Davicl81

Hey all,
This is my first post! (yeah for newbs...) I am seriously considering buying a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4 for $4,500. It has 163k clear state inspection runs like a top and sounds great. I'm new to the Jeep world so I'm not sure as to what 'common problems' to look for before buying other then rust which it doesn't have.

I would greatly appreciate the expertise that comes from a forum site! You guys know what you're doing.

Here is a link to the info from the guys website. Good thing is I know this guy very well so I trust him. But never hurts to get others input.

http://www.crosswalkauto.com/vehicle...port-4X4.shtml

Thanks in advance
-David

89Laredo

I wouldnt.
He wants too much, first of all and 01 I consider to be a "bad year" (along with 99-00)

01 is notorious for head cracks, they also have a LP d30 in the front and COP ignition, along with some other things.

If you like the newer body style (I personally dont) get a 97-98 for a good price (Id say 3500 MAX for a good condition one).
They retain the new body style and the few good parts of the 01, along with the fact that it has a HP d30 and distributor ignition.

My personal favorite year is 96. Old body style, and if you get one made late in the year you can get the 29spline. 89 is a close second, but I wont get into that.

Dakota5605

I agree with Defiance665 that $4,500 is to much for stock XJ with 163K mi on it and that the 4.0 does have head gasket issues. Being that it is clean, I'd offer him $3,500 or walk away.

Davicl81

Thanks for the quick reply. With the head gasket issues, would putting a new gasket on it fix the problem or is that one likely to crap out as well? I actually did offer him 3500 and he's seriously considering it. I just got back from another test drive and from my limited knowledge everything seemed great. apart from normal wear and tear at 163k miles i didn't notice and leaks or clangs and bangs from the engine. Transmission fluid was a good color, oil was a good color and no smells. however, I still greatly take others input at a high value so this head gasket thing has been taken into consideration so more thoughts would be appreciated. I'm not trying to buy a lemon :-)

-David

wahoo

On the 99-01 years, you have to make sure it hasn't been overheated thats where the head issues come in. I bought a 2000 with 200,000 miles and have not had a problem with it at all, my buddy bought the same year with 110,000 miles and he overheated it and we had to replace the head, but runs good now.

89Laredo

Its not the head gasket, its the head itself.


IMO, theres more bad to good in an 01, like I mentioned.
Heads, front axle, and COP ignition being the main ones.

ZachsXJ

It all depends on the head casting number as to weather it would crack or not.

Thankfully if its caught early its cheap and relatively easy to fix. With 163,000 on it so far and no issues I'm somewhat doubtful it has the 0331 head casting.

Considering he's not planning on lifting it or being hard on it the Low Pinion Dana 30 won't be too much of a hinderance.

Acesnines

You guys make me feel oh so great about my 01 sheesh.

ZachsXJ

they're not that bad, they just have some downfalls compared to other years.

the 0331 heads cracking is more common than it should be but it doesn't happen to EVERY engine with that head. The Low pinion Dana 30 can be swapped out in an afternoon at a total cost of less than $150 if someone were to so desire.

Coil-on-plug ignition isn't a downgrade if you ask me, its actually better. Makes diagnosing ignition system problems easier and there's no distributer to get wet and strand you.