Hey all! New to this community but not to the Jeep life. I had a 1986 Grand Wagoneer and a 2000 Cherokee I bought in 2019. Wondering if I should give my Jeep new life as my daily.

I loved the Cherokee, but it overheated and showed all the signs of a cracked head. It has largely sat for around 2 years. My wife and I ran into a car snag and are seeing if it's worth replacing the engine in the Cherokee. I'm handy with cars, but in no way am someone who can do it all myself.

The Jeep is very clean, very little rust and the inside is in perfect condition. To get back running, it needs a new engine (looked into Jasper, Titan, and Powertrain for a reman), brake fluid is spraying from the front right wheel. Other than that, the heater core is in line to be replaced and I need a new fuse for the 12v socket. That's all I know as of now. I am living in Nashville while the Jeep lives in Pennsylvania for now - so all the communication with the mechanic is over a distance which is fun...

The question is if this replacement is worth it for the Jeep to be my daily driver. I know everyone would say it's worth saving, but the question is if its economical for me to be the one to do it. Would more veteran owners be able to sway me one way or another. Looking at roughly 4-6k for the mechanic to replace the engine and fix the brakes and heater core. Will this thing be likely good to go?

Thanks!

Also, my wife and I are just starting out, I'm a teacher so we don't have an abundance of disposable income. Also with the engine, I know it's shot, not just the head.

 

You can get a clean southern cherokee for less than they want to repair it. Im in Pa, Pittsburgh to be exact. You wanna sell it? Hit me up.

 

There is nothing guaranteed about getting a car back on the road, and thinking it will be "good to go". If you are on a tight budget, buying a running car vs a trying to get a car back on the road may be your better approach. Years ago, I bought an old Ford Ranger that had been parked for about 3 years. While it was back on the road quickly, it had it's fair share of issues before I would say it was "good to go".

 

This is a crap shoot - The engine, and brake work and a LOT of misc. things may get you on the road. But other things like a radiator, heater core, steering box and/or death wabble or lesser suspension repairs may all be in order and even doing the work yourself, this could get expensive Quick. A rebuilt transmission will cost more than the engine. Do you lead a charmed life?

 

right now I'm having a reman engine (heater core while they are in there) with a 4 yr warranty installed in my 2000 classic. I'm 62 and retired so money is a issue as well. I'm paying 4300.00. in reality, I couldn't replace it for the money. both of these are my daily drivers. for me its about the war. and not having to work on it.

95 country purchased from an old couple 18 yrs ago for 1500.00 it purrs. 2000 upcountry classic bottom knock 280,000 drove it up till the new engine arrived. I'll update after it's installed.