Cherokee XJ / Comanche MJ

The Jeep Cherokee was introduced in 1984 as a lighter, shorter and narrower version of the older Full Size Cherokee SJ. It was first available with the 2.5L Inline-4 engine and the 2.8L V6 engine, and soon received the legendary 4.0L Inline-6 in 1987. In 1997 the XJ received a facelift and we saw the exterior and interior styling slightly updated. The Cherokee was retired in 2001 and Jeep introduced the Liberty as a replacement for it in 2002.

2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport

The Jeep Cherokee came with a total of 5 different engines through it’s years of productions – the AMC 4.0L I6, AMC 2.5L I6, GM 2.8L V6, Renault 2.1L TurboDiesel, and VM Motori 2.5L TurboDiesel. The Cherokee came in 2-door and 4-door versions, with the 2-door version being the more rare option.

This Jeep came with a wide range of transmissions as well. The table below lists the 10 transmissions that were used throughout the Cherokee’s production, 3 being automatic and the rest manual transmissions.

TransmissionYears AvailableEngines
Chrysler A904 3-Speed1984-1986AMC 2.5L I4
GM 2.8L V6
Aisin-Warner AW-4 4-Speed1987-2001AMC 4.0L V6
Chrysler 30RH 3-Speed1994-2000AMC 2.5L I4
Borg-Warner T-4 4-Speed 1984AMC 2.5L I4
Aisin-Warner AX4 4-Speed1984-1987AMC 2.5L I4
Borg-Warner T-5 5-Speed1984AMC 2.5L I4
GM 2.8L V6
Aisin-Warner AX5 5-Speed1984-2000AMC 2.5L I4
GM 2.8L V6
Peugeot BA-10/5 5-Speed1987-1989.5AMC 4.0L V6
Aisin-Warner AX15 5-Speed1989.5-1999AMC 4.0L V6
New Venture Gear NV3550 5-Speed2000-2001AMC 2.5L I4
AMC 4.0L V6

It is understood that the best transmission and engine combination would either be the AW4 and AMC 4.0L or the AX15 and AMC 4.0L. Both transmissions were extremely reliable.

The most common transfer case options were the NP231 and NP242, both available from 1987. The NP231 is a part time 4WD only transfer case with low range, while the NP242 has full time and part time 4WD.

The NP 207 was found in the XJ between 1984 and 1987, typically pair with the AX5, AX4, or BA10/5 manual transmission, or the 30RH automatic. It was offered as the “Command Trac” option.

The NP228/229 transfer case was an optional upgrade to the NP207 between 1984 and 1986, referred to as the Select Trac option.

Specifications

Curb Weight3,031-3,664lb
Wheelbase101.4in
Length1987-90: 165.3in
1991-93: 168.8in
1994-96: 166.9in
1997-01: 167.5in
Width1994-96: 67.7in
1997-99: 67.9in
2000-2001: 69.4in
Height1987-88 2WD: 63.4in
1987-1993: 63.3in
1994-99 2WD: 63.9in
1994-2001 4WD: 64.0in
2000-01 2WD: 63.8in

Engines

EngineYears Available
AMC 2.5L I41984-2000
GM 2.8L V61984-1986
AMC 4.0L V61987-2001
Renault 2.1L TurboDiesel1985-1994
1985-1987 (NA)
VM Motori 2.5L TurboDiesel1994-2001

Transfer Cases

Transfer CaseYears Available
NP2071984-1987
NP228/2291984-1986
NP2311987-2001
NP2421987-2001

Find Write-Ups

Parts Catalog

Torque Specs


The Comanche MJ

In response to the growing small truck market and to compete with Japanese competitors, the Jeep Comanche MJ was introduced in the 1986 model year, and was in production until 1992. The Comanche was based heavily on the Cherokee, to the point that most parts are interchangeable, especially engine, transmission, and suspension related parts. It was offered with the same engines and transmissions as the Cherokee.

The Comanche only lasted 6 years before it was phased out as a result of low sales. As such, the Comanche is slightly more desirable and can be found at higher prices than the Cherokee, since there was only 190k Comanches built compared to over 3 million Cherokees sold during it’s production years.

1988 Jeep Comanche Pioneer 4×4 5-Speed

The majority of Cherokee and Comanche parts are interchangeable, as the Comanche is basically a chopped Cherokee with a truck bed. As such, the majority of write-ups and information about Cherokee XJs will also apply to Comanche MJs.

Engine Fluids

EngineFluid TypeCapacity
AMC 2.5L I4Above 0°F: 10W-30
Below 60°F: 5W-30
4.0 qts
AMC 4.0L I6Above 0°F: 10W-30
Below 32°F: 5W-30
6.0 qts
GM 2.5L I4Above 0°F: 10W-30
Below 0°F: 5W-30
3.0 qts
Renault 2.1Ltbdtbd
VM Motori 2.5Ltbdtbd

Transmission Fluids

TransmissionFluid TypeCapacity
Chrysler A904 3-Speed
Aisin-Warner AW-4 4-Speed
Chrysler 30RH 3-Speed
Borg-Warner T-4 4-Speed ATF Dexron II1.75qts
Aisin-Warner AX4 4-Speed75W-90 GL3 or GL4
10W-30 Motor Oil
2WD: 3.7qts
4WD: 3.5qts
Borg-Warner T-5 5-SpeedATF Dexron II1.75qts
Aisin-Warner AX5 5-Speed75W-90 GL3 or GL4
10W-30 Motor Oil
2WD: 3.7qts
4WD: 3.5qts
Peugeot BA-10/5 5-Speed
Aisin-Warner AX15 5-Speed75W-90 GL3 or GL4
10W-30 Motor Oil
2WD: 3.32qts
4WD: 3.27qts
New Venture Gear NV3550 5-SpeedMopar MT Fluid
SAE 30W Oil
3.3qts

Axle Fluids

AxleFluid TypeCapacity
Dana 3075W-90
75W-140 (towing)
1.26qts
Dana 3575W-90
75W-140 (towing)
1.75qts
Dana 4475W-90
75W-140 (towing)
2.00qts
Chrysler 8.2575W-90
75W-140 (towing)
2.11qts

Transfer Case Fluids

Transfer CaseFluid TypeCapacity
NP207
NP228/229
NP231
NP242

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4.0L

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