The Jeep Cherokee

2000 jeep cherokee classic

First generation Jeep Cherokee

1975-76 Cherokee and Wagoneer

Originally a two-door version of the Jeep Wagoneer, the Cherokee, introduced in 1974, was a bit cheaper than its luxury stablemate. In 1977, it became a low-end Wagoneer with both two and four doors. Throughout all three generations, all Cherokees for US sale were made in Toledo, Ohio; Cherokees were also made offshore.

Second generation Jeep Cherokee (1984-1996)

Ten years later, a new and completely different Cherokee was brought out. It had a shorter wheelbase than the original, and a shorter length - seven and 21 inches respectively - and was over a thousand pounds lighter, checking in at a svelte 3,100 pounds, which in 1977 had been compact-car territory. The result was a more economical vehicle that was easier to get around on and off road. Again, both two and four door models were available. In addition, a pickup version called the Comanche was sold; the Cherokee was more profitable, but both were built on the same assembly line.

In front, a multilink front suspension with a track bar and coil springs was used, with recirculating ball steering; traditional leaf springs held up the rear.

1991 assembly plant at Jefferson North (Jeep)

The 1984 Cherokee would be instantly recognizable today, combining the big wheel well flares, boxy shape, and general appearance of the final 2001 model and the new Jeep Patriot and Commander. The interior was simple and functional, and fit four in comfort. There were three trim levels - base, Pioneer (luxury), and Chief (sport) (Laredo would come later, providing most of the Pioneer features with a lower price). The base engine was Jeep's own 2.5 liter four-cylinder, and the optional engine was a 2.8 liter Buick V6. Both were carbureted, with one and two barrels respectively, producing 105 and 115 horsepower (with much greater differences in torque). A four-speed manual transmission was standard, with an optional five speed manual and three-speed automatic for V6 models. A Wagoneer version included standard full-time four wheel drive.

One thing that set the Cherokee apart was the four wheel drive system. Command-Trac was a conventional part-time system, but it had a shift-on-the-fly feature in an era when many people had to stop to change to four wheel drive; Selec-Trac was a full-time four wheel drive system that didn't destroy the tires too quickly on dry roads. The multilink front suspension was designed specifically for off-road use, providing considerable articulation despite not being fully independent. A two wheel drive version was also sold, as was a diesel using a Renault engine (which was dropped by 1988).

In 1985, a 2.1 liter four-cylinder turbodiesel was added; two-wheel drive was made available; and the Wagoneer got Limited trim.

In 1986, the 2.5 liter engine gained fuel injection, bumping power to 117 horsepower and easing starting and general operation, with no gas mileage penalty. A new off-road package with bigger tires, skid plates, a raised suspension, and a 4:10 gear ratio was also added.

As Evan Boberg noted in his book, Common Sense Not Required, the Cherokee also was a hit from the start because it was the only four-door SUV on the market when introduced. The introduction of the four liter engine in 1987 turned it into a performance vehicle as well, and sales continued to be strong. Evan wrote, “The story I was told was the executive in charge of the design of the Cherokee hated the AMC inline 6 cylinder engine (the 4.2 liter) and specifically designed the Cherokee so it would not fit. The Nash 2.5 liter engine was fitted with fuel injection and the General Motors 2.8 liter V6 with oil leaks were the original engine options.” The four liter engine had long been under construction at AMC, and was based closely on the successful new 2.5 liter four-cylinder. It provided 170 at first, and was quickly boosted to 177 hp, making acceleration faster than most cars, and allowing 5,000 pounds to be towed. (Evan also noted that since the Cherokee was more profitable than its pickup version, lower Comanche sales meant more profits.)

Evan also suggested that the success of the Cherokee led Chrysler to buy AMC from Renault. Certainly it was a lone bright spot in an otherwise struggling company; the Wrangler was selling at a steady if low volume, but the Renault-based cars were experiencing a lack of success similar to the earlier, heavier four-wheel-drive AMC cars.

Also in 1987, a new automatic was added, providing four speeds and electronic control, which allowed power and comfort modes. The four speed manual was finally dropped, along with the diesel. The Limited arrived, with the six cylinder engine and Selec-Trac four wheel drive, not to mention leather and various de rigeur luxury items. The Sport arrived in 1988, and four-wheel antilock brakes were added in 1989; unlike competitors’, they worked even in four wheel drive models.

For 1990, Cherokee added a new optional overhead console, new colors, three-point seat belts on the back seats, and a standard AM/FM electronically tuned stereo. The 2.5 liter engine stayed at 121 hp, 141 lb-ft; the straight-six at 177 hp, 224 lb-ft.

In 1991, the four cylinder was given multiple point fuel injection - the only non-turbocharged four cylinder at Chrysler to get it - to provide 130 horsepower; the six cylinder was upgraded the same way, and now pushed out 190 hp with 225 pound-feet of torque. The Pioneer disappeared and the short-lived Briarwood showed up. By 1992, only the base model could have the four-cylinder.

In 1993, Chrysler rationalized the Cherokee, dropping all but the base, Sport, and Country (luxury) models, and added sequential multiple-port injection to the 2.5 liter engine, increasing gas mileage. 1994 brought non-CFC air conditioner refrigerant, better roof crush resistance, and side door beams for impact protection; the base model was renamed SE. In 1995, a driver’s airbag was added. Finally, in 1996, the engines were made quieter and given more usable torque with several air path changes; the Selec-Trac system was upgraded; OBD II on-board diagnostics were added; the powertrain control module moved to the JTEC system; and a revolutionary returnless fuel supply system, first seen on the Neon, was installed.

Jeep Cherokee repairs

We have dedicated pages for:

There appear to have been few systemic problems with the Cherokee. Evan Boberg’s book noted that the power steering suffered from early failure in early models; and models built from 1989 until about 1993 could pull to the right if caster was adjusted to spec (7 degrees). (The solution, according to Evan, is to adjust camber to 4 degrees - and to ignore the pull.)

Tom Wand wrote, “On Jeep models including the 1991 model year and possibly 1990, a large connector near the center of the Dash Panel (Firewall) can cause some problems. This “C101 Connector” carries all of the engine mounted circuits. If the engine is running rough, no power, stumbling, hard starting, simply disconnect this connector and reconnect it. The oxygen sensor signal, which passes through it, is such a high impedance that it may corrode in the connection and not work. Somply undoing and reconnecting it cleans the corrosion of and fixes the problem.” (Our note: you may want to use di-electric grease to prevent corrosion.)

John Mastiano helped a customer with a 1995 4x4 Cherokee that shook violently when over 45 mph; it had had the steering stabilizer replaced and a leaf added to the rear springs because the rear was about one inch too low (this made it four inches too high). A mechanic replaced the traction bar because it had a slight movement but this did not help. John wrote, “This is usualy caused by loose front end components (control arm bushings,ball ends, etc). Lifting the rear by 4" could also play a major role due to the front end alignment (caster) being thrown way off spec. Though it was written for the Ram, TSB 19-05-96 could help.”

Another mechanic wrote about a problem that causes many shops to replace or rebuild the AW4 automatic transmission. “These have a special type of Park/Neutral safety switch. Starting, reverse lights, and shifting input are all part of this switch function. These are expensive at $250, but it is a switch you can take apart, clean the wipers and contacts, and reassemble.... very carefully. With one 298,750 mile 1992 Jeep Cherokee which two shops had said needed a new transmission, this switch was filthy inside; I cleaned it and put it back together, sealed the outer part with RTV to prevent any contamination in future. The Jeep shifts great again. This is the third one we have done and it worked all three times. Be very sure to set up the position of the switch after cleaning with an ohmmeter to make sure it has flow to starter relay in P and N.”

Cherokees with the Borg-Warner automatic do not take the same transmission fluid as those with Chrysler automatics.

Pete Jackson wrote about changing the starter on the 1987 Cherokee 4.0. He said this was a 15 minute job requiring a 3/8” drive ratchet with 14 mm, 15 mm, and 13 mm (1/2”) sockets, preferably standard depth though deep would work with some challenges; and a 1/4” combo wrench.

Be sure the brake is set and the transmission is in gear or Park; disconnect the negative (and positive if desired) cables from the battery.
Remove the 1/4" nut from the solenoid terminal, if yours isn't a spade connector. Mine uses a ring terminal and 1/4" nut with a screw.
Remove the 13mm nut (and cable) from the postive battery cable on the starter solenoid terminal.
Remove the 15mm upper mounting bolt from the starter (this one faces the rear of the vehicle) and the 14mm lower mounting bolt from the starter (this faces the front of the vehicle)
Remove the starter and put the new one in; put on the upper and lower bolts, the 13mm nut and cable, and the solenoid terminal nut. Torque the mounting bolts to 37 pound-feet and the cable connection just past snug. (Torque specs are from the service manual; the rest is straight from Pete.)

1997: third generation Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee was extensively restyled for 1997, with new sheet metal, seats, door trim panels, and a new, electronic instrument panel (with microprocessor) added; a tachometer and trip odometer became standard. Outside, a new grille and air dam, along with numerous other changes and additions, updated the Cherokee’s appearance. Front doors switched to a single pane of glass, and outside mirrors were enlarged, with optional power, heated mirrors.

2000 jeep cherokee limited

The Cherokee kept its powertrain, but most of the electrical connectors were upgraded, a new plastic gas tank (20 gallons) replaced the steel tank and had a new fuel pump and new fuel lines. Transmissions were carried over, other than a new hydraulic clutch and pedal linkage on the manual transmissions. The Mark 20 antilock brake system was made available; the parking brake was relocated; a single-touch-down driver’s power window was added; and a floor console became standard, with an optional overhead module.

The largest change was a switch to the CCD bus, which eliminated numerous wires and electrical connections; the bus included the powertrain control system, instrument cluster, airbags, compass, electric locks, and, with the Aisin Warner automatic, the transmission computer. The remote entry system was switched from infra-red to radio, and could be programmed using either the MDS or DRB systems.

A 500 amp battery replaced the 430 amp one, and a 117 amp alternator replaced the 81 amp alternator. An electronic airbag replaced the mechanical one, and became standard equipment.

See our 1997 Jeep Cherokee page

Jeep Cherokee Specifications, 1992 and 1997

4WD specifications	1990	1992	1997
I4 power	121 @ 5250	130 @ 5,250	125 @ 5,600
I4 torque	141 @ 3250	149 @ 3,000	150 @ 3,250
I4 mpg	19/24	n/a	19/22
I6 power	177 @ 4500	190 @ 4,750	190 @ 4,600
I6 torque	224 @ 2500	225 @ 4,000	225 @ 3,000
I6 mpg	n/a	n/a	17/21 (manual)
Track	57.0	57.0-58.0	58.0
Length	165.3	168.6	167.5
Width	70.5	70.5	68
Height	63.3	63.3	64.0
Axle clearance		8.8	8.3
Ground clearance (running)		n/a	10.2
Approach angle		n/a	38°
Ramp breakover angle		n/a	24°
Departure angle		n/a	32°
Weight dist. (4-door)		n/a	53/47
Payload	1150	1,150	1,150 lb
Cargo, rear seat up	35.7 c.f.	35.6 cubic feet	34 cubic feet
Cargo, folded seat	71.8 c.f.	71.8 cubic feet	71 cubic feet
Max towing		5,000 lb
Drag (cD)			.51
Frontal area			24.5 cubic feet
Headroom, F/R	38.3/38.0	38.3/38.0	37.8/38.5
Legroom, F/R	41.1/35.3	41.0/35.3	41.4/35.0
Shoulder room, F/R	55.3/55.3	55.3/55.3	55.2/55.2
Brake type, F/R	Disc/Drum	Disc/Drum	Disc/Drum
Base wheel size	15 x 6 steel	15 x 6 steel	15 x 7 steel
Wheelbase	101.4	101.4	101.4
Stabilizer bars, F/R	.94 / .63	.95" / .63"	Unknown
Weight	2,832-3,076	2,985-3,028	3,111 - 3,153 lb