Help about millage

[jeepfreak1020]

So im thinking about buying my son this 98 jeep cherokee with a 4inch lift, 32s and a couple of other mods, open front and rear. The guy has built it up and has taken it to Moab and UT twice and has done Rusty Nail and Golden Spike, which ive neer heard of, so i dont know much about them. The only problem i have with it is that it has 153,000 miles on it, and i dont know how long the motor is going to last. B/c i dont want to buy him this jeep, and in a couple of months have to rebuild the engine. What do you guys think?? The guy wants $4200

 

[DutchVDub]

My 99 XJ had 160,000 miles on it when I bought it off of the original owner for 5300$ and my 92 XJ has 180,000 miles on it and I picked it up for 800$. 98 is a good year for the XJ and 153,000 miles isn't much for the 4.0. Is it a 5spd or automatic? If it has a 5spd and isn't regeared yet pick up some gears out of an automatic. The 3.55's work great with 32's, I'm getting around 18mpg with my 92 XJ on 32x11.5 BFG M/T's w/ a 5spd and 3.55 gears. If its an automatic I'd go for a 4.10 gear set. You can find those in the 4cyl XJ's although I'm not sure if they came w/ the ChryCO 8.25 rear axle. Do you know what rear axle is on the 98 cherokee you're looking at?

4200$ seems like a fair price for a good condition 98, especially w/ some mods. Only thing I don't like about buying vehicles that are already modified is that I didn't do the work myself. Do you know what brand lift it has on it?

 

[philip_g]

my 89 has 211,000 on the clock and still takes me to work every day. It has little things that will need to be replaced now and again but the engine itself is bone stock and original.

 

[Frank Z]

153k? That's barely broke-in.

 

[DutchVDub]

You can pretty much think of these 4.0's in terms of a diesil engine, until you hit 100,000 - 200,000 miles you haven't even broken it in yet. The 4.0 is about the most stout and reliable gas powered engine out there, along with the Toyota 22R, VW 1.8 8V, and Honda D16/D18.

 

[jeepfreak1020]

My 99 XJ had 160,000 miles on it when I bought it off of the original owner for 5300$ and my 92 XJ has 180,000 miles on it and I picked it up for 800$. 98 is a good year for the XJ and 153,000 miles isn't much for the 4.0. Is it a 5spd or automatic? If it has a 5spd and isn't regeared yet pick up some gears out of an automatic. The 3.55's work great with 32's, I'm getting around 18mpg with my 92 XJ on 32x11.5 BFG M/T's w/ a 5spd and 3.55 gears. If its an automatic I'd go for a 4.10 gear set. You can find those in the 4cyl XJ's although I'm not sure if they came w/ the ChryCO 8.25 rear axle. Do you know what rear axle is on the 98 cherokee you're looking at?

4200$ seems like a fair price for a good condition 98, especially w/ some mods. Only thing I don't like about buying vehicles that are already modified is that I didn't do the work myself. Do you know what brand lift it has on it?

It has a 4inch skyjacker lift on it, and has a 8.35 rear. And its a automatic. But im heading out right now to go look at it, so ill see what its like then reply back.

 

[DutchVDub]

You mean 8.25. Thats a good axle and pretty common on the later XJ's. Only dowside in terms of a younger and inexperienced drive is no ABS. It should have 3.55 gears in it stock, so a 4.10 gear set would be ideal in terms of fuel mileage and power w/ the 32's but 4.56's would be better if you ever plan on going up to 35's or 37's later. Being its a 98 it'll have the 29 spline 8.25 too, its a bit stronger than the older 27 spline ones.

Personally I'm not a big fan of SkyJacker lifts, but it still gives you a good starting point and you can always sell off the lift for a few bones to help pay for a better lift. Take some pics and post them up when you go look at it.

 

[Stang5lgt]

My XJ will hit 221k this week. 4.0 is awesome motor as long as you keep the oil changed and keep it cool. I blew a head gasket at 210k put and new gasket and new radiator in. Still running strong.

 

[RangerRick]

The 4.0 is one strong engine. Besides 2 tune-ups I've only replaced the battery, anti-freeze, filters, oil, and hoses. At 155K it's still running great. I just checked my mph last week going round trip to Brush (195 miles) and got 18+ mph even though I had to stop for 18 frigin traffic lights! 8 in Fort Luptin there and back. I thought it was going to be mostly highway. My 91 XJ, 2dr, 5 sp, 6 inch lift, 4:10, 33x10.50 BFG mudders, winch, lots of armor, and more, weighs in at close to 3,900#.

 

[philip_g]

My XJ will hit 221k this week. 4.0 is awesome motor as long as you keep the oil changed and keep it cool. I blew a head gasket at 210k put and new gasket and new radiator in. Still running strong.

oh, I gave up on oil changes long ago. I consume about 1qt every 3k so I just kind of keep topping it off

18mpg is good, i get about 17.5-17.8 combined and depending on how windy it is, headwinds kill me. I'm only at about 5" with 31's and 3.55's (manual though) Dunno if my lowish compression is contributing to that or not. Thing sure doesn't have enough power to get out of it's own way though.

 

[jeepfreak1020]

well i looked at it, and first off a lady owned it. And second, omg it was it great shape. With the wheeling she has done, theirs only a few dings, but nothing major, and the body looks great. The interior is in great shape, no stains or tears or nothing, looks brand new. Everything on the jeep looks good, runs great and drives great. Their was one small thing, idk if the oil filter was loose or leaking, b/c the transmission had quite a bit on it, but im going to get it looked at tomorow. I really like it, just the millage bothers me, ive never owned a car with that many miles on it, b/c i dont want to buy it, then parts start going out, b/c my son wont have the money to fix it, b/c he will be spending everything he has on it, thats really the only two things.

Heres two pics i took with my phone. She let me keep it for the night, so ill take somemore in the moring if i get time

 

[Stang5lgt]

Looks nice. Yeah could be oil filter or the valve cover maybe? Maybe the oil pressure sending unit. AW4 automatic is tank just change the fluid and filter and it runs forever. It based off a Toyota truck transmission if that makes you feel any better. And the motor was last motor designed by AMC. Chrysler has only made small upgrades to the motor and a big one to the fuel injection system. They just stopped making the motor 2 years ago.:eye: As far as working on it anytime it breaks Yella prob has the parts you need. And I will more then happy to help ya fix it. Even from the parts store most parts are inexpensive. Other people on here are willing to help too. Jeepers are a different breed you will find out. :thumbup:

 

[jeepfreak1020]

Looks nice. Yeah could be oil filter or the valve cover maybe? Maybe the oil pressure sending unit. AW4 automatic is tank just change the fluid and filter and it runs forever. It based off a Toyota truck transmission if that makes you feel any better. And the motor was last motor designed by AMC. Chrysler has only made small upgrades to the motor and a big one to the fuel injection system. They just stopped making the motor 2 years ago.:eye: As far as working on it anytime it breaks Yella prob has the parts you need. And I will more then happy to help ya fix it. Even from the parts store most parts are inexpensive. Other people on here are willing to help too. Jeepers are a different breed you will find out. :thumbup:

Ya thats all true. But now its not about the jeep anymore, I just checked on insurance and for full coverage its going to be about $190. And i would say about $250 a month for gas, and then another $50 for his phone. So almost close to $500 a month. And for a high school kid, thats alot of work.

 

[Yucca-Man]

Ya thats all true. But now its not about the jeep anymore, I just checked on insurance and for full coverage its going to be about $190. And i would say about $250 a month for gas, and then another $50 for his phone. So almost close to $500 a month. And for a high school kid, thats alot of work.

For a high school kid (aka inexperienced driver) that's a lot of vehicle, too. As much as I'd love to be able to snag it, old_man has a $1000, 30mpg Neon for sale right now...more in line with what a high school kid (and many of us older kids) can afford.

Jim www.yuccaman.com

 

[DutchVDub]

Ouch on the insurance. 500$ a month is a bit steep, but also not too bad even if he's only working at McDonalds. Its not like he has any other bills after all. I agree about the inexperienced driver/ lot of vehicle comment, although I learned how to drive using an 88 Chevy Suburban 2500 HD w/ 4spd manual and 4WD. You get used to it quick, and learning on a large arse vehicle first makes it easier later on in life when needing to upgrade to something large.

Like Josh said, maint cost isn't that high on these things and there are plenty of people on here (myself included) who are more than willing to help with repairs.

All that, if he really does want an XJ I'd be looking more at some stock ones. Let him get used to it stock first, and then lift it. You can have plenty of offroad fun in stock vehicles too.

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

well i looked at it, and first off a lady owned it. And second, omg it was it great shape. With the wheeling she has done, theirs only a few dings, but nothing major, and the body looks great. The interior is in great shape, no stains or tears or nothing, looks brand new. Everything on the jeep looks good, runs great and drives great. Their was one small thing, idk if the oil filter was loose or leaking, b/c the transmission had quite a bit on it, but im going to get it looked at tomorow. I really like it, just the millage bothers me, ive never owned a car with that many miles on it, b/c i dont want to buy it, then parts start going out, b/c my son wont have the money to fix it, b/c he will be spending everything he has on it, thats really the only two things.

Heres two pics i took with my phone. She let me keep it for the night, so ill take somemore in the moring if i get time

Oil filter adapter O-ring!!!! Quick, cheap and easy fix!! I would snap that one up!!

 

[jeepfreak1020]

Oil filter adapter O-ring!!!! Quick, cheap and easy fix!! I would snap that one up!!

Yep thats what it was, my mechanic looked it over and couldent find anything wrong with it. He said it was a great buy, and go for it, so i think we are going to get it. She just needs to get the emissions, which she if fighting, and i dont know why, but she said ok.

And he has learned to drive my F350, and drives that just fine, and my other son has a 97 wrangler with a 5 inch lift and 35s on it, and he drives that just fine. so i think he will do ok with it.

 

[Mudderoy]

well i looked at it, and first off a lady owned it. And second, omg it was it great shape. With the wheeling she has done, theirs only a few dings, but nothing major, and the body looks great. The interior is in great shape, no stains or tears or nothing, looks brand new. Everything on the jeep looks good, runs great and drives great. Their was one small thing, idk if the oil filter was loose or leaking, b/c the transmission had quite a bit on it, but im going to get it looked at tomorow. I really like it, just the millage bothers me, ive never owned a car with that many miles on it, b/c i dont want to buy it, then parts start going out, b/c my son wont have the money to fix it, b/c he will be spending everything he has on it, thats really the only two things.

Heres two pics i took with my phone. She let me keep it for the night, so ill take somemore in the moring if i get time

My 1998 has 130k on it. Runs strong and it looks like it will continue based on what I have read from this site. I just started building it up with over 120k on it. I do have the prividledge of either putting on or knowing (my wife) all 130k+ miles.

 

[DutchVDub]

If she doesn't agrre to paying for the emissions point out to here that CO Law states that any vehicle being sold must have a valid passing emissions test (where applicable) with-in 30 days of selling. If the purchaser takes it in for the test and it fails, the seller is responsible for making sure the car passes.

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

If she doesn't agrre to paying for the emissions point out to here that CO Law states that any vehicle being sold must have a valid passing emissions test (where applicable) with-in 30 days of selling. If the purchaser takes it in for the test and it fails, the seller is responsible for making sure the car passes.

X2 Glad I live down south out of the Smog zone!!