Cherokee/Wagoneer (XJ) and Comanche Pick-Up

The new version of the Cherokee was introduced in 1984. It was available in a two or four door wagon body style. Unit-Body construction, and a much-improved suspension lead the list of features. The four wheel leaf springs were replaced by front coil springs and rear leaf springs. The new Cherokee was much lighter and fuel efficient than the old model. Very few parts were carried over from the old models. Four Wheel Drive was optional on all models, and All Wheel Drive was available on some models. Automatic hubs were standard on all 4x4 models. The Cherokee was offered in two-door and four-door configurations.

The base powertrain was a four speed manual transmission with the AMC 2.5l (151 cid) four cylinder engine. The 2.5l four gained fuel injection, and an optional five speed transmission for the 1986 model year. A three or four speed automatic transmission was also available with the four cylinder. A 2.8l six cylinder was also available with a five speed manual or four speed automatic transmission. The original six cylinder was not an AMC engine; it was made by General Motors. The V-6 was the same engine that was used in many Chevy and GMC Trucks, and Pontiac and Chevy Sedans. This V-6 was sold by AMC with a 2bbl carburator. A four cylinder Diesel was also available with either the five speed manual or four speed automatic. The Diesel engine was the Renault 2.0l Turbo-Diesel. Most of the Diesel Cherokees were sold in Canada and Europe. In 1986, a pickup truck body was added, the Commanche. It had bed rails welded onto the back of the cab in lieu of a true frame. The Commanche is probably the highest production Unit-Body pickup truck ever produced.

These configurations were available through the 1986 model year, in four body trims: base, Chief, Laredo, and Wagoneer. In 1987, the whole line was revamped, with a new six cylinder engine, and the discontinuance of the Diesel model in the United States. The new six cylinder was a 4.0l (242 cid) inline, Throttle-Body Injected engine. This engine, aside from being much more powerful and reliable than the V-6, was the last true AMC engine, based on the 2.5l four.

The Commanche was available in four trims, base, Sport, Chief, and Laredo. Sales of the Cherokee and Commanche took off in 1987; unfortunately, AMC had already agreed to the merger with Chrysler. Chrysler made few changes to the Cherokee after the takeover. Most of the changes were in the wiring for the Stereo, A/C, etc. etc. Chrysler also changed the instrument panel for the 1990 model year, but changed it back to the old AMC panel in 1993. Both engines gained Multi-Port Fuel Injection for the 1991 model year. The 2.5l went to 125 bhp, and the 4.0l went to 190 bhp.

The 1997 model year brought about the most radical changes in the Cherokee's design since it's introduction 13 years prior. The body panels were redesigned for improved aerodynamics, and the interior was changed to a more Chrysler-esque design. The interior was the most radical change, where the Cherokee's boxy, Renault-Insipried design became very rounded and modern. Chrysler plans to continue producing the Cherokee base Unit-Body unchanged through the 2000 model year. The 2 Millionth Cherokee rolled off the line at the Toledo, Ohio, plant in July 1996 with President Clinton behind the wheel.