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Much
in the same way that American automakers had downsized
many of their cars in the previous decade, Jeep downsized
one of its nameplates, the Cherokee, for 1984.
Prior
to this year, the Cherokee moniker was attached to
what amounted to a sportier version of Jeep's Wagoneer.
Mostly unchanged since its debut in the early 1960s,
the Wagoneer was a large, truck-based, four-door wagon
with four-wheel drive.
The
former Cherokee, introduced as a 1974, shared most
everything with the Wagoneer, including dimensions
and engine selections. The major differences between
the two were that the Cherokee was initially available
only as a two-door (with the same wheelbase and length
as the Wagoneer) and the Cherokee cost less than the
more luxurious Wagoneer. A four-door Cherokee joined
the lineup in 1977.
The
1984 Cherokee shared nothing with its predecessor,
save its name. A shorter wheel- base (over 7 inches
less than the "old" model, at 101.4 inches)
and overall length (at 165.3 inches, a decrease of
21 inches) combined with a much lighter weight of
around 3,100 pounds (over 1,000 pounds less than before)
went a long way toward better fuel mileage and easier
maneuverability, on-road or off. Two-door and four-door
body styles were offered.
Styling
for the trim Cherokee was chiseled and taut, with
muscular wheel well flares and a tall greenhouse that
afforded good visibility for driver and passengers
alike. The interior continued this theme with a likewise
simple dash and control layout. Seating capacity was
listed as five, though it was tight for three adults
to ride in the backseat.
Trim
levels were comprised of the base Cherokee, more luxurious
Pioneer and the sporty Chief. The Pioneer featured
carpeting, additional instrument panel gauges, full
center console and a rear window wiper/washer. The
Chief was the most stylin' of the trio with blackout
exterior trim, hood striping and white-lettered tires.
Motive
force came in the form of either four- or six-cylinder
power. The 2.5-liter four banger inhaled its fuel
and air through a one-barrel carburetor and made 105
horsepower. The optional, 2.8-liter, two-barrel V6
(which was actually supplied by Chevrolet) produced
but 115 horses. Although these powerplants were adequate,
serious thrust for the Cherokee was a still a few
years away. There were three transmission choices
for the V6: a standard four-speed manual, optional
five-speed manual and optional three-speed automatic.
The four-cylinder was limited to the four-speed manual
as its gearbox.
Considered
by many as the leader in the four-wheel-drive (4WD)
vehicle segment, Jeep offered not one but two 4WD
systems for the Cherokee. "Command-Trac"
was a part-time, shift-on-the-fly unit and the "Selec-Trac"
system allowed the option of full-time 4WD operation.
A "Quadra-Link" front suspension design
(which featured a solid axle suspended by coil springs
and four links) contributed to the Cherokee's quickly
acquired reputation for off-road prowess.
The
new Cherokee was well received by the motoring press
and the buying public alike, with nearly 78,000 Cherokees
sold in its first year.
1985
brought the Laredo trim level to the Cherokee family.
Standard on the Laredo were most of the features of
the Pioneer with upgrades such as plusher interior
materials, pinstripes, alloy wheels and chrome grille
treatment.
Changes
to the Cherokee in general included the addition of
front headrests and passenger assist handles (for
easier ingress and egress as well as something to
hold on to when the driver went hog wild off-road).
Two-wheel-drive versions were now offered for those
who didn't need the capabilities of four-wheel drive.
A few new options debuted as well, such as keyless
entry and a Renault-sourced, four-cylinder, turbodiesel
engine.
Two
major hardware upgrades were hot topics for the Cherokee
in 1986. A redesigned and more powerful four-cylinder
engine was now standard. The replacement of the stone-age
carburetor with fuel injection helped the 2.5-liter
mill pump out a respectable 117 horsepower, an increase
of 12 horses over the previous motor. Smoother operation
and easier starting were other benefits of the more
modern induction setup.
Geared
toward serious off-road enthusiasts was a new "Off-Highway
Vehicle" package that included heavy-duty suspension
components, bigger (225/75/15) tires, skid plates,
tow hooks, a 4:10 rear axle ratio (to help in climbing
up steep grades and slogging through mud) and higher
ground clearance.
Serious
power became an option in 1987 when Jeep dumped the
2.8 V6 and put a stout, 4.0-liter, inline six-cylinder
engine of Jeep's design on the option list. Kicking
out 177 horsepower, the new "Power-Tech Six"
could catapult the Cherokee from rest to 60 mph in
around 9 seconds -- pretty quick, especially for an
SUV. Another benefit of the increased muscle was more
towing capacity -- rated at 5,000 pounds. The 2.5-liter,
four-cylinder was tweaked for an additional four horsepower,
for a total of 121 ponies.
A
new, electronically controlled, four-speed automatic
transmission replaced the former three-cog unit. The
new automatic also offered selectable shift modes:
Power (which provided better performance through higher-rpm
upshifts and quicker downshifts) and Comfort (which
was more relaxed and economical in operation). And
the primitive, four-speed manual was history, leaving
the five-speed for shift-it-yourselfers.
Cosmetically,
the Cherokee received the option of two-tone paint.
Inside the cabin were found new door trim panels with
stowage bins.
A
new, loaded-up Limited four-door model debuted halfway
through the model year. Just about every luxury, performance
and convenience feature was standard on the new top
dog Cherokee. The Limited came with the powerful,
4.0-liter inline six teamed with Selec-Trac and could
be identified by its color-keyed bumpers, gold wheels
and gold pinstripes. Leather seats, power everything,
keyless entry and an eight-speaker sound system were
additional highlights of the Limited's lengthy standard
equipment list.
Other
models received minor changes, such as new plaid seats
in the Laredo and revised blackout trim on the Chief.
1988
saw the addition of a Limited two-door and the subtraction
of the unpopular turbodiesel engine option. Sharp-eyed
enthusiasts could discern an '88 by a new eight-slot
grille that replaced the former 10-slot unit.
Laredo
models received new chrome trim as well as lower bodyside
cladding. In an effort to offer a Cherokee for everyone
(and leave no part of the potential market uncovered),
a Sport two-door model was offered. The Sport added
alloy wheels and special graphics to the plain-Jane
Cherokee, allowing those on a budget to drive a sharp
rig without breaking the bank.
The
availability (on models equipped with the 4.0-liter
engine, automatic transmission and Selec-Trac) of
a four-wheel, antilock braking system (ABS) was the
big news for the 1989 Cherokee. Jeep's ABS operated
regardless of whether the Cherokee was in 2WD or 4WD
(unlike some competitors who offered either only rear-wheel
ABS or four-wheel ABS that wouldn't function when
the vehicle was in 4WD).
Other
functional upgrades for 1989 included two former options
that were made standard. Base models received power
steering and all Cherokees swapped their former 13.5-gallon
fuel tank for a 20-gallon unit.
Changes
were few for Jeep's most popular model for 1990. Safety
was improved through the fitment of three-point seatbelts
for all outboard occupants. And a new overhead console
on the Limited featured a compass, outside thermometer
and storage compartments for a garage door control
and sunglasses.
Power
for both the four- and the six-cylinder engines was
boosted for 1991. A new, multi-point fuel-injection
system helped the four-banger squeeze out 130 horsepower
-- an increase of nine horses over the 1990 model.
And the big six now cranked out 190 horsepower, bringing
the zero to 60 mph time of the Cherokee down to under
nine seconds.
Trim
levels were shuffled about; the Pioneer was dropped,
a new Briarwood debuted, (identified by its fake woodgrain
trim on the bodysides) and a four-door Sport model
joined the two-door Sport.
Making
life easier for the owner of a '91 Cherokee were new
double-sided keys, highlighted underhood service points
and an optional illuminated entry system.
1992
saw carpeting added to the standard features of the
base Cherokee. And Laredo four-doors could now be
fitted with (optional) leather seating, just like
the fancier Limited. Other than this, not much else
changed for the Cherokee this year.
The
Cherokee line was simplified for 1993, as the previous
five trim levels gave way to just three; base, Sport
and the new Country. The Country featured champagne-colored
lower body, fender flares and bumpers as well as most
of the luxury features of the defunct Limited. And
Sport models were updated with a two-tone treatment
that featured black on the lower body sides.
A
long-life, stainless steel exhaust system was fitted
to all models, helping to lower ownership costs.
Safety
refinements were added for 1994. Side-impact beams
were now found in the doors, the roof was beefed up
for more crush resistance and a center, high-mounted
stoplight sat atop the liftgate. Air conditioning
now used CFC-free refrigerant.
For
those who didn't like the champagne (the color, not
the libation) of the year before, the Country was
now available with silver as the secondary color.
And in an effort to make the base model sound more
appealing, the entry-level Cherokee now had the "SE"
moniker added to its name.
In
spite of looking very much like the 1984 version,
the Cherokee continued to be popular among those looking
for a manageable (both in size and cost) and capable
SUV. 1995 brought a few notable changes, a driver's
side airbag and the availability of an automatic (albeit
just a three-speed) transmission for the four-cylinder
SE. Sport and Country models continued with the 4.0-liter,
six-cylinder engine hooked up to either a five-speed
manual or four-speed automatic gearbox. A few new
colors, such as Moss Green and Aqua Pearl, completed
the changes for this year.
Minor
refinements continued for the Cherokee in 1996. Both
the four- and six-cylinder engines were tweaked to
run smoother and quieter. The inline six now produced
its power at lower rpm, making it more responsive
whether accelerating from a light or towing a trailer
up a steep grade.
Safety
and reliability were both enhanced this year. An automatic
transmission/brake pedal interlock reduced the chance
of an accident by requiring the driver to apply the
brake when moving the gear selector out of Park. The
electrical system was upgraded via a heavy-duty alternator
and battery. And the engine received a stiffer block,
new aluminum pistons and a new powertrain control
module.
In
addition to the aforementioned improvements, some
new colors, such as Bright Jade and Stone White, helped
extend the appeal of the Cherokee, now in its 13th
model year.
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