opportunity? opinions?

lowestjumperTJ

lowestjumperTJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2008
Location
Wherever I may roam
right now I've got a chance to swap my Suburban and my dirtbike for a '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 2wd, straight 6, cloth interior, power everything, etc. etc. etc. It's got 140k miles and is very clean and nice looking, but I'm not much of a Jeep guy anymore...or at least 4 wheel drive Jeeps anyway. What do you guys think? Should I do it? The guy says the CEL is not on and it has never given any problems. Thanks.
 
the Suburban is 2wd. the truck itself has 211k miles, but the motor has 125k and the trans has about 20k. both were replaced by myself and my stepdad this year and it has been driven very little. it's in alright shape (pretty good for the year and mileage) but I'd like to have something a little better on gas and a little cleaner. it runs pretty good and when I bought it last year I got what I felt was a killer deal, so I don't think I'm losing anything as long as the Jeep runs well. I dunno, I'm kicking around the idea, but if you guys know me, you know I value people's opinions a lot, so that's why I asked.
 
Suburban:

CIMG0350.jpg


CIMG0351.jpg


CIMG0352.jpg


The interior is blue, and the paint on the hood is faded pretty bad (typical of Chevrolet paint for the year). To my knowledge it has never been in an accident, but I have not run a carfax to see. I bought it from a guy I work with last year, who got it from his parents, the original owners. It was original an Idaho truck (even still had an Idaho title when I bought it from Kenny). The interior is in pretty good shape but could use a good vacuuming. Normally I keep it pretty clean but have been working a lot lately so haven't taken the time to care for it like I should.



Jeep:

ai6.photobucket.com_albums_y239_AcRiteTeggy1_1999JeepCherokeeLaredo2.jpg


ai6.photobucket.com_albums_y239_AcRiteTeggy1_1999JeepCherokeeLaredo3.jpg


ai6.photobucket.com_albums_y239_AcRiteTeggy1_1999JeepCherokeeLaredo.jpg
 
There must be a reason why the guy wants to trade for your truck...... Just a thought. It does look good though. Those things can have some major issues. I'm just sayin...
 
scrubber3 said:
There must be a reason why the guy wants to trade for your truck...... Just a thought. It does look good though. Those things can have some major issues. I'm just sayin...
Click to expand...


that's what I was thinking too. I originally offered to drive to him (he's in SC) but he's saying that he will come to me. more power to him if he wants to do that. that's just less work for me. I just dunno though.
 
that 4.0 probably won't get much better mileage and certainly won't tow as much. Plus you know more about the history of the 'burb. The jeep only has 140k, but it may have only seen three or four oil changes, and has probably never had the transmission serviced.
 
A guy I work with has a 99 (or 01) 2WD 4.0 Grand... Last trip we took to Charlotte it got around 20MPG on the highway... I'd venture to say that's A LOT better than the burb...

No it will not tow anywhere near as much so if you want it for towing then I'd look elsewhere.

As for the tranny... get it warm, put it in Neutral and check the fluid level and quality on the dip stick. Never really heard of any Transmission issues (but haven't looked much into it either)

WJJeeps.com is a good site to look over.

Major issues: BLEND DOORS!!!! ask him about them, they're about a $1K fix at the dealer or probably 2 days or more of your time. Make sure the heat blows hot at the vents.... then make sure the air blows cold... If they have been fixed good... if not I'd say it's a 50/50 chance of a failure.. maybe worse they're just a bad design.

Other than owning a 2WD Jeep that 4.0 should be pretty bullet proof and parts are a dime a dozen for Jeeps... If the blend doors dont bother you and it runs well.. I'd much rather have it than the suburban.
 
I know Mocksville is a few miles away(If you are in Rockwell...this might be doable) But if you can get the jeep to Snider Automotive,My buddy Chris can give you a rundown on it. He knows em' inside and out...5 Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep mechanic.

Chris Snider, @ Snider Automotive 336-753-1147 <--------Shamless sponsor plug
 
A coworker had a 4wd grand. Transmission went out after about 30,000 miles, heater wouldn't blow hot air on passenger side or at vents, and had to replace window regulators 5 or 6 times before finally selling it. Said he might could squeak out 19-20 on the highway, but usually averaged 16-18 mpg.
 
That burban should get around 14-15 mpg, the Jeep around 18.
At 10,000 miles a year you are only talking 111 gallon difference there, at $3/gallon it is a 300 year decision on gas alone.
The burban can tow more and haul more people.
If either off those are important to you....
The Burban is a known commodity, it has issues but you know what they are.
The Jeep, who knows....

The final piece is aesthetics and that is totally personal.
And you lose your dirtbike if you trade....
Id also check KBB private party on both vehicles.
 
Why is the Reece hitch so rusty on the Jeep? My 95 Suburban has over 170,000 and it gets almost 19 mpg! I just threw a set of E-3 plugs in it and new exaust on it last month and we are leaving for Tn. thursday AM and expect at least 20 mpg. on the trip of over 800miles. I'm OK with that milage in a Suburban that's pushing 16 years old.
 
Back
Top