Description

Jeep Cherokee 1997 Parts Catalog

If you’re tearing apart a Jeep Cherokee 1997 and need to know which control arm bushing or axle shaft part number to order, this 462-page Parts Catalog is what you need. Aftermarket cross-reference charts are guesswork wrapped in paper. This is the actual factory document – the same one dealers used to look up parts when your Cherokee was new. It doesn’t tell you how to rebuild a differential, but it does tell you exactly which Chrysler 8.25 ring and pinion set goes in which housing. That saves you a return trip to the parts counter.

I’ve been turning wrenches since before the XJ came out, and I’ve seen too many jobs held up because someone ordered the wrong Dana 35 axle shaft. This catalog fixes that.

Front Suspension & Drive: 1997 Cherokee Parts Breakdown

Group 2 covers the front end. You get nine figures: control arms (upper and lower, Fig. 2-110), springs and shocks (Fig. 2-120), stabilizer bar and track bar (Fig. 2-130). Then front axle drive shafts (Fig. 2-210), housings for 2WD and 4WD (Fig. 2-310 and 2-320), the complete 4WD axle assembly (Fig. 2-410), and the front differential (Fig. 2-610). Every part number is there – bushings, bolts, seals. No generic “fits all” nonsense. If you need the track bar bracket for a 1997 Cherokee 4×4 LHD, you’ll find it in Fig. 2-130 with the factory part number stamped right next to the illustration. Page 2 shows the full group index, so you’re not flipping blind.

Brake System Diagrams: OEM Part Numbers

Group 5 covers service brakes – front (Fig. 5-110), rear in two sizes: 9" x 2.5" and 10" x 1-3/4" (Fig. 5-210 and 5-220). Master cylinder and booster are Fig. 5-310, hydraulic control unit is Fig. 5-410. Brake lines are split by LHD/RHD and anti-lock vs. non-ABS (Fig. 5-510 through 5-540). If you’re replacing brake lines on a RHD Cherokee without ABS, Fig. 5-520 is the one you need. That level of specificity is what separates a factory catalog from a parts store look-up that gives you the wrong bend.

VIN Plate Decoding: Get the Right Parts

Page 1 of this catalog includes the full VIN decoding table for 1997 Cherokee. It tells you which engine code (P for 2.5L gas, S for 4.0L gas, M for 2.5L diesel), which assembly plant (L = Toledo #1), and which model year (V = 1997). Before you order parts, confirm your vehicle line code – J for Cherokee 4×4 LHD, N for RHD without ABB, etc. That check digit? Page 1 explains it. Matching the VIN to the correct group saves you from ordering a 2WD axle housing when you need the 4WD version.

3 Axle Configurations Covered

Group 3 covers rear axles: Chrysler Model 8.25 (code DRA) and Dana Model 35 (codes DRJ/DRM). Different differentials – with and without Trac-Lok – are shown in separate figures (Fig. 3-230 and 3-240). The rear axle shaft is Fig. 3-410 for Dana 35. If your Cherokee has the 8.25, you need Fig. 3-110. Mixing them up means buying the wrong axle bearings and seals. The catalog also includes the axle vent (Fig. 3-310) – a forgotten part that can cause diff fluid leaks if blocked.

Why Factory Parts Catalog Beats Aftermarket

Every part number in this 1997 Jeep Cherokee Parts Catalog was printed by the manufacturer. Aftermarket catalogs often reuse old illustrations or merge years, leading to wrong parts. Here, each figure is specific to 1997. Suspension components, brake line routing, even the coolant recovery bottle (Fig. 7-305 and 7-310) are year-coded. If you need the drive pulleys for a 2.5L gas engine, Fig. 7-407. For the 4.0L LHD, Fig. 7-408. That’s the kind of detail you can’t trust from a third-party reprint. Related catalogs: 1994-1996 Jeep Parts Catalog and Jeep Wrangler Cherokee Grand Cherokee 1991-1993 Parts Catalog cover other years. For front suspension specifically, see Jeep Cherokee Parts Catalog – Front Suspension. For broader context on automotive documentation, read Automotive Industry Overview and check Automotive Battery for battery specs.

That’s the difference between a job done right and a comeback. This catalog is the original OEM print – 462 pages, no reprints, no generic cross-references. You get the part number, you order it, you install it. No extra trips, no wrong parts. Access the Factory Manual.

Does this catalog include fastener torque specs?

No, it is a parts catalog, not a service manual. Torque values are in the factory service manual.

What engines are covered?

2.5L gas, 4.0L gas, and 2.5L diesel – all 1997 Cherokee engines are listed in the VIN decoding table.

Is this a digital access?

Yes, you receive a PDF. You can search by part number or figure, and print individual pages for your workbench.

How do I find the part number for a specific component?

First, decode your VIN using page 1 to confirm your engine and axle codes. Then go to the Group index (page 2) to find the relevant figure number. For example, if you need front shocks, look under Group 2, Front Suspension, Fig. 2-120. Open that figure and match the illustration to your part. Each item has a part number column. Verify the quantity and description. If you have a Dana 35 rear axle, use Fig. 3-120 for the assembly or Fig. 3-220 for the housing. Cross-checking the VIN and model year is critical – 1997 has unique brake line routings and suspension components that differ from 1998. The catalog eliminates that guesswork because every figure is specifically for 1997 Cherokee. No mixing years, no reinterpretation.

This catalog is the original OEM print – 462 pages, no reprints, no generic cross-references. You get the part number, you order it, you install it. No extra trips, no wrong parts. Access the Factory Manual.