1998 Jeep Cherokee

SUV

4.0L 242Cu. In. l6 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated

Auto

1J4FJ78S4WL258416

Clear

Gasoline

1998 Jeep Cherokee XJ 190,182 miles VIN 1J4FJ78S4WL258416 Welcome to the nicest, cleanest, best equipped, most reliable XJ on earth outside the Walter P. Chrysler museum. Keep in mind it's a 20 year old Jeep with 190K on the clock and not a band new Maybach, but as far as XJ's go it'll be a long, cold month of Sundays before you find another one like this for sale. While living in Los Angeles I felt that I needed a car that could get me out if there were ever a problem, regardless of the path I had to take. I wanted something reliable, small enough it could navigate tight areas, good on gas, 4WD, indestructible, likely to function after an electrical/solar catastrophe and common enough that if in the unlikely event it did break, parts could be found/bought/scavenged easily. I was also going to drive it regularly so it had to be cosmetically presentable, comfortable and practical for daily use as any new car. This is the result. It's easier to tell you what I didn't modify; the block, pistons, head, transmission internals, transfer case and diffs are original. Everything else has been replaced/upgraded. I have always used Mobil 1 and changed the fluids with obsessive-compulsive regularity so none of those things ever required service. The compression is within 5 pounds on all 6 cylinders. I recently had the valve cover and manifold off and the inside of the motor is so impossibly clean it defies belief. Mobil 1 has definitely been worth the added expense. The bad; a few of the low, hard to find interior plastic trim pieces aren't great, the passenger window switch is temperamental and the locks are getting a tad sticky. Both of the OE lower fog lights have cracked lenses (I put brighter bulbs in them and apparently they got hot and cracked when they hit water). All common issues I just haven't had a chance to get to with my current schedule. The stock wheels are also showing some age. They're not bad by any stretch and can be wheeled with a clear conscience. I was going to put something newer/nicer on but they still look great on it as-is and I don't have to obsess over them. Now for the good stuff; No accidents, no damage, no rust, no stories. It's as clean underneath as it is above. (The following items listed were replaced as due-diligence. Only the CPS and power steering pump were actually bad at the time of their removal. My philosophy was since I wasn't making a car payment I'd take that money and improve something on my Jeep every month). I had it painted with bumper black for several reasons; First of all, it's a Jeep and I needed to use it like a Jeep so I wanted paint that could be easily repaired. I was also tired of wasting weekends waxing. Maintenance on the exterior to simply take it to a touchless car wash (spot free rinse, no wax). The other reason I wanted matte black on the exterior was that if there were some ELE calamity that forced me to trail it across America to avoid the zombie hoards, I didn't want to be driving something shiny that drew attention. You can park this thing in the woods at night and even the Predator couldn't find it (the alien, not the drone. The drone will end you). The lights; Should night need to become day, the 'world lighting' on this XJ has it covered. Also great for dealing with tailgaters, wheeling at night and spotting deer or cliffs while driving places tow trucks can't reach you. That camera in the grill is the FLIR system from the 2005 Cadillac DTS. It works brilliantly. It can be attached to the monitor in the car or any screen you have with an RCA input. There is an attached YT video I recorded with the actual camera in this Jeep so you can see the quality. https://youtu.be/b1GbXShBgtg The interior was done by my Lotus/Bentley guys in West Hills, CA. The seats are also heated back and bottom. The headliner is microsuede. The doors and most other surfaces were coated in Dynamat. The speakers are all new. There is a sub in the spare that can be removed with two thumb screws on the back so you can still get to said spare and use it. The stereo is an Alpine IDa-X305S - look it up, it's pretty great (it has bluetooth and a handsfree mic). The sound in the car is fantastic. I also added; Tire pressure monitors. New motor and transmission mounts. The entire AC system was replaced on general principal all the way down to the relays and electric fan. It practically blows snow out of the vents. The entire cooling system is new and upgraded to high-flow internals. New fan/clutch/rad/thermostat/high flow housing/hoses/clamps/temp sending unit…everything. Temps run at 180 consistently even with the AC on in LA traffic at 110 degrees ambient. The headlights were re-wired to a larger gauge wire with new relays and H4 bulbs. Valve cover gasket is new. The oil pan and gasket are new (I replaced it because the original was ugly). While inside I also installed a high pressure oil pump. Totally worth it. The entire exhaust from the manifold to the tip is stainless Magnaflow, including the catalyst and both the O2 sensors. This thing is greener now than it was new. New transmission cooler lines and pan gasket - no leaks! New starter. Just replaced the crank position sensor on general principal (I do this once a year because I hate surprises). The entire braking system was replaced. When I say 'entire' I mean entire from the back of the pedal down to the front wheel bearings. Why? I felt like it. I keep an extra set of new pads in the back. New alternator and belts (I also keep a spare in the back as well as a new serpentine belt on general principal). It has a K&N air filter in it and the option to easily attach the cold air intake mod for light use. It has both. It has the Edge Trailjammer high flow throttle body and chip. Helps the MPG if you drive conservatively. New fuel injectors, plugs (the proper, hard to find, copper ones that the XJ's love), wires, cap, rotor, coil etc etc The suspension is new - it has Bilsteins in the front and Monroe load-levelrs in the rear - meaning you can stuff a thousand pounds in the back or attach a heavy trailer without it squatting in the rear. It has a tow bar and standard 4-pin plug - I only used it twice to haul my Kawasaki H2R in a small 5x8 trailer. The Escort 9500ix radar detector controls are cleverly and conveniently integrated with the overhead console. New steering wheel (I replaced it because the previous owner was married and had scratched the original with his ring). New $240 Yellow Top AGM battery. Control panel on the driver's door is new. Plus the LED lights, pusher, switches, wiring etc, etc. all new. Keyless entry and Viper alarm system that will tell you if your Jeep is being messed with up to 2/3 of a mile away. …and a hundred other things I've forgotten. Interesting trivia about this Jeep - it was featured in several music videos, was in a bit on Tosh.0, has been to every lot in Hollywood, transferred so many celebrities I lost count, been parked at half the houses in Beverly Hills, driven through a DUMB, been to the Playboy Mansion and to Leno's garage, carried camera gear for many television shows you've seen and was the inspiration for the Jeeps driven by the Observers on the last season of Fringe (funny story, remind me to tell it to you). My Jeep has led a charmed life, provided me with immense good luck and opportunity, prompted many a conversation, made me friends, kept me safe, was never out of place, nowhere it wouldn't go, always made me proud and it never, ever let me down. I hope whoever the new owner is loves and appreciates it the way that I have. IMPORTANT; This Jeep is not legal for export because of the FLIR. If you have any questions please ask! Car is obviously sold as-is with no warranty.