Is this cherokee worth it?

TapouT

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2008
Location
Hickory nc
I found a 1991 Jeep Cherokee for sale in the sale paper earlier today and called about it. He said it runs/drives good but he said the motor needs lifters because it ticks but once it gets warmed up the ticking goes away. He said it also needs a CV joint. It's white with tan interior. The guy said the body is straight it doesn't have any dents, dings or rust and he said the interior is near perfect. He told me the 4WD worked great. He said all lights(taillights, brake lights, turn signals etc.) work. He told me I could come get it and drive it home for $550. Is it worth it?
 
YES.
 
How many miles on the engine and body?
 
I would say yes. I would want to make sure that this tick isnt a rod knock or anything like that. Sounds like just the jeep for you and no drivetrain swaps.
 
buy it. especially if its lifter tapping.. I don't know too many 4.0 engines that don't do that over 150-175K.
 
its a good deal, you can part it out for that much or more! now if it was a 2x4 I would say no, but the 4.0 4x4 for that much you cant go wrong!
 
If you don't buy it, let me buy it! :driver:

That is a good deal, my ZJ has a 4.0 with 160k and the lifters are clicking in it, not a big problem.
 
I went and checked the Jeep out yesterday afternoon and I have a few questions. It has a knocking sound but it's only when you start it up and it's sitting there idling. When the Jeep warmed up after I started driving it the knocking went away and it seemed to run/shift good. I'm guessing the rod bearings are bad?! Also, when I got it up to 45 the left front wheel started shaking/vibrating i'm guessing that's why he said the CV joint needed to be replaced but would that be the CV joint or the wheel bearing? It's nice and clean and everything works on it i'm gonna daily drive it if I buy it. I'm wanting your opinions though...is it worth it?
 
Is the sound a knock or a click? My lifters click like crazy when it is cold, then once the enginve warms up it stops.
 
For that kind of money it is expected to have some issues. Sounds like the bearing/cv would be an easy fix. As for the tapping noise I would try a can of enginme restore and maybe a heavier weight oil. You might be able to drop the pan and change a main bearing in the truck. I have never tried with a 4.0 before. Good luck
 
not to bum off your thread but my 4.0 with 103k slightly clicks only in the a.m. is that the lifters
 
CV could cause the wheel shake, but seems unlikely. Probably just a tire balance issue. If it runs and drives, it is well worth the money.
 
Front driveshaft has a double cardan joint which is commonly called a CV joint, even if its not the correct name.
 
buy the thing!
 
Hoping to go get the Jeep later tonight or sometime tomorrow. Thanks for the input guys! It wasn't knocking real bad/loud yesterday he said it gets louder the colder it is outside though but it runs good and holds steady oil pressure.
 
rod knocks dont go away with temp so its prob a lifter. sounds like a good deal. good luck
 
I went and bought the cherokee last night. Man it feels great to be back in one! I listened to it closely and it's the lifters clicking that's all it is. It needs a little tlc but I didn't expect a cadillac for what I bought it for. The only thing i'm worried about is putting a new windshield in it cause the one that's in it is cracked a little and getting the shaking/vibrating straightened out. It doesn't start vibrating til about 45 and then the faster you go the worse the vibration gets. What could that be? I'll post pictures of it later when I get it cleaned up. I appreciate all the help guys and i'm glad y'all persuaded me into getting this jeep.
 
1. Put a bottle of lucas oil stabilizer in it next oil change, that very well may fix that lifter noise by keeping the lube in the top of the engine.. Worked for mine.

2. If the crack in the windshield isnt in your view, it will still pass inspection.

3. Sounds like tires are out of balance. have them balanced at your local tire store.
 
NCJeepin said:
1. Put a bottle of lucas oil stabilizer in it next oil change, that very well may fix that lifter noise by keeping the lube in the top of the engine.. Worked for mine.
2. If the crack in the windshield isnt in your view, it will still pass inspection.
3. Sounds like tires are out of balance. have them balanced at your local tire store.
Click to expand...

Will do, thanks! The crack in the windshield is in the passengers view so I guess i'm good there.
 
RenegadeT said:
CV joint on an XJ?
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you beat me to it, they don't have CV's, they got ujoints, probably a bad bearing unit, they are $100 from Advance, they go out all the time, they usually make more of a grinding noise, as far as the motor is concerned, if its the rod bearings should knock under load, monitor the oil pressure once the oil thins out, if all else fails put the previous owner in a triangle choke and tap him out like your name implies:beer:
 
1983Bronco said:
you beat me to it, they don't have CV's, they got ujoints, probably a bad bearing unit, they are $100 from Advance, they go out all the time.
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Most people call a double cardan (two u-joints back to back) a CV joint even though it isn't technically a CV. The front DS on a cherokee has this.

And unit bearings only go out all the time if you get shitty advance ones. I'm still on my stock set ('97 120k) and it gets beat pretty bad on 33s, the other one in the driveway ('95 185k) is still on its stockers and it used to get beatdowns all the time on 31s.


Someone already posted up the best advice.

1. Oil Stabilizer/heavier oil (I use rotella and love it + its free at work)

2. Don't sweat the crack in the mirror if its not in your field of view

3. Tire balance and alignment. IMHO 99.9% of DW in cherokees comes from out of balance/misalignment. The other .1% comes from people lifting them without knowing what they're doing (driveline angles, control arm lengths, etc) or lifting them too far for the stock linkage (5"+).


YMMV, all rights reserved, all wrongs reversed.
 
Archdukeferdinand said:
Most people call a double cardan (two u-joints back to back) a CV joint even though it isn't technically a CV. The front DS on a cherokee has this.
And unit bearings only go out all the time if you get shitty advance ones. I'm still on my stock set ('97 120k) and it gets beat pretty bad on 33s, the other one in the driveway ('95 185k) is still on its stockers and it used to get beatdowns all the time on 31s.
Someone already posted up the best advice.
1. Oil Stabilizer/heavier oil (I use rotella and love it + its free at work)
2. Don't sweat the crack in the mirror if its not in your field of view
3. Tire balance and alignment. IMHO 99.9% of DW in cherokees comes from out of balance/misalignment. The other .1% comes from people lifting them without knowing what they're doing (driveline angles, control arm lengths, etc) or lifting them too far for the stock linkage (5"+).
YMMV, all rights reserved, all wrongs reversed.
Click to expand...



maybe, but with 200K I bet they are worn out, I have a car lot and it seems like 50% of the XJ's with over 120K that come in either have bad front hub assemblies or bad D35 carrier bearings or both. Also my wifes MJ has a Advance front hub assembly with over 75K on it with no problem
 
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