Think I might get a DD this weekend.

[scupking]

Well, after driving the stang the last 2 winters I don't want to do it again this year. I also want something that I will drive on bad days. So I found a 2000 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0 I6 automatic. It only has 89,000 on it, brand new tires and new battery. Interior is very clean and body is clean. He is asking $2,900 for it. I think I will offer $2,500 for it if everything looks good to me. I already have mods planed for it mostly for better gas mileage. He says he gets 20+ mpg highway with it.

Mods:
K&N cold air intake kit,
exhaust,
Throttlebody Spacer,
power chip
Change the pcv valve
Change the sparkplugs,

With the above mods most of the jeep guys are seeing a 20-30% increase in power and better gas mileage. Stock its 190hp so 30% more would give me 247hp. Not bad if that’s true.

 

[BurningRubber]

That would be a good choice. I have a Cherokee and love it to death.

As far as the mods, they are tasteful but they wont add up to the 247 range yet. They will help out however and aid in fuel economy.

I can see about 21-22mpg on an easy day, highway driving.

The 4.0 I-6 is a SUPER reliable engine. I have 176k on mine and drive it JUST as hard as the Mustang and not so much as a hiccup. They also have alot of low end tourqe so they arent boring to drive either, and in a light Cherokee you will find yourself being stoplight king to many other vehicles (no lie). Plus they sound great with exhaust for a 6 cylinder IMO.

The transmissions ARENT Chrysler tranny's, and they are just as tough as the motors. They are actually nearly the same tranny put behind automatic Supra's.

The only issue id watch for is the 2000-2001 heads had a batch of bad castings that resulted in a series of cracked heads... you will probaly be fine though.

If there is nothing wrong with it you are literally almost stealing it from the guy for that price. Id definatly go for it if you like it.




Watch out though, the Jeep mod bug bites just as hard as the Mustang mod bug. Anywhere from engine builds to lift/tires.

You can take that little 4.0 and stroke it into a 5.0 beast and churn out damn near 300 crank hp... do some research, very interesting engines.


Now for some whoring of the Jeep pics...

 

[scupking]

That would be a good choice. I have a Cherokee and love it to death.

As far as the mods, they are tasteful but they wont add up to the 247 range yet. They will help out however and aid in fuel economy.

I can see about 21-22mpg on an easy day, highway driving.

The 4.0 I-6 is a SUPER reliable engine. I have 176k on mine and drive it JUST as hard as the Mustang and not so much as a hiccup. They also have alot of low end tourqe so they arent boring to drive either, and in a light Cherokee you will find yourself being stoplight king to many other vehicles (no lie). Plus they sound great with exhaust for a 6 cylinder IMO.

The transmissions ARENT Chrysler tranny's, and they are just as tough as the motors. They are actually nearly the same tranny put behind automatic Supra's.

The only issue id watch for is the 2000-2001 heads had a batch of bad castings that resulted in a series of cracked heads... you will probaly be fine though.

If there is nothing wrong with it you are literally almost stealing it from the guy for that price. Id definatly go for it if you like it.




Watch out though, the Jeep mod bug bites just as hard as the Mustang mod bug. Anywhere from engine builds to lift/tires.

You can take that little 4.0 and stroke it into a 5.0 beast and churn out damn near 300 crank hp... do some research, very interesting engines.


Now for some whoring of the Jeep pics...

Nice jeep. Cracked heads would be a bad thing. I don't want to mod it much but just enough to give better mileage and make it a fun dd. I have test drove 2 back in the winter and they do seem to get up and go very good, I was impressed. So what mods would you recommend? I won’t be doing any off roading with it.

 

[BurningRubber]

Thanks man.

The cracked head thing is not something I would not buy it for. There was a rash of them a while back, but not every one in that model year will experience that problem. Plus replacment parts are cheap and the 4.0 is easy to work on if it did become a problem.

As far as mods to help out with MPG... He allready has most of the basics.

Do you know how the exhaust is done?

You could always invest in a hi-flow catalytic converter (got mine for $70 something), or upgrade to a 2.5" exhaust if not done allready. The 99+ have a revised and much better flowing intake manifold, or else I would suggest that swap. If you really wanted to do the whole exhaust there are several headers available.

Aside from that several companies selled bored throttle body's, if you did that also get the spacer bored out.

The 2000's have a coil on plug ignition like our Stangs. I know the pre-2000 benefitted from a better ignition a little bit, but I think yours should be good enough stock.

 

[scupking]

There is also a 1994 with 111,000 miles on it for $3,000.

 

[Mustang5L5]

If i don't end up selling my Mustang this summer to pick up a newer AWD car, i'll be inneed of a beater too and will most likely look for a 4.0L Jeep.

I figure with gas prices the way they are, SUV's could be had for pretty cheap.

 

[BurningRubber]

There is also a 1994 with 111,000 miles on it for $3,000.

The mileage isnt bad, and there is nothing wrong with the 94 models. If you like the old bodystyle and dont mind an earlier 90's Chrysler interior then thats not a bad buy. Id price it more around $2,700 though.

If i don't end up selling my Mustang this summer to pick up a newer AWD car, i'll be inneed of a beater too and will most likely look for a 4.0L Jeep.

I figure with gas prices the way they are, SUV's could be had for pretty cheap.

Hah yeah, SUV prices have plummeted around here. I saw an ad for an 07 Armada fully loaded with almost no mileage for 26K if I remember correctly.

 

[deftsound]

man i want a jeep now...

 

[streethorse]

I had a 91 2wd Larado once, bought it with 90k on it sold it with 145k.
Never had any mechanical problems although the interior is not exactly bullitproof.
It would leave a light like a bat outta hell. Also, the turning radius is killer!

 

[scupking]

I had a 91 2wd Larado once, bought it with 90k on it sold it with 145k.
Never had any mechanical problems although the interior is not exactly bullitproof.
It would leave a light like a bat outta hell. Also, the turning radius is killer!

They do have crazy low end torque. I loved it when I test drove an older 1993 XJ

 

[Stark77]

From my experience in high school with Jeeps - you should become an electrician before you buy a Cherokee. If you're getting a Grand Cherokee, get ready for engine and tranny repairs.

 

[scupking]

From my experience in high school with Jeeps - you should become an electrician before you buy a Cherokee. If you're getting a Grand Cherokee, get ready for engine and tranny repairs.

I'm will always stay far away from Grand Cherokee's as I have heard they are nothing but problems. The regular Cherokees (like the one I'm looking at) are supposed to be very good.

 

[SaleenGT2001]

From my experience in high school with Jeeps - you should become an electrician before you buy a Cherokee. If you're getting a Grand Cherokee, get ready for engine and tranny repairs.

i owned a grand cherokee for less than 9 months before i sold it for a 4K loss. at less than 70K the trans was about to blow the hell up. the front and rear ends were whining and there were MANY electrical problems. Jeeps are JUNK! trans is JUNK, front and rear end is JUNK and the 4.0 is the only good part of the whole vehicle. i will NEVER buy a dodge/chrysler/jeep product EVER again!!!

 

[BurningRubber]

Grand's are a whole nother ballgame, even with the 4.0. The Grand's have the craptastic Chrysler tranny behind them and the rest of the drivetrain will get beat up pretty easy by any V8 put infront of it.

Cherokee's are the tanks of all Jeeps, even moreso than the Wranglers IMO.

Interior wise, no they arent all that super... but the whole vehicle is more on the bare bones side anway. 97+ are alot more modern than the older ones however.

Electrical problems are more common on the older models 96 and older, 96 they started putting alot of 97+ features into them as it was a transition year into the new design.

The only electrical problem ive had is my battery clamps keep getting mud and film built up between themselves and the battery post... Thats my fault though, lol.

I raced my buddies 5.0 GT 5 speed from a 45 roll and got the jump and held him off till about 60-65ish, he looked at me like WTF?!

Im a Jeep nutswinger and I admit it, I love mine and cannot picture getting rid of it. It will take me damn near anywhere I point it as long as I dont sink it or high center.

 

[scupking]

Do the Grand Cherokee and regular Cherokee share any parts besides the 4.0 I6?

 

[Notchbck93]

The XJ is a solid foundation and if you could obtain one for 2500, which if it happens to be under book value, be sure to check the radiator to ensure the owner didn't install some sort of copper/aluminum/bar's stop leak. Make sure the tranny fluid is clean and change both axles and t-case fluids if you get it. Then you will be good for another 100G.

Make sure the vacuum gauge is good and steady on that old girl... Pick one up at Sears for a good price. Whether or not a vehicle is injected, it is still a quick and dirty way to give you an idea of an engines current status. A cyl leak down/power balance is a better indicator, but for a quick invisible peak, a vacuum gauge helps.

 

[scupking]

I'm pissed, I can't go take a look at it until Sunday and the guy emailed me saying some one is going to look at it Saturday and he says there’s a possibility it will sell before I even get to look at it. If it dose sell I’m going to go look at the 1994 XJ that's just down the road from me that has 111,000 on it for 3K.

 

[Stark77]

One of my old buddies had a "LaForza" SUV. Biggest POS ever. Talk about electrical issues.

 

[scupking]

Just bought a 1994 XJ Sport for 3,200 with 111,000 on it. Paint is in better condition then my stang not one paint chip or fading, no rust, very clean interior and the engine looks brand new. I just need to get new spark plugs and belt.

 

[StangYellow]

Sweet Jeeps. However i saw you mentioned 20+mpg... My old exgf drove a 97 Heep Cherokee with the 4Litre, that thing got 15mpg at best. However, it was a beast in the snow, i loved it.