VERY RARE OEM Diesel 1985 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer - Amsoil Synthetic thoughout.

This very rare 1985 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer is powered by a 2.1L Renault turbo-diesel backed by a5-speed manual transmission. This Jeep has been with the seller for 31 years and now shows 277k miles, all but the first 30k using Amsoil lubes throughout. The seller has performed extensive maintenance over the course of their ownership, including replacing the cylinder head, turbocharger, water pump, U-Joints, and more. The truck is unmodified apart from a brush guard, and itis sold with an original shop manual, clean Carfax, and a clean Washington title in the seller’s name.

The paint is nearly all original, though the fender flares were recently replaced and coated in black rhino-liner. The rub strips on the lower part of the doors were recently re-fitted, and trim is now complete and in good condition. The rear hatch on this early Cherokee is fiberglass, eliminating one of the most common rust areas on later Cherokees. The seller believes that the brush guard and hooks are OEM, or at least have been with the truck from new.

The wheels are all original, including the spare. Do not recall ever using the spare due to a flat, and the jack and tools are untouched.

The paint has faded on the upper surfaces, most notably on the roof, though the hood has been buffed out and shows less fading. Seller’s son caused a crackle in the paint on the passenger’s door that has been touched up.

The interior remains very original and is very well cared for. All of the interior features are working as they should. This truck is not equipped withA/C and the windows are operated manually.

The 2.1L Renault turbodiesel was an option in US-market Cherokees from 1985-1987, and produced 85 horsepower and 132 ft. lbs. of torque when new. Per the seller this engine will return 27-30 mpg around town, and more than 30 mpg on the highway. The cylinder head has been replaced along with the water pump, clutch master and slave cylinders, turbo, and injectors. The timing belt was changed when the cylinder head was replaced, and has between 5k and 10k miles on it currently. The seller has rebuilt the vacuum pump and is supplying new diaphragm material.Other recent maintenance includes resealed front hubs with new U-joints, lubed and tightened parking brakes, and all new fluids. The starter has been upgraded to a stronger, lower geared unit, and the alternator has been upgraded. The seller notes that many of the Renault-diesel specific parts are available in the US through Winnebago Parts, as one example.

A number of underside photos that cover many trouble spots on Cherokees, including where the B-Pillar hits the rocker, are available.

The attached Carfax starts in 1990, showing the long history in Washington state with the seller. The original manuals are included. The seller generally used this Cherokee as a second car to a Cummins-powered Suburban, and the Jeep has escaped towing and off-road use. These diesel-powered Cherokees were uncommon even when new, though shared componentswith other Cherokees, the LeSharo motorhome, and several Renault models should make keeping this Cherokee on the road reasonably straightforward.