Im new to jeeps for the most part, my buddie has a 98 that has been through hell and back and is still kicking at 220k. so i figured i would look into a jeep as a daily driver
I found a 98 cherokee classic online that is lifted that im goin to look at i was just wondering what things to look for. it has 150k miles and looks to be well cared for. now some "aftermarket" accesories or upgrades it has are a 4in procomp lift, says the rearend was changed to a chrysler 8.25 (is this good?) has a roughcountry steering stabilizer and a 231 transfercase..and some other misc. addons.
From what ive read these jeeps sem to be pretty reliable? what can i expect out of an XJ? i realize gas mileage wont be great, but im more concerned about reliability, do the engines transmissions and rearends hold up well.
I will be using it mostly for a short commute to work but i like to hunt and fish so it will go on some light trails also. Anything i should look at in perticular when looking it over.
Ive got a stock 98 and it is super reliable. As for what comes on it as far as after market you've got a pretty good setup goin on just make sure you check out the PO's work make sure he wasnt lazy and taking shortcuts.
Ask for maintenance records.
Why is he selling?
Look for obvious signs of leaks from the oil pan/trans/rear end
These vehicles have little issues, but nothing outrageous. They are easy to work on, and basically every issue that COULD come up has been asked and solved on these forums. You could piss in the engine oil and it'd still run. The automatic is a very stout trans. That rear end is the better differential that came in these vehicles.
3500 doesnt sound to bad at least with everything on it and the miles. I agree ask for maintenance and ask him questions a jeep enthusiast would know. They are super simple to work on and the engine will run forever.
This^. My 99 is rust free except one spot above my rear axle on passenger side, and it has a damn hole on the unibody rail. Nothing some donor steel and a welder wont solve in a heartbeat, but yes, DEFINATELY check it out. Mines not so bad there, but it could be much worse.
I would make this your FIRST priority to check, as this could completely dismiss a potential buy altogether no matter if its got 40 bars of gold inside and gets 75mpg.
Take it for a test drive. Listen and feel for strange suspension and steering stuff. Also check to see temperature and make sure its running under 210. When I got mine it ran around 215 and I thought...oh no big deal just runs a little warm. WRONG. needed new radiator asap. Since its lifted too make sure you dont mine the ride's excess stiffness or softness.
Besides that id just say look for typical used car stuff. Fluids, maintenance, tires etc. Also look for little stuff thats easily fixable to bring the price down, like a blown speaker or a ripped seat. Best of luck let us know if you end up getting it!
thanks for all the imput guys, i will most likely going to look at it tomorrow night or saturday just have a confirmation call to make. I didnt even think to look at the rust thing as it "says" rust free but i will definatly look. I hope its nice ive been looking for a while and just havnt come across the right one.
And dont worry i dont plan on pissing on it or in it..
Check to see if the exhaust manifold has been replaced, if not it will likely have a crack at the collector. Easy fix but would be a nice bonus. Also check the windows and locks, window regulators are common for breakage, easy fix but not cheap, and the door lock actuators will go out as well. Most all that I have seen with that many miles will leak from the rear main, again not a difficult fix, but likely in need. Check that the AC and Heater blow on all levels, they are vacuum controlled and go out fairly regularly. The rear end was definitely an upgrade from what came in it factory, just make sure they bypassed the ABS properly, as the 8.25 will not have it, where the original axle did. This may sound like a lot, but it is all nik nak stuff, the drivetrain as long as maintained should be a great work horse. I have owned too many vehicles, and both my Cherokees have been my favorite.
Well I just want to say im EXTREEMLY Pissed rite now. I was looking foreward to going to look at the jeep all day the lady told me to call her when i got off of work to get her adress to come take a look. She said she would pull the add and hold it for me. Long story short i called and she said that she just ran to do some errands and as she gets home her husband sold the jeep to another person. I was 5 minutes from jumping in my truck to go get it. This jeep was the color height and options i really liked. FML
Anyways sorry i just needed to vent. Im going to rethink what i exactly want and if i have to ill probably find a nice stock XJ and go from there.. Can anyone point out any posts i should look at to decide what it would cost to build something similiar. or beginners threads of interest. I like the "bulletproofness" of the 4.0 I6 and the transmission for the most part and the aftermarket for the jeeps. I thought that the jeep i was supposed to go look at would be a perfect start, and it probably would have but for some reason i wasnt supposed to have it.
thanks for all replys and i will be reasearching more into what i need in the next jeep i look into
kyle
I have bought and sold a lot of vehicles...sometimes you find them and sometimes they find you. IMHO it's best not to set your sights on one vehicle. If it works out great if not wait longer there is bound to be at least one other. Unmolested WS6 trans ams in all black with low miles are tough to find so I waited...a while. Same for my jeep, wanted a willys TJ bone stock... They only made 1000 of those in 2004 so it took months of searching. Proud to say she's parked in my driveway right now and is bone stock minus one aftermarket head unit and a pinnapple grenade shift knob. So take your time she'll find you. Good luck.
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