[suub07]

Hey, as i said in the title, I have no idea about jeeps. I am very into subaru's, and have worked on and built them for several years, but now we are looking at a jeep vs subaru (subaru felt that making older head gaskets out of cork was a good thing, and that external and internals leaks were fine... ), So i need some advice.

First off, the car is for my girlfriend. Its time for a new one... something that is reliable and safe. I dont know about the reliability of jeeps, but i have seen a lot for sale with high mileage which tells me that they keep on going. As far as safety... well its a jeep. Seems pretty solid.

our budget is in the 2k - 2500 range.

We are looking at one jeep right now... its a 94 grand cherokee. The owner swapped a 4.0 inline 6 into it 57 thousand miles ago, and says its going strong, he said that the jeep will go forever. The thing is, the body has 196K on it, as well as the trans, diff, axles, suspension, and everything else. The guy said that the CV boots were just all replaced as well as ball joints, and the transmission was serviced and checked out. He has all the records. Asking price is 2250. Im wondering if the new engine makes this a good buy, or if that is a bit high mileage for the tranny? if a major component such as the tranny of rear diff has issues, it would be out of the budget to fix. So overall, what are your guys thoughts? Be nice, i know nothing

[Bama_WJ]

All I can think of is just take it out for a test drive. See if you hear or feel anything out of place. I'm sure the rear end is fine if its been to 196k already, maybe just needs a fluid change. The only thing I think I would be worried about is the trans.

[zvanit03ru]

Waht was the reason for the engine swap? To replace a bad one? Was the one replaced the 5.2 and, if so, was the swap done "right"? Was the engine that was put in new at the time?
These are all things you'll want to know. The ZJ isn't a Toyota or Honda when it comes to reliability, but if the previous owner has worked out most of the gremlins, it can easily be made to last.
The "Quadra-Trac" transfer case in most 1994 4WD models is prone to viscous-coupling failure. When this happens, the front and rear ends don't fully unlock in turns, causing drivetrain binding and wheelhop in turns.
The 4.0L engine, though, is generally bulletproof..

[Tiggerrrrr]

check it out and drive it. If it feels right, offer him about 1,600 and work your way up. I bought my 95 last year with 110k on it for 2,500 (asling price was 3,200) and it was very well maintained and garaged it's whole life.

x2 on the transfer case. If it has a 4HI/N/4Lo shifter its a 249 and the Viscous coupler CAN be a problem. If it has that case, when you drive it make slow tight turns and a figure 8. If you feel it binding and skipping around in turns, you can talk him down even more as thats a $400 dollar part in the transfer case.

Remember, you ARE talking about a 15 yr old vehicle so repairs and replacements WILL be in your future regardless of the condition of it.

[98zjdave]

If you are wanting to find a grand cherokee, keep looking around. See if you can find a newer model grand cherokee for around the same price. There are plenty newer model grand cherokees for sale around that price in great shape, with the better (in my opinion) 242 transfer case, and more options. I wouldnt pay over $1,800 for that jeep your looking at now, and thats if it runs good. The motor swap would worry me though, especially if there was a v8 in it before and not a straight six. Who knows if everything is hooked up right. It will just make things more difficult to daignose if the jeep ever has a problem thats all.

As far as reliability, my jeep is a 1998 in excellent running condition with 133K on it. Drives like new, drips nothing, and doesnt burn anything either. I still have a/c and everything else works great.