Disappointed in my XJ...
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville, Texas
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I understand how frustrating all that fixing and money wasting must be. My 2001 Jeep Cherokee (160,xxx) is my very first vehicle and it hasn't had any major problems, only some simple things here and there.
So, do they usually have a lot of problems and brake down a lot or is it just like any other car?
It is sad to hear u want to get rid of yours. I am extremely happy with mine and don't plan to get rid of it ever, but I understand u must be tired of always having to fix something on it.
So, do they usually have a lot of problems and brake down a lot or is it just like any other car?
It is sad to hear u want to get rid of yours. I am extremely happy with mine and don't plan to get rid of it ever, but I understand u must be tired of always having to fix something on it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 632
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Myers, Fl.
Year: 1997, 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
After the lift the tranny went. Don't even know why. There was no SYE in it for about a month, then when I went to have it installed (yeah, thats the one thing i had done, I don't know much about drive train) the tranny was torn to bits needed new gears. that was fixed, put my 33's on it, then went wussy wheeling out by me. (track bar was not replaced) After i realized that the TB was a problem i replaced it with a RE one. The orig. mount was destroyed during track bar removal, so I drilled it out and installed everything to spec, It wallowed out almost every mount on the frame, and then finally the 5/8ths hole that the TB was actually through. Bought a new mount and bolt, drilled it out and now its fixed.
Other problems were the radiator and water pump went while on my way up to lake george, Defrosters/heat/ac all does not work (no known culprit yet, I haven't even began to look into it b/c of everything else), Lost all power to the running/brake lights on the left side of the car spontaneously. The exhaust fell off (nbd, but cops are pretty mean about mufflers out here so that was another bill) tires REFUSE to stay aligned. Even without any wheeling.
The E-brake and drums is the latest problem. The drums are locked up. the pads are shot too, but the drums themselves are so destroyed.
It takes me forever to build up the funds to fix one thing, then I get another problem as soon as I fix it.
Half this stuff I haven't even touched on or asked on here about yet b/c im still hunting answers for old problems.
Other problems were the radiator and water pump went while on my way up to lake george, Defrosters/heat/ac all does not work (no known culprit yet, I haven't even began to look into it b/c of everything else), Lost all power to the running/brake lights on the left side of the car spontaneously. The exhaust fell off (nbd, but cops are pretty mean about mufflers out here so that was another bill) tires REFUSE to stay aligned. Even without any wheeling.
The E-brake and drums is the latest problem. The drums are locked up. the pads are shot too, but the drums themselves are so destroyed.
It takes me forever to build up the funds to fix one thing, then I get another problem as soon as I fix it.
Half this stuff I haven't even touched on or asked on here about yet b/c im still hunting answers for old problems.
My advice to you would be to stop wheeling the thing for a few months, save up the cash to fix it and wheel it again after you save up some money to do more repairs if needed.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 IL
I haven't wheeled it in 4-5 months. The only thing I do is take it to the beach b/c its easy on it. (santa fe's go on the beach out by me) I haven't gone wheeling in FOREVER and its killing me! I built this thing to wheel and it's just a gas killing DD. I don't mind the fuel economy if I can wheel it and everything like I want to.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 40
From: corpus christi, texas
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
mine only has problems if i do something to cause them. like when i put hte lift on but hadn't bought the longer brake lines yet and then had to drive it somewhere unexpectedly. of course, the rear lines popped and left me with no brakes. or when i went through a mud hole that was over my headlights, of course, the alt started giving me problems and the idler pulley started squeeling.
i have never had problems with anything that is just from normal issues.
mines an 87
i have never had problems with anything that is just from normal issues.
mines an 87
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 IL
Thats the thing I live on Long Island, its FLAT out here, no mud pits or anything. I don't do anything to screw it up, so idk why it has all the problems. How often do you guys grease your bearings and such? I don't own a grease gun, but want to get some stuff greased up again.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 0
From: Northeast CT
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Grease all fittings everytime I do an oil change. Picked up a greasea gun from NAPA for twenty bucks a few years ago, and got a flexible hose for another couple bucks. Great investment.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 IL
I'm going to do that then, but I really hope the adj. LCA's and the steering stabilizer is a good fix for the front end. Fix the brakes and see what happens I guess. The heat issue will hopefully be fixed by winter...
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Council Bluffs
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 260k
Ya i feel your pain when it comes to problems. When i first bought mine back in january, it quit starting, so we went through bought brand new battery, and starter and it turned out to be a loose ground. Then it needed tires (normal) so i bought those. Oh spent over 200 with batt and starter, then bought tires. One to get me buy $25, then a full set 200. That was all in the first month. Then big leaky problem with valve cover. Turned out to be no gasket at all. And then 3 of the 6 fuel injectors went bad 175 dollars... and now this weird sputter thing. My luck with the way mines going with its 253k miles the motor will give out before we figure out the problem.. Well best of luck with yours.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Year: 1989 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6 Renix
I can't believe people are talking about selling their XJ's on an XJ Forum, what is wrong with you people?! Preventative maintanence like said earlier, is essential, especially for a JEEP. People that use it as a DD as well as OFF-ROAD and expect to never put some work into it are living in a fantasy land.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, comp cam, 99 intake, apn header, neon injectors, Thunderbolt 2.5" High Flow Cat
have never had a problem with my rig running. In fact it's the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned! And no, that's not some bandwagon sales pitch, I'm just abusive to my vehicles I guess.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 1
From: Northern Vermont
Year: '89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 242
How well does your rigs run and for how long?
See for me I feel like my rig has some major problem every other week. It's costing me a fortune just to keep it running. The worst part is I can't afford the parts it needs because I gotta fix everything it breaks
Theres been an ongoing fight with my track bar in a (what seemed like) never-ending effort to stop it from clunking when now it finally did.
Now the breaks/something pops the drums are shot and I cant fix it because I thought everything was ok and ordered Adj. LCAs and a steering stabilizer with the money that would've fixed it...
Anyway, For you DD guys out there (and anyone else with relevant input), what condition is your rig in and how often do things break vs how often you wheel it?
I rigged mine up so I could get off Long Island and go upstate and really wheel. I feel so unsafe in it now. Like I'll lose an axle going down the block.
See for me I feel like my rig has some major problem every other week. It's costing me a fortune just to keep it running. The worst part is I can't afford the parts it needs because I gotta fix everything it breaks
Theres been an ongoing fight with my track bar in a (what seemed like) never-ending effort to stop it from clunking when now it finally did.
Now the breaks/something pops the drums are shot and I cant fix it because I thought everything was ok and ordered Adj. LCAs and a steering stabilizer with the money that would've fixed it...
Anyway, For you DD guys out there (and anyone else with relevant input), what condition is your rig in and how often do things break vs how often you wheel it?
I rigged mine up so I could get off Long Island and go upstate and really wheel. I feel so unsafe in it now. Like I'll lose an axle going down the block.
I am disappointed in you, for being disappointed in your XJ.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 IL
i don't expect no maintenance, but if you saw what we call "wheeling" out here you would die laughing. Add the problems caused by that and it would blow your mind that that could hurt an XJ.
I've gone to the pit out by me with a cavalier before. And he broke less on that than my XJ...
I've gone to the pit out by me with a cavalier before. And he broke less on that than my XJ...
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm right down the road from you I have a 98 xj I do 90 miles a day when I wheel i drive 3-5 hrs wheel for 8 hrs then drive home. no problems.Brakes are normal maintenance trac bar has to be done with a lft the stock will only hold for so long. Be ready for the tie rod to snap normal when wheeling.look into a wj with a v8 its a lot stronger tie rod. Im on the island too if you want to sell the sye or tires or maybe the push bar let me know. I also have a great mechanic who builds the best jeeps on the island... I can put you in touch with him..
Last edited by LADDER286; Aug 23, 2010 at 07:56 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 1
From: Northern Vermont
Year: '89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 242
Maybe you just got a *****ty XJ...
Cause Ive pulled out a sunk-to-the-frame 1-ton on 3 pulls, which bowed my hitch real good, tweaked the receiver the right, and pushed my rear bumper upwards, but nothing broke, I just pounded everything back with my sledge.
Been thru mud pits that almost touch the doors, and crunched my cross member pretty good on a rock, and mushed the bottom half of one of my doors from getting too close too a tree, and everythings still good.
So, all this talk about disappointment, is stupid and wrong.
Or maybe stop buying parts labeled "made in china"??? <= you deserve what you get with these...
Cause Ive pulled out a sunk-to-the-frame 1-ton on 3 pulls, which bowed my hitch real good, tweaked the receiver the right, and pushed my rear bumper upwards, but nothing broke, I just pounded everything back with my sledge.
Been thru mud pits that almost touch the doors, and crunched my cross member pretty good on a rock, and mushed the bottom half of one of my doors from getting too close too a tree, and everythings still good.
So, all this talk about disappointment, is stupid and wrong.
Or maybe stop buying parts labeled "made in china"??? <= you deserve what you get with these...
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 16
From: Fauquier County, Virginia
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
XJ's can be like wild horses. Replace what you can, take care of it, and eventually it will do as you wish with no issues. I am $1,000 in repairs in my XJ, and it runs great.