What to check XJ Cherokee

[Alan Loy]

I'm looking at an XJ Cherokee auto over the weekend. What should I check so I don't buy a lemon?

Thanks

[Xauterus]

Hi
Well you could start by not buying a jeep haha.
I would just start looking at all the normal wear and tear things first. Paint is not that good a quality now they are getting older. Seats wear. Listen for any clunking etc when driving and see what the temperature gauge does when you drive it and also when it idles. Listen out for exhaust leaks in engine bay from exhaust manifold. Check things like power windows and air con.
After checking it thoroughly and not finding a dud then get a repuatable workshop to check it over. Doing the simple things first will usually eliminate a really bad one but remember there are plenty out there.
Also consider buying one with gear fitted already as you will save an absolute fortune. They are not cheap to modify like patrols etc.
Get a professional to assess it.


Corey

[dazza96]

Originally Posted by Xauterus

Hi
Well you could start by not buying a jeep haha.
I would just start looking at all the normal wear and tear things first. Paint is not that good a quality now they are getting older. Seats wear. Listen for any clunking etc when driving and see what the temperature gauge does when you drive it and also when it idles. Listen out for exhaust leaks in engine bay from exhaust manifold. Check things like power windows and air con.
After checking it thoroughly and not finding a dud then get a repuatable workshop to check it over. Doing the simple things first will usually eliminate a really bad one but remember there are plenty out there.
Also consider buying one with gear fitted already as you will save an absolute fortune. They are not cheap to modify like patrols etc.
Get a professional to assess it.


Corey

i agree with corey but i belive you should by a stock standard one all the ones i looked at with all the tricky gear had the guts floged out of them the seller had go the best out of it before he trying to sell it

[Tims_Jeep]

Yep, usually the stock standard ones are best because they've seen less offroad. The index to cost effective repairs will give you a good idea on what to look out for in terms of common problems. It's always worth looking for dings underneath and red dirt on door rubbers etc.

[Xauterus]

So anyone that has modified their jeep at all has totally flogged it out???
I dont think thats a fair generalisation.
This is why I Stressed to get a professional to check the car over. Many people have improved their stock jeep and never really used it to its full potential.
An XJ has such bad resale these days that you cant recoup anything you spend on them. If you did buy a kitted out one and it does eventually end up with a damaged body/chassis then you could swap the gear over to another stock cheap XJ.

[Hamsteh]

My mate purchased a 95 with 2" OME lift, ARB bullbar, Kaymar rear tyre carrier and an air locker for $2k...

We figured even if it turned out the car was a writeoff he'd made his money back on mods! In hindsight I shoulda bought it myself....

[tazwegion]

Specify to the seller that you want to "cold start" it, often unscrupulous sellers will pre-warm vehicles to help hide any starting system glitches, also get a good look underneath of it as bent up & dented undercarriage will also identify a vehicle that has seen a substantial amount of time off-road & any leaking component seals.

Also the automotive mandatory...

• Coolant check for bubbles when idling, and contaminants
• Creamy oil in the rocker cover & on the filler cap
• Colour & odour of transmission fluid
• Transmission shift times 1.2 sec (forward) 1.5 sec (reverse) faster is better
• Electrical system functionality

+1 on getting an independent assessment prior to purchase the Royal Auto Club in your state will offer this service