90's Jeep cherokee's

[Dogoak]

I did hear of head gasket issues on the 2.5td VM engines, not I or anyone I know had the issue though. 4 seperate heads
There are some nice examples around at some good prices if your patient and prepared to wait, just keep checking the car ads. Trouble is this time of year 4x4's tend to be selling quicker.

 

[santaman2000]

Was the 2WD Cherokee available there in the 90s? Is it now? If so, would a 2WD be up for consideration to the OP?

 

[Janne]

Yes, the 2WD version was available. The TD I had was 2WD.

Rust?

I did not keep them long enough, but in principle a chassis that flexes is more rust prone. Also the body which flexes is more rust prone in the areas that move against each other.
The cars you are interrsted in are around 20 years + old, and were not build and designed for that lifespan.
Parts can be found fairly cheaply in the US, not sure about UK.
US engines are thirsty, but run for a long time, even when worn.
If you find a car in good condition, make sure the auto gearbox works well. Expensive to rebuild in UK ( personal experience) and few companies that do it well.

Have it tested and checked by a skilled mechanic, preferably by somebody that does MOT’s.

Defenders rust only if you do not take care of them. Chassis, outriggers, bulkhead. Simple to keep the rust away.

 

[MT606]

my 1944 jeep wasn't rusty ;-)

 

[santaman2000]

my 1944 jeep wasn't rusty ;-)

I assume it was a Willy's Jeep? When did you buy it? (in other words, how old was it when you bought it?) Jeep tubs are cheap and one of the first things changed when rebuilding a Jeep.

 

[Dogoak]

my 1944 jeep wasn't rusty ;-)

Neither was my 1990 Wrangler or the 96 or 98 Cherokee's

 

[Nice65]

Neither was my 1990 Wrangler or the 96 or 98 Cherokee's

The fact I still see them all the time is testament to that. The ones I see all seem to be in good shape, the owners happy to chat about them. An off-road friend dumped his kitted Disco for the Jeep and has gradually built it back up to a point where it copes better off-road than the Landrover. I looked into buying one a while ago, wanted the 4ltr because my mileage is generally low and it's the better engine, but couldn't justify it for trips up to The Lakes, Wales, Derbyshire etc so I could take advantage of its off-road capabilities. Bit of a Catch22.

I also looked at the 2.5ltr, but some Jeep forum posts put me off by suggesting the 2.5 engine may have had to work very hard in its life within the Jeep because it's a heavy vehicle with load space and good towing capability.

Apparently the 4ltr engine is an old stalwart in third world countries for pumping water and driving generators, they run at low revs for many years with nothing but basic maintenance.

 

[Dogoak]

Yep, the 4L a good engine, had that in Wrangler, lots of fun.

Best bet is to buy one without, or without any signs, of a towbar having being fitted

 

[Janne]

Yep, the 4L a good engine, had that in Wrangler, lots of fun.

Best bet is to buy one without, or without any signs, of a towbar having being fitted

Good point, very good!

The problem with all 'normal' cars of this 'advanced ' age is that once a car gets old they do not get serviced properly, the owners do not think they are worth it. Check the service book.
I think ( not sure) the 2.5 diesel was Italian? Good design, but to weak.
None of those engines are good for fast driving though. I took both cars on holidays through Europe, and they were a pain on the European motorways.
High speed roadhandling is also medioker. But should be fine for his intended usage.

 

[Nice65]

Let's face it, high speed road handling isn't something the American car makers have even thought about let alone implemented.

 

[santaman2000]

Yeah, Jeeps aren't meant for high speeds or high speed "roads." And yeah, we don't really need high speed "handling" on any vehicle; high speed driving is generally done on highways (motorways) where "handling" isn't a concern. Lesser roads generally have a speed limit below 50 MPH. That said, competition driving (and vehicles) are quite different:

But back to Jeeps and low speed handling

 

[santaman2000]

The fact I still see them all the time is testament to that. The ones I see all seem to be in good shape,....

I wish that were true here as well. Unless one has been rebuilt they're usually beat up pretty good after 10 years (often sooner)

 

[Arya]

I had a Cherokee in my younger days, and it was a tractor, but it was a horrible car to maintain! There was always something wrong, and I even had to change the engine once + turbo.
Worst buy ever!
It´s also very annoying to work on, because you almost have to demolish half of the engine just to get to whatever wee part you need to change.

On the plus side, the chassis is tough. I was in an accident with a Mercedes once. The Mercedes ended up as an accordion, beyond repair.
The Jeep on the other hand just had to change one of the front lights.

 

[MT606]

santaman, I bought it in 1999 and it was 55yrs old then and I had it until 2000. no new tub or chassis...I put a new rad in it after 5yrs, had the clutch changed, new brake shoes n NDT tyres on her...I would post a pic but can't figure it out, don't use a 3rd party hosting thing see.....

 

[Nice65]

santaman, I bought it in 1999 and it was 55yrs old then and I had it until 2000. no new tub or chassis...I put a new rad in it after 5yrs, had the clutch changed, new brake shoes n NDT tyres on her...I would post a pic but can't figure it out, don't use a 3rd party hosting thing see.....

I'm finding Postimage.org really easy. I just google it, open it, select the photo album option to choose a pic from my albums, copy Direct Link, select the little picture postcard image above the your message box here, dump the link. Done. Don't even need an account.

My Photobucket account still works, but it's so clunky, and such a dirty company, I can't be bothered with the lowlife scum

 

[santaman2000]

santaman, I bought it in 1999 and it was 55yrs old then and I had it until 2000. no new tub or chassis...I put a new rad in it after 5yrs, had the clutch changed, new brake shoes n NDT tyres on her...I would post a pic but can't figure it out, don't use a 3rd party hosting thing see.....

You realize I wasn't asking if YOU had changed or rebuilt anything? Rather if anybody who owned it in those 55 years before you might have done so? Yeah, the chassis are extremely tough; they'll usually last longer than the owners..

 

[santaman2000]

I had a Cherokee in my younger days, and it was a tractor, but it was a horrible car to maintain! There was always something wrong, and I even had to change the engine once + turbo.
Worst buy ever!
It´s also very annoying to work on, because you almost have to demolish half of the engine just to get to whatever wee part you need to change.

On the plus side, the chassis is tough. I was in an accident with a Mercedes once. The Mercedes ended up as an accordion, beyond repair.
The Jeep on the other hand just had to change one of the front lights.

They'll actually pull much, much more than they're rated but after a year or two it will break down the tranny and/or engine. More importantly, they don't have the weight to stop a heavy load properly (trailer brakes help a lot though)

I know what you mean about everything that needs to be worked on also being hard to get too on a Cherokee. I almost had to but a trained monkey to get to the rear spark plugs. Of course a Wrangler is a little easier, as the Canadian Army proves:

 

[Neil990]

I am rocking a 96 jeep cherokee 2.5td at the moment. Bought for £100. I had to do a bit of welding on it. But having lots fun with the kids green laning and driving through rivers. They love it. And so do I.

 

[Janne]

A car does not have to handle at motorway speeds???
ever tried to avoid a deer or moose?
Deer/moose avoidance is a drivers license test requirement in Sweden.


Youtube ’elk test mercedes a class’ .

If that was you in real life, you would be dead.

 

[Arya]

They'll actually pull much, much more than they're rated but after a year or two it will break down the tranny and/or engine. More importantly, they don't have the weight to stop a heavy load properly (trailer brakes help a lot though)

I know what you mean about everything that needs to be worked on also being hard to get too on a Cherokee. I almost had to but a trained monkey to get to the rear spark plugs. Of course a Wrangler is a little easier, as the Canadian Army proves:

Hahaha! That video is great

I don't know what life my Cherokee had before I got it, but the previous owners were obviously smart enough to sell it in time before dooms day, (to a sucker like me). It was a lovely car in the terrain though! I once had mud up to my doors, but the car didn't even flinch, and there was very few places that goat of a car didn't climb.