Thinking about buying a 1986 XJ

95Trooper

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I have a guy coming to buy my trooper this thursday and i've been looking at buying a 1986 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer. It has the 2.8L V6 engine and automatic transmission. I'm not sure how the 2.8 V6 engine compares to the 4.0 that came in the later cherokee's. I'm not sure if it uses the same AW4 transmission also. I'm gonna be buying this jeep to use as a daily driver and I was just wondering if this engine's as reliable as the 4.0...Thanks for the help!
 
Someone with more knowledge will chime in I'm sure but I do know that the 2.8 engine has problems and is notoriously weak! Maybe not so bad as a DD but terrible for off roading.
 
95Trooper said:
... I was just wondering if this engine's as reliable as the 4.0...Thanks for the help!
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NO - run, don't walk, away from the 2.8L V6.
Not sure about the tranny.

Unless there's something really special about this particular truck, I'd strongly suggest holding out for at least an '89 or newer w/ the 4.0. The price shouldn't be any different (they've all bottomed out, lol) and you get alot more engine+reliiability+less AMC.
 
you're f'ing up hard man. the trooper beats the shit out of the xj in reliability, esp with the 2.6.
 
X 100 the 2.8 was a piece of crap!
 
the 2.8 is under powered. Just about ALL blow around every 90k. Smoke and leak way before that. The tranny will not be a AW4.

look for a 91 or newer so you can get the 4.0ho. extreme reliablity and 190hp. The market is really down and its very easy to find nice cherokees for cheap.


if intrested let me know i know where a ton of them are i can link to ya.
 
The 2.8 is a monster turd.Avoid it at all costs. Neck.
 
RatLabGuy said:
NO - run, don't walk, away from the 2.8L V6.
Not sure about the tranny.
Unless there's something really special about this particular truck, I'd strongly suggest holding out for at least an '89 or newer w/ the 4.0. The price shouldn't be any different (they've all bottomed out, lol) and you get alot more engine+reliiability+less AMC.
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The 2.8 is sourced from GM. Won't make a good boat anchor. I have heard of people swapping in a 4.3 GM motor with huge success.
 
So, the only reason why I should stay away from it is because it's a turd? I don't need anything fast i'm not looking for speed or anything it'd just be a daily driver. That sucks because it's a really nice looking Jeep inside and out and I mean really nice and I can get it for $800.
 
95Trooper said:
So, the only reason why I should stay away from it is because it's a turd? I don't need anything fast i'm not looking for speed or anything it'd just be a daily driver. That sucks because it's a really nice looking Jeep inside and out and I mean really nice and I can get it for $800.
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re read the advice.
no one cares how slow it is...it will blow up...it will not last
that motor is beyond garbage....
 
95Trooper said:
So, the only reason why I should stay away from it is because it's a turd? I don't need anything fast i'm not looking for speed or anything it'd just be a daily driver. That sucks because it's a really nice looking Jeep inside and out and I mean really nice and I can get it for $800.
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Alright, I'll give you some encouragement. I have an 84' XJ w/2.8. It currently has 205k.

With that said, it will be a capable DD. On the road.

I'm currently rebuilding my XJ, to include a 3.8L supercharged V6. That's only because I want to expand my off-road capabilities.

I concur with all the previous comments. The 2.8L is a turd. The tranny behind it, is a bigger turd. So, if all you want to do is drive to work and to the store, then it will fit your needs.
 
The simple swap for the 2.8 is the 3.4L. Not the 4.3, that is a different block altogether. The 3.4 is based off the same block as the 2.8 but the oiling problems that the 2.8 had was corrected with the 3.4. The 2.8 is not the most desireable motor ever put in a vehicle but it is not as bad as folks say. The 86 should have a gm 700R4 (or similar) in it as well. The 86 will also have gm keys and steering column. This was the timeframe before jeep sold and they were outsourcing parts from anywhere they could. For the price I would say go for it but keep in mind you may need to do a motor or a swap in the future.
 
Yep ^ good 2.8 swap out info on the net if ya intrested in going that route.

To be honest the 2.8 wasnt that bad in the cars. Amc rushing it into the cherokee was a mistake though and well it killed the company. If its a clean jeep and you like. Get it drive it till it blows and then decide what you want to do with it.

If its clean and runs good for 800.00 thats hard to complain about even if it blows after 25k.
 
GM 2.8 = Bad
GM 2.8 with carb = Very Bad
GM 2.8 with carb and Auto Trans = Worst thing GM ever built
 
I'd offer him $500 since the tcase is messed up. I would not pay a penny more the $750.
This is the AWD Tcase too. That year came with the 207 and the 228/229 trasfer cases. Which means its either a 228 or 229 not a 207. A 231 will swap in. The transmission IIRC is the TF904. Not a really bad tranny but nto a great one either. The late model MPI 2.5L will swap right in that jeep and be a lot more efficient and reliable. I did a MPI swap on my 84. It is nto fun and a lot of work but well worth the gain in reliability. Hell I have a 95 I'll sell you.
 
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