cougarmike

Local Sheriff's auction next week has two GC's up for bid. One 1996 and one 1999. I've been doing a lot of research and looks like the 1996 is a better year for less problems. I hope it's a 4.0 I6 engine in there.
any thing to look for as potential problem areas?
Usually check the following:
Radiator fluid(oil in water)
Tranny fluid : smell & color
oil: color & water
Belts & A/C
Anything else to look out for?

Thanks;

chassis research

4.0 is bulletproof but you won't have the power to turn big tires if that's your plan. If it runs and drives without an obvious problem it's probably o.k. I prefer the ZJ over the WJ but i am biased.

boardmanXJ

it depends on how big of tires and gearing ratio you want to go. idk about the GC but my xj has 33s with the stock 3.55 gear ratio and its fine. i would prefer the power of the V8 if it had one, but the 4.0 is deffinatly bulletproof. either way you cant go wrong

ol"blue

Pull the oil-fill cap off with the engine running to see how much blow-by it has. If there's smoke and pressure coming out, it's getting tired and is ready for a rebuild. Doesn't alway's show out the tail pipe.