1984 Jeep Cherokee 2.5L 5MT RWD (117 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The 1984 Jeep Cherokee XJ was one of those vehicles that redefined the automotive industry in the ‘80s when it became the first unibody crossover vehicle in the world.

American Motors Corporation was in a problematic financial shape in the late ‘70s after the U.S. Congress adopted the Energy Policy and Conservation Act in 1975, which forced automakers to make more fuel-efficient cars. SUVs, at that time, were mostly body-on-frame vehicles powered by V8 engines that drank fuel by the gallon. AMC tried to survive with its small-sized cars, such as the Pacer, which sported a controversial styling that made it hard to sell. Then, in 1979, Renault bought AMC and infused a big chunk of money into the American automaker to bring it back on the profit side. One of the secret weapons to do that was the Jeep Cherokee. A car that was proposed before the acquisition but reached production in 1984. Its compact size, the ability to carry five people on board, and a large trunk in the rear transformed the Cherokee XJ into a sales winner.

The overall design was directly inspired by its older sibling, the Grand Wagooner. It featured the classic seven-slats Jeep grille at the front flanked by rectangular headlights. Lower, the automaker installed a slim bumper protected by rubber blocks and mounted directly onto the car’s frame. Unlike any other SUV, the Cherokee featured a bodywork welded onto the vehicle’s chassis. As a result, it was at least 1,000 lbs (454 kg) lighter than its competitors but also very rugged.

AMC styling team started to pen the vehicle in the mid-70s, but due to cost-cutting reasons, the project was abandoned. However, there were significant design sketches that helped the automaker restart the program as soon as Renault joined the company. The simple, flat surfaces were easy to manufacture and inexpensive. That pleased the French automaker, who saw the advantages of such a vehicle. Moreover, it sent some of its best engineers to help develop the Cherokee.

Inside, a square-looking dashboard housed the instrument cluster with its several dials. At the same time, the automaker installed the HVAC unit and the available stereo on the center stack. The front bucket seats were separated by the transmission tunnel. In the back, the flat-folding bench seat could accommodate three passengers.

However, the most significant progress brought by the Cherokee XJ was its drivetrain. To help smooth things out, Renault sent one of their best men in the U.S., Francois Castaing, who previously was the Technical Director of Renault Sport. He organized the research and development of the XJ and designed the four trailing links for the front axle, which kept the car’s status as a serious offroad contender. Moreover, the shift-on-the-fly 4×2 to 4×4 and the all-wheel drive version (known as the Selec-Trac) were revolutionary for that time.

To test the car, AMC sent two prototypes to compete in the 1983 Paris-Dakar Rally, and both vehicles ended the race. They didn’t win, but that wasn’t the carmaker’s target. All its technical solutions were now trialed into the most grueling off-road race in the world. Under the hood, right off the bat, the XJ was available with a 2.4-liter AMC engine and, as an option, a Chrysler 2.8-liter V6 powerplant. Both versions could be paired with a four or a five-speed manual, while a three-speed auto was available.

Later, the XJ evolved constantly. Thanks to Renault’s distribution network, the SUV reached European soil, where, besides the gasoline-powered units, it was available with a choice of two turbo-diesel engines.