Hi all,
First post, and first time (soon to be) jeep owner. This site has been amazing in trying to figure out what to expect with the jeep I am buying (1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4 door, 6 cyl, 106,000 miles), so thanks a lot to you all for so much information.

I just made an agreement with a coworker to buy his Jeep for 2k. We're friends and I trust his record keeping about what he has done as far as maintenance etc. I've done some research about what may need to be done to make sure it's reliable. It seems I won't have to worry about the timing, since it has a timing chain instead of a belt so that's a relief. I wondered though whether anyone could tell me about things to watch out for or preventive maintenance I can do to nip any potential problems in the bud before I'm on the side of the road. It seems to be in very nice condition and well maintained (tune ups, oil changes etc.).

Any help is very much appreciated, and again great site, and thanks in advance.

 

sounds like you got a good deal on a truck, maintenance is no different then any other 4x4, just check everything out before buying the truck. make sure the transfer case engages/disengages, truck runs smooth, doesnt knock on startup when cold. make sure the trans shifts nice and firm. basic stuff like that

 

great - thanks for the input. so nothing infamous routinely happens at around this time with the 1999 that I should watch out for?

 

i just bought a cherokee sport 99 and i dont have problems with it.
tips:
-if the jeep comes from snow check that the chassis is in good conditions because in snowy roads they put salt and salt is an oxidant and its not verry good for cars.
-the other tip is to check the differential that the oil is pure because sometimes people trick the trucks and put things in it so it does not sound.
hope this work for you.. it worked for me

 

check for a leaking rear main seal they are common. not hard or expensive just time consuming to do.

 

check for rust all over. On jeeps it usually tends to "grow" around the front corners of the drip rail running above the windows from front to back. Good luck

 

thanks for the tips. I'll probably be getting it this week and will have a better idea what's up. I know the guy so I am not worried about anything intentional, just what he didn't spot. Thanks again.