can still use one as a daily driver. It seems like the seller has, and this truck being in the Pacific Northwest has almost certainly been looked at as daily transportation, not an up-and-coming classic. The Cherokee would do fine in modern traffic, with the burly inline-six kicking out 190 horsepower and 225 lb.-ft. of torque. You owe it yourself to check out Jason Camsisa’s recent report on the Cherokee as America’s favorite hot hatch, and listen to the sounds of that engine at the end where it’s paired with the elusive 5-speed manual. It sounds incredible! What a truck, and this one looks like a deal.
Great 4wd rigs, and like the 4×4 Toyotas have that high-floor feeling that takes a bit of getting used to. A staple vehicle for skiers ⛷️ and sportsman 🦌 🎣
Although post-1987 models were of course built by that company the Cherokee was not originally a Chrysler product, but was the best thing that came out of the doomed AMC/Renault hookup.
This 1991 model still sports the original AMC body and interior as well as the 4.0 engine which can trace its lineage back to the 1964 Rambler Typhoon’s 232 inline six. (I have a 1999 Cherokee which has the slightly rounded restyled body and Chrysler-designed interior.)
This one is really nice and the price seems almost too good to be true, some of these seem to have gone for really stupid money.
I’m glad I’m not the only one with that gut feeling. This seems too cheap for what’s being represented. Maybe it has an accident history or something in the Carfax.
This looks great. If you can find one of these thats clean, no rust issues and a 4.0, you EASILY have something that will run well over 200K miles. And this one here sure looks like it checks all those boxes. These Chrokees, and also the Wagoneers ( downsized late 80’s models) are amongst my favorite 4X4s.
The owners of this car were extremely careful to have kept that light colored interior looking like new. This looks like a great deal.
Great looking Jeep but, only 10 pictures and none of the engine compartment and underneath also the front dash with the guages. Are they hiding something?It’s a great price….. and surprised it’s still here!🤔 Gee I wonder why! 🐻🇺🇸
Nice clean low mileage XJ. Price is very good for the condition and mileage. Not a screaming deal, but good. Been following this market and they seem to have cooled off a bit. See many around that price locally, usually higher mileage. Trying, as usual, to find a 5 speed, they’re going for more. 5 speed, 2 door is what I had, very hard to find, expensive when you do.
I used to off road mine hard, and it never, ever let me down. Buried the front bumper in icy PA mud puddles, went over 4 ft piles of snow covered dirt blocking a game land gate, hauled many deer down icy logging roads. Was at a family reunion in WV and my sister moved it, didn’t set the parking brake and it went down a 4ft creek bank, almost high centered, pointing up at 45 degrees. Low range pulled it right out. And that was with the weak 2.8v6. Did everything my CJ did while being warmer and quieter
I put 175,000 on the first one, 365,000 one the second, and 235,000 on a Grand Cherokee. I’d buy another GC in a minute, but they’re too expensive now. This one looks good, but with a used 4×4 Jeep you always have to wonder if it was taken off-road and flogged hard or used to tow more than it should have.
I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4WD 2Dr with less than 60K miles on it, and sense it’s been taken care of all its life, it’s in great shape. I’ve never had a better all-around vehicle as it is.
The ’91 Cherokee presented here is rather suspect. — I’ve never seen any Cherokee with those type of high-end flared bucket seats – nor have ever seen a Cherokee with electric bucket seats. They may have come out of a Grand Cherokee, but why wouldn’t they mention that – and then it would take a rather expensive make-over of the Cherokee back seat to make it match the buckets (as the Grand Cherokee back seat does not fit the Cherokee). — Electric windows and locks became ubiquitous on Cherokees in the late 90’s / early 2000s, but I’ve never seen one this old – a ’91 – with those features. –
It’s not unrealistic for someone to upgrade an early 90’s Cherokee with these luxury items – if they plan on keeping it until hell freezes over (like a lot of Cherokee owners do – me included), but with those rather expensive upgrades and the overall “preserved appearance” of this Cherokee, why is the price SO low? There’s got to be a good reason for that, and why all the photos in the ad only shows the body and interior – and that should make any prospective buyer want to get an up-close inspection of this Cherokee – particularly its drive train condition and its full history and title check before plopping down any cash on it.
For example: A friend of mine got $10K a couple years ago for his ’95 Cherokee with over 180K miles on it with everything factory standard in it – none of the luxury upgrades this Cherokee has – and so this Cherokee is highly suspect – if it really is for sale – and not a scam. Beware folks!
If you’re only familiar with the SE and Sport models then the features afforded in the higher trim levels might seem out of place in this Laredo. They didn’t stop here. You could still go up to a Briarwood and Limited. This appears to have lead a charmed life and seems to be a good deal.
Lovely looking Jeep. I’ve always loved the styling of this generation Cherokee. However dated its styling may be, I still find it attractive today. The only mechanical upgrade I’d give it would be a Duramax 2.8 litre Turbo Diesel engine.
Have had my 99′ Cherokee Sport for 20 years now and it’s been a great vehicle to me. The only downside is living in the miserable northeast the rust is starting to take its toll. Would like to find another really nice rust free 97′-99′ but mines a 5spd and those are pretty tough to come by.
I wish I had a dollar for every one of these and Wranglers with big tires and a lift that that came into the shop with the death wobbles. (OH, wait a .minute, I do (or did) have a dollar for everyone that came in with the “death wobbles!) These are very nice vehicles until you start putting the wrong stuff on them AN THEN amplify the situation with big tires and wheels with lots of offset. You can do all these thing as long as you pay attention to the caster! And there is not alot of caster vs pinion angle to play with. Many times you have to get right to the limit if pinion angle to get anywhere close to the correct caster. (Even with offset balljoints.) Kept stock height these are good reliable vehicles. And much better once they dropped the GM 2.8 engine)
My 2001 Cherokee XJ sits on a 3 inch lift kit with 35 inch tires on wheels that give it a 4 inch wider track (2 inches per side). It handles great on and off-road, and at highway speeds, I can take cloverleaf on and off ramps and challenging curves at speeds most other vehicles with the same ground clearance wouldn’t even attempt – and all without any drift or wobble whatsoever.—- I know this because when my Cherokee was in the body shop after someone took my lane and did some damage to it, the rental company gave me what they considered an “equivalent” vehicle, which was a Chevy 4×4 SUV. I went to take a cloverleaf on ramp with it and was doing the recommended speed posted for the on ramp and almost flipped it as it began to lean and drift so much, I almost lost control of the ridiculous mushy imitation of an off-road vehicle, and after that; I drove it like a 90 year old grandma until I could turn it back in.
All the modifications to my Cherokee XJ have been done professionally by Jeep mechanics with the highest quality parts available. — I noticed the shocks and front coil springs that came with the lift kit were much higher quality shocks and springs than the ones that came off of it – and that may have the most to do with its superior stability as well as the professionals’ expertise that did all the work.
I suspect the problems you’ve encountered with death wobble on Cherokees/Wranglers have mostly to do with inferior parts and improper installation. Actually, all the reports I’ve read about death wobble on Cherokees and Wranglers are ones that had modifications done to them by non-professionals and probably with the lowest cost parts they could find. — Everyone thinks it’s simple to do your own work on these machines – and although it may “seem” that way – it’s not.
An adjustable “J” bar (front track bar) fixes the death wobble. Proper adjustment is key.
I had an 88 Laredo for 245,000 miles. With the I-6 and Aisen-Warner overdrive it was the most capable vehicle I have ever owned. It did everything I wanted, performed every role required with style and panache. Was still running great when I sold it only because I had too many vehicles in my driveway. Would love to have another one.
Hmm, a Landcruiser sandwich here, naturally, I’d eat the sandwich part(Jeep) and throw the bread( Landcruisers) away,,Almost bought one of these, that the motor blew up on the way home from the dealer, and they never really attained the “Jeep” thing. I rarely wave at XJ drivers, but always wave at another Wrangler. Rubicons,,,meh, on a Rubicon by Rubicon basis( if they wave 1st) Hey, it really Is a Jeep thing. Landcuiser drivers don’t wave at each other. There’s no question, the XJ changed everything for Jeep. The SJs were highly dated, sales were flat, with barely 20,000 each year. The XJ sold over 2.88 MILLION units, and skyrocketed Jeep into the mega brand it is today. It’s what Iacocca wanted all along and not AMC. And know what’s cool? They all still use the signature 7 slot grill. USA, USA!!!
My Dad had a 1992 which looed the same. These are great vehicles that will go 300 thousand miles with that driveline since all Cherokee XJ models from 1987 to 2001 with a 4.0 engine had an foreign auto transmission called the AW4- Asian Warner 4 speed Automatic. My family still has 3 of these, a 1990 , a1996 and a1997 all 4.0 liter engines,auto and 4×4. Yes manual Transmissions were also available.