Jeep Cherokee 1988 Parts Catalog – Factory Parts Identification

I’ve lost count of how many times a guy has walked into my bay holding a part that “looks right” but doesn’t fit. Twenty minutes later he’s back at the counter, wallet lighter and patience gone. That’s why you need the Jeep Cherokee 1988 Parts Catalog — 1229 pages of factory-correct part numbers, exploded diagrams, and cross-reference data. Not a reprint. Not a PDF of some guy’s notes. This is the actual OEM document Jeep dealerships used to order parts for the 1987-1990 Cherokee, Wagoneer, and Comanche. You get every figure from the front stabilizer bar (Figure 2-200) to the rear Dana 44 differential (Figure 3-750). If you’re swapping axles, rebuilding a front 4WD hub, or tracking down a discontinued bracket, you don’t guess. You look it up.

Jeep Cherokee 1988 Parts Catalog: 1229 Pages of OEM Specs

Let’s talk about what’s in here. The catalog is broken into Groups — Group 2 covers Front Suspension & Drive, Group 3 covers the Rear Axle. Inside each group you get illustrations keyed to part numbers. Need the front axle housing for a 1988 Cherokee with vacuum disconnect? That’s Figure 2-1600. Want the shaft assembly without disconnect for a 1988-90 model? Figure 2-1900. Each figure lists every nut, bolt, seal, and bearing with the factory number. No aftermarket “equivalent” guesswork — just the OEM designation. And the General Information section tells you how to read body codes, engine ID numbers, and transmission serial numbers. That’s the difference between ordering a Dana 35 carrier and getting a Dana 44 by accident.

Front Suspension and Axle Coverage

Group 2 alone has 25 figures covering everything from the front stabilizer bar to the locking hubs on a J20. You get the Cherokee-specific front spring and shock setup in Figure 2-500, and the suspension arms in Figure 2-600. The axle assemblies are broken out by year and drivetrain — 2WD, 4WD with or without disconnect. Each axle housing figure includes the mounting hardware and seal part numbers. I’ve used this catalog to source a front axle shaft for a 1988 Cherokee with the disconnect system. Took me five minutes to find Figure 2-2000, read the part number, and order it. You can do the same if you stop relying on the parts store’s “universal” lookup. Related manuals like the 1994-1996 Jeep Parts Catalog cover later years, but this one is the definitive source for the XJ-era Cherokee.

Why OEM Beats Aftermarket for Accuracy

Aftermarket parts catalogs are fine if you’re okay with “this might fit” as an answer. This manual doesn’t work that way. Every part number is tied to a specific Figure and illustration index. The catalog includes an Alphabetical Index (page A-1) and a Numerical Index (page A-18) so you can cross-reference any number you find. It also has a Newpart Index for superseded items. I’ve seen aftermarket catalogs list the wrong axle shaft length for a Dana 35 because they assumed all 1988 Cherokees used the same one. They don’t. The disconnect vs. non-disconnect housings use different shafts, and this catalog shows both. If you want to avoid buying the same part twice, you use the factory data. The Automotive Industry Overview highlights why OEM documentation remains the gold standard for parts identification. This catalog is that standard.

Start with the General Information Section

Before you dive into the figures, read the front section. It tells you how to interpret body code plates, build dates, and engine identification numbers. You’ll find the metric conversion table, symbols, and a guide to “How To Locate Parts” (page A-3). There’s also a section on Color Coded or Combined Part Numbers — important when a wire harness or hose is sold as an assembly. Every one of those details saves you from buying a part that looks right but is wrong for your VIN. The catalog even includes a Parts Catalog Revision Service note, so you know this is the official version that dealers used. If you’re working on a 1988 Cherokee and need to verify the transmission model or serial number location, it’s in there.

Engine Identification Numbers and Group Contents

The catalog lists engine ID numbers (see page A-7) and transmission model/serial number locations. This matters because the Cherokee offered multiple engines (2.5L, 4.0L) and transmissions (AX-5, AX-15, AW4). The Group Contents table (page A-4) tells you exactly which Group covers what system. For example, if you’re replacing a front axle shaft, you go to Group 2. If it’s a rear axle, Group 3. The parts packages section also shows which items come as a kit — like a brake hardware set or a seal package. That way you don’t order six individual washers when the kit already includes them. Look at the Jeep Wrangler Cherokee Grand Cherokee 1991-1993 Parts Catalog if you need coverage into the early ’90s, but this 1988 catalog nails the XJ platform.

Even the battery hold-down clamp and cable terminals are listed with OEM numbers — check the engine electrical figures. If you need a specific battery tray for a 1988 Cherokee, the Automotive Battery reference will help you cross-reference the part, but the catalog gives you the factory number. Same goes for front suspension components like the stabilizer bar bushings (Figure 2-200). Point is, nothing is left to chance.

FAQ

Does this catalog cover the 1988 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0L engine?

Yes. Engine identification numbers are included on page A-7, and the Group contents list all engine-related parts under Group 2 and Group 3 for axle and drive components. Specific engine parts like the block, head, and intake are covered in later groups not shown in the OCR excerpt, but the catalog is complete for all 1987-1990 models.

Can I use this to find discontinued parts?

Yes. The Numerical Index and Newpart Index help locate superseded part numbers. Some items may have been discontinued, but you’ll get the original OEM number to search NOS or salvage sources.

What about the front axle disconnect system?

Covered. Figures 2-1600 and 2-2000 show the housing and shafts specifically for the vacuum-disconnect Dana 30 used on 4WD Cherokees.

Are torque specs included in this parts catalog?

No. This is a parts catalog, not a service manual. Torque values are found in the factory service manual. Use this catalog to identify the correct part, then get the service manual for installation specs. Related manual: Jeep Cherokee Parts Catalog – Front Suspension if you need a focused look at that system.

You’ve got a 1988 Cherokee sitting in your driveway or shop bay. The only way to pull the right part the first time is to use the same book the dealer parts counter used. Download the Factory Manual and stop guessing whether that axle shaft is correct. The catalog lives on your computer or tablet — searchable, printable, and ready whenever you are. No reprints, no aftermarket reinterpretations. Just 1229 pages of Jeep factory parts data.