JDM 1996 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4

The Pick of the Day is a JDM 1996 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4 listed by a Missouri dealership on ClassicCars.com. 

If you’re looking for a 1984-2001 XJ Jeep Cherokee, you might’ve already gone through some of the ups and downs of the search process. On one hand, Jeep produced acres of them. According to Good Car Bad Car, between 1983 and 2001, Jeep sold 2,195,678 of them in the US alone. But it’s been nearly a quarter century since the newest one rolled off the production line, which means age, mileage, and other factors such as accidents and the elements have turned many of those into carcasses being picked apart in junk yards. And not every XJ that’s in roadworthy condition is for sale. Subtract even more that have been extensively modified and driven hard (unless you’re looking for a veteran trail rig). The available numbers get even smaller when you weed out the Cherokees missing your must-have features, such as four-wheel drive or the 4.0-liter I6. One bit of good news is the XJ was sold in other places, too. This 1996 Cherokee Limited came all the way from Japan and is ready for American adventures. 

It seems little was lost in translation. This transplanted Jeep has the same lovable, boxy looks XJs are known for (albeit with amber side markers on the front fenders). There’s a 4.0-liter I6 under the hood, connected to an automatic and four-wheel drive. The cabin is equipped with power steering and brakes, a driver-side airbag, power-adjustable black leather front seats, air conditioning, and power windows and locks as well as a new headliner. A little number crunching is necessary to figure out the 146,864 kilometers shown on the odometer is equivalent to 91,257 miles. One thing that’s immediately obvious is that since this a JDM (Japanese domestic market) vehicle, it comes in a right-hand-drive configuration.  

Very little in this Japanese brochure on eBay was converted into English, but the parts that were indicate this particular XJ is the Limited model and finished in Dark Blue Pearl Coat. Judging by the selling dealer’s photos, the paint appears to have kept its shine. The 15-inch silver and gold wheels also seem to be in good shape and reportedly come equipped with new Toyo Open Country H/T tires. There’s a matching spare mounted on the rear swing-away carrier. 

The XJ’s popularity and long production run means it’s not exactly a rare vehicle, although it’s not as abundant – especially in certain conditions – as it used to be. If you get this JDM model for the $14,495 asking price, you’ll have an XJ that you won’t see passing you on your favorite trail any time soon. You’ll have a lot of questions from your fellow Jeep owners to answer, too. 

 Click here to view the listing for this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com.