Hello Cherokee Forum, I'm Jamison.

Anyway, I am currently in the process of trading my '91 Bronco for an XJ. The potential trade I'm looking at is a 1988 Cherokee.

I know lots of times certain year models have things that go wrong in them, and before I buy this, I was wondering if anybody had any insight into things I should look for. The Cherokee does have 300,xxx miles on it; the owner just rebuilt the tranny 500 miles ago, but hasn't touched the engine yet. He says it runs fine, and I'm going to look at it next week. He has replaced the fuel pump, fuel tank, and a new battery with all new plugs/wires.

I need to know what I should be looking for to make sure that this is a good buy/trade. That engine has 300,xxx miles on it, and I am not very good with cars, so I need to know what I should be looking for, and how to test to make sure everything is running as it should. Any tips are appreciated!

 

Your bronco unless its a total rust bucket pos is worth almost double what the xj is.Unless hes going to throw a grand or two cash in with the trade i would pass on it.

 

x2 poor trade if your 91 is a 4x4, but if you insist rust is the one thing that kills XJ's underneath floors, frame and the like. Like any other you would buy it should be taken to a good 4x4 shop and have everything checked out including the engine

 

Have to concur with above posts about likely value of Bronco. An 88 XJ, unless it's entirely rust and accident free and clean , is not going to be worth much in its original form. Do a bit of homework on your Bronco's value on craigslist, autotrader, etc.

Also, you would probably be better off getting a newer XJ if only for possibly greater interchange of parts.

If you do move ahead, rust is the first issue as said above. Cooling systems can and will fail. Check the coolant and oil for any mixing. Electric windows can be troublesome. And check out the 4wd operation. Other than that, the normal car-type inspections apply.

 

See, that's what I thought at first, but upon more research, it seems they're not that far apart. Also, my bronco has transmission problems, which will need to be replaced soon, and a burnt valve or something on the engine which can cause problems later on. Right now, it isn't running due to some electrical problem which shorts out the alternator, and honestly it's just too much work for me. I'm 18, soon to move out, and I need a dependable car for myself. The bronco isn't rusted or anything, but there are some interior problems, and the exterior clear coat is peeling. In the shape that it's in now, I think it's worth about the same as the XJ.

 

No way Jose- unless you just want out- there is a lot more value to someone than what an XJ is worth. I'd try to sell that bronco straight out first. When you talk trade you narrow down the field of buyers. Crapped out junk Broncos bring big dollars in most places- there are a lot of guys wanting them for projects.

 

Keep looking.

 

x2

 

nothing about an 1988 XJ with 300k fits this.

 

I have a 96 xj with just over 200k on the clock and am constantly tinkering with fixing things that go wrong one thing after another . Love it to death but an 88 with that mileage pass for sure man

 

Honestly i wouldn't drive anything with 300k on it further then i want to walk back.I would sell the bronco out right and save up to buy something that is relieable.

 

I would agree, with one exception, you know the guy has kept up on repairs. So many worn suspension parts to take into account too. A jeep can bleed you dry if it has been rode hard and not kept up.

You might say where your at, maybe someone here is close and will look at it for you ?

 

300k on the axles and only god knows what other parts are on their last leg.

 

do you have any pics of your bronco? I've been looking for a bronco or a blazer for a dune runner for a little while....Dont trade it for the cherokee. you can get away with selling that bronco and getting a better cherokee with the cash.