i have the opportunity to buy a 2001 grand cherokee limited black exterior on black interior with a 2inch lift and 31s, no rust at all and 125,000 on the clock for next to nothing. the motor quit starting about 3 weeks ago and now its just sitting at a friends house. it cranks but no start. its also the 4.7 v8. now I'm only familiar with 4.0l and 5.2l, does anyone have any idea on what it could be?

 

Could be one of these: http://www.wjjeeps.com/misc/power_dist_ctr_02.jpg
Dan

 

well i went to look at it again yesterday and when my girlfriend tried to crank it with my head under the hood i herd a big decompression noise. my first thought was a head gasket but no matter how many times we tried to cranck it after that, it never made the noice again.

 

That happens sometimes on engines when they don't fire. Try checking for spark and checking the compression. The 4.7L V8s sometimes have an issue with the cam sensor. It's on the right cylinder head on the lower front side.
Dan

 

hit it with starting fluid... if it starts its a fuel issue... if it doesnt its a spark issue...

 

It should fire up even with 4 plugs working, but will run rough. Check the fuel and spark. Check distributor if is loose(out of time). The compression could be from loose spark plug. You my have bend valve. Many "things" can attribute to no firing.