Thoughts?

[reb78]

What do folks know of the '90s vintage Jeep Cherokees? Dad nearly bought one in about '97 and I have always liked the look. Always fancied a 4.0 but diesel economy appeals, but that limits you to a 2.5 turbo diesel. I dont know much about them. Are the engines robust workhorses? Anyone know the tow capacity?

Idly looking around and saw this. Looks very tidy but highish mileage

1999 Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee XJ 2.5 TD Sport 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ, Blue/Grey, 2.5L Turbo Diesel, 5 Speed Manual. Minor restoration completed last year, including complete strip of interior, new headlining, new...

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Just curious to hear what the collective opinion is as i expect a number on here will have experienced them. I'm half on the lookout for another vehicle whilst the land rover is off the road being rechassied. There isnt much about I really fancy in modern vehicles. Would love a yank pickup but the other half wont entertain it.

 

[Turbo]

I recall there was a problem with the rear axles wearing badly.

 

[Rannsachair]

I had 4 litre LTD over 20 years ago. I liked it to drive, was surprisingly quick for its weight. Engine was nice and reliable. Problems mine had were:
Rust- small holes bubbled through on the roof near the join with the tear quaterpanel. When I took the exhausy off to change it, there was a large rust hole behind the silencer, you could see the base of the passenger seat.
Sagging leaf springs, not too expensive to replace.
Noisy rear Limited slip diff- sorted with new plates and the right oil and additive.

I do recall it was a bit lively in 2wd mode on wet roads, I mainly kept it in 4wd.

The mechanicals were all quite basic, I liked it, appart from the rusting.

 

[winchman]

Two friends had them both Petrol, one rebuilt the diff but that was about it one still has a newer version of it.
I feel they would be good solid work courses if you can cope with the fuel, I dont know any one with a diesel one though.
I like the one in the ad but havent a clue if its a bargain or not. I have a P38 as a spare car come towing vehicle and cant fault it but you have to know them well or be lucky, I do know that when it breaks I will have to scrap it!

 

[Blobber]

Only drove one back in the day and even though its a bit tacky on the inside I liked it! they arent massive and was quite nippy I seem to remember!

 

[Domdom]

I had a 4.0 in 2003. Rear diff was the only issue.
I did also try the 2.5 diesel and walked away from it. Very noisy and unrefined, even by old diesel standards.

 

[MoreWellie]

try before you buy. I looked at buying one and felt the roof was a bit low and I am only 6ft. I ended up with a discovery 1 as it felt much more light and airy (was a while ago now)

petrol one went well though, possibly better than the petrol discovery

 

[Bornfree]

That will have the Italian vm engine. They have cylinder head problems

 

[Eric the chicken]

try before you buy. I looked at buying one and felt the roof was a bit low and I am only 6ft. I ended up with a discovery 1 as it felt much more light and airy (was a while ago now)

petrol one went well though, possibly better than the petrol discovery

Some of us at 5ft 7 would love to be 'only 6ft'

 

[MoreWellie]

Some of us at 5ft 7 would love to be 'only 6ft'

fair point and I guess similar to how I still feel when standing next to my boys

 

[CompoSimmonite]

That will have the Italian vm engine. They have cylinder head problems

The problem is not with the engine but the owners. The heads are separate and need a decent amount of coolant flow. Owners ignore the normal routine checks of tyres, oil, coolant etc and allow the coolant level to drop which then reduced flow and blows head gasket. Owners / garages then try to limit the work and just change the gasket under the one head however due to the way they are attached all heads must be undone and new gaskets. Ford got around this by fitting a one pieces gasket, when using the VM in the Granada, thus forcing people to follow the proper procedure. There should be a low coolant level warning to help stop the problem in the first place. Treated properly the VM engine is an excellent unit and quite economical.
I used to drive a Jeep XJ and found the 2.5 diesel more than good enough on the road (didn't try offroad)
One thing to check is rot - they can suffer badly

 

[p0689109]

I had a petrol version. Fanatastic for towing. It was like the trailer was not there as regards acceleration and speed and great for long journeys when the consumption was reasonable. Billt for the American roads and distances. But for short journeys it drank the petrol. I got rid of it not because of that but it started playing up with the gear selector and after market alarm but in all honesty it would not have got the usage as before anyway. I had no bother moving it on though. It was in great condition. Would I have another, yes!

 

[Pete.]

My brother has a 5.2 or 5.3 petrol one. It's comfy in a 'drives like a boat' kinda way. The steering box is adjustable but it hasn't completely eliminated the vagueness of the steering.

 

[8ob]

One of our lads on landscape has one, old square shaped thing with a straight six and he has had it for many years. Spends most of its life with a trailer behind it, seems to be a reliable car.

Bob

 

[slim_boy_fat]

A pal bought one because they lived in a cottage up a narrow farm road (quite steep) which used to get snow drifts in Winter - although the farmer used to plough the worst bits my pal got sick of leaving his 'normal' car and having to trudge through the snow on foot. He liked the Jeep but discovered rust underneath & got shot of it sharpish.

The one linked to is sold, but failed the MOT previously and had repairs done to pass - fine, but who knows how well....?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Some of us at 5ft 7 would love to be 'only 6ft'

Haven't you ever heard the saying "Small, but beautifully formed"? Take heart in it.