Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee - what to look out for?

[downstairs]

As above; looking for a Jeep GC, a late WJ seems likely.

I understand the 4L is essentially reliable but auto boxes might be weak? The 2.7crd is also in the frame, and equally I hear they are pretty solid (MB etc). Are they?

What do I need to know and what should I look for beyond the usual older car rot and wear?

Any special Achilles heels? Anything that tends to go ping North of 100,000 miles (which is where I'm looking)?

Thanks!

[WolfieBot]

Balljoints, they're an absolute pain in the arse, and after being sent and fitting the incorrect ones are the reason I'm now scrapping mine.

The heater, I think they're a case of when they fail rather than if. Mine had a the broken flaps which means you just get cold air, although there is a fix which can be done through the glovebox but it's an aftermarket part from the states. And the resistor wiring overheats and melts cutting out the fan completely.

Heated seats also didn't work, I think the wiring in general in these cars were pretty poor.

I enjoyed mine but knowing what I do now I wouldn't have another and probably would have avoided this one.

[4ltr]

I've had my WJ for nearly 6 years and a ZJ for 5 years before that and an XJ for 5 years as my original Jeep. All had the 4 Ltr petrol with LPG conversion. Quite honestly, apart from horrible electrical failures on the original XJ the two GCs were and are pretty reliable. Ok the drivers heated seat doesn't work but I wouldn't use it if it did. As mentioned earlier, heater blend doors will fail although by now if you find one with the heater and aircon working as it should it will almost certainly have had the fix. I've found the engine and gearboxes very reliable apart from a solenoid fail. Service interval is only 7500 miles. Terrible by modern day standards but if you find on that has been properly serviced it should be ok. Serpentine belt change is a must! You probably know that you are only likely to get 15-20 mpg. Although it's getting old now I have no intention of changing it.

[joebongo]

Hi

Thread ressurection time.

I'm going to look at one today.

Could anyone give me a list of horrors to look for and minors that are doable reasonably inexpensively if present?

Basically if you were to go and look at an X reg one what would you look for?

In terms of creature comforts I'm most interested in whether the air con works and if not I'm guessing it's going to cost 500 to sort out. The car is only 2k so it would be a deal breaker if my assumption is correct.

Thanks