XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

Hi everybody--

I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
newsgroups....so here goes:

I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for cheap
money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles you get
from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running vehicle.
What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of failure
that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or are there
good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a former
mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I know this
engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not familiar
with the track record of the transmission.

If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.

Hey, thanks for all your input!

Jon

Re: XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

Jon wrote:
> Hi everybody--
>
> I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
> bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
> newsgroups....so here goes:
>
> I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for
> cheap money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles
> you get from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running
> vehicle. What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of
> failure that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or
> are there good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a
> former mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I
> know this engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not
> familiar with the track record of the transmission.
>
> If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
> rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
> axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
> header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
> vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.
>
> Hey, thanks for all your input!

FWIW, I've got a 93 ZJ with the I6 so just speaking to the engine
and transmision (which IIRC the models share in common)

115k isn't much for the I6. The timing chain has at leat 200k on
it. Apart from the belts/hoses/rubberfiddlybits there isn't much.

I'd bet that rattle is a cracked exhaust manifold. That's very common.
Mine cracked at about 100k and I stuck a Banks header on.

The transmission is also bulletproof (if the original owner actually
changed fluid) The most you have to do is do a filter and ATF change.
Possibly adjust the bands, and that's it.

Transfer case is another issue. I'd be checking the fluid level
to make sure it wasn't ran dry. The chain in there can stretch.

It's probably due for a check of the track arms, stablizer bushings,
steering joints and similar. I just finished replacing the inner
right drag link end. Steering stablizer as well...

You can see the repairs I've had to make on my site. Those are
about it.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

Jon wrote:
> Hi everybody--
>
> I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
> bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
> newsgroups....so here goes:
>
> I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for
> cheap money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles
> you get from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running
> vehicle. What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of
> failure that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or
> are there good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a
> former mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I
> know this engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not
> familiar with the track record of the transmission.
>
> If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
> rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
> axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
> header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
> vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.
>
> Hey, thanks for all your input!

FWIW, I've got a 93 ZJ with the I6 so just speaking to the engine
and transmision (which IIRC the models share in common)

115k isn't much for the I6. The timing chain has at leat 200k on
it. Apart from the belts/hoses/rubberfiddlybits there isn't much.

I'd bet that rattle is a cracked exhaust manifold. That's very common.
Mine cracked at about 100k and I stuck a Banks header on.

The transmission is also bulletproof (if the original owner actually
changed fluid) The most you have to do is do a filter and ATF change.
Possibly adjust the bands, and that's it.

Transfer case is another issue. I'd be checking the fluid level
to make sure it wasn't ran dry. The chain in there can stretch.

It's probably due for a check of the track arms, stablizer bushings,
steering joints and similar. I just finished replacing the inner
right drag link end. Steering stablizer as well...

You can see the repairs I've had to make on my site. Those are
about it.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

Jon wrote:
> Hi everybody--
>
> I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
> bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
> newsgroups....so here goes:
>
> I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for
> cheap money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles
> you get from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running
> vehicle. What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of
> failure that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or
> are there good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a
> former mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I
> know this engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not
> familiar with the track record of the transmission.
>
> If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
> rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
> axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
> header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
> vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.
>
> Hey, thanks for all your input!

FWIW, I've got a 93 ZJ with the I6 so just speaking to the engine
and transmision (which IIRC the models share in common)

115k isn't much for the I6. The timing chain has at leat 200k on
it. Apart from the belts/hoses/rubberfiddlybits there isn't much.

I'd bet that rattle is a cracked exhaust manifold. That's very common.
Mine cracked at about 100k and I stuck a Banks header on.

The transmission is also bulletproof (if the original owner actually
changed fluid) The most you have to do is do a filter and ATF change.
Possibly adjust the bands, and that's it.

Transfer case is another issue. I'd be checking the fluid level
to make sure it wasn't ran dry. The chain in there can stretch.

It's probably due for a check of the track arms, stablizer bushings,
steering joints and similar. I just finished replacing the inner
right drag link end. Steering stablizer as well...

You can see the repairs I've had to make on my site. Those are
about it.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

I vote that you buy it!
Just make sure you have no overheating problems and that the 4x4 works well.
Of course make sure that it has been in no major accidents. ;-)

JMHO
later,
dave AKA vwdoc1
'88 XJ 4.0 auto 4x4

Jon wrote:
> Hi everybody--
>
> I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
> bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
> newsgroups....so here goes:
>
> I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for cheap
> money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles you get
> from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running vehicle.
> What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of failure
> that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or are there
> good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a former
> mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I know this
> engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not familiar
> with the track record of the transmission.
>
> If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
> rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
> axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
> header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
> vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.
>
> Hey, thanks for all your input!
>
> Jon
>

Re: XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

I vote that you buy it!
Just make sure you have no overheating problems and that the 4x4 works well.
Of course make sure that it has been in no major accidents. ;-)

JMHO
later,
dave AKA vwdoc1
'88 XJ 4.0 auto 4x4

Jon wrote:
> Hi everybody--
>
> I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
> bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
> newsgroups....so here goes:
>
> I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for cheap
> money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles you get
> from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running vehicle.
> What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of failure
> that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or are there
> good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a former
> mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I know this
> engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not familiar
> with the track record of the transmission.
>
> If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
> rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
> axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
> header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
> vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.
>
> Hey, thanks for all your input!
>
> Jon
>

Re: XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

I vote that you buy it!
Just make sure you have no overheating problems and that the 4x4 works well.
Of course make sure that it has been in no major accidents. ;-)

JMHO
later,
dave AKA vwdoc1
'88 XJ 4.0 auto 4x4

Jon wrote:
> Hi everybody--
>
> I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
> bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
> newsgroups....so here goes:
>
> I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for cheap
> money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles you get
> from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running vehicle.
> What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of failure
> that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or are there
> good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a former
> mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I know this
> engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not familiar
> with the track record of the transmission.
>
> If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
> rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
> axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
> header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
> vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.
>
> Hey, thanks for all your input!
>
> Jon
>

Re: XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

I have 2, and 88 and an 87 one with 315K km and the other with 285K km.
The second one's engine runs well but is tired, the 1st ones is strong
still and only uses one liter of oil between changes.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Jon wrote:
>
> Hi everybody--
>
> I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
> bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
> newsgroups....so here goes:
>
> I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for cheap
> money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles you get
> from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running vehicle.
> What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of failure
> that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or are there
> good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a former
> mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I know this
> engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not familiar
> with the track record of the transmission.
>
> If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
> rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
> axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
> header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
> vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.
>
> Hey, thanks for all your input!
>
> Jon

Re: XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

I have 2, and 88 and an 87 one with 315K km and the other with 285K km.
The second one's engine runs well but is tired, the 1st ones is strong
still and only uses one liter of oil between changes.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Jon wrote:
>
> Hi everybody--
>
> I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
> bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
> newsgroups....so here goes:
>
> I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for cheap
> money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles you get
> from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running vehicle.
> What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of failure
> that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or are there
> good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a former
> mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I know this
> engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not familiar
> with the track record of the transmission.
>
> If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
> rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
> axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
> header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
> vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.
>
> Hey, thanks for all your input!
>
> Jon

Re: XJ Reliability? Asking the pros!
 

I have 2, and 88 and an 87 one with 315K km and the other with 285K km.
The second one's engine runs well but is tired, the 1st ones is strong
still and only uses one liter of oil between changes.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Jon wrote:
>
> Hi everybody--
>
> I hate to post such an open-ended question, but I know there are a
> bunch of knowledgable enthusiasts and professionals who watch these
> newsgroups....so here goes:
>
> I'm looking at purchasing a '97 Cherokee Sport (4x4, I-6, AT) for cheap
> money. It's got 115K on it, and outside of the typical rattles you get
> from this motor at idle, it's a fair sounding and running vehicle.
> What I'd like to know is are there any particular points of failure
> that I should carefully investigate prior to purchasing, or are there
> good reasons why I should avoid this Jeep entirely? I'm a former
> mechanic -- so the little stuff I'm not worried about, and I know this
> engine has been around for ages, but (for instance) I'm not familiar
> with the track record of the transmission.
>
> If it matters, I'm really not intending to make it a dune runner or
> rock crawler, just a daily driver with a 3-4" soft lift. I know the
> axles aren't the strongest units, and I understand the exhaust
> header/manifold has a propensity to crack, but that's about where my
> vehicle-specific knowledge begins and ends.
>
> Hey, thanks for all your input!
>
> Jon