1985 Jeep Cherokee 2.5 Litre 4-Speed

Summary:

The best performer for your money!

Faults:

Transmission blew out before I owned it due to poor driving. Replacement cost $800.

The clutch slave unit leaked which caused some fuse box problems, but to replace the unit and fuse box was only about $50.

The Alternator went bad at about 200,000 miles, and replacement was only $70.

General Comments:

As far as I know, the problems listed above are the only problems in nearly 20 years.

This jeep may be somewhat slow, but for $1500 it a steal of an SUV, and one beast of an off-road performer for a 4 cylinder.

Though my particular Jeep lacks power windows and locks, it is one fine looking automobile, and I would recommend it to anybody. In almost any outdoor scene, this baby just looks rugged!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th October, 2003

6th Nov 2004, 19:37

Cool.

12th Mar 2005, 13:42

I have an 1986 Jeep Cherokee, with the 2.5L 4 Cyl. engine and 5 Sp manual trans. Those things are indestructible! I have 264110 Miles on it, it has never been overhauled, or rebuilt, and I beat a 91 Honda Civic with it the other day. Burns virtually no oil, the 4WD works awesome, and it will pull anything you put behind it. I am sorry to say that I have only seen two other 4 bangers like mine, but I'll tell you this, they will last a lot longer than those straight sixes. I was on eBay the other day, and saw a Jeep like mine, with a newley rebuilt 4 banger at 300000 miles!

10th Oct 2005, 11:45

I don't know about these cars. the 4 cylinder seems a little weak for an SUV engine. I have had my 1985 Cherokee for about two years now, and have done nothing, but work to keep it running. the latest problem - sounds like a single-cylinder lawn mower and takes about 15 seconds to rev to the high RPM range. and as for towing - I pulled a trailer with one dirt bike on it, and the thing could barely move.

4th May 2006, 11:42

I have a 1985 Cherokee Laredo and it was a steal for what I paid for it (it was free). It is my first car and I'm only 14, but I have a farm to run it around on. Its has the 2.5 Litre 4 cylinder and it has a 5 speed. This is one of the most comfortable vehicles to ride in. It has 316,522 kilometres on it. It is just got a little surface rust and its missing the rear panel on the hatch. It is a very good vehicle and I love it.

1985 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer 2.8L V6 (GM/Chev)

Summary:

Yay

Faults:

Carburetor - seems to be leaning out at low RPM under engine load. Symptoms are intake backfire (occasional, not severe) and rough idle. No vacuum leak could be found after extensive searching.

Slight balking while engaging fourth gear, possible worn syncromesh. I just shift slowly and deliberately and this doesn't seem to be an issue.

General Comments:

Dependable and capable, though definately not a racing machine. When the engine wears out, I will probably do a swap rather than finding a new vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th June, 2003

9th Jan 2010, 13:57

The carb on my Cherokee 2.8 is working perfectly after over 200,000 miles, nary a blurp or a gasp or a whisper of hesitation. In fact, I still pause on occasion when I think about how well it keeps running.

This carb doesn't appear to have ever been off the engine. It also doesn't look as if it's ever had a screw turned on it. The years I've owned it, I've not touched an idle mixture or a speed adjustment screw. It (and the rest of the Jeep) just keeps on going.

I have had VERY good luck with this old Cherokee.

Cheers... :)