1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Yay or Nay?

[st7]

Hi everybody,

I was looking to purchase a used 4x4 and came across a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee automatic with 380 000 km on the clock. Current faults that the owner has told me about is only that there is a noise when turning sharply (I assumed CV joints or ball joints). Seller claims no leaks or heating issues.

Service history-previous owner before her claimed to have serviced it prior to selling (5 months ago).

The asking price for the vehicle is R35 000.

From browsing through reviews and this forum I gathered that straight 6 4.0L engine is great, and these Jeeps were some of the best ever made.
My main attraction towards the vehicle was reading how reliable they are (previously was interested in a Landy, however the faults and maintenance would have been ridiculous). I plan on using it for around 500 Km a week- so it will be a daily ride.

1. Is the vehicle worth it for the price considering the massively high mileage?
2. How much would it be to replace the CV joints/ball joints or whatever needs be to stop the noise when turning sharply?(I contacted a CV joint repair shop and they have not got back to me yet).
3. Would the gear box and engine still be fine after such a high mileage assuming sporadic services or possibly none at all?
4. Would part acquisition for the vehicle be an issue?
5. If I do purchase it what would the approximate costs be to replace common parts that often need replacing after this high mileage (hoses etc.)?


Another option I was considering was a 2003 Jeep 2.7 Lerado CRD automatic with 200k km on the clock. The asking price is R42 000. The seller seems sort of dodgy but claims that the only issue is that the battery is dead but it has COR.

6. I read on these forums that the smaller engine capacities are money pits and would be better off with and I6 (pay at the pump rather at the repair shop). So would this 03 Jeep be bad ?

7. Can anybody tell me their experiences with these vehicles as well and whether I'd be making a good purchase?

Any and all advice is welcome. Thank you.

[Chris Stoffel]

Look on the American forums. There is a Wrangler TJ forum where they brag with their high mileage TJ's. It also have the 4L straight six.

[BarnieH]

Maybe HennieZJ can give you more info on the ZJ (first generation GC).
He used to have one. I do not know how available their parts are.
bA lot of their rear axles and disc brakes are used as a conversion in XJ's.

[Cowboy Bill]

I got a 1997 Grand Cherokee i6 4.0, also known as the ZJ. Got it for almost 2 years now. Parts are available, can be pricey but if you shop around its not so bad. Mine has 193000Km on the clock and I replaced a water pump, harmonic balancer (front crank pulley), the three idler pulleys and I removed the viscous fan and fitted electric fans with a fan switch.

Not really heavy on petrol, I get around 7.5km/l with town and bit of highway driving.

Personally I would take the 4.0, these motors are almost indestructible if looked after and serviced at regular intervals.

[Forest Fab]

Hi everybody,

I was looking to purchase a used 4x4 and came across a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee automatic with 380 000 km on the clock. Current faults that the owner has told me about is only that there is a noise when turning sharply (I assumed CV joints or ball joints). Seller claims no leaks or heating issues.

Service history-previous owner before her claimed to have serviced it prior to selling (5 months ago).

The asking price for the vehicle is R35 000.

From browsing through reviews and this forum I gathered that straight 6 4.0L engine is great, and these Jeeps were some of the best ever made.
My main attraction towards the vehicle was reading how reliable they are (previously was interested in a Landy, however the faults and maintenance would have been ridiculous). I plan on using it for around 500 Km a week- so it will be a daily ride.

1. Is the vehicle worth it for the price considering the massively high mileage?
2. How much would it be to replace the CV joints/ball joints or whatever needs be to stop the noise when turning sharply?(I contacted a CV joint repair shop and they have not got back to me yet).
3. Would the gear box and engine still be fine after such a high mileage assuming sporadic services or possibly none at all?
4. Would part acquisition for the vehicle be an issue?
5. If I do purchase it what would the approximate costs be to replace common parts that often need replacing after this high mileage (hoses etc.)?


Another option I was considering was a 2003 Jeep 2.7 Lerado CRD automatic with 200k km on the clock. The asking price is R42 000. The seller seems sort of dodgy but claims that the only issue is that the battery is dead but it has COR.

6. I read on these forums that the smaller engine capacities are money pits and would be better off with and I6 (pay at the pump rather at the repair shop). So would this 03 Jeep be bad ?

7. Can anybody tell me their experiences with these vehicles as well and whether I'd be making a good purchase?

Any and all advice is welcome. Thank you.

There are actually a few (read more than usual) for sale at the moment. This one has very high mileage, price is a bit steep.
Have a look here for example:
https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bak...80910239761109

Good luck.

[Oliver]

At 380,000km that 4.0 i6 is just about run in. I would not worry about that at all. You can replace all fluids and hoses, etc and you should be good to go for another 380k (or more).