History of the Jeep Cherokee XJ 1984-2001

Undoubtedly, the Cherokee, the most well-known Jeep ever made, was produced from 1984 until 2001. It is stated that the name of this car was chosen to represent "eXcitingJeep." Throughout its 18-year production period, about three million Cherokee XJs were produced. In total, there were 2,884,172 vehicles. In contrast to other automakers that continued to market and sell cars a year or more after production and still referred to them as new, this car was so fantastic that practically everyone bought it in the year it was manufactured. AMC (American Motors) was in charge of the Cherokee XJ's design and construction from 1984 until the business was acquired in 1987. Up to the end of manufacturing, Chrysler, the new owners, continued to use the same design for the car.

The Cherokee XJ began a new era because it did not use the traditional body-on-frame underpinning in its construction. The vehicle was lightweight and had a unibody build. Cherokee XJ cars were initially marketed as "sports wagons," but they eventually became the precursor to the modern sports utility vehicle, SUV. This design quickly replaced conventional cars, and rivals followed suit by replicating the chassis. The Cherokee XJ will always be a significant standard in developing 4x4s.

The year

  • 1984-1996: The 1984 Cherokee XJ was the first Jeep design to use a ladder-boxed framework integrated into a single monocoque component rather than the traditional separate body-on-frame construction. Despite having over 3,200 connections on the final body, this robust and sturdy design was remarkably light. Even with the four-cylinder engine, the unibody architecture made for outstanding performance. During the 18 years that Cherokee XJs were manufactured, there were two-door and four-door models with exact wheelbase and track measurements. The two-door option's seats had longer, foldable chairs, making it simple for passengers to get into the back.

In mid-1985, Jeep offered a two-wheel-drive option for the Cherokee XJ for the first time since 1967. This alternative was made available for individuals who did not need or desire four-wheel drive.

  • 1997-2001: The Cherokee XJ's appearance and interior design were improved. The additional plastic framework was added to the doors of the two-door and four-door production models, along with a steel liftgate in place of the fiberglass one, updated taillights, and a new front header panel with an aerodynamic appearance. The spare tire had moved from the outside mount to the inside.

The intake manifold of the 1999 Cherokee XJ models with 4.0L engines was modified to avoid minor exhaust porting on the upgraded cylinder head castings. Four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines were available for the 2000 model; however, the 2001 model only had a six-cylinder engine without a distribution ignition system.

The difference

The Cherokee XJ remained essentially unchanged over the years, with the exception of a few external and interior modifications. The engine type available for each model varied every year.

  • 1984–1985: the AMC 150 gasoline-powered single-barrel-carburetor engine with 2.5L and 105 horsepower
  • From 1984 to 1986, the Chevrolet LR2 2.8L V6 engine produced 115 horsepower when powered by gasoline.
  • 1986: the 2.5-liter, 117-horsepower AMC 150 Renix TBI gasoline-powered engine.
  • 1987: the 4.0L, 173hp, gasoline-powered AMC 242 Renix MPI engine.
  • 1987–1990: the 2.5L, 121-hp AMC 150 Renix TBI gasoline-powered engine.
  • 1988–1990: the 4.0L, 177-hp AMC 242 Renix MPI gasoline-powered engine.
  • 1991–1996: the 4.0L, 130hp, gasoline-powered AMC 150 Chrysler MPI engine.
  • 1991–1999: the 4.0L, 190 horsepower AMC 242 Chrysler MPI high output engine powered by gasoline.
  • 1997–2000: the 2.5L, 125hp, gasoline-powered AMC 150 Chrysler MPI engine.
  • The TurboDiesel VM Motori 424 OHV diesel engine with 114 horsepower was in use from 1997 to 2001.
  • 1991–2001: the 4.0L, 190 horsepower AMC 242 Chrysler MPI high output engine powered by gasoline.
  • 1994–2001: 114 horsepower 2.5L TurboDiesel VM 424 diesel engine.
  • 2000–2001: the 4.0L, 193hp, gasoline-powered AMC 242 Chrysler MPI high output engine.

What happened

In 1978, American Motors began designing the Cherokee XJ using models based on the SJ model. American Motors did the engineering and style for the largely European vehicle. In response to General Motors' comparable two-door choice, American Motors introduced the four-door option. This was the first 4x4 for civilian use with a unibody design, which improved its durability and off-road capabilities.

What changed

Several trim levels were available during the Cherokee XJ's 18-year production run.

  • Base: had full-faced steel wheels, cloth or vinyl upholstery, two speakers, and an AM radio from 1984 to 1993.
  • 1994–2001; SE: took Base's place starting in 1994. included full-faced steel wheels, cloth or vinyl upholstery, two speakers, and an AM radio.
  • From 1984 to 1990, wagons with faux wood laminate exteriors and maple wood laminate interiors were available. They featured cassette players, four speakers, FM/AM radios, air conditioning, double power seats, leather trim, ribbed fabric upholstery, and alloy wheels. The 1990 model also featured a keyless entry and an overhead console.
  • Briarwood (1991–1992) featured lace spoke wheels, faux wood laminate exterior and maple wood laminate interior detailing, a cassette player, six speakers, an FM/AM radio, remote keyless entry, leather and vinyl upholstery, air conditioning, an overhead console, and two power seats.
  • From 1984 to 1990, Pioneer featured two speakers with AM radio, steel wheels, and plaid-cloth upholstery.
  • 1988; Pioneer Olympic Edition: AC, cloth upholstery, two speakers, AM/FM radio.
  • Chief: Two-speaker AM/FM radio with plaid cloth upholstery, 1984–1990.
  • 1988–2001; Sport: four speakers, full-faced steel or alloy wheels, vinyl and cloth interior, and air conditioning and AM/FM.
  • 1993–1997; Country: four speakers, a cassette player, an AM/FM radio, lace spoke wheels, AC, a faux interior mahogany wood accent, vinyl and cloth upholstery with the option of leather, and flat black chrome embellishments.
  • 1996, 1998-2001: Classic: had an overhead console, alloy wheels, a cassette, an AM/FM radio with four speakers, cloth upholstery, keyless entry, one paint color, and air conditioning.
  • Limited features include a sunroof, keyless entry, vinyl and leather upholstery, a single paint color, a cassette player, a six-speaker FM/AM radio, an overhead console, air conditioning, and two power seats. These features were present from 1987 to 1992 and 1998 to 2001.
  • Laredo, 1985–1992: spoke alloy wheels, air conditioning, several upholstery options, and additional features.
  • 2000; Freedom: alloy wheels, a cassette with an AM/FM radio, remote keyless entry, and unique badging.
  • Special floor mats and emblems, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, a single paint job, alloy wheels, and a cassette with an AM/FM radio were all features of the 60th anniversary 2001.
  • 1999–2000; Orvis: limited edition, accessible only in the UK.