1989 models

I am thinking about buying my first Jeep. I found two Cherokee's that I like, one is a Laredo and the other just says Cherokee. Both are stock 89's, 4.0, 4x4, but the Laredo says the transmission was recently rebuilt. What are the differences between the Laredo package and presumably the base line? Also, I plan on lifting whichever one I get with Rustys 4.5in kit part# RK-405SP-XJ (http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=RK-405SP-XJ&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit) and it will be my daily driver to work and back and hopefully a lot of wheelin on the weekends. Are there any reasons not to get an 89? I know that as time went on the Cherokee got smaller wheel wells, and I would like to put on 32's or 33's. Plus, I like the price tag on these two older ones, so I wont have to whine when I get scratches and dents. Thanks. Eric

With getting a pre 90's try to find one that has a dana 44 rear end as that will save some money down the road for upgrades to the axles and such.

x2!! x2!! That's GOOD advice right there! Didn't the D44 come in the Up-Country package? or Towing upgrade or something?

I believe it came with the towing package IIRC.

Did they have the Dana 44 in use back in '89?

From posts I've read Fred.. lol they did come on some of them.. Srry, no %...

What I also flimsily recall, is the association with particular 'packages' in that year. Supposedly more prodominant in years previous.

But then again, what would I know.. I'm only 30 this March 7th! meh..

Most of the ones I hear about with factory 44's are 87-89 era with the factory towing package and a few with the up country package. Bola even if it doesn't have a 44 in the rear try to find one that has the 8.25 as it's only just a little weaker than the 44. Might also be best to try and find a 92+ model as that's when the 4.0 was swapped to the HO and renix stopped giving more power and some would say reliability.

Thanks for all the input! Is there any way to tell the difference between the 35, 44, and 8.25 just by looking?

From posts I've read Fred.. lol they did come on some of them.. Srry, no %...

What I also flimsily recall, is the association with particular 'packages' in that year. Supposedly more prodominant in years previous.

But then again, what would I know.. I'm only 30 this March 7th! meh..

Ha, don't go playing the "I'm not old enough" card with me, Mister! :rofl:

We're in the same boat - not knowing what options were available!


Bola, there are sites to go to for rear ends, here (http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml) is one to start with, hope that helps out.

Ha, don't go playing the "I'm not old enough" card with me, Mister! :rofl:

We're in the same boat - not knowing what options were available!
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ok, i'm done! 'cause I'm young! :loser:

~Dog's love me 'cause I'm Crazy Sniffable!

Thanks for all the input! Is there any way to tell the difference between the 35, 44, and 8.25 just by looking?
LOLZ!! Srry 'bout that there.. whew!

Ok. so here goes.. http://www.eastcoast4wd.net/forums/images/smilies/google.gif http://www.eastcoast4wd.net/forums/images/smilies/new/chair.gif hahaha!!

No really, this is the one! (to get you started at least) http://www.eastcoast4wd.net/forums/images/smilies/piss2.gif http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axle/xj_dana44_02/

I also had a link in my post.....either one should get you your answer!

Yes, they are both very good links, anyone who doesn't know EVERYTHING about axles should read them both, especially newcomers. They helped me a lot!! Thank you to everyone who shared input! Eric