I have a few quick questions i have about a 1987 Cherokee xj 4.0

these are the engine, is there a cylinderhead issue?

 

its dirty underneath but has no signs of fresh oil.






Ive been told this is a dana 44 rear. is this true? Was this stock in 87?

 

This is the transfer case, its a 242. Is this stock?




Small signs of red fluid near transfercase to drive shaft. Problem?




This is the steering column, owner doesn't know the history of how it happened, it looks like it might be related to key problems, or blinker indicator.
and the windshield wiper only has two speeds, intermediate and slow.
Is this the wiper motor or wiring problem?

 

Ok well looks good. From the pics looks like you have a inline 6 which is a very reliable engine. Next off that looks like a D44 which is a good rear axle and I believe did come stock on some models for that year. The 242 transfercase is stock but one of the less popular options for that year. The wipers just need a new intermittent switch that is attached by velcro beneath the steering wheel. The switch is like a little black box and can be bought from a junkyard for less than 10$. I cant tell what the red fluid is from the pics but it looks like locktite or some type of like silicone rubber sealent and isnt a problem. If it is leaking it is probably just a seal that needs replaced. All in all looks like a good cherokee.

 

rear diff looks like a 44 87 was the year that had them the rusty looking dried fluid looks like it might have over heated at one time and got blown on the motor if there isnt any sighns of fresh coolant on the motor or in the oil should be ok plus is it running hot or over heating as for the colum it looks like it was a signal/wiper arm issue and they brok it open to fix it also would explain the low and intermitant speeds only that saounds like the whitch is messed up on the 4wd selector does it say 2h 4h 4lo or 2h 4h part time 4h full time 4lo i was told the 242 is the select track transfer case wich is whats in my 90 and the 231 is the reg part time only 4h case the red fluid you see on the transfer case is the out put seal leaking mine also does it i just check the fluid level every so often when it starts leaking worse i will replace it hope this helps

 

Where is frisco?

I like my 87, very dependable truck

 

is the velcro intermittent switch something that is added? Because when i went to go look at i didnt see anything attached?


I'm not totally sure if its overheated but pretty sure it hasn't. It looks pretty well keeped and only has 149,000 miles.


And Frisco is a suburb in north dallas

 

One more question. haha. When i test drove it there was a knocking noise being made from what was coming below the shifter. It only did it twice though. Any ideas what it is? Is it something to be a major concern?

 

since it sounds like it wasn't a constant it prob is just the trans mount needs to be replaced fairly simple job to do

 

Or it could be a broken exhaust hanger.

 

i must be getting tired i didn't think about the exhaust hanger

 

how big of a fix would that be? how could i look and tell if it is?

 

exaust is easy to check grab it and see if it is loose at the hangers the as for the trans mount not sure how to check if you can see it and it looks dry rotted than it needs replacing

 

Lay under it and push the back part of the tranny straight up while watching the mount. If it seperates any bit, its broken. Very easy to change mounts though. Jack and some 2x4 so you can lift easily