Thinking of buying a 98 Jeep Cherokee, any advice on trouble spots?

[blowedupmotor87]

Hey everybody! I know it's not a K5 but, my GF is looking for a new vehicle and I found a really cherry 98 Jeep Cherokee, any advice on trouble spots to look at on it? I am going to go look it over tomorrow. The thing is nice! It's a 98 Cherokee Classic 4x4 (selectrac-242? 2wd, 4wd full time, 4wd partime, 4wd low) 4.0/auto. It's white with tan interior, 56,000 miles (no typo, really that low!). Thing looks about brand new, the only cosmetic blemishes are a couple chips on the rear bumper and a heel wear spot in the driver's floor mat, other then that it looks brand new! (Almost a shame for her to have it, she makes rolling trashcans out of her vehicles ). It's at a stealership so, no maintenance records but, it sure looks like it was well maintained. So 3 main questions: They said it had a wheelchair carrier on the back (hitchmounted) that they removed, would that extra weight being on it cause uni-body problems? Anybody know what overall problems these models had to look for (drivetrain, electrical, anything)? and What would y'all think to be a fair price?
Thanks y'all!

 

[Jason4x4]

those are pretty decent trucks overall, I've fixed alot of rear/main oil leaks, but that's usually around 100k. you should be good with the low mileage.

 

[Mtndewblazer]

over heat over heat over heat and over heat. I have been aroung 5 or so and thats all I ever helped fix. Sorry

 

[NorCalKid]

I agree on the cooling issue. We had to drive my buddies xj around with the hood popped for a while

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The full time 4wd cases during that vintage are bad but if that one shows 2WD on the shifter you should be good on that.

The aluminum D44 rear end (which that vehicle may or may not have) is failure prone even on a stock vehicle. Who makes axles out of aluminum anyway?

Otherwise they are pretty good vehicles.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Thanks for the info y'all! Keep it coming!

 

[supersize75k5]

pay attention to the cooling system and flush it or inspect it once a year, the valve covers are leakers...almost allof them are!


knock sensors can go out and rear mains leak.


really great motors that are known to last 250-300koften, the auto trans seem to las a while too!

this one i decided to sell before i got a chance to kill it

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Supersize, thanks bro! Looks like you had some fun too! Hmm, my buddy put his on its side, then you post those pics, dang, can a Cherokee stay upright? Thanks for the encouraging words on long lasting mileage capability, she's been wondering about how long the motor would last. Hmm, this one looks almost exactly like your last one, just with white bumpers, white side rub strips, and alloy rims.

 

[supersize75k5]

the rims on the "classic" look really nice,


go look on craigslist or autotrader, you will find plenty with high miles!Alot of the high mile jeeps fo not have working ac, but thats a givin in a rig with alot of miles on a ac system.

also, i know its odd, but cherokees seem to all have these small dents on the doors that are used regularly, I know its odd but I notice the same dents on alot of cherokees I see.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

I agree, I really like the rims that this "Classic" has! As to the engine: I told her that if we keep it maintained it ought to last her 10 years (at 12K miles a year). I think that's about right. I really like this Jeep, I hope it turns out good! LOL, I'll have to check for the dents!

 

[chulisohombre]

rust in the rockers and doors is my only prob so far.also the front end links need replacing on mine.it shimmies when i hit bums.other than that it get 18 mpg witch is 10 more than the blazer on a good day

 

[supersize75k5]

rust in the rockers and doors is my only prob so far.also the front end links need replacing on mine.it shimmies when i hit bums.other than that it get 18 mpg witch is 10 more than the blazer on a good day

hmm, thats odd.


I have looked at tons and tons of them, never seen one with rust


I think your off your rocker

 

[josh86k10]

I have a 98 XJ with 208K miles. I've had it since 86K and really have had no major issues. It has been an awesome daily driver. When checking for rust, it would be a good idea to check the pinch welds on the bottom of the doors, that's where they seem to start rusting. Also, at some point you will likely have to replace the AC condensor (must remove the dash...a pain in the butt) but I didn't have to do that until like 160K miles (but it is supposed to be common, one year had a recall).

98 was a pretty good year, still has the hi pinion d30 front (went to low pinion in 2000). 1999 got a better intake but it isn't a huge deal. 2000 and later heads are prone to crack between #3 and #4 cyl, but 98 heads are good. ABS=d35 rear (considered weaker) non ABS= Chrysler 8.25 (consodered stronger), the aluminum 44 was a Grand Cherokee thing.

Also, the automatic will be an AW4. This trans has a very good reputation, much better than the light duty autos in other jeeps. The AW4 also came behind Lexus V8's. Supposed to last forever (for a slushbox) mine has had no work other than fluid/filter changes, still going.

I highly recommend them, mine is still running awesome with very few repairs other than maintenance and wear items.

Spend some time at www.naxja.org, similar to this site. Lots of great info there.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

the aluminum 44 was a Grand Cherokee thing.

Dang, when I read the initial post I thought he was asking about a Grand Cherokee

So yeah, the rear is either a D35 or Chrysler 8.25" which will both be fine on a stock vehicle.

I forgot to mention before but almost all 4.0L's are notorious for cracking exhaust manifolds.

 

[josh86k10]

I concur about the exhaust manifold. It was 150K plus before mine cracked, but they all seem to crack where they go from 2 into 1 pipe. They have some nice performance headers for them, but I just went with a Dorman factory replacement because it was cheap and has flex joint in the front and rear primaries to supposedly solve the cracking issue.

 

[NewUser]

it shimmies when i hit bums.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Thanks for all the input guys! Sounds like this Jeep is a good way to go! I think we are going to go ahead on it! I took it to the local Jeep dealership to get it checked out, here are the probs:
leaky pinion seal on the Dana 30 front= no biggie, I'll fix it
leaky rear main seal and oil pan gasket=no biggie, it's always gonna leak a little, just a little seeping
leaky t-case=no biggie, just a little seeping, gonna do SYE later on anyway
frontend looks repainted=Carfax is clean, frame is straight, can't see any problems, can't really explain the overspray
Overall, it looks very solid. They were asking $7899 plus tax, tag, and fees. I think $7000 OTD would be fair for a Jeep this clean, what do y'all think? Thanks!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

leaky pinion seal on the Dana 30 front= no biggie, I'll fix it

If that front end uses a crush sleeve to set pinion bearing preload it is a lot more than a simple remove and replace deal. You have to pull the whole front end apart and use a special torque wrench to set the pinion bearing preload.

If that front end uses shims to set the pinion bearing preload it's easy (r&r, always use a new pinion nut).



Most dana axles use shims (which is nice) but the Jeep D30's are mixed between shims and crush sleeves (you may be able to guess by the year it was made and searching the net).

 

[viperrgh2]

Ive had my share of 4.0 jeeps I have a 00 cherokee sport bought with 27k and up to 125k now, it gets the **** beat out of it and asks for more... My buddy also had a 93 grand 3" lift and 31s and a rear locker. Messed up a crank bearing at about 155k but that truck also was beat on even more probably ha. There great trucks over all very reliable but they do suck on gas for their size especially if you have all time 4wd. Like said the over heating is an issue. Also the exhaust headers are known to be pretty crap and go. The 4.0s like alot of oil changes also I change mine every 2500-3000 when I can, by 3500 the oil is horrible.

 

[viperrgh2]

Thanks for all the input guys! Sounds like this Jeep is a good way to go! I think we are going to go ahead on it! I took it to the local Jeep dealership to get it checked out, here are the probs:
leaky pinion seal on the Dana 30 front= no biggie, I'll fix it
leaky rear main seal and oil pan gasket=no biggie, it's always gonna leak a little, just a little seeping
leaky t-case=no biggie, just a little seeping, gonna do SYE later on anyway
frontend looks repainted=Carfax is clean, frame is straight, can't see any problems, can't really explain the overspray
Overall, it looks very solid. They were asking $7899 plus tax, tag, and fees. I think $7000 OTD would be fair for a Jeep this clean, what do y'all think? Thanks!

Sounds like its been sitting the seals are kinda shot