I want some advice on what year I should go for and any other adivce you have.  

go with a 1993 or newer 2 door automatic with the 4.0 engine. these are the BEST foundations to start with. I wanted one but I couldn't find one and had to settle with a YJ.  

If you have friends, get a 4-door. They are the same length/wheel base but your friends/kids won't have to climb over you to get in and out. For sure get the 4.0. If you get a manual be sure its the AX-15. And make sure its white, I like white XJ's better for some reason... lol  

But if you go with a four door you are limited to the amount of fender trimming you can do to allow bigger tires(if you are going that route). If you stay 1993 or newer, the manual tranny will be the ax-15. Also, 1993 was a good year because of the designe of the 4.0 liter.  

Yea... but you can only trim so much fender until you cut away the body... how much does this guy plan to hack? For all we know he could just want it to put 30"s on it and cruise to the mall and back, or a 4" lift with 32's... he may not be trying to fit 37's on a Cherokee and need to cut away everything... We can't assume he wants to trim a ton...  

Your right. If he wants extreme, go with the 2 door. If its just something to build into a nice cool looking rig for mild of road fun, just get what you can find.  

I bought a 96 Cherokee 2wd and was wondering would a Front axle from a 4wd version be a direct swap.  

So... did you decide on anything yet?  

i like the 4 door but what are you planning on doing with your cherokee  

i would say any where from 86 to 94 95 five was first year for air bags and they arent fun to have go off during a woods ride plus they start getting gay and loose the old box shape style  

chs_baseball:
i like the 4 door but what are you planning on doing with your cherokee

My wife has a 2000 two door we bought new many years ago and I would not buy the 4 door version  because front door are too small and door post blocks part of front seat when seat is slid back.