Please Help
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Model: Cherokee
Please Help
After numerous hours searching for my next vehicle, ive chosen to find a jeep Cherokee, One that I have found that I really like is a 1988 xj. Right off the bat he is asking $5700, it has 128K mi, rough country lift, offroad wheels and tires, steel bumpers front and back, 9000# winch, light bar, 4.0 I6. Damn near everything already done for offroading. I just want some opinions on this if it worth it or not, it will be primarily for me to go back and forth to work(roughly 6mi one way when weather doesn't let me ride my motorcycle). this will also be a back up family car (primary is an 03 gmc sierra hd) Everyone here knows more about jeeps then I do, I need some honest opinions about if this Cherokee is worth the price or should I try to talk him down or just jeep looking. any advice is greatly appreciated
::CF Administrator::
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
Likes: 805
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
After numerous hours searching for my next vehicle, ive chosen to find a jeep Cherokee, One that I have found that I really like is a 1988 xj. Right off the bat he is asking $5700, it has 128K mi, rough country lift, offroad wheels and tires, steel bumpers front and back, 9000# winch, light bar, 4.0 I6. Damn near everything already done for offroading. I just want some opinions on this if it worth it or not, it will be primarily for me to go back and forth to work(roughly 6mi one way when weather doesn't let me ride my motorcycle). this will also be a back up family car (primary is an 03 gmc sierra hd) Everyone here knows more about jeeps then I do, I need some honest opinions about if this Cherokee is worth the price or should I try to talk him down or just jeep looking. any advice is greatly appreciated
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Not quite, guy seems to be projecting a lot of value into his sale which really isn't how modified vehicles work.
A lot depends on the condition of the vehicle and how the lift was done. It could be brilliant and clean or a rusty death trap. Immediately, I would not pay $5700 for a 26-year old vehicle with an entry level Rough Country lift.
Pictures are worth a thousand words!
A lot depends on the condition of the vehicle and how the lift was done. It could be brilliant and clean or a rusty death trap. Immediately, I would not pay $5700 for a 26-year old vehicle with an entry level Rough Country lift.
Pictures are worth a thousand words!
Last edited by salad; Jan 11, 2015 at 10:09 PM.
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
$2500 or pass.
There are a few things. First, that's definitely not a 3" lift lol. It may have been at one point, probably before the giant blocks were added. Blocks are not good on thin XJ springs, and not a reliable choice. It's hard to tell from the pics but I think it's on either factory control arms or some aftermarket short arms, which makes it a pretty rough ride. 5" lift is past the point where stock control arms and the stock steering are acceptable.
The rear axle (that's a Dana 35, the weakest of the factory axles) is not going to last very long with that size of tires on it (look like 33s). Again, difficult to tell, but the rear pinion angle doesn't look very good. It doesn't appear to be pointed up enough to explain an SYE. Probably has a transfer case drop which means increased wear on U joints, engine mounts, and possible vibes.
The tires are nice though!
There are a few things. First, that's definitely not a 3" lift lol. It may have been at one point, probably before the giant blocks were added. Blocks are not good on thin XJ springs, and not a reliable choice. It's hard to tell from the pics but I think it's on either factory control arms or some aftermarket short arms, which makes it a pretty rough ride. 5" lift is past the point where stock control arms and the stock steering are acceptable.
The rear axle (that's a Dana 35, the weakest of the factory axles) is not going to last very long with that size of tires on it (look like 33s). Again, difficult to tell, but the rear pinion angle doesn't look very good. It doesn't appear to be pointed up enough to explain an SYE. Probably has a transfer case drop which means increased wear on U joints, engine mounts, and possible vibes.
The tires are nice though!