I have often heard of the term bikini tops applied to jeeps, which kind of tops are these, are they good enough for a jeep cherokee?

SOURCE: car will not start

If this is a six cylinder, there were problems with the fuel pressure regulator leaking gas into the vacuum line creating a flooded condition. You might want to check map sensor,crank sensor.

SOURCE: My 2000 Grand Jeep Cherokee Cuts Off

Code check is when you have someone put a scanner on it and read computer fault codes. "post" is what you wrote. Crank sensor would be my guess too but with jeep computer systems every good guess is usually wrong!(ignition coil will "break down the same way"

SOURCE: 2001 Jeep won't reverse

Depending upon what transmission you have, it could be a bad solenoid or control unit, bad reverse band or servo or a few other things. If you find no external problems, you will need a trans shop to examine it. If rpm drops when reverse is selected that means it's trying to go but has an internal problem.

SOURCE: 1996 Jeep Cherokee electrical schematics and 1998 jeep cherokee

I need the bulb for the roof light for the 1996 Cherokee

SOURCE: 2005 Jeep Cherokee wont start. stater and bettery

Too many items that can cause that for anyone to give you an absolute "fix" but : You need to do some testing to narrow it down to if you have a fuel or ignition problem (spark). If it starts when you crank it and spray carb cleaner into throttle body, then it's on the fuel side.
One common item to both and a common failure item as well is the crank position sensor. Check that as well. There are tests that you can do using a digital volt-ohmeter. Tests and expected results are listed in haynes or chiltons as well as other inexpensive manuals. Don't change anything unless you verify it as bad and if you have a security system make sure it is not locking you out from starting.
Once tested, you can ask back here for specific problems if any.
Good Luck

Testimonial: "All set thanks"