Inherited 1989 Cherokee 4.4 Limited - Project vehicle
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Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 29
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L

My son-in-law moved, and stored his 1989 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 Limited at my house for 2 years. It wasn't turned on over that period.
He was having issues with it (intermittently stalled out/lost power, plus some other things). He drove it to my house before parking it (2 years ago), but implied it wasn't doing well. I was busy with other projects, and never really expected to do anything but either give it back to him, or scrap it. (2 years ago I didn't have the tools or time to do it, things have changed for me...)
He recently just "gave it to me" as he's never going to use it, so I'm taking it on to get it back road worthy.
I replaced plugs, checked all fluids, used some "fogger oil" and fired it up today.
Sort of runs. Overheats within 15 min even without driving. Power steering fluid was very low (almost impossible to drive when I did initial test startup), topped that off and pump seems to be working again. (No extensive driving yet.)
Brakes are really mushy, not yet viable for driving.
I'll be asking tons of questions, as I hope to make this a run around vehicle and have it cleaned up, tuned up and safe for driving soon.
When younger I replaced a couple engines, did some clutches, and recently did a head gasket replacement on a 1999 Mazda Miata. (This is all primarily to assist my young adult children, and now I'm thinking of restoring a couple cars for me...)
Looking forward to participating here!
PS: I'm so new to this. As of this writing, I have no idea if my Jeep is an "XJ" or something else.
It's a 1989 Jeep Cherokee Limited, 4x4 with a 6 cylinder engine. Is the "XJ" or "CJ" destination about body type, engine type, model years, series? All references welcomed...
He was having issues with it (intermittently stalled out/lost power, plus some other things). He drove it to my house before parking it (2 years ago), but implied it wasn't doing well. I was busy with other projects, and never really expected to do anything but either give it back to him, or scrap it. (2 years ago I didn't have the tools or time to do it, things have changed for me...)
He recently just "gave it to me" as he's never going to use it, so I'm taking it on to get it back road worthy.
I replaced plugs, checked all fluids, used some "fogger oil" and fired it up today.
Sort of runs. Overheats within 15 min even without driving. Power steering fluid was very low (almost impossible to drive when I did initial test startup), topped that off and pump seems to be working again. (No extensive driving yet.)
Brakes are really mushy, not yet viable for driving.
I'll be asking tons of questions, as I hope to make this a run around vehicle and have it cleaned up, tuned up and safe for driving soon.
When younger I replaced a couple engines, did some clutches, and recently did a head gasket replacement on a 1999 Mazda Miata. (This is all primarily to assist my young adult children, and now I'm thinking of restoring a couple cars for me...)
Looking forward to participating here!
PS: I'm so new to this. As of this writing, I have no idea if my Jeep is an "XJ" or something else.
It's a 1989 Jeep Cherokee Limited, 4x4 with a 6 cylinder engine. Is the "XJ" or "CJ" destination about body type, engine type, model years, series? All references welcomed...
Last edited by Unlikely; 12-22-2018 at 11:40 PM. Reason: clarifying details
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