1998 Cherokee Laredo

[pint]

I might inherit a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4 from my parents for my soon to be 16 year old son. It has 132K on the 6 cylinder and had been pretty well taken care of. I know NOTHING about Jeeps! Sorry, I have been a Toyota guy, but need to learn! My mom is retiring and they are going down to one vehicle. How reliable is the 6 cylinder? I thought I heard it can go 200-300K with proper maintenance? Is there a good factory service manual for general maintenance? What kind of PM should I expect on a 132K vehicle...belts, hoses, plugs, etc? I run Mobil 1 everywhere in my Land Cruiser. What do you guys recommend for the engine, tranny, diffs, transfer case, etc? Any trouble spots I need to watch out for??? If we get the truck, I want to get all PM's up to date, and then a mild lift and tires. The Jeep will be driven mostly on the road, but used for some camping, skiing, and mild back country adventure.

[Root Moose]

XJs are more or less bulletproof. Inspect the fluids and plugs and just start following the maintenance guide in the users manual and/or FSM and enjoy.

Seeing as the vehicle is owned by a family member I'd be inclined to continue the already existing maint sched.

[4Rescue]

Have a look at the water pump if you can and see if it's been replaced. Also look into the Crank Position Sensor, and the ball joints to name a few things. THey have issues, but if it hasn't been wheeled (and seeing as you KNOW the history of the rig comintg from your folks...) then it should be in good shape. As a first truck/4x4 for your son it'll be great.

Cheers

Dave

[pint]

Never been wheeled...maybe a gravel road, but that's it! My dad is religious about changing fluids, rotating tires, etc, but doesn't necessarily do specific 30K, 60K, 90K maintenance. The truck is in good shape, but I'm guessing will maybe needs plugs, belts, etc. Does Jeep have a good factory service manual? Toyota offers a nice set for my Land Cruiser. Costs a couple hundred bucks new, but has saved me thousands!



Have a look at the water pump if you can and see if it's been replaced. Also look into the Crank Position Sensor, and the ball joints to name a few things. THey have issues, but if it hasn't been wheeled (and seeing as you KNOW the history of the rig comintg from your folks...) then it should be in good shape. As a first truck/4x4 for your son it'll be great.

Cheers

Dave

[Root Moose]

Search online. Complete FSM is out there in PDF format - in multiple iterations and vintages. You want the 2000XJ one with the wiring diagrams.

[pint]

I won't be getting the truck for a few months, just trying to prepare. What do you guys recommend for fluids...oil, tranny, etc? What about an inexpensive 2" or so lift?

[modelbuilder]

Do you mean Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Laredo?

There is no such thing as a Jeep Cherokee Laredo.

The 1998 Grand is a ZJ not an XJ.

.

[IntrepidXJ]

There is no such thing as a Jeep Cherokee Laredo.


That's not a 100% accurate statement. There was no Jeep Cherokee Laredo in 1998....that is correct. But there was a Jeep Cherokee Laredo from 1985-1992.

[modelbuilder]

Ahh cool. I did not know that.

But the OP is talking about an ZJ not an XJ correct?

[IntrepidXJ]

But the OP is talking about an ZJ not an XJ correct?

Since the year is 1998, I would say he probably is

[pint]

It is a Grand Cherokee Ladedo.

[pint]

So it's a ZJ. With proper maintenance, what kind of lifespan can I expect out of the engine, tranny, etc? Any major problem areas to watch for? It's going to be driven by my 16 year old son....

[BlueBomber]

Is it selec-trac or quadra-trac. basicly is it 4x4 only or can you select 2WD.

[OverlandZJ]

The 42re auto trans behind the 4.0L has it's share of failures. My 98 lasted till 160K miles, $1400 for a rebuild. With your pops maintenance it may go longer if your son can keep his foot out of it.

Theres lots of 4.0L's well over 300K, keep the maintenance a top priority.

Show us some pics.

[pint]

Is it selec-trac or quadra-trac. basicly is it 4x4 only or can you select 2WD.

You can select 2wd or 4wd.

[Mashurst]

Assuming it has a 231 tcase you will want to go with the expensive dealer fluid. others can damage the synchros.

[GTABurnout]

Assuming it has a 231 tcase you will want to go with the expensive dealer fluid. others can damage the synchros.

I and many others have run typical tranny fluid in these 231's I was told you can also use gear type oil but keeping it the same as the tranny is ok as well...

[Root Moose]

Jeep NV transfer cases require ATF.

The only "expensive dealer fluid" preferred in a ZJ is for the ChryCo transmission. Transfer case is nothing special.

[Booner]

My 98 ZJ Laredo has 130K trouble free miles. BDS 3.5 suspension with 1" aluminum spacers, BDS discos, JKS trackbars, and Hankook MT 32s all around. Will soon have Detroit TruTracs F/R. The ZJ is fun on the trail and great on the street. Enjoy yours.

[pint]

Looks like I'm gonna inherit the truck next month. My dad is having his mechanic go through it looking for any major issues (shouldn't be any), put in a new battery and shocks. A couple questions:

I've driven the truck a few times and there has always been a front end vibration. Doesn't bother my parents, but it does me. It's not the tires. Could it be tie rod ends or any other ideas?

Also, what is the largest tire I can fit comfortably without a lift? It's gonna need tires and I'm thinking BFG AT/KO's. I love Nitto Terra Grapplers, but I don't think they make a tire small enough?

Thanks in advance.

[OverlandZJ]

You mention the vibration to the mechanic?

He should be looking at the axleshaft and driveshaft u-joints, driveshaft slipyoke, pinion bearing, bent wheel, alignment, tracbar, steering ... you get the idea.

30x9.50 is about the largest you can go and still have clearance for some mild offroading. The BFG's would be an excellent choice IMO.