Need advice re. buying a used XJ

Hi all,
I'm thinking of buying a used Jeep Cherokee and needed some advice. I'm
leaning towards a 1997 or later model (airbags and the improved console
would be nice). I needed some advice:

1. I'm primarily concerned about reliability. It won't be a daily driver but
I'd hate to be stranded out in the boonies on a weekend or on a long road
trip. Are there any model years I should avoid? I plan on running a Carfax
report, but is there anything else I should consider beyond that?

2. Would a Jeep Cherokee with 140,000 miles on it be a breakdown waiting to
happen? How reliable has the I-6 been in your experience (with average
maintenance!).

3. Does anyone know a reliable source for a used Jeep Cherokee in the NJ/NY
area? If you know of someone that has one for sale, feel free to point them
my way.

Thanks!

Mak
My email address is mpitke at hotmail dot com

> 1. I'm primarily concerned about reliability. It won't be a daily driver
> but
> I'd hate to be stranded out in the boonies on a weekend or on a long road
> trip. Are there any model years I should avoid? I plan on running a Carfax
> report, but is there anything else I should consider beyond that?

I haven't had any driveability concerns with mine, BIGGEST thing to check
and make sure of is floor rust, I have replaced 90% of the floor in mine.
Rocker panels rust out fast if the J**P has/had running boards. (Bill has a
link to my floor repair pics) Rustcheck spray or krown will help prevent
and slow down on the rust.

> 2. Would a Jeep Cherokee with 140,000 miles on it be a breakdown waiting
> to happen? How reliable has the I-6 been in your experience (with average
> maintenance!).

Thats only a mere 225,308.16 kilometers, thats nothing.. my 93 XJ has
376,000 plus on it and no problems with the engine or drive train. Aside
from the obvious I have changed the altenator, rad (twice), water pump and
ps hoses, had the tranny lines break once. The 6 cyl. is almost bullet
proof, if you take care of it (oil changes somewhere close to the 3000
km-5000km's range) it will last a long time.

Snow...

Steve wrote:
-snip-
> Avoid the Dana 35 rear end. Look for the Chrysler 8.25. Any model with
> ABS will have the Dana 35. The 8.25 got larger, stronger internal axles
> beginning in 1997.

I don't understand this - are you saying that even post 1997 all
Cherokees with ABS will still have the Dana 35?

How can I tell which rear axle I have? I'm in the UK if it makes a
difference, with a 1997 (facelift) Cherokee with ABS.


--
Regards,
Danny

http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
http://www.dannyscoffee.com (UK advert for my mobile espresso service)
http://www.malabargold.co.uk (UK/European online ordering for Malabar
Gold blend)
swap Z for above characters in email address to reply

Look for their cover difference:
http://www.billhughes.com/chrys8dana35covers.jpg
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O


Danny wrote:
>
> I don't understand this - are you saying that even post 1997 all
> Cherokees with ABS will still have the Dana 35?
>
> How can I tell which rear axle I have? I'm in the UK if it makes a
> difference, with a 1997 (facelift) Cherokee with ABS.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Danny
>
> http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
> http://www.dannyscoffee.com (UK advert for my mobile espresso service)
> http://www.malabargold.co.uk (UK/European online ordering for Malabar
> Gold blend)
> swap Z for above characters in email address to reply

Bill,

It looks like you ran over a screwdriver and it punctured your differential!


"L.W. ("ßill") Hughes III" > wrote in message
...
> Look for their cover difference:
> http://www.billhughes.com/chrys8dana35covers.jpg
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
>
>
> Danny wrote:
>>
>> I don't understand this - are you saying that even post 1997 all
>> Cherokees with ABS will still have the Dana 35?
>>
>> How can I tell which rear axle I have? I'm in the UK if it makes a
>> difference, with a 1997 (facelift) Cherokee with ABS.
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>> Danny
>>
>> http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
>> http://www.dannyscoffee.com (UK advert for my mobile espresso service)
>> http://www.malabargold.co.uk (UK/European online ordering for Malabar
>> Gold blend)
>> swap Z for above characters in email address to reply

You can request a build sheet on-line from Customer Service at"
http://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/j...m%28%27R%27%29

or go to any Jeep dealer and ask for one at the parts counter. They are
free of charge,


"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> Danny,
>
> The cover differences are subtle. The most obvious difference is that the
> bottom of the cast housing on the 8.25 is flat and protrudes past the
> cover, whereas the bottom of the 35 housing is rounded like the cover:
>
> http://jeep.avtograd.ru/axles/images/corporate8.jpg
> http://jeep.avtograd.ru/axles/images/d35c.jpg
>
> And yes, as far as I know, all XJs with ABS have Dana 35. On non ABS, it
> can be the corporate 8.25 or the Dana 35. 8.25s appearing from '91-'96
> have shafts that are just as weak as the Dana 35. From '97 onward, 8.25
> axle shafts are significantly thicker with a higher spline count
>
> Steve
> http://xjeep.dyndns.org
>
>
> L.W.(ßill) Hughes III wrote:
>> Look for their cover difference:
>> http://www.billhughes.com/chrys8dana35covers.jpg God Bless America, ßill
>> O|||||||O
>> Danny wrote:
>>
>>>I don't understand this - are you saying that even post 1997 all
>>>Cherokees with ABS will still have the Dana 35?
>>>
>>>How can I tell which rear axle I have? I'm in the UK if it makes a
>>>difference, with a 1997 (facelift) Cherokee with ABS.

Unless I am mistaken, the 8.25 cover is made out of thinner metal and has a
rolled-over edge.

http://www.accuautoparts.com/axledes...eid=C825REAR29

Earle

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> Danny,
>
> The cover differences are subtle. The most obvious difference is that
> the bottom of the cast housing on the 8.25 is flat and protrudes past
> the cover, whereas the bottom of the 35 housing is rounded like the cover:
>
> http://jeep.avtograd.ru/axles/images/corporate8.jpg
> http://jeep.avtograd.ru/axles/images/d35c.jpg
>
> And yes, as far as I know, all XJs with ABS have Dana 35. On non ABS, it
> can be the corporate 8.25 or the Dana 35. 8.25s appearing from '91-'96
> have shafts that are just as weak as the Dana 35. From '97 onward, 8.25
> axle shafts are significantly thicker with a higher spline count
>
> Steve
> http://xjeep.dyndns.org
>
>
> L.W.(ßill) Hughes III wrote:
> > Look for their cover difference:
> > http://www.billhughes.com/chrys8dana35covers.jpg
> > God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> >
> >
> > Danny wrote:
> >
> >>I don't understand this - are you saying that even post 1997 all
> >>Cherokees with ABS will still have the Dana 35?
> >>
> >>How can I tell which rear axle I have? I'm in the UK if it makes a
> >>difference, with a 1997 (facelift) Cherokee with ABS.

Not mine, I only own Real Jeeps with Real Dana 44s.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
http://www.billhughes.com/

Billy Ray wrote:
>
> Bill,
>
> It looks like you ran over a screwdriver and it punctured your differential!