Motorweek Retro: 1987 Jeep Cherokee
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 4:31 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97du__jBtdg
I am critical of these, mostly because I don't think the 4 liter was as amazeballs as some would suggest. I'd call it equivalent to a small block. Not better. You can definitely kill them, and often they'd kill themselves (low oil pressure, head gaskets, massive oil leaks and so on).
I will give them credit for sequential fuel injection, which was very advanced at the time, especially for a truck.
Similarly advanced was the electronic 4-speed auto, made by Aisin (yes, Japanese).
Also, while this was a huge improvement over the old 4 and 6 cylinder, it was still slow, running 17.5 @ 77. Handling was respectable. I didn't realize these were so expensive, especially loaded up.
Fun fact: the 2.8 V6 offered was actually from GM. Ah, AMC.
My favorite is the hood shake that was "cured" with dual hold down latches. Flexy unibody? Nah, just needs more hood latches. Ugh.
I am critical of these, mostly because I don't think the 4 liter was as amazeballs as some would suggest. I'd call it equivalent to a small block. Not better. You can definitely kill them, and often they'd kill themselves (low oil pressure, head gaskets, massive oil leaks and so on).
I will give them credit for sequential fuel injection, which was very advanced at the time, especially for a truck.
Similarly advanced was the electronic 4-speed auto, made by Aisin (yes, Japanese).
Also, while this was a huge improvement over the old 4 and 6 cylinder, it was still slow, running 17.5 @ 77. Handling was respectable. I didn't realize these were so expensive, especially loaded up.
Fun fact: the 2.8 V6 offered was actually from GM. Ah, AMC.
My favorite is the hood shake that was "cured" with dual hold down latches. Flexy unibody? Nah, just needs more hood latches. Ugh.