Tell me why this ISN'T a '96 XJ....

[YELLAHEEP]

This guy has this listed on Craigslist and claims it to be a '96. From the pics I see several indicators that this XJ is in fact earlier than the year Jeep used Chrysler steering columns. What I see is:

-GM style steering column
-Lack of an air bag (Wasn't '96 the first year for the 'bag?)
-Seats look wrong for a '96
-Windshield seems to have metal trim, newer models had rubber gaskets.
-Front trim, bezels and grille look to have the metal trim and may have been chrome.

He swears the VIN's 10th digit is a "T" making it a '96, but I don't see how.

What do you all think?

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/194335535.html

[Menzenski]

95 was the first year for the air bag.

I'd go so far as to guess that it's a RENIX, but can't be sure without a look under the hood. All the things that YELLAHEEP has pointed out are identical to my 90.

[Chero-King]

Well I just googled 1996 Cherokee, and found this,
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://jeep.avtograd.ru/Cherokee/history/images/XJ96_sport_interior.jpg&imgrefurl=http://jeep.avtograd.ru/Cherokee/history/1996_photo.htm&h=496&w=750&sz=72&hl=en&start=8&tbnid=iGgsQ-ktAdxP-M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1996%2Bcherokee%2Binterior%26svnum%3D 10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff

The chrome grill, means it could have been a Country Edition, and the seats look like they're from an SE according to that site.
But honestly your probably right.

Oh and I love how he says "1200 gets you a car that books at 2800"... yeahhh, not when it looks like that.

[IntrepidXJ]

get the vin and run it thru the free carfax checker...it will tell you the model and year for free

[langer1]

I thought the big change year was 97. Body parts seem to be listed 87-96.
Engine parts seem to be 91-97.
Oh and Air bags were optional.

[IntrepidXJ]

I thought the big change year was 97. Body parts seem to be listed 87-96.
Engine parts seem to be 91-97.

the big change in looks was 97.....but they started making other changes in 96

[aardvark4x4]

I'd say that was pre '91

[PhotographerMike]

Looks a lot more like my "parts" 89 than my 96. Dash is earlier, look at the air vent under the steering wheel, on the 89 and not the 96.

[FRAM]

The side windows in the doors on the other hand are a bit of a giveaway to a later model. My 90 XJ the side windows open but on later ones they didn't.

[DXJ]

The air bag was first put in XJ steering wheels in 95. As far as I know, they were not in any XJ before that and were in every XJ after that. It's possible that the steering column was replaced though for a non-airbag column.

From the rest of the pictures though, it COULD be a 96.

In 95, XJs also got the third brake light. If it has no factory third brake light at the bottom of the rear window, it is probably 94 or older. (maybe you can ask?)

A good picture of the grill might also help determine it's age but I don't know the specifics of what year the grill slots changed.

[Pioneer84]

That Dash looks just like my 87's and from the pic's of the 96 the gages faces look different. I would say 87 to 90.

[Starscream]

That Dash looks just like my 87's and from the pic's of the 96 the gages faces look different. I would say 87 to 90.
These dash comments have got to stop. That dash was used all the way up until '96. The only time anything drastic happened was 97-01. It very well could be a '96 with just older parts. From what I see, the only things that are different from my Sport are the seats, the trim color, and the column/wheel. Like someone else said, run the VIN and if it matches up, then at least the body is a '96.

[wraithblade]

I don't know about you, but there's no way I would pay 1200$ for something in that condition. Even if it's a '96, a crappy primer job, stained carpets, unknown (a million?) mileage, and the work it needs just doesn't seem worth it.

[96_Busted_XJ]

Well I just googled 1996 Cherokee, and found this,
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://jeep.avtograd.ru/Cherokee/history/images/XJ96_sport_interior.jpg&imgrefurl=http://jeep.avtograd.ru/Cherokee/history/1996_photo.htm&h=496&w=750&sz=72&hl=en&start=8&tbnid=iGgsQ-ktAdxP-M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1996%2Bcherokee%2Binterior%26svnum%3D 10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff

The chrome grill, means it could have been a Country Edition, and the seats look like they're from an SE according to that site.
But honestly your probably right.

Oh and I love how he says "1200 gets you a car that books at 2800"... yeahhh, not when it looks like that.


That is an SE i can tell by the your a retard gauge cluster. But, my 96 SE dosen't have those ugly ass seats i got the newer ones like in your picture.

[96_Busted_XJ]

That Dash looks just like my 87's and from the pic's of the 96 the gages faces look different. I would say 87 to 90.

I Have the same cluster mine is a late 96 SE 4.0
Well i did i ripped it out for a Sport (pictured above)


I don't know about you, but there's no way I would pay 1200$ for something in that condition. Even if it's a '96, a crappy primer job, stained carpets, unknown (a million?) mileage, and the work it needs just doesn't seem worth it.

+1 got mine for 2 grand. Its a 96 4.0 4x4 4ws w/ 120k, 2 owner w/ all maint records.

[PhotographerMike]

Here goes again. Pictured below are my '96 D.D. dash with air bag, big cover over column and NO AIR VENT under column (changed cluster, added swiches, etc.).
http://photospace.com/images/j96.JPG
And here's the '89 my wife would like out of the driveway. NO airbag, extra VENT under steering.
http://photospace.com/images/j89.JPG
Back to the Jeep in question; They want how much $$ ?? For that . . .

[Matthew Currie]

Definitely not a Chrysler steering column, which means pre-95 unless somebody did a transplant. It's a pretty low line model, and on my base 95 and my son's 96 Classic, the grilles and surrounds are all plastic. The vents under the steering wheel are not present on the 95 either. The seats, what little I can see of them, look like pre-95 as well. It's a 5 speed, and if I were guessing on the fly I'd say a base model 88 or 89 with carpet and console package and little else. I don't think it even has remote mirrors.

If this is a 96 it's been through a bunch of transformations.

side note to FRAM: I think opening vent windows were optional throughout all the years until they dropped the windows in 97. They are less common on later models in part because air conditioning became almost standard equipment. But many earlier base and low line models also did not have them, so fixed windows do not necessarily mean a later model.

[Menzenski]

And here's the '89 my wife would like out of the driveway. NO airbag, extra VENT under steering
You're right; good call on that vent.

[JeepFreak91]

my 1994 country has similar seats

[bajacalal]

I think it has a 1996 non-tilt steering column. It looks just like somebody put one of those tacky "racing" steering wheels on there, eliminating the air bag. You know, the ones that are always found on late model Civics which also sport neon lighting, stickers and huge wings.

[DansGreyMj]

I'll tell u what it is its a POS

why is the console black with a tan arm rest, that guys just trying to put sprinkles on a turd, for all we know it could as old be as an 87, maybe thats why all the pictures r from such horrible angles, and why is there no mention of what motor it has

[MogifiedXJ]

It doesn't matter if it's a 96' or not...for $1200 run away from it...far...far away from it as fast as you can.

[SLAYER]

That is a piece of shit, i wouldnt pay more than $100 bucks for it.

[SLAYER]

BAJACALAL
I thought u cant eliminate an air bag steering wheel. Unless u pull the whole column out and replace with lets say a 92 column.
????

[ILLXJ]

Dash is earlier, look at the air vent under the steering wheel.
My 92 has the vent under the steering wheel. My 96 doesn't. JIM.

[Saudade]

KBB books one in EXCELLENT condition at $2800. This one is a far cry from that. It looks like it's been sitting in the weeds for a long time. No telling what else is wrong.

[streetpirate]

i believe there were 3 shades of tan interiors in xj's, and that looks like the 87-90 camel tan color. ive seen a darker tan in the older limiteds, and all the 91 and up have a light tan

[jfiscus]

I am pretty sure that this is an 87 or older XJ based upon the looks of this intereior. The seats, grill, door panels, plastic crank windws, etc match soem older XJs that I have owned (looks a LOT like the interior of an 85 XJ wagoneer).
I dont even recognize the wheels, the interior carpet looks like a LOT of use, so I'm going to say a very early XJ. The funniest part is the missing shot of the rear of the XJ, where the "4.0L/Hi-Output/etc" would be found.

[citRon]

I thought the big change year was 97. Body parts seem to be listed 87-96.
Engine parts seem to be 91-97.
Oh and Air bags were optional.

ABS was optional, airbags were never optional. They were mandated by the government to have a driver's side bag in all cars standard as of '96 model year.

[Matthew Currie]

I think it has a 1996 non-tilt steering column. It looks just like somebody put one of those tacky "racing" steering wheels on there, eliminating the air bag. You know, the ones that are always found on late model Civics which also sport neon lighting, stickers and huge wings.

my 95 has the non tilt column, and it isn't like that. That's a GM wiper switch. It does look like an aftermarket wheel.

[90xj06]

but in 96 did they still have those hideous gas gages? looks more like a 89.

[96_Busted_XJ]

but in 96 did they still have those hideous gas gages? looks more like a 89.

Yes the SE did. My 96 had them.

[dizzymac]

Didn't think there was anything out there that my '90 looked better than,now that I see that I know there is. He's offering $1200 to take it away right.

[JeepFreak91]

on my 1994 I dont have an airbag but I do have a vent over on the drivers side like on the 1989

[90Pioneer]

Anyone know why they removed the vent under the wheel? I loved the cool air on my crotch my '90 XJ used to provide me with.

[FRAM]

side note to FRAM: I think opening vent windows were optional throughout all the years until they dropped the windows in 97. They are less common on later models in part because air conditioning became almost standard equipment. But many earlier base and low line models also did not have them, so fixed windows do not necessarily mean a later model.

Thanks I was curious about that.



As for Airbags they were introduced in 95. (Driver's side only) With the "refreshing" of the XJ design in 97 saw the introduction of passenger side airbags.

[ebxjbob]

Another way to tell that isn't a 96 is if you look at the tcase shifter lever it is thin with a red stripe running through the middle. 96's have a fatter one like the 97-01's. Also look at piece that the seatbelt clips into. My 96 has black plastic ones with big red release buttons. That has the generic metal ones that are in all older GM cars and maybe Chryslers as well.

[anony91xj]

That's got almost all the same stuff my stripped '87 has, including the too-basic guage cluster.

My guess is that's a 1986, the "1996" was a typeo.

[YELLAHEEP]

Thanks for the replies fellas!

Definitely not a typo - the guy was committed to it being a '96 and said "I know how to read VIN's - I'm a tow truck driver and I do it all day."

I checked a VIN chart I have and he's correct, the "T" does in fact designate a '96 model year.... but it appears you guys agree with me for the most part, all the clues point toward a pre- '90 rig.

I simply told the guy I was concerned for any false advertising and trying to keep him from litigation if he did actually sell it represented as it was. I told him to do himself a favor and check to see that the VIN plate on the dash matches the stamped VIN in the engine compartment.... he replied back with "Well, it's not my jeep, I'm selling it for a friend - I don't know what he may or may not have done to it". and "Whatever the case is, my friend is willing to take $500 for it and anything that runs and has 4x4 is easilly worth that - even if there were title issues."

....... I smell a fraud.

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

It might possibly be a hack job rebuild, that's been flood damaged or wrecked/rebuilt with earlier model parts.

However the price is now starting to get in the ballpark.....:D

[Yucca-Man]

... I smell a fraud.So is he in Jeffco? I kinda like the way he backpedalled when you questioned him about it...

[badron]

Some one got a stolen/striped Cherokee for 250 MAX and replace whatever with other stolen parts.
Cherokee parts are so interchangable that stealing parts to replace parts stolen for/from other Cherokee is a big racket.
The Cherokee is THE most stolen SUV in Ohio and has been for some years.

[89Wagoneer]

My 94 has the same steering column, it looks like the old Chevy one but has the Chrysler ignition. My buddies 95 has the newer Chrysler column with the big square box at the top. Mine also had the same gauges as that one but, I swapped them out for the cluster with the tach. Jeeps are odd, seems like whatever parts they had lying around on the day it was made were put in there.

[iheartmyheep]

i saw this similarly for a heep for sale near my house the tag says 96 but has a dash like my sisters 89 and a 4wd tcase selector like my friends 90/91 and the 3rd tailight in the middle of the rear window yet has the old body style. was also base level cherokee not laredo or anything like that