Cheap 4x4

Daleo8803

Daleo8803

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I'm wanting to get a cheap 4x4 to beat around in and go to some easy trails. Nothing crazy( like rock crawling).

I'm really looking at a jeep cherokee xj with a 4.0. I have heard from alot of people these are great trucks to have, dependable, easy to find parts and cheap to buy.

Any thing I need to pay attention to when looking at a used Cherokee xj?

Any other recommendations for a cheap 4x4?

Oh and I'm only looking to spend around $2000 for the truck. Thanks

Prefer to stick with a SUV so I can take the dog and the little lady :)
 
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Too bad you don’t want a 2-seat rock crawler. I couldn’t go down to $2K, but I could make you a deal if you were willing to do some fixing up. :D
 
I'm going to tag along in this one.

My wife got my truck painted, so I'm pretty much gonna be keeping an eye out for something I don't mind driving down into the woods and red clay.
 
Daleo8803 said:
I'm wanting to get a cheap 4x4 to beat around in and go to some easy trails. Nothing crazy( like rock crawling).

I'm really looking at a jeep cherokee xj with a 4.0. I have heard from alot of people these are great trucks to have, dependable, easy to find parts and cheap to buy.

Any thing I need to pay attention to when looking at a used Cherokee xj?

Any other recommendations for a cheap 4x4?

Oh and I'm only looking to spend around $2000 for the truck. Thanks

Prefer to stick with a SUV so I can take the dog and the little lady :)
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Do yourself a favor and talk to @BigWaylon

He has a sweet Jeep that’s already built for about anything you can throw at it...
 
I did a lot of looking before I bought a 4x4 truck. You will have a hard time at 2k unless it's a big project. Even 15 year old 4x4 trucks go for about 4-5k.
 
Sevenshot said:
I did a lot of looking before I bought a 4x4 truck. You will have a hard time at 2k unless it's a big project. Even 15 year old 4x4 trucks go for about 4-5k.
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I'm looking at a early 90s jeep cherokee xj in particular. They seem to be around for about 2k to 3k in decent shape. Found one with alot of stuff done with a fresh rebuilt motor for $3800.
 
So on a cherokee if you dont get a manual(they are harder to find in good condition) you are going to want to do away with the stock one(trans cooler) and put on a aftermarket one. The stock one is built into the radiator and the sistered pinch point can cause the fluids to mix when(not if) it fails.
Other then that, make sure it has a head liner, its impossible to find one in a junk yard. Parts are cheap, the remote oil locator on the side if the block will be leaking and stay away from any of them that dont have a 4.0. That inline six is almost bullet proof, I have had more then my fair share but I always seem to get rid of them.
Oh and lsd is a must if you want to go off road in one.
 
90s cherokees can be had cheap.

def 4.0, i’d go auto

it can do almost every trail at uwharrie (easy lines) is it’s not wet

tow hooks front and rear

winch is even better

avoid manual transmission w internal slave cylinder (peugeot)

if you like it the sky is the limit on upgrades

problem i see is that people frequently build and never wheel. figure out what it/you can do and build as you find stuff you can’t do but want to
 
* Stay away from renix. 90>
You want to look for 91 up 4.0. (Personally I’d look for a 96-99)
Stay away from CAD front axles

* Not a deal breaker for your use but 8.25 rear over the d35 equipped ones will be less to worry about.

* Look for rust in floor above muffler, rear cargo pan area and sides of the front pans.

*If the fenders have been cut make sure they stayed below the pinch seam on the rear wheel arch.

* The AW4 is a great transmission so don’t be scared of the auto if your more into manuals.

* likely most you find will need a rear main seal.


Great little rigs. Good drivetrains and simple to work on. They ride like poop, cramped inside and most have been beat on hard.


Good luck on your search. There are some deals out there but you’ll have to search and get lucky to find a unmolested one.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
chromerunner said:
* Stay away from renix. 90>
You want to look for 91 up 4.0. (Personally I’d look for a 96-99)
Stay away from CAD front axles

* Not a deal breaker for your use but 8.25 rear over the d35 equipped ones will be less to worry about.

* Look for rust in floor above muffler, rear cargo pan area and sides of the front pans.

*If the fenders have been cut make sure they stayed below the pinch seam on the rear wheel arch.

* The AW4 is a great transmission so don’t be scared of the auto if your more into manuals.

* likely most you find will need a rear main seal.


Great little rigs. Good drivetrains and simple to work on. They ride like poop, cramped inside and most have been beat on hard.


Good luck on your search. There are some deals out there but you’ll have to search and get lucky to find a unmolested one.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Thanks for the info. I did find a decent deal on a 1989 XJ. What is the reason to stay away from them?

Also what about the grand Cherokee? From what I can tell they are just a little bigger with a v8. Is there anything about them I should look at? Thanks


On a side note. I can get a 1997 yukon 4x4 for free. But it will need a engine. I can swap the engine my self. Do yal think that would be a decent option?
 
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I went through a long 99 Cherokee phase, but I got tired of hitting my knee on the blinker and ducking to see red lights. (6’5”) I sold my 4x4 l, and the RWD’s engine started knocking at about 300k so I parked it. The 4.0 inline 6 is a great engine, and even the 2WD has got more traction than most 4WD’s - don’t know what magic they put in that drivetrain, but you can’t get them stuck.

Now I have a couple of 2 door 95 Tahoes. I need to sell one of them but $2000 feels a little low.

d638dd1d8b7d815ea67cf7d05508f2cb.jpg
 
bigfutz said:
I went through a long 99 Cherokee phase, but I got tired of hitting my knee on the blinker and ducking to see red lights. (6’5”) I sold my 4x4 l, and the RWD’s engine started knocking at about 300k so I parked it. The 4.0 inline 6 is a great engine, and even the 2WD has got more traction than most 4WD’s - don’t know what magic they put in that drivetrain, but you can’t get them stuck.

Now I have a couple of 2 door 95 Tahoes. I need to sell one of them but $2000 feels a little low.

d638dd1d8b7d815ea67cf7d05508f2cb.jpg
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So, what feels about right? There are still people looking.
 
Might have to go with an old Subaru Forester. Put trail tires on it and raise it up a bit and will do what most 4x4 can unless you are doing extremely technical stuff.
 
@Daleo8803

Have you looked at the Suzuki Samurai? I bought a '88 when it was 2 years old for dirt cheap. Put 100k miles on it over 4 years and then sold it for the same $ to my neighbor. He ran it for another 8 years till the body dropped off it (I don't miss the NE road salt).

Quite surprising on how many after markets parts are available.
 
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XJ's are wonderful trucks. They are not as nice commuter vehicles (this is true of most "real" 4x4s) .

Don't worry about headliner. In the 2k range they're all going to sag.

Dont worry about dents. (you're in the 2K range, you want better driveline then body)

When you drive it, get it to about 50 - 55 and see what happens when you hit a pothole. If your boxers are still dry after that, it's a good sign.

These things are wonderful 4x4's . I miss mine (99 limited). I bought mine used (carmax). I put 160,000 miles on it. Other than consumables (brakes, belts) I put the following parts in it that failed:

* High pressure AC cut off switch (1)
* Starter (1)

Parts are cheap and plentiful, unlike imports. Total for the above was less than $125. There's nothing in this truck that's likely to break that you can't fix yourself.
 
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Daleo8803 said:
Thanks for the info. I did find a decent deal on a 1989 XJ. What is the reason to stay away from them?
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Not sure about 89 year model but the 88 I had did not have what I would call a true radiator cap. It was a pressurized system with just a small tank at firewall. Problem was if it ever overheaded or needed to add coolant it was royal pain to get it to take it and get air out. Basicly had to go threw several heating and cooling cycles if system was warm and top hose was not easy to pull it off to add it there. I know few years later they went back to a standard setup. Other than that the 88 was a good vehicle seems like later one got bump in hp as well.
 
What about the 80’s military blazer with a diesel.
88946f1752f9be73449c11a35c912b73.jpg

Or the s10 blazer could be fun. My grandpa had one. Super reliable, I had a lot of fond memories bouncing around in the red vinyl backseat. Was also the car I learned to drive a manual transmission. Had me stop on a an incline hill and told me once I figured out how to accelerate smoothly from a dead stop the rest was easy.
3f37135a5b9675c6c7b39f72f530a59f.jpg

I miss that thing and would love to eventually get a typhoon.
27b508b03846a2b1c6a18c16b1f790d1.jpg
 
bigfutz said:
Now I have a couple of 2 door 95 Tahoes. I need to sell one of them but $2000 feels a little low.

d638dd1d8b7d815ea67cf7d05508f2cb.jpg
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I’ve thought about selling mine a few times and my wife always talked me out of it telling me I’d regret it. She was right.

I’ve put a lot of work into this over the years and it has hauled my family and stuff across this country from North Carolina back to Ohio, all the way to Oregon, and half back to Colorado.

Now I’m waiting to live at place where it can be parked inside when not in use so I can do paint, body work, and refresh the interior (cracked dash).

Would like to get it in “new” condition.
1356fb600b829c1fd1e236d906c85e36.jpg
 
Daleo8803 said:
Thanks for the info. I did find a decent deal on a 1989 XJ. What is the reason to stay away from them?

Also what about the grand Cherokee? From what I can tell they are just a little bigger with a v8. Is there anything about them I should look at? Thanks


On a side note. I can get a 1997 yukon 4x4 for free. But it will need a engine. I can swap the engine my self. Do yal think that would be a decent option?
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Oh hell yes on the free Yukon. Those L31 V8s are a dime a dozen really. Easy swap too. If you get the truck for free, you'll be looking at being into it for less than a grand. If you don't want the free Yukon, hook me up!
 
matttahoe53 said:
What about the 80’s military blazer with a diesel.
88946f1752f9be73449c11a35c912b73.jpg

Or the s10 blazer could be fun. My grandpa had one. Super reliable, I had a lot of fond memories bouncing around in the red vinyl backseat. Was also the car I learned to drive a manual transmission. Had me stop on a an incline hill and told me once I figured out how to accelerate smoothly from a dead stop the rest was easy.
3f37135a5b9675c6c7b39f72f530a59f.jpg

I miss that thing and would love to eventually get a typhoon.
27b508b03846a2b1c6a18c16b1f790d1.jpg
Click to expand...

I have looked at the early s10 blazers as I have a 2wd that I can use for parts BUT they have independent front suspension. From what i have read i need to stay with a solid axle.
 
matttahoe53 said:
I’ve thought about selling mine a few times and my wife always talked me out of it telling me I’d regret it. She was right.

I’ve put a lot of work into this over the years and it has hauled my family and stuff across this country from North Carolina back to Ohio, all the way to Oregon, and half back to Colorado.

Now I’m waiting to live at place where it can be parked inside when not in use so I can do paint, body work, and refresh the interior (cracked dash).

Would like to get it in “new” condition.
1356fb600b829c1fd1e236d906c85e36.jpg
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Where'd you get that bumper? That's what I want for my Suburban.IMG_1233.jpeg
 
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Tucci454 said:
Where'd you get that bumper? That's what I want for my Suburban.View attachment 186848
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I had it built by these guys in Monroe, NC as a one off. http://rtefab.com

I bought a warn bumper on Craigslist for cheap. It was nasty and chrome but I liked the winch mount being low and hidden behind the bumper. They used the warn winch mount that bolted to the frame as the starting point and frame then built the rest of the bumper around it.

Edit: Found the basis. A warn enforcer bumper.
0e8609fc612eaf05149e7d91ef99cfc2.jpg


I also have this as my rear that me and another guy built together. I designed and he knew how to weld. It was fun.
04b36bbda03cef975774c10de6da7c51.jpg
 
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Daleo8803 said:
I have looked at the early s10 blazers as I have a 2wd that I can use for parts BUT they have independent front suspension. From what i have read i need to stay with a solid axle.
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Yep definitely a draw back if you plan on getting in it.

The Yukon is an ifs as well, but my Tahoe has been fine when I take it to the mountains. I have no need to push it.
 
@matttahoe53

Here is my 1995 2 door Tahoe. Was my dads. But because it was his I cant mod it or he would kill me lol plus I dont want to rough it up any more than she is offroad. I use her to haul the dog around, pull trailers, and get lumber when I need it.

Oh and she has 298k miles atm :) been a great truck.
 

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In addition to what said about 4.0 Jeeps (and many a grand cherokee has the 4.0 also)the valve cover gasket will be leaking and the radiator as well.People seem to neglect the cooling systems on these so look at the coolant.Rust color is not good lol.I have had three of them from 94 to 98 including an awd TSi model with the 5.2 (transfer case noisy as heck).

For 2k it will most likely be high miles and a little rough which is ok if you don't mind.

98 back is a ZJ and 99-04/5? is a WJ for the grand cherokees in Jeep speak.A good old box cherokee is just no frills workaholic.
 
What about a Mazda Navajo, I have one 4x4 (push button) stick shift 2 door 4.0 v6 ......1800.00

she isn’t a beauty queen but solid
 
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There's a reason the post office are driving Box Cherokees with a bigger white box on them.
 
Daleo8803 said:
@matttahoe53

Here is my 1995 2 door Tahoe. Was my dads. But because it was his I cant mod it or he would kill me lol plus I dont want to rough it up any more than she is offroad. I use her to haul the dog around, pull trailers, and get lumber when I need it.

Oh and she has 298k miles atm :) been a great truck.
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Someone show me one that didn’t get the “snakeskin” hood paint, please!

Like mine, I’ll bet it looks alot better when wet.
 
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