This 1993 Jeep Cherokee XJ takes me back! I had a long-time run (twenty-six years!) with a 1991 Cherokee and it’s still one of my more memorable rides. I don’t encounter them often anymore (they went out of production in ’01) so it’s a treat to encounter one today – especially an example that’s as nice as this Portland, Oregon resident. Now on its second owner, this barely broken-in 104K mile example is available, here on craigslist for $10,500.
The Cherokee XJ was a pretty simple proposition really. Offered between 1984 and 2001, it came in two body styles – two or four doors, two or four-wheel drive, and four or six-cylinder power. Only one facelift occurred (1997) and it was hardly dramatic. The end result? 2.8 MM copies! One thing that did change over the years was the trim levels offered. In 1993, for North American distribution, there was a base model, Sport (our subject car), and a top-flight Country edition. Other trim levels were available in Europe.
This listing for this Jeep proclaims, “You’ll be hard-pressed to find another XJ in this condition“. The seller mentions one paint chip that has marred the hood and two dings in the windshield which he thinks can be easily fixed. Always garaged, the exterior is in excellent condition with its strong, deep white finish and intact trim. Sometimes the red stripe bump strips, which traverse the lower beltline, dry up and fall off, but that doesn’t appear to be the case here. The only thing that fell apart on my ’91 was the front plastic inner fender liners. Over time, they split into pieces and fell out in chunks. Replacements were easily, and inexpensively, sourced. The aluminum wheels are in surprisingly fine shape with no sign of pitting or brake dust corrosion but they’ve been refinished so that explains their pristine condition. I’d say the exterior of this Jeep is in 1993 time capsule condition.
And – it’s the same inside. The fabric upholstery, the same pattern as possessed by my ’91, shows as new. I think mine had about 300K miles on its odometer when the driver’s seat started to unravel but there’s nothing going on in here that should be of concern. The door panels, dash, carpeting – all of it, no demerits to be issued!
While Jeep’s 190 net HP, 4.0 liter, in-line six-cylinder engine (unfortunately, not photographed) may be one of the simplest, and least sophisticated powerplants of all time, it’s also one of the most durable. If you change the oil regularly, you’ll never have a problem with one of these. It’s actually one of the last items designed by American Motors, Jeeps’ overlord before Chrysler bought control. It was introduced for the ’87 model year just a few months before the official Chrysler acquisition. The seller tells us, “The car runs strong and smooth” though it has a 65 MPH wobble which is attributed to tire balancing. Of course, tire balance issues depend on where the wobble is felt. Out-of-balance front wheels will be noticed in the steering; rear balance, usually less of a problem, is generally experienced through the seat. Beyond that, it could be driveline related. As stated earlier, Cherokee XJs were available in two or four-wheel drive along with the option of an automatic or five-speed manual transmission. This example is equipped, as is often the case, with a New Process four-wheel-drive transfer case and an Aisin-Warner four-speed automatic gearbox.
What’s not to like? I’d say nothing but then I’ll admit it, yeah, I’m a fan. This Jeep should have a lot of life left to it and will make a great second car for someone who can periodically use an SUV and doesn’t want to pay the largely inflated price for a newer model. And, at 30 years of age, this one qualifies as an old car which is another nice attribute. Let’s talk price, what do you think, about right, or not quite?
One clarification: While the 4.0L engine was “introduced” in 1986, it was just a refinement (FI and shortened stroke) of the time-tested Rambler six that was used in various displacements from 1964.
It was a remarkable addition to engine choices, though, in that the engine bay was never designed for it. Deliberately – seems the Renault engineers sent over from France, during the XJ’s development, HATED that engine, and wanted to be SURE it would never be used in “their” Jeep. Remember, at the time, Renault was buying up AMC stock with plans of absorbing it into the Renault organization – which at that time was French-government owned.
So the six wasn’t to be used; good, practical, aluminim V6s like the PRC engine, were to be chosen. Not having time or testing enough, the PRC mill was passed on in favor of the pathetic Chevrolet V6 – which impressed nobody.
Least of all, AMC’s Mexican partners at VAM (which, interestingly, was also State owned, by Mexico). At the time VAM licensed all AMC and Jeep models, made local variants, and copied their engines, also with variations – lower compression and longer stroke on the sixes.
VAM was given a prototype XJ V6 to test, and they found it wanting. But, their engineers – maybe working under a shade tree, who knows – muscled their Rambler-derived VAM in-line under the hood, by offsetting the radiator and with other changes, and found it a complete change of personality.
AMC officials (from the Jeep side) came down to examine it, and were equally impressed. Paris be danged! It’s going in there!
And it came to be, and – just as the television ads said – the Cherokee was reborn. A legend was made, outliving Renault and it’s politically-based temporary meddling with the Jeep crew.
That was the PRV engine, not PRC.
Had C on the brain…thinking of that maldesigned lump…
Indeed, the V stands for Volvo who also should’ve stuck with their well-proven Redblock-and-a-half straight six.
FWIU the French companies – Peugeot as well as Renault, forming the rest of the acronym – desperately overextended themselves on developing and building way too much production capacity for that lump which came to market just in time for the 1979 oil crisis to tank demand for such a relatively big and thirsty engine in Europe, and they spent the next decade and a half trying to find uses for them like Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate factory.
That’s why it was sold to DeLorean when he couldn’t get any other engine, why Chrysler was forced to buy so many as part of their AMC buyout that they discontinued the 2.5L four Eagle Premier, launched the badge-engineered Dodge Monaco version for an extra few marginal sales, and used PRVs as rebar for the Auburn Hills HQ’s foundations.
I could be exaggerating on that last point.
Thanks for the background on these. When I began selling them in ’91 it amazed me at their resale value. Having worked at GM PG for five years prior I was still kind of a GM guy at heart. What is best about the Cherokee was how quick and nimble they are. The 4-litre with F.I. was a delight to drive. Years later one will have no problem finding a home for this.
Love to hear how American ingenuity bests the world as people fall all over themselves to pickout a VW, Porches, BMW , Toyota. Honda etc . I’m not saying the rest of the world is not as good or even better but it’s special when it’s AMC for the win & a all time favorite to this day.
I desperately miss my 1991 Cherokee. 4wd, 6 cylinder, 5 speed. As reliable as the sunrise. Still “in the family” as we gave it to my in-laws. The only thing that failed is the AC. Which is a bummer. I’d need to convert it away from r-19, which is a kings ransom.
Every once in a while, a manufacturer comes along with something that I call a “Goldilocks” vehicle – just right for its intended market and the benchmark by which the competition is judged. The 1955 Chevrolet, 1961 Jaguar E-Type, 1965 Ford Mustang, 1976 Honda Accord, and 1990 Mazda Miata are examples. So is the XJ Cherokee. Room for four adults (five in a pinch), comfortable on-road, amazingly capable off-road, efficient for the class, “just right” styling that can be rugged or elegant, depending on model, all in a package that’s just an inch longer than a contemporary Ford Escort. If Stellantis were to somehow put it back into production, they’d sell every one they could build.
I’m the proud original owner of a restored 1990 Cherokee Laredo 2Dr with 4WD. One of the few with antilock brakes, power seats and off road package together. Replaced the engine at 250,000 miles and now have over 332,000 on the odometer. Tranny is smooth and original. In it’s youth, we did some serious off-roading in SW Colorado. I need to refinish the aluminum wheels to look like the 1991 Jeep above? Any help is appreciated.
I have a 90 Limited with the 2 year only ABS system that was failure prone and eventually had a lifetime recall warranty on the components. Mine failed and I replaced parts with used components but not the computer control or the distribution block under the master cylinder, and it has failed again. Has anyone tried to have this system replaced by a dealer under the lifetime recall?
I have owned two of these. Both were 1988 with the 4.0 liter engines. I preferred the 2 door with the 5-speed manual. Great vehicles both on road, and low speed off-road. BFG All Terrain KO, or Cooper Discoverer AT3 are the way to go on these. Chrysler did make incremental improvements on the 4.0 liter six over the years until production ceased. Better cylinder heads, and intake and fuel injection.
I have been enjoying my 1990 XJ with 1991 updates for 20 years. I’m the second owner in Europe of this wonderful 4.0 auto Limited US import and it’s already in my daughter’s name to be passed on. It’s been lightly modified, rebuilt and updated over the years and drives like a dream. I still surprise at the number of 40+ year old motorists at red lights and gas stations complimenting and often, regretting their own sorrowfully.
Call me crazy but I think this thing might be worth almost $10K! You have a proven winner w/ the drivetrain and this thing looks like it was well taken care of.
I like the looks of these XJ enough that the ONLY new vehicle I ever purchased was a 2010 (?) Jeep Patriot Limited, partially because they obviously made it look a lot like the boxy, old XJ’s. (That model, along w/ the Jeep Compass, were more of a Dodge Caliber than a Jeep in my book but it was fun to drive for a few years although it was no off-roader.)
I eventually sold it to a friend who did not qualify for traditional financing because he went through a bankruptcy and I took his old Chevy S-10 in on trade. I haven’t talked to him in a few years but I’ll bet you he sold it loooong ago and got something fancier which he’ll never pay off completely. I will say that he did make his payments to me.
Man, I should make a list of all the cars and trucks I’ve owned before I can’t remember them all… :)
Any no rust Cherokee with the 6, in the above condition is right in the ballpark at $10K. Some maintenance records would be a plus. What is comparable, used SUV wise, with the same reliability for the money? My ’98 has 270k, and the summer one , a ’95, has 100k. Easy to fix, stupid reliable.
As all the mainly positive comments made so far have stated, these were one of the best vehicles made . Reliable good mileage and tons of power if you needed it and just so simple and tough as nails. Just recently I was watching some off road racing where all the vehicles were either in stock form or some modest enhancements like bigger tires or a little bit of lift but basically just average Joe trucks and these unibody 6cyl jeeps were just amazing to watch . They stood out above everything else and these guys were driving everything there to it’s limits and if the jeeps had a brave and talented driver nothing could touch them . This one is beauty and easily worth 10grand as is.. IMO
I have a ’90 Cherokee with ABS. I too tried to repair/replace the system with used parts…..total failure. An early experiment that just didn’t work.
Just a thought… but would parts from a Grand Cherokee work? I recently sold a 2001 Grand Cherokee that covered 260k miles. I never had any issue with the ABS. I did replace several calipers due to the phenolic piston swelling.
Have you tried to have components replaced under the lifetime recall? I plan to try after I fix other unrelated problems. I have the recall info somewhere if you don’t have it. My latest problem is it won’t go forward and I suspect the E brake did not release or the drum brakes locked up for some reason. Frustrating!
Have you tried to have components replaced under the lifetime recall? I plan to try after I fix other unrelated problems. I have the recall info somewhere if you don’t have it. My latest problem is it won’t go forward and I suspect the E brake did not release or the drum brakes locked up for some reason. Frustrating!
I believe the GC had a different ABS system than the XJs sucky one. I’d be happy if a dealer would just convert it to a non-ABS if components are no longer avaible.
I have a ‘90 Cherokee with nonfunctional ABS. How do I go about taking advantage of the lifetime warranty?
Search for Jeep recall 702. Some have had success, but likely not recently. Some said dealer offered to Buy and crush their Cherokee. Others say dealer just blew them off. Good luck.
Thanks, Phil. I’ll let you know if I have any sucess.