Re: Thinking of buying an 89 Cherokee: Pics and update

[b5blue]

  My buddy's selling his 89 Jeep Cherokee, 2dr, I6 4.L, 2 wheel drive, 5sp stick, A/C. 800.00 sound good? Silver paint is faded, needs cooling system work, new blower for the A/C and passenger window is stuck up. (No not conceited, it won't roll down, I know how you guys are!   ) Online research shows the stock radiator was minimal at best I'm figuring a upgraded new one, T stat. and housing, fan clutch, water pump and such.
 You guys steered me away from the Neon R/T I was so interested in last year and my have saved me from possible Charger money robbing repairs so I'm "checking in here" again first!
 Please reply with anything good/bad or whatever! I've known this Jeep for years, Bob takes great care of his stuff and was careful to never overheat it. Looks to be a simple, rugged layout design with great reviews. My comparison shopping shows mostly for 1500 bucks you can get a kinda crappy one with 170K+ miles on it.
 Thanks for any reply! b5  

[Dans 68]

My '90 I ordered from the factory. I still have it. Four liter, full time 4-wheel drive, ABS brakes, off-road package, power everything. Overall it is a great car. The only major problem I've had with mine was a cracked exhaust manifold within the first 40k miles. I replaced it with a Borla SS unit and have been fine every since. I'm now at 190,000 miles.

They are a great design, and $800 seems like a deal. As you know some of its history the price seems even better. 

Dan

[69bronzeT5]

Cherokee's are a dime a dozen now. Had a guy at work with a '94 4.0L 5spd he paid $500 for. Had 400,000km's on it, new exhaust and a fresh tune up done. He drove it for 3 weeks and sold it for $2,000. $800 is a good deal for the one you describe. How many miles/km's on it? I had a '93 Cherokee Country back in 2009, the thing leaked oil like a bitch. The valve cover gasket was bad so we changed it and it stopped leaking oil for about 3 days and then it would leak out of somewhere else. Went through about a litre of oil every week. I was on the ferry once and the deck was wet and I almost did a face plant when I stepped in the oil slick The front shafts were also going because went you went over 80kph the thing would shake something harsh. Finally the motor started going at about 320,000km's and then it caught on fire back in November. Surprise surprise the fuel line burst and up it went.... I still love Cherokee's though, my dad had 2 when I was growing up. He had a red '88 Limited that was slightly done up....sweet truck until someone stole it, stripped it and torched it. After that he bought a black '89 Limited and drove that for over a year before selling it.

[Slowpoke]

I'll put in my two cents. My daily driver wrangler has the I6 4.0, great motor but does have the same cracked exhaust manifold problem.
At 151000 miles still runs great and has no other problems. I would definitely get the Cherokee if I came across one for the same deal. 

[b5blue]

  Thanks I'll check on the miles, they gotta be low he just don't go anywhere.
  Bronzy your leak was probably the "O" rings for the oil filter housing where it mates to the block. They crap out @ around 80-100K miles from what I researched and get replaced with a better set of "O" rings that don't dry out. A cheap easy fix if you know what to do apparently.   

[HANDM]

By buddy just stopped by to borrow my "chicken foot" to change out the balancer on the 90 Cherokee he just bought running, for, get this....$100!!

Cant be too jealous though, he recently sold me a running 78 Chevy Bonanza in great shape for $300 

[A383Wing]

front suspension rubber pieces were prone to wear out fast...but probably anything from the 80's is worn anyway

[chargerboy69]

I love the Jeeps.  I have had a few from Wagoneers to Grand Cherokees.  I had a 89 Cherokee and loved it.  I sold it with nearly 300,000 miles on it, and I believe it is still going.  Not a bad price as long as the 2wd does not bother you. Here in the snow belt, a 4X4 is a must have option, and I would never consider a 2wd Jeep.

[b5blue]

Thanks all, 120K miles on it, he's said if I want it just change title and I can owe him, how's that for a friend!  My old 90 New Yorker has over 200K on it and keeps going but can't last too much longer. It's lasted 5 years longer than I ever thought or expected it would, the darn thing was running real crappy and would blow back into the intake if you tried to push past high idle. It fixed itself and runs better now but is sooo tired and worn out motor mounts and suspension is sloppy. I need next year to get body repairs under control on the Charger so it's weather proof. Front suspension bushings, I'll check that out.     

[b5blue]

  Went to look it over today, not bad at all for the money!    Looks like my next back-up ride!
 He has a detailed file since 99 with receipts for many parts with lifetime warranty on them so when I replace the radiator I can change the water pump, fan clutch and blower motor for free and install some other stuff while I'm at it.
  It started right up and ran smooth after sitting 2 weeks. Runs/drives/shifts nice and tires are like new, interior is in good shape. Passengers window has some kinda cable system in there he said. (?)  One rust hole in the lower corner of the driver side of the windshield he puttied over with windshield sealant. Checked the front end and all is still good. All in all a solid Jeep. I just noticed the pics are fuzzy, my camera was on "close up setting" and I didn't realize it.