I currently have a 2013 Jeep JKU. I have been having numerous problems like replacing the water pump 3 times in a year and various other things that have not been fixed. I'm trying to find a Cherokee and have found numerous ones in the Dallas area that all look to be in great shape in the pics. I have found three 99's and one '00 with 114-137K miles on them. I would like to build it with about 3" of lift and 31's with flat fenders. What should I be looking for when looking at these?? Any problems with those two years?? Unfortunately two of them are at dealers and they want top dollar for them. Any problems I can expect with '99 or '00 model years?? All suggestions are welcome.

 

Most will say the 99 is the better of the 2. 00-01 are known for the heads cracking as Chrysler used alum. Heads. The 99 will probably have the HP D30 up front & and 8.25/29 spline in the rear. 00-01 have the LP D30 axle, not bad but the HP is deff an upgrade. Those years will have either the D35 or Chrysler 8.25 axle in the rear. If it has ABS you can bet it's got the 35.

Not sayin' to stay away from the 00-01 model years. I've got a 01, no head issues. I swapped a HP D30 & 8.25 in with little effort and pretty cheap.

To look for: rust, rust, rust. Also pull the oil fill cap & the coolant cap & if they have a cream colored fluid that'll tell you there is/was head issues. Crawl under it & drive it. From there you'll see if it is good or not.

Good luck

 

A JK owner ditching it to become an XJ owner? Sweet!

 

Good for you. I can't stand jk's

 

FYI: the 4.0s never used an aluminum head. Some late 99s and all 00s and 01s have the 0331 head, which seems to be disturbingly prone to cracking between #3 and #4 cylinders, due to a factory casting flaw.

If you want to see what else Cherokees can do, check out some of these posts.

 

In Dallas looking for an XJ? Definitely get a '99. I don't imagine rust is an issue there. However Texas heat will be for often-ignored cooling system that the '00 needs to be in top condition to avoid cracking.

And yes there's no aluminum head. 100% cast iron. 2000+ have a weak spot between cylinders 3&4

 

http://www.hesco.us/products/7735/cylinder-heads/44115/aluminum-jeep-cylinder-head-hesach#.VFPtqihlA0M

There is an aluminum head available.http://www.hesco.us/products/7735/cylinder-heads/44115/aluminum-jeep-cylinder-head-hesach#.VFPtqihlA0M

 

Not sure why the link double posted. Oh well. Lol

 

I meant factory, but intredasting nonetheless

 

Lol suuuuure.

 

Edelbrock has developed an aluminum head for the 4.0 as well.

 

If your going to build it by all means go with the 99 for numerous reasons over the 00/01's.

 

I would definitely lift it and put maybe some 31-33's on it. I have found a couple XJ's that were almost flawless inside and out, but they also want top dollar for them. '99 with 114K wants $9500 and another '99 with 137K wants $7500.

 

Whaaa? $10k for a fifteen year-old station wagon with 114,000 miles on it? Is there a drug problem down there?

 

And that's a private seller. It is a limited so I guess he feels it is flawless. I told him KBB is $6K and he said good luck.