Oops I did it again...

Topic: Oops I did it again... (Read 958 times) previous topic - next topic

Oops I did it again...

September 09, 2009, 08:25:35 PM

I don't know what it is with me and Jeep Cherokees. I was looking for a wagon for a winter beater, I even made a thread about it and somebody mentioned I should get an SUV. I couldn't find anything decent for sale; everyone thinks their Volvos are made of gold or something. Even mid 80's 740's were way overpriced.

Then I thought I might prefer a small truck, something to hunt and fish with, to haul my ATV trailer, etc. I looked at a few Rangers, S10's, Nissan Hardbodies, etc, and all in my price range were rotten. Sense got the better of me anyway - one of the reasons I wanted a wagon was my 150 pound dog. Enter the SUV (as somebody else on this forum suggested in my wagon post). Best of both worlds, truck AND wagon.

My only caveat: A 5-speed was a must. I looked at a few Pathfinders, even seriously considered one of 'em 'til the guy sold it (I learned to drive in a Pathfinder). Found a 2000 Jimmy that had the 4.3/5-speed but it was written off (hit a moose in Newfoundland). I hate Explorers, especially older ones, so that was out. Eventually I decided on another Cherokee, and I found a bargain.

It's a 1996 model, 4.0 HO engine, 5-speed manual. Within the past two years it had a rebuilt tranny, new clutch & PP, new rad, new shocks on all four corners, new battery, gas tank, and a bunch of other stuff (the tranny & clutch receipt alone added up to $3100). It has some funky Centerline 15X10 wheels on it that I'm not sure whether I like or not. The woman was selling it because some holes in the floor made it fail inspection, so she parked it for a year, then got transferred and was moving.

It needs a few things. First, the floor needs repair (as do the rockers). There are NO brakes (had to have it towed home, was free thanks to CAA). A rear line rusted, the only line that hadn't been previously replaced. The PS pressure line popped as well. Both front axle joints are bad, as is the RF wheel bearing. Those are the only problems I've found with it after jacking it up and going over it. All in all not bad, especially considering the price: $800.

The plan is to get it roadworthy by the end of Sept, then transfer the T-Bird's plates and insurance over and put the 'Bird to sleep for the winter.

py cell phone pic:

Oops I did it again...

Reply #1 – September 09, 2009, 08:34:06 PM

It's deja vu all over again. My first Cherokee was a red '87 two-door, 4-cyl automatic, which was the worst on fuel vehicle I'd ever owned (first pic, taken about 10 years ago, with my brother's bullmatsiff Sage guarding it). My second Cherokee was a red '87 four-door, 6-cyl auto, which I really liked but a combination of rotten frame and bad rear axle forced me to get rid of it (second pic). It goes back further than this, though: My father bought a red two-door Cherokee brand new in '84. It was the same colour red that all three of mine were/are. He traded a nearly new Plymouth Voyager in on it after having many, many problems with the Voyager. That van turned him so off Chrysler he traded in the Cherokee on an '87 Pathfinder out of spite when Chrysler bought AMC...

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Reply #2 – September 09, 2009, 08:39:25 PM

I always liked those Cherokee Jeeps, wouldn't mind having one but they are always beaten to hell around here or rotted half to death.

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Reply #3 – September 10, 2009, 12:53:41 AM

Quote

new shocks on all four corners

That's good. The rears almost always break the bolts and then its a PITA. I love the Cherokees though. I hope mine lasts forever. Nice score on the 5 speed as well.

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Reply #4 – September 10, 2009, 07:28:08 AM

My sister has one and she loves it... she will probably drive it till it dies.

We drove it a few times... it's ok, but not the vehicle for me personally.

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Reply #5 – September 10, 2009, 05:39:17 PM

you shouldve looked for a manual trans grand cherokee, thems the one you want and its a shame chrysler made so few of them.
i was considering finding a decent cherokee(or grand) for my dad since he had one and loved it before i heard him oggling this py land rover disc., which other than being neglected on maitenince seems to run still.
im guessing your familiar with the cherokee related wesites, im pretty sure i have a link for an FSM for them(cant remeber the year specifically)

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Reply #6 – September 10, 2009, 07:43:53 PM

If I'd have looked for a manual transmission Grand Cheroee I'd still be looking two years from now. I've never seen, nor even heard of one. I prefer the smaller Cherokee anyway :D

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Reply #7 – September 10, 2009, 07:48:12 PM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;290771

If I'd have looked for a manual transmission Grand Cheroee I'd still be looking two years from now. I've never seen, nor even heard of one.

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Reply #8 – September 10, 2009, 08:27:41 PM

your probly right about looking where you are but they are out there, actually saw one about two months ago around here. 5 years ago i wouldnt have believed either it but they do exist.
question, was a 2 door the only one you could find up there?
dont see too many of those around here, especially a 90's one.

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Reply #9 – September 11, 2009, 07:01:49 AM

Cherokees, 2-door and 4-door, are very common here in all model years. 5-speeds aren't particularly common, but not extremely rare either. I just settled on this two-door because it was the best deal I could find.

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Reply #10 – September 11, 2009, 02:36:10 PM

Awesome! It's a 4.0, I hope. You know, the autos are very good. The only time I ever heard of one going out was mine, after the cooler line popped off on my wife and she drove it around town until it went dry. It still worked enough after that to drive to Halifax and trade it in on the Saturn. A 5-spd would be more fun, though. You'd probably find more manual two doors than four doors, since no soccer mom would own a two door.

I also wouldn't buy another Grand Cherokee ever again. You can stretch a Wrangler once and make a Cherokee, but twice and it's just a Grand turd.

*edit*

Oops, I missed the specs. Very nice, man. Very nice.