Hey guys/gals I'm new here and I'm in the process of doing some repair to my uncles 93 Cherokee Country. He's decided after 21 years its time for a new ride and is giving me his somewhat neglected Jeep.

I'm starting with a 93 country with AT. 16x,xxx miles. The radiator has a leak and the jeep gets hot rather quickly. I've driven it a total of about 4 miles just to get a rough idea of the condition. To start with I've ordered a radiator/water pump/thermostat/housing/hoses.

Next I will order some more parts/preventive maintenance items (feel free if you have any suggestions) Then I will be doing tires, fixing a broken drivers seat, and a windshield last after I have the mechanical items sorted.

The goal for the truck will be a reliable vehicle that maybe I can use as a "winter beater" and then as a vehicle I leave a train depot for when I get off the train to have transportation when I lay over waiting for a train home.

Any suggestions on what I should look into buying?
I have a somewhat list:
Serp Belt
Brakes
Distributor Cap/Rotor
Filters
Fluids
Shocks
Spark Plugs/Wires

 

Not super familiar with the older models but most on here suggest replacing the fan clutch as preventative maintenance. Wouldn't be a bad a idea to clean the throttle body and IAC. Just did mine check out the pictures: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/rou...etimes-198067/ That's 144,000 miles.

But you can't beat free! Any pictures?

 

Welcome Loco. There are some pretty good threads out there, maybe someone will find some.... Changing all the fluids is never a bad idea. Diff's, T-Case, trans. In the process, if something is wrong it might show up. IE, " it was empty and smells like lizard poo"

 

You're on the right track. A neglected Jeep..hopefully not too neglected, with the running hot quickly.
Your list is a good start. However, I'd do (or have it done) a compression test to give you an idea about the general condition of the engine. If it really worn down and subpar, I probably wouldn't be investing in all the parts. But if it still holds out, go for it.

 

Check the front end, track bar etc..... And of course the ENGINE MOUNTS.

 

thanks for the advice, I'll look into a compression test, and definitely going to change all fluids... The good news is while my uncle is not a car guy, he did have it regularly serviced and it hasn't been really abused, only off road use was hunting. I will have pictures up soon.

 

I absolutely would not do anything else at this point than replace the radiator, put water in it, and drive it. Even a salvage yard radiator will do for now.

The first thing you have to do is correctly diagnose the overheating problem.

Even with a leaky radiator, overheating in only 4 miles sounds a lot like a blown head gasket. Unless your radiator is pouring water out of it and the cooling system is going completely dry.

 

I kinda had my suspicions on that as well. Definitely was the plan to get this issue done first. I got about 150 in parts right now. Will keep fingers crossed that the head gasket is not blown. I think I need to invest in a repair manual for this one.

 

If you haven't already installed them, keep your receipts.

 

Will do. I think they're supposed to he here on Friday. Not sure when I'll have time to dig into it. Today's chore was replacing the knock sensor on the gf's Honda Odyssey. That job went smoothly hopefully the Jeep project will also!

 

I picked up an 85xj a year ago with a 2.5L and once I got it running (had been setting in my co-workers driveway for 7 years) it would run hot just on the 15 mile drive to work. Drained the radiator, flushed it by running a hose in the filler cap while it was idling and letting it run out on the ground from the drain for about 10 minutes, then filled with 50/50. Thing has not run hot since, it just needed all the junk flushed out, so maybe you can get lucky with the overheating too.

If you haven't flushed it out good yet, try that before installing everything.

 

with so much to do, keep a written record with date, mileage and where the part or service originated

 

How hot? 190-210 is very normal. Best way to check is an IR thermometer pointed at the thermostat housing.

 

Slow down a little and take it one thing at a time starting with the heating issue, once resolved then move along. Don't get way ahead of yourself with repairs.

 

well here she is:



haven't gotten started yet but I do have some parts for the cooling system. water pump/radiator thermostat hoses.