Hey all, as the title says I'm looking for some advice if anyone here knows enough about Jeeps to offer some. I've been a Chevy guy always, but I'm thinking of buying a Jeep next, as the style of Chevy truck I'm most interested in has proved really hard to find. Anyways, I'm kind of looking at one of two Jeeps, would be spending around 3500 or so on either. 1. 1994 YJ with a 4.5" suspension lift, 101k miles, 4cyl 2. 1984 CJ7, not sure if lifted but a small lift if it is, 71k miles, 6cyl Both are 5 speeds. I'd love some input. Intending on it being my one and only, daily driver. The CJ owner said that 3 things need attention, front U joint, power steering pump, water pump bearing. I'm no mechanic; a shop would need to do those for me. The YJ owner said it needed nothing, but I'm nervous to get a lifted vehicle, especially such a tall lift. Seems hard on the components, and 33" tires may be hard the 4cyl engine? In my head I'm leaning towards the CJ as the body looks cleaner in pics and it's located close by, the YJ is 4 hours driving each way, so I would want to be 100% positive I wanted it before traveling so far. Thanks in advance if anyone can contribute some knowledge! Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum mobile app
Whenever I was buying used cars, I drove them to a local mechanic first for a quick checkup to see what may need fixing. Even if you don't live in the town the car is in, you can always call ahead to local mechs and see who'd let you bring the car in for a quick look. It may cost a standard diagnostic fee, but those are generally low and worth having the piece of mind of a professional taking a look at the car for you before you hurl money @ it. Almost every seller I did this with did not mind that I took the car for a quick look. If they do then you know they don't trust the car enough to stand a pro taking a look @ it and that is a good indicator for you to back out of the purchase.
I've looked at Jeeps in the past but never actually acquired one...but I seem to recall that the consensus on the old AMC straight-6 was that they were damned near bulletproof. My brother had the same engine in a '72 Hornet that came to him when a family member had passed (they bought the Hornet new). I also do not remember hearing much good about the four-banger that Jeep went to, with the move having been to try and improve the corporate average fuel economy. What I recall was not so much the durability issues but simply that it was a woefully under-powered plant even in something the size of a Jeep... Power steering pump is probably pretty straight-forward (ie. a few bolts and two hoses and then repositioning and tightening the belt). Water pump and ujoint probably fall in the category of expect at least a few hours each on the labor although the parts shouldn't be that much damage on the checkbook....
Don't even think about the YJ, A 4cyl in a Jeep is as useless as 36D's on a nun. The straight I6 AMC is built like no other! Can run with an oil pan full of sand...well almost! I must ask though an 87' CJ7 with only 71K miles for $3,500 is very under priced even with the needed work. From that money I would expect to be looking at a beat up body with a ton of miles. Also are you familiar with "death wobble" in Jeeps? Not as common in CJ as in other models but still very much a problem. Very scary and very hard to pin point the issue. Hearing this one needs a steering pump raises a huge red flag for me. I have friends that have had to replace everything from the frame out to the hubs to fix the problem. Frankly with the issues listed for the CJ clearly the owner did not take care of his machine. What are the real hidden problems he is not telling you?
Thanks for replying everybody! The CJ is actually listed at $6000 obo, so it would take some finessing to get it for 35. No guarantee that he would let it go for that price, but it's possible. Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum mobile app
The 4 cyl will be alright off road as it's got plenty of torque, but don't expect to go 70 with any headwind. And around here 4.5 is NOT a tall lift Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum mobile app
ithe straight six is the way to go in a jeep. Owned a YJ with the 4 in it for like 6 months before it blew up. My good buddy has a cj7 and that thing is bullet proof. Not at all hard to wok on ither
I'm a mechanic and my advice is don't by a used one. If you do be very careful about what you buy, chances are if it's cheap it's on its last legs. My personal favorite Jeep is the Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 V8. Sent from my XT1080 using Grasscity Forum mobile app