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Jeep Cherokee XJ (2nd Generation)

1984–2001 · XJ · suv

The first American off-roader built with fully integrated unibody construction — 1,200 pounds lighter than its SJ predecessor while keeping 90% of the interior volume. Engines: 2.5L AMC inline-4, 2.8L GM V6 (early), 4.0L AMC inline-6 (the legend — 190hp high-output from 1991-2001), plus 2.1L and 2.5L Renault/VM Motori diesels for export. Built in Toledo from 1984; global production continued in China through 2014. Robert Cumberford called it one of the 20 greatest cars of all time.

Watch out: Rust. Coastal and Rust Belt XJs rot through the unibody — the rear cargo floor (under the carpet), rocker panels, rear quarter behind the wheels, and the rails ahead of the rear axle are the worst spots. A clean Western/Southern truck is the only safe buy now; anything else needs to be inspected from underneath. The 4.0L itself is famously bulletproof if you change the oil, but the radiator and 0331 cylinder head castings (1999-2001) crack — Jeep settled a class action on it.

What your Cherokee takes

The parts and fluids that fit this generation. Specs we publish are confirmed against two independent sources; the rest fill in as we verify them.

  • Wiper blades18" driver · 18" passenger✓ VerifiedView
  • BatteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Tire sizeNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Engine oilNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Oil filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Engine air filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Cabin air filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Spark plugsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Headlight bulbsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • CoolantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Transmission fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Tire pressureNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Key fob batteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Power steering fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Differential fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Serpentine beltNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake padsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Wheel fitmentNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake rotorsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • ThermostatNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • A/C refrigerantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Fuel filterNot catalogued yetFind yours soon

Full clubhouse — owner Garage Lineage, common problems, year-by-year notes, and product picks — is on the build list.

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