Berkeley's Jeep Cherokee Information

Berkeley's Jeep Cherokee

Last updated: Thursday, May 19, 2005 10:50 AM -0700

I have a 1990 Jeep Cherokee XJ. Here's some information.

The goal is to have an enclosed 5-passenger vehicle that can tame the tough trails, but still retain on-road manners... a typical goal. We wanted a low cost-of-entry so that we would have plenty of money left for modifications. But we wanted it new enough so that we didn't inherit all the problems that come with any old machine. I bought a 1990 Jeep Cherokee XJ.

1990 Jeep Cherokee XJ, Laredo, Colorado Red, four door, 4.0L straight-6, AW4 Automatic Transmission
Originally: Command-Trac NP231J transfer case, Dana 30 front axle, Dana 35c rear axle, 3.55 gears
Currently: Klune-V 4:1 underdrive, NP231DHD transfer case w/ SYE, Dana 30 front axle w/ ARB locker, Dana 44 rear axle w/ Ox locker, 4.10/4.09 gears
Quick Specs

I'm a 4x4Wire.com staff writer. Visit the Jeep Section and Project SkyMiles to see more of my Cherokee XJ. Visit the Jeep Forums to ask 4x4 questions.

Trail Shots

Pritchett Canyon, Moab 2002

Project History - Divided into groups, Phase I, Phase II, and Other Upgrades, each group listed in date order, newest at the top)

Phase II - Drivetrain and Rear Axle Upgrade

Klune-V 4:1 Underdrive - $1750 (09Oct01)
NP231DHD w/JB short shaft kit - $550 (16Oct01)
Floor pan work & seat lift - $10 (19Jan02)
CV drive shafts - $? (26Jan02)
Crossmember & skidplates - $200 (06Feb02)
Dana 44 rear axle (14Oct01)
- Dana 44 from '88 XJ - $500 (22Aug01)
- Ox Locker - $750 (14Sep01)
- Gears 50, install kit 100, labor 300 - $450 (21Sep01)
- Brake kit, e-brake cable & hose - $140 (28Sep01)

Phase I - Suspension, Lockers and Armor

OME AAL and blocks - $153 (11May01)
Four X Doctor Dana 30 front diff guard - $60 (03Aug00)
Tomken transmission and t-case skid plates - $0 (23Jul00)
ARB lockers and 4.10 gears - $2000 (31May00)
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires - $916 (09May00)
Custom 4x4 Fab. Rear Bumper, etc. - $468
3.5" Old Man Emu/Tera Flex lift (19Feb00)
- Lifting the front and rear - $950
- Tera Flex quick disconnects - $100
- Dealing with side effects of the lift - $42
- OME JCXL AAL and blocks - $153 (11May01)
- Bent Rear Leafs (Aug02)
- JC2A rear leaf pack replacement (12May03)
Custom 4x4 Fab. Square Rocker Guards - $195 (06Feb00)
Custom 4x4 Fab. Front Winch Bumper - $295 (30Jan00)
- Custom front bumper light mount - (01Feb01)
Rear anti-sway bar removal (12Dec99)

Other Upgrades

NWMP 32 gallon gas tank- $360 (07Sep04)
Flex-a-lite Shrouded HD Remote Oil Cooler (?)
Rear Cargo Area Tie Downs (Aug03)
RecoGear - ORO X-Line winch rope, etc. (29Jun02)
Warn XD9000i winch - $750 (07Mar02)
H4 Headlight replacement - $80 (11May01)
Adding external lighting - $473 (20Jan01)
- Custom front bumper light mount - (01Feb01)
Fender flare trim and air dam removal - $0 (16Dec00)
Rusty's Tie-Rod Steering Conversion - $240 (02Oct00)
RecoGear - Straps, Chain, Shackles, etc. - $215
License plate relocation and light - $8 (02May00)
~~Jacobs Ignition upgrade~~ - $365 (30Apr00)
Solid wheel lug nuts - $20 (05Jan00)
CB radio - $70
Insanely lame wheel lug nut editorial (12Dec99)

Maintenance History

Height History: Table and Image

I'm rebuilding my off-road trailer.

Jeep Links

Miscellaneous Information

Which tires: BFG MT or Goodyear MT?

Industry Figure | Berkeley

Please ask your questions on the 4x4Wire Jeep Forums so that everyone can benefit. If you insist, write me at berkeley at industryfigure dot com. Be warned that I might not respond. It's not that I don't care, or that your question isn't a good one... they usually are. It's that I get about 300 e-mails per day and it's overwhelming just answering the ones for which I get paid. BTW, Jeeping is my hobby, not my paying job. :-)

Since December 1, 1999