Hey guys...

I need to buy a 4x4 that I can drive around the woods in. North Florida, so its sand/some mud. No climbing or extreme stuff for me (yet).... I just want something cheap that I dont mind scratching up on the narrow dirt paths. I'd also like to use it in the summer to tow my jetski's to the beach (~5 mile drive.... max).

Anyways, I think a ~mid 90's Cherokee will fit the bill for me so I've been looking for one.

When looking at them, what should I be looking/listening for? What are common problem areas with them and how to I detect them?

TIA... hope to be on here soon with a project build!

 

Definitly drive it and feel for the "death wobble".(You will find various threads and pages on this). Shakes so bad it'll pull th wheel out of your hand. I haven't experienced this myself, but my boss was working on one one day and it happened to him. Check axle U-joints, fluid conditions, play in the steering box. That's all i can think of now. You are from th south, so you don't have to worry about rust as much as i do. The guys and gals on here are very knowledgeable, so I'm sure they will have a lot more info than I can give you, but that's a good start for you.

 

A XJ will fill the bill. Get one that has not been modified, has a "real" hitch & drives smooth. Then you have a base point to start from.

 

check and make sure the steering feels tight not loose and sloppy take it for ride if at all possible to get it up to temp and make sure it dont overheat also check the oil filler cap if there is a milky colored oil on it chances are it has a bad head gasket and check all oils an fluids good luck

 

good info guys ... I'm going to go look at one or two tonight!


keep it coming!

 

I'm going tonight to look at a 92 with 75,000 miles...

Are the jeeps a 5 or 6 digit odometer (175k or 75k miles?)... he says it's all power, leather interior, but that it has "transmission issues"?

75k and tranny issues? I guess I'll know more tonight when I go look at it...

What is the cost of a Trans rebuild for these? I can do a lot of work, but don't think rebuilding a trans is one of them... I'd have someone else do it.

thx!

 

woah...

That thing was a mess. The shift column was jacked out of place and had to "be put in between P and N" for it to start... Then the security system (cherokee Limited) kept going off (no alarm, just blinking lights) because the battery was dead and we were jumping it.

The trans was slipping ... goes into second and gets to about 45mph but wont shift up... sometimes it feels like it just doesnt want to even go into second.

All in all, if I knew the trans was a easy (or semi easy) fix it wouldn't be too bad, but not worth the gamble the way it sits now.


On to the next one!

 

Good call, tranny slipping not good or cheap/easy to fix.
FWI - Starting issue is common, "be put in between P and N". This is a dirty or failing Neutral Safety Switch, 30 minutes if dirty, $150 if failed. Alarm should go in trash anyway.