By now the Jeep XJ had been in production for 13 highly successful years and in 1997 the Jeep XJ was redesigned for the last time.
The XJ's body became more streamlined by changing the bumpers, fender flares, and other body moldings. Also the XJ's interior door panels and dash were streamlined.
The rear hatch was upgraded from fiberglass to sheet metal, the rear tail lights were redesigned and the windshield washerbottle was also moved to the inside of the drivers side front fender.
In 1999 the 4.0 Liters intake manifold was redesigned to make it more effecient and the new distributorless ignition system was introduced.
Engine Options
1997 - 2001 2.5L I4 MPI (Multi Port Fuel Injected) - 130 hp @ 5200 rpm, 139 ftlb @ 3500 rpm
1997- 99 4.0L I6 MPI "Power Tech HO" (High Output) - 190 hp @ 470 rpm, 225 ft lb @ 3,500 rpm
2000 - 01 4.0L I6 MPI "Power Tect HO" (High Output) - 193 hp @ 4700 rpm, 231 ft lb @ 3,500 rpm
The 97 - 01 Jeep Cherokee's used multiple manual and automatic transmissions.
Manual Transmissions
1997- 01 Aisin Warner AX5 5-speed manual, used with the 2.5 Liter inline 4 Cly, 2.1 Liter Diesel 21 spline output.
1997 - 99 Aisin-Warner AX5-speed manual, used with 2.5 L I4 diesel, 4.0 L I6, 26 spline output.
2000 - 01 NV3550 5 speed manual used with 2.5 Liter, 2.5 Liter Diesel and 4.0 Liter inline 6, 26 spline output.
Automatic Transmissions
1997- 01 Aisin Warner AW4 4 speed automatic, used with the 4.0 Liter.
1997 - 01 Chrysler 30RH 3-speed automatic, used with 2.5 L I4.
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Transfer Cases
The transfer cases used are all chain driven with aluminum housings. NP stands for "New Process" which is the brand, if you will. The newer ones are NV instead which stands for "New Venture". It is the same transfer case just a different name.
1997 - 01 NP231 Command Trac, part time only 2.72:1 ratio with Lo range. 2Hi, 4 Hi, N, 4Lo.
1997 - 01 NP242 Selec Trac, Full time/part time only, 2.72:1 ration with low range. 2 Hi, 4 Full time, N, 4 Lo.
Driveshafts
Front driveshaft from 1987 onward is a " double cardan" two piece driveshaft with a CV joint at the transfer case end.
Rear Driveshaft
The rear is a one-piece shaft with standard u-joints at both ends. The slip yoke is located on the output shaft of the transfer case.
On 1984 - 1995 XJ's the yoke slides in and out of the transfer case and is lubricated by transmission fluid internally.
Front Axles
The Dana 30
Dana 30 high pinion - reverse cut - 27 spline, 1.16" diameter shafts, 7.13" ring gear - Some axles in 1991 are vacuum disconnect.
2000–2001 Dana 30, low pinion, standard cut, 297x/760 universal joint, 27-spline axleshafts.
1985- 01 Straight non-driven front axle for two-wheel drive only.
Rear Axles
The Dana 35, Crysler 8.25 or the Dana 44
1997 - 2001
Sometimes Dana 35 axles are referred to as Dana 35C - The "C" doesn't mean c-clip. It stands for "custom" meaning it came from Dana unfinished
Dana 35 c-clip - 27 spline, 1.18" diameter shafts, 7.58" ring gear, 2.62" axle tube - used 90-01.
Note on 8.25 axles - none of these axles were used on XJs with ABS brakes. If you have ABS, you have the Dana 35. Without ABS you could have either axle
Chrysler 8.25 - 29 spline, 1.21" diameter shafts, 8.25" ring gear, 3" axle tube - used 97-01 .
Gearing
3.07 used with 4.0L manual transmission
3.55 used with the 4.0L engine with the automatic transmission, also used with the 2wd 4 cyl engines.
3.73 found in some XJ's with the towing package.
4.10 used with the 2.5L engine and older XJ's with the Off Highway vehicle package.
Suspension
Coil springs,control arms and two mono tube shocks in the front, leaf springs and two mono tube shocks in the rear. Each leaf spring pack contains 4 leafs.
Trim options
SE, Sport, Classic,Country, Limited, Freedom, Limited, 60th Anniversary Edition
