I am a 16 year old looking to buy a jeep Cherokee 4x4 for a daily driver but also a off roader for the free time. I am interested in the XJ specifically. When looking for a used jeep of 10 years or older, are there common problems i should look for?

 

00-01 had issues with cracked cylinder head castings.

 

rust....

 

rust, check the floor boards, around the doors, rocker panels, see if the rugs are damp on the inside also, if so then there is most likely rust on the inside also (but it will be hard to tell if the rugs are damp, or if there is rust under the carpet unless you remove it )

check for leaks (rear main seal, oil filter housing, valve cover gasket)
also check for cracks in the break hoses/leaks and lines.

also make sure the engine doesnt over heat, make sure the AC blower vents work, make sure the window washer fluid squirts out(both front and rear)

 

Look for something 1993-1999. I doubt you have to worry much about rust in Texas. But most vehicles of the XJ era are prone to it, crappy steel. You look for good condition and clean. If it looks steam cleaned, I'll bet it has issues. If it is lifted already, it has issues. Any rig you buy that is as old as an XJ, will need some work, so plan to do the maintenance BEFORE you plan on any mods.

 

so you guys are saying it is a bad idea to buy a already lifted/moded jeep?

 

It depends on how skilled you are and the amount of money your willing to put into it since its lifted which means its probably been used and abused, so you'll probably be fixing worn out parts and skipped out parts the PO used

 

x2 on that. I would prefer something that I build over something that someone else builds, just because you'll know its done right.

 

X2

 

I am 16 and just bought a 94. I live in FL but even buying a Florida Jeep I had some rust. Check for electrical problems, also look to see if you think the jeep may have been driven through water at one point. I am 90% sure mine was and it is bone stock. THat doesnt seem like a huge problem but most of my electronic stuff has gremlins. For example my horn does not work and just sounds off constantly when the fuse is inserted, my windshield wipers only go on full blast, my high beams dont turn off after they are engaged unless you turn off the lights and turn them back on. Just little stuff like that. Still one killer vehicle even with problems though.

 

I'd crawl under it and give it a very thorough inspection, look at the floorboards for any rust, engine/tranny/t-case leaks of ANY kind, and make darn sure it doesn't overheat, and use ALL the electrical things you can think of, check the lights, heater, ac, radio, windshield wipers, everything.

 

thanks for all the help guys. is there a cap off number i should look for on the mileage on a non rebuilt engine? because it is not in my original intentions to buy it that immediately rebuild the engine/trans.

 

Not really a max. I would stay under 200k. I would look for something with between 5000 and 1000 mile per year of age. I would target 1993-1999 years. If you get a lifted rig, OK, but nothing over 3" of lift. It will need work, no matter what you get. The more mods it has the more potential work you'll have to do. If it looks like it has spent alot of time off-road it will need alot of work. Goal lowest miles you can find, clean, but not TOO clean. I won't buy a used car or truck that has been steam cleaned, just means there was something to hide. Jeeps leak, I expect to see some oil and grease.

 

X2

 

thanks alot guys