Jeep Cherokee

[firman]

So following on from this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... on 4x4's I am viewing a 2001 Jeep Cherokee tomorrow evening, it is the 60th anniversary 2.5 diesel model. What should I be looking out for when checking it over? It has 11 months mot on it so hopefully wont have too many nasty surprises lurking.
All advice welcomed, Thanks in advance guys.

[Gruber]

My advice is: don't buy the diesel.

They eat headgaskets, the engine is very agricultural and they are thirsty.

If you're sold on the XJ Cherry plan, get a 4.0 petrol.

[Gruber]

On the off-chance that my first reply isn't sufficiently helpful...

Check for leaks - from the transfer box, the gear box, the axles (both ends - centre diff end and wheel end) etc etc.

Check the transfer box works properly. I guess you know that on the diesel model (unlike the 4.0 petrol) you can't leave it in 4wd full time. So you'll need a straight stretch with no corners. Make sure it moves between 2wd, 4wd, and low ratio without trouble.

The gas struts go on the tail lift.

Check the back end isn't sitting too low - the leaf springs tend to sag after a while.

Ummmm.... can't remember much else.

Oh yeah: don't buy the diesel

[sim16v]

Check steering joints and ball joints as well.

Check for odd noises when warm, I'm hoping I've cured one of the noises from mine, the heatshield above the cat was just balanced in place!

[firman]

Thanks for the advice so far, The guy is looking at £1400 for it, keener on the diesel as the fuel economy is a bit better and we are going to be doing some fairly long trips in it, is the engine actually more agricultural than any other diesel?

[Gruber]

firman said:

Thanks for the advice so far, The guy is looking at £1400 for it, keener on the diesel as the fuel economy is a bit better and we are going to be doing some fairly long trips in it, is the engine actually more agricultural than any other diesel?

It's more agricultural than any other diesel I've owned, but I'll gladly accept that I haven't owned many.

My recollection is that the diesel barely reached high-20s and the petrol would do low-20s. So if you're planning a high annual mileage in it then I can see why you'd go diesel.

But if it's just occasional long journeys, I'd be going petrol.

[sim16v]

Do the maths based on that, high 20s mpg for diesel, low 20s mpg for petrol.

Plus the petrol ones are generally cheaper to buy in the first place.


I'd say less than 5000 miles p/a and i'd get petrol.

Mine is LPG and does about 18-20mpg, 170-200 miles of £40 worth of fuel depending on speed driven and what i'm towing.

[crofty1984]

firman said:

Thanks for the advice so far, The guy is looking at £1400 for it, keener on the diesel as the fuel economy is a bit better and we are going to be doing some fairly long trips in it, is the engine actually more agricultural than any other diesel?

My diesel tank leaked. Aside from that it was thirsty bd anyway. Early 20's late teens. I lived in Holmfirth so was forever up and down dales at 40, which is right between 3rd and 4th.
Front brake locked on, nearly setting itself on fire.
Cruise control didn't work.
To be honest I liked it, problems aside, but with £1400 to spend, if you can find one you may be better off going for an LPG'd petrol one. That's what I'd do if I was buying another Cherokee.
Very Industrial feeling interior, but I liked it in a no-messing way.
With the spare wheel mounted inside the boot's not as massive as you'd think.

Good though, if you get the right one (I didn't).

[sawman]

I ran a '98 xj cherokee, with the 4.0 motor. It was a great car, it did suffer a transmission leak which out it off the road for a week or so, as there was a lot of labour and a bolt sheared - it took several days to source a new one (and this was in canada, where parts are relatively plentiful.

We did quite a few road trips in both summer and winter with no problems, I love these things

heres mine