1stpalindrone

Hey guys, been poking around awhile for Cherokee info and recently became a member. I plan to build a camping trail rig and am gonna go with a '99. I found this one and am looking at it tomorrow am.


With possible head dmg, would this be a gasket or the dreaded 0331 cracking head? Would this be a complete rebuild? If you couldn't already tell I have no mechanical knowledge/know how other than basic vehicle maintenance..


http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5982502415.html




Thx,
Lucas

caged

with your level of expertise, i would pass if it has head problems. some say the later year 99 used the 0331 head, but i have a later year 99 and i don't have that head, so i dunno about that.

also, judging by the photo, it's gonna need new leaf springs in the rear, for sure.

if you are willing to pay a garage to do the work, 1000 bucks isn't too bad, if the floors are clean with no rust, but head work can get expensive.

investinwaffles

Why does it look like a pre-'97 XJ and not a 99??

Look at the tail lights, front marker lights, door mirror, door vent glass?

I think that mislabeled, or its some sort of bastard Frankenstein '99

LACK

Noticed that as well, it is labeled as a salvage title. Possibly rebuilt with earlier model parts?

I'd pass on it to be honest. Wait for the next one to come along. Im always skeptical of salvage titles, especially in regards to a unibody.

andrewmp6

Its a 96 and older and i would pass on it unless you get 600 bucks range and can fix it yourself.

caged

i never noticed that myself, didn't blow up the pic. just saw the classic script on the door and never thought anything of it.

it could be a chinese jeep, i know they used the older body style for the newer model years. (i know about the 2500 and whatnot) but if it's not china, then other countries used the older model mixed with newer model parts as well.

with that said, i would walk, and don't look back.

1stpalindrone

Thx guys, I thought it looked funny but assumed it was the classic trim Im not used to. I'd be willing to have a shop do the work but Im gonna pass on this rig...

LACK

I think thats a wise choice. I shopped around for about a year before I found the right jeep at the right price. Even with all the shopping around it didn't come without some minor problems.

Just keep searching and wait until you find the right one, it will come along.

1stpalindrone

I looked at 6 cherokees yesterday and were all either way over priced or major work needed. Found a nice one but it was from MI and floorboards seat post etc were gone.. The search continues..

andrewmp6

Have you looked at a zj or wj also?The grands a a little bigger but have almost the same aftermarket as the xj.And most grands are not used and abused like the xjs have became lately.

BimmerJeeper

Can you share an example of the overpriced ones?
If it's in great shape, the premium may be worth it.

andrewmp6

If you live in a place that gets snow your gonna see a lot of rusted out xjs,You might have to go a state or two away to get a clean one.

1stpalindrone

I was told a year ago or so, when I got the Jeep itch, to stay away from the Grands. After hearing that and seeing soo many for sale while looking for an XJ I've forced myself not to look at them. I prefer the looks of the Cherokee although the Grands aren't bad. I have no knowledge, other than #'s of dead ones for sale, about the drivetrain under the ZJ's.. I assumed the 4.0l i6 and the factory tranny/axles under the 99 xj are the best.


Should I entertain the idea of a Grand Cherokee? Sure would be a lot easier to find one but.....??

1stpalindrone

I didn't take any pics and a couple of the CL adds are gone or I can't find cept this one.


He wanted 7200 for it and I about passed out. It only had around 170k miles if I remember right and it was the cleanest bone stock rig I'd seen but... I asked what he'd take if I counted 100 bills and his immediate response was 5800 or he'd sell it to the next guy since "they're so hard to find"..


http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/5979590796.html

1stpalindrone

The '99 XJ Classic I found from MI with all the rusted out floorboards etc had oil around every seal it seemed under the hood and diffs and 201k miles and they wanted 3800$.. I keep hearing about all these $600 xj's pullin out Rubicons etcetc blahblahh, but oh yea, that was yesterday and there's free beer tomorrow