Buying a jeep
 

Hi. I am trying to buy a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee but the fuel tank looks like this. Is this a bad idea to buy it? And how much longer do I have before I gotta replace it? This is the link to the car https://www.facebook.com/groups/6355...194457&sfns=mo Thanks
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...bac1453c7.jpeg
https://www.facebook.com/groups/6355...194457&sfns=mo

You need one of these. I dont know easy they are to replace tho. > https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-au...nd-cherokee-wj

thanks. Do you think the gas tank itself is good?

That's just the skid plate shield that protects the plastic tank from getting damaged. It mounts with 6 or 8 (not sure which) bolts in the "frame" rail. The same bolts are used to mount a trailer hitch or actual off-road skid plate. The bolts are threaded into "weld nuts" in the frame itself and if they break taking them off, it could be a real problem putting new nuts in. Companies make nut strips that can be welded in easily. There are 2 metal band straps the hold the tank in and if they rust out can be easily replaced. Lots of people fabricate their own skid plates. The best reason for having that shield on there, aside from tank protection, is if the tank bands break, the tank won't fall out! The problem is Jeep doesn't make that part anymore. You'll have to buy an actual skid plate or get someone to fabricate one.

Judging from the picture, one of the bands is already broken. Just my opinion. I bought a 2000 XJ just a year ago and my shield is totally gone. I've been driving without one until I get some cash that I don't need for other things.

I would be inspecting the rest of the body because that is some pretty good rotting there.

I would definitely not buy that without inspecting the entire underside

Yes, pay close attention to the lower control arm mounting bracket areas. That's one of the first things to go on a WJ. The bottom of the doors as well, although that's not structural.

Also, there is no such thing as a 4.0 V6 in a jeep. It's a straight 6 and pretty rugged. In my opinion, if it's not rusted too badly, it's worth the price. I had 253K miles on my 2000 4.0 before it needed a new engine. I used it hard delivering newspapers which is like taxicab service. Running constantly for 4 hours at a time with 300 stops and starts at mailboxes.