common 89 cherokee problems?

f4isvt · 01-30-2011, 07:59 PM

Looking at buying a 89 cherokee and as a toyota guy dont know a whole lot about them. As a mechanic by trade I know to check alot of things but looking for any common jeep problems like rusty toyota frames to keep a extra good eye out for. The guy didnt tell me what motor was in it all I know about is its a 89 with a rebuilt engine and trans with roughly 80k on them. thanks

RuffedUpXJ · 01-30-2011, 09:54 PM

Cherokee's usually have a 4.0L and an AW4 auto trans. Both are pretty bullet proof. That one will come with a vacuum disconnect Dana 30 front axle, not too bad but can be upgraded. It will more than likely have a Dana 35 rear axle that is possibly non c-clip so that's better than the c-clip one. Watch for rust since the unibody is the "frame" and the rear leaf spring mounts can go and are a pain. The motors can easily run 200k without sludge.

WrenchMonkey · 01-31-2011, 01:01 AM

Yep, everything he said, plus saggy door hinges.

They're not hard to fix, I'll find you a link, cause you're probably gonna need it.

Robert

Here ya go:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=986973

GPER · 01-31-2011, 07:35 AM

My solution to the xj door hinge, welding wasn't that bad, it doesn't take much.
http://teamdevilfrogg.weebly.com/tec...-own-risk.html

jfiscus · 01-31-2011, 08:55 AM

Check inside the "frame" rails for rust on the floorboards & otherwise everything else is easy to fix if it's running/driving well. If the motor was replaced the motor/trans mounts should not be worn out like a lot are. Window motors going out is also pretty common in my experience since most came with power windows. One thing to keep an eye out for is a leaky fuel injector, if they leak they leak on the manifold & you know what that leads to...

underpowered · 01-31-2011, 08:12 PM

sounds like everyone else covered it pretty well.

saggy rear leafs is a very common problem as well. otherwise, pretty bulletproof little rides if you don't go too crazy with them

RuffedUpXJ · 01-31-2011, 10:32 PM

Yeah you can easily fix the rear leaf springs, get some S10 or other spring under 2.5" wide springs. Take the long leaves out of the donor pack and build one with the combonation.

01-30-2011, 07:59 PM	#1
f4isvt Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Beavercreek/Dayton Posts: 47	common 89 cherokee problems? Looking at buying a 89 cherokee and as a toyota guy dont know a whole lot about them. As a mechanic by trade I know to check alot of things but looking for any common jeep problems like rusty toyota frames to keep a extra good eye out for. The guy didnt tell me what motor was in it all I know about is its a 89 with a rebuilt engine and trans with roughly 80k on them. thanks __________________ 1989 ext cab yota 22re bored .20 over trd cam, trd headers, Marlin crawler front bumper w/stinger, Marlin crawler roll cage, trailgear rear bumper, trailgear rock sliders, richmond 5.29's, and lockright rear, 33 nokian mt's. 10k winch. Rear disc conversion. Chromoly rear axle shafts. Bombproof motor mounts and transfer case mount. Whole lot of rust and scratches.

01-30-2011, 09:54 PM	#2
RuffedUpXJ On XJ 2 Now Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield Twp. Posts: 314	Cherokee's usually have a 4.0L and an AW4 auto trans. Both are pretty bullet proof. That one will come with a vacuum disconnect Dana 30 front axle, not too bad but can be upgraded. It will more than likely have a Dana 35 rear axle that is possibly non c-clip so that's better than the c-clip one. Watch for rust since the unibody is the "frame" and the rear leaf spring mounts can go and are a pain. The motors can easily run 200k without sludge. __________________ 88 XJ - 5" lift - 35" BFG's - Bumpers - Rock Rails - Homebrewed OBA - Roof Rack - Tube Doors - Trimmed - Dented 87 XJ - D44 - Disco D30 - 235's - 231TC - Stock for now

01-31-2011, 01:01 AM	#3
WrenchMonkey Mechanical Animal - CORE Member - - Moderator - Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Beechmont Posts: 1,883	Yep, everything he said, plus saggy door hinges. They're not hard to fix, I'll find you a link, cause you're probably gonna need it. Robert Here ya go: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=986973 __________________ DIRTY DEEDS, DONE DIRT CHEAP Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stranger Last edited by WrenchMonkey; 01-31-2011 at 01:06 AM.

01-31-2011, 08:12 PM	#6
underpowered They call me......Scuba Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Burlington, KY Posts: 292	sounds like everyone else covered it pretty well. saggy rear leafs is a very common problem as well. otherwise, pretty bulletproof little rides if you don't go too crazy with them __________________ beat up rusted out k5

01-31-2011, 10:32 PM	#7
RuffedUpXJ On XJ 2 Now Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield Twp. Posts: 314	Yeah you can easily fix the rear leaf springs, get some S10 or other spring under 2.5" wide springs. Take the long leaves out of the donor pack and build one with the combonation. __________________ 88 XJ - 5" lift - 35" BFG's - Bumpers - Rock Rails - Homebrewed OBA - Roof Rack - Tube Doors - Trimmed - Dented 87 XJ - D44 - Disco D30 - 235's - 231TC - Stock for now

01-31-2011, 07:35 AM	#4
GPER Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kettering, Ohio Posts: 811	My solution to the xj door hinge, welding wasn't that bad, it doesn't take much. http://teamdevilfrogg.weebly.com/tec...-own-risk.html

01-31-2011, 08:55 AM	#5
jfiscus Terrain Stomper Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Crittenden, KY Posts: 633	Check inside the "frame" rails for rust on the floorboards & otherwise everything else is easy to fix if it's running/driving well. If the motor was replaced the motor/trans mounts should not be worn out like a lot are. Window motors going out is also pretty common in my experience since most came with power windows. One thing to keep an eye out for is a leaky fuel injector, if they leak they leak on the manifold & you know what that leads to...