98CherokeeLimit4x4

I'm going to look at the black xj in my earlier threads it has a rough country 3 inch lift.So whats the things i need to look for most?I know about leaks to lok for but what else

BamaXJ

Rust is a definite. Always make sure if the vehicle has been rolled or not. If it's lifted, chances are it's taken some trail damage.

PNWJeep

#1 take a friend, someone that won't be caught up on all the cool stuff, someone that will look at the flaws and not be afraid to point them out.

#2 Look at it and walk away, than come back after lunch or something and look again. DO NOT TAKE IT ON THE FIRST DAY. Always take some time to think it through and talk about all the bad stuff with said friend from #1.

#3 Look for fresh marks, Fresh gaskets, Fresh paint, Fresh clean spots, anything that doesn't look like it has been there for awhile.

Good luck and you could always take a bunch of pictures to post up here and we will look

ol"blue

Sure, you could take some pics and post them here. We'd give an unbiased honest opinion of the Jeep from what the pics show. Better yet, take a video and post that.

98CherokeeLimit4x4

Ok well I'm going to go look at the cherokee I will take pictures and drive it maybe record a video.then post it on here

BuckB91XJ

1.) Look for rust.

2.) Look for leaks but, leaks shouldn't be a deal breaker. a valvecover gasket that has leaked for awhile can make the engine look like it's about to blow.
3.) Pull the dip sticks and check what fluids look like.
4.) Listen for bad knocking especially with rpm. Most any 4.0 with more than 100K is gonna knock at idle but, trust me, she has a lot of miles left in her if it quits knocking with a little go pedal.
5.) Listen to the brakes and let go of the steering wheel when braking and look for pulling.
6.) Listen for vibes, pops and squeeks in the suspension and drivetrain, especially when cornering.
7.) Definitely check all body panel gaps for uniformity. This will tell you if it's been wrecked and has a tweaked frame.
8.) Take it for a cruise at highway speed looking and feeling for death wobble. Let the wheel go for a couple seconds. Does it track straight down the road? If not could indicate suspension issues or tweaked frame.
9.) find a gravel parking lot and give the 4WD lever a pull. You'd be surprised how many XJs are for sale and the D#@* 4WD doesn't work.

hedbutter

Look for overspray in the wheel wells and on the weather stripping. Means a not so great job at repainted and they may have just fixed something quickly, instead of correctly, and repainted it(rust, previous accident, etc)

EvilBlackXJ

If you aren't confident in knowing what to look for, an hour of a good mechanic's time is a very wise investment.

loligator

definitely check the trans cooler lines. i hear that's a common problem with cherokees. i recently bought a jeep and both leaked. the lines are easy to find. somewhere underneath around the front passenger door you'll find the tranny and the lines. there's two of them. they're right above the exhaust pipe. also check the lines near the radiator. one should be right next to the mechanical fan and the other is under the electric (auxillary) fan.

also make sure it starts in park, neutral, and that the reverse lights go on. failure to do any of these possibly means the neutral starting switch is going bad. depending which tranny the jeep has (if it's a 4.0, i believe it's very likely to have the aw4), a new neutral starting switch costs about $200. the jeep i bought would start in park and the reverse lights came on, but it wouldn't start in neutral. i had to rebuild the switch.

98CherokeeLimit4x4

Well I'm goin tomorrow to look at and drive the jeep will post pictures and details.

98CherokeeLimit4x4

ok So i went and looked at the cherokee Rode in it down the road didnt shake we were only going 50 mph though maybe 55.valve cover looked to been leaking before rear main seal leaks some.And when yo would let off the gas I could hear a poppin sound coming from the rearend or trans?What could that be?