Hello everyone,
I'm a jeep enthusiast just moved into che US from Italy. I found a 1996 grand cherokee at 900$. 150k, needs new windshield, tires, headliner is falling off, new sway bar link and it has a leak in the exaust before the cat. No or minor rust, engine run great and transmission seems and sounds good.
I'm planning to make it my daily drive (about 10 miles daily) and slowly start offroading, modding the car..
Do u think this is a good buy?

Thanks,
Don

 

That's pretty typical. Which engine and transfer case are in it? You test drive it?

 

You mean modding the JEEP...some poor kitten out there

Sounds pretty good to me. Might be a keeper especially forthat price. I mean get a year out of it and of it starts having problems you won't be so heartbroken to sell it for a couple hundred bucks...just my 2 cents

 

Yes, I meant the jeep...

It's a V6 4.0 L, i'm not sure about the transfer case. I did a short test drive. The engine runs smooth and transmission does not make any strange sound, and shifts ok.
Should I check anything else in particular?

Is the sway bar link replacement something I can do on my own?

Thanks!

 

Inline 6

 

The transmissions behind the 4.0L in ZJs are notoriously bad. For a used one THAT cheap I'd be extremely suspicious that it's got some problems that are being covered up. If that's something you want to deal with and the rest of the Jeep is okay, then go for it. The engine should last a long time and axles are all over the place, on account of all the other ZJs with blown transmissions (or blown front ends from being driven into solid objects at high speeds! Junkyards tell many interesting stories). Personally I'd skip the 4.0L in a Grand Cherokee and just get a V8. Much better transmission, and actually gets better fuel economy.

Yes very good, gold star for you.

 

Thanks Salad!
And thanks everyone!

For that money I may be happy to deal with the transmission, if the issue will come up. How much it could be? 1,500$?? 2,000$ max?
At the moment it shifts ok and I cannot hear "clung" noises during gear change.

As for the V6 vs V8 I read around that the second is a better engine, but they are more difficult to find around and i'm on a tight budget!

Something else I should consider??

 

You're on a tight budget but can afford $2k to fix a busted transmission in a $900 Jeep? I'm afraid I don't follow...

You'll probably get some better help in the Grand Cherokee Tech section: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f5/ I'm an XJ guy really

 

 

for 900 bucks ,id drive it. if it didnt work out, you could easily part it out for probably double that. the 4.0L is a good motor, though the V8 offered in the ZJ (5.2L) has more power, is just as durable, and gets around the same fuel economy as the straight 6. for just a daily driver, it sounds like a good deal. the I6 transmissions arent HORRIBLE, and they last a while if they've been taken care of. before you hand over any money, pull the transmission dipstick and smell (yes i said smell) the fluid. if it smells burnt, run away. if its a nice pinkish red color, and doesnt smell burnt, you're in good shape.

 

Nice on the SMELL! Burnt or stinky fish.

I will admit the bad reputation of the 42RE used behind the 4.0. The 4.0, however, is probably the most reliable engine Jeep makes. I know I'm going to start a fight, but that's my opinion. It's not the most powerful, just lasts longer.

 

How could that possibly start a fight on a Jeep forum?

 

He's right, some people think just because an engine has more pistons that is better. I ran an inline 6 with no coolant until it seized up completely and shut off. Came back a couple hours later, started right up and drive homewithout even a tick ..still without coolant! You will not get away with this with any of the v8s. Use good oil and a good oil filter and that engine will run forever. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a transmission issue at that price. Although an exhaust leak like that may be expensive to fix

 

Also, used V8 jeeps are getting scarce. At least, those in good condition. If I were to build a ZJ for durability, it would be a 4.0 with a 46RE trans, 242 transfer, and D44 rear end. I know the 46RE won't fit behind the 4.0, but it's more reliable then the 42RE. This is using stock Jeep parts. There are lots of other aftermarket stuff out there that are better.

 

So I've got the jeep for 700$. Changed water pump, radiator cap, tires, front brake pads, repaired a hole in the exhaust just before the cat with a patch, had to get the caliper bridge soldered because of a dent that was making an horrible noise just after braking. I also had to change the bushing on the front right wheel and installed the sway bar links.

I run the jeep with no issues for a couple of weeks, then suddenly the check engine light come on, and the jeep wasn't starting. No cranking either. After a few (3 or 4) trials it started again. I made a self diagnose as found on this forum and the error was a cylinder misfire.

I decided to change the spark plugs (they were dirty and worn out), i changed also the air filter and the fuel filters. Both of them appeared to have been change LONG time ago.

For a couple of days everything went fine. Then check engine light again and the jeep was having trouble idling, especially at traffic light or stops in traffing.

I found this post on the AIS sensor, and cleaned mine. It was dirty as hell!
The idle seems more stable for now. Could it also be the CAT clogged causing the misfire and the dirt in the combustion chamber I found on the spark plug? Maybe back pressure build up due to clogs?

Any other suggestion on things to change/check on a old 1996 JGC?
This needs some TLC, but i'm a total newbie and i'm in the middle of a crash curse in jeep DIY.

Any suggestion from exp users on the forum will be greatly appreciated!!