DCxjfan!

Thank God there is a thread like this. Any way, Im 17 and interested in purchasing a used 80's XJ Jeep. If I were to lower the price range, and get a 2.5L. Would I still have enough power to hit the trails and rocks? Should I pay for a XJ with a lift, or should I buy one without a lift and deal with the stock suspension until I have enough for a lift?
Any incite or other suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks.

xjoffroad

I would never buy a 2.5. gutless and a pain to work on. build it yourself, then you know what work has been done on it

99blkx

So the jeep has smelled of antifreeze lately and I was worried it might be the heater core. Turns out it's leaking just a tad where the upper radiator hose connect to the thermostat housing. Think I should just replace the hose and the thermostat? My guess is there could be some pressure in there, causing it to back up.

KY_Bob

Not sure what the question is, but I would go ahead and do both while I was at it.

mtparker97

honestly i would spend the money on a stock one with the 4.0 way before i would ever get another 2.5! you would have enough power to hit the trails and rocks maybe too however i wouldnt even consider trying it. instead of lowering your price range look for some higher milage ones that have been taken care of. i paid 2K for mine it had 210K on it and all i did was replace the rear main seal, oil pump too while i was in there and did a tune up ie plugs, wires, oil, the usual. thats my advice. when i went to go look at the jeep i wasnt even the least bit concerned that it had that many miles because it had the I6 and i know that thing can last to 4K with proper care. good luck buddy.

1988BlueBullet

Will cost you between $700 to $1,500 to fix.
Don't pay more than $1,000 for that one.

1988BlueBullet

Take the driveshaft in to a shop and have it lengthened. The balance won't be that critical since you shouldn't be driving it that fast. They can simply cut it and weld in a spool piece. I'll work fine as long as they cut it square and weld it square. Just need to tell them how much longer.

#999

still noone willing to help with my 'no bus' issue...like i said actuator test confirms gauges are working, and just got it back from a shop and they said it wasnt any sensors...maybe just a loose connection?...help me fix this problem and ill buy you a pizza...seriously
P

KY_Bob

I agree with the loose connection diagnosis. All you can do is pull the cluster and start tracing wires back until you find it. Troubleshooting 101.


Persistence beats talent every time.

geppetto425

My headlamps (covers?) are old, scratched and foggy. I can't seem to find replacement ones anywhere short of going to the U-Pullit. Anyone know where I can get some new ones? Remember this model has the headlamps that are angled in line with the body, not inset.

1988BlueBullet

How the heck do you get at the upper bolt on the rear bumper of an 88 or 89 Jeep Cherokee? I had to cut off the old bumper bolts thru the top of the bumper with a grinder but intalling the new ones will really be a challenge. It is up inside that narrow channel bracket and you can't get it from above.

thaddius_g

I'm looking at getting an 89 Cherokee but there are a few things about it that I'm not sure if they are deal breakers. Upon start up it took a few cranks and when it did fire up it smoked(grey-ish and then a puff of black) for a few seconds and then went away. The idle seemed to be a bit rough and throttle response was kind of delayed it seemed. The guy said that he drove it and used it to pull out another truck in the sand and that it just needs a tune up. It smells like it was running rich, which to me could be part of the problem and I'm guessing the timing is off. I am just wanting to know if this seems like it is just a tune up that is needed or, is this going to be a huge nightmare?

Brian Totten

2004 Grand Cherokee Limited - Cruise Control stopped working - Can't find a fuse labled as such any thoughts?

1988BlueBullet

It could need a new Throttle Position Sensor ($150) new plugs, wires, cap & rotor ($100) Oxygen sensor ($100) and maybe an Idle Air Controller ($100) These are common tune up items.
If the heads need refurbishing it'll cost ya another $1,500 unless you do it yourself. Have it compression tested.

thaddius_g

Awesome, thanks a lot. What kind of numbers on the compression test should make me walk away from this?