Looking for Cherokee's on craigslist came across one with a cracked head for $900. 1996 Classic 4.0L, 130,000 miles, 4x4. Guy said it overheated and cracked the head - everything else still good. Great paint and good otherwise condition...no pictures yet, guess he isnt real close to the car?

He said it wasnt driven after it overheated and he said you can see the crack plain as day in the head.

Whats the consensus on slapping a new head on this? Obviously it overheated for some reason and that would need to be addressed. I asked if he knew why it overheated and he hasnt yet responded. Fairly straightforward job?

Whats the common reasons for overheat on Jeeps? Should I be worried about a cracked block as well? Are they pretty robust and usually just the head goes?

Dont really want to be doing an engine swap a few months from now. Also have a lead on a black 1998 with 150k miles at a friends dealership he works at...good thing is its actually running but the price is going to be $2500-2800. Pics incoming on that one.

Thanks,
Sam

 

900 is too much

 

Whats a fair price in your mind? Figure it will cost me 500-700 to fix it (total guess) as long as its just the head (and whatever was the cause of the overheat)

 

If there was nothing wrong with it,$900 would be a good price.But the head is cracked big enough to see,that should tell you that it wasn't maintained at all.Just cause it looks good,don't mean anything.....

 

True, good point Mike. I just figured the overheating/head cracking might be semi-common failure on Jeeps and if so it might be a good pickup. Seems to be quite a few overheating threads when I searched. Without looking it over its hard to tell.

Is 2500-2800 OK for a 1998 with 150k in good condition?

 

Thats ok, id try to get it for 2000 though, thats just me

 

Why don't you go take a look at the $900 one? Do you have the knowledge to really go over the Jeep with a fine toothed comb? You can get an idea of how the Owner maintained it. Maybe he has oil change records, maybe he saves all his receipts fo new parts and maintenence. Read between the lines as you ask the Owner questions. Maybe he did maintain this Jeep and has the records to prove it.
One of my 99's was owned by a Woman who didn't have full coverage insurance. She was hit in the front and couldn't afford to repair it. She had a stack of receipts for every oil change and part she'd put into it. That was the deal maker for me... I gave her $1000 bucks for it on the spot. While I was putting it on my trailer 4 other people called regarding it.
I fixed it myself with Craigslist parts for next to nothing.
I drove it for a year with not 1 problem and have now given it to my daughter. Can't beat that.
It had good rubber on it which I liked also, the interior was a non-smoker and clean. It had the 4.0L with auto. The glass was good and the body really didn't have rust. Many of the u-joints were newer.
Just look the $900 one over good. If it were me I'd plan on a Craigslist engine. If the motor got hot enough to crack the head it may be a lost cause. You could try a head on it. I'll give you a 4.0L head if you live in Michigan, just drive over and get it.
You can pick 4.0's up for pretty reasonable on CL. Figure you might need a radiator, hoses, and so on. Add the costs up of these items and whatever else you might need. If the jeep stands tall other than the cracked head it may make a nice project for you. Just realize you may end up with $1200 to $2000 into this one. (Just as a guesstimate without seeing it).
Hope a head fixes it but plan on the possibility of a motor.
Compare this with the other jeep for $2500 to 3000 your Dealer-friend has.
Ask yourself if you want a project or would rather buy the running one.