I figured this would be a good place to ask this, but Im currently looking at an 1989 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0L AMC 242 straight 6... The motor is mainly why im interested, I've heard nothing but good things about the motor... Anyway, I want to know what I should be looking at as far as problem areas? It does need a new muffler and a heater coil but for the $300 asking price its still a good deal. The body has rust, but mainly in the rear (the previous owners used it to tow a boat and put it into sea water). Im not looking to do anything serious with it, just load it full of crap every now and then and so my gf can use the 4x4 in the snow. Any thoughts?

I own a '96 and have nothing but good things to say about it. What you should be looking out for is if that model is a Renix era jeep. They are a bit tempermental as I hear. Look out for heater core, thermostat, since it was in sea water check the rear diff. Otherwise 300 is a great deal. Also it's soooooo fun in the snow. Enjoy!!!

Also go to cherokeeforum.com, tons of info there. Great site lots of info


Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Tuesday, June 15, 2010 5:18 PM

Jeepforum.com is great too.

The motor is bulletproof. I had the 238 in my CJ5 and it would just keep going and going and going.

Weebel wrote:Im to smart to go to strip clubs.

you can easily squeeze out 300k+ miles on the 4.0. easily one of the best engines dodge/jeep produced.





Check out my build thread!

i worked at the jeep dealer and saw MANY 300k plus 4.0s. great engine. look out for the oil sending unit, people accidently break them all the time. also the valve covers like to leak. my biggest worry with them is the suspension. death wobble occuring once is enough to make you never want to drive a jeep again.

Great deal I am genuinely jealous lol

I have a 92, with 233k. It has the HO motor, but is currently getting replaced, due to worn bearings. Check underneith to see if the body is rusting(It is a unibody) so rust should be taken care of, mine had a patch job done before I got it.

-exhaust manifold cracks
-oil psi sending units arent great
-death wobble in the suspension. Imagine wheel hop just side to side. Its not ever one thing thats the problem, usually uneven tires, bushings, u-joints worn, etc.

Other than that you can drive the jeep untill the body rots from under it and your just driving a seat and steering wheel. As much as they are reliable they are twice as easy to work on and just as cheap to work on too.

Death wobble's often an issue with lifted Cherokees, changing the shocks along with the AC evap is a pain in the ass, they like to rust under the doors, the heads on the 2000+ 4.0s are prone to cracking, the headlights suck and the brakes aren't all that great. Having said that, I can't think of a single MAJOR issue with XJs. They're pretty solid trucks, and the afore mentioned issues have easy fixes.





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