Jeep reliability or luck?

Requires little maintenance or didn't have anything break? They're entirely different issues. If you don't do "all the little things" as part of regular maintenance it's often pretty expensive when the neglected things DO break. Same thing goes when buying a used one. One that didn't "require" a lot of service versus one that didn't get regular service are things to ask about for when shopping. I'd much rather have one that's been regularly cared for instead of one that's not had any attention. Within limits, of course.

If it was me I'd first think about what Id be using the vehicle for ... if it's as you say daily drive (no towing/light offroad/don't need a truck) I'd look into something like maybe a little RAV4 ... supposedly reliable, economical (a buddy commutes with one about 100 miles daily) ... no chance the wife/girlfriend/boyfriend would pull out onto the highway in 4H (e.g. part time command-trac). And I'd spend all that gas money I saved on ... beer.

Not to say that I'm not real happy with my '96 Cherokee 4.0L HO 290,000 km ... but I pull the old boat here and there ...

snipped-for-privacy@rogers.com/

Well 380,000 km's on my 93 XJ so far and no major work has been done, it has an outstanding list of stuff to be done, the most major of which is to replace the rear sagging springs. If you decide to pick up a used XJ, ZJ or WJ make sure you look at the floors (both cabin and cargo), specially if you live in the salt belts (snowy areas), I replaced mine about 5 yrs ago. I believe Bill has pics of before, during and after.

Over all.. if its in good shape, doesn't make funny noises when it runs/drives, I'd consider it.

Snow... "waiting for the storm to hit YYZ, should be a fun night at work."

WJ bodies are galvanized.

For those rear springs I really recommend the Ride Control units I put on my XJ. I keep them at 30 psi, they'll handle up to 2000 lbs each. Here's an old (last year) pic ...

snipped-for-privacy@rogers.com/ . Thesewere installed after that last pic of the jeep and boat that was here. Towsnice and flat now :-)

I'd get another 79 CJ5!!

Sell you mine for $15K!. Hell, I'd sell it for 1.5K ;- )

If you do any off-roading at all, look for a 97-99 Cherokee, about 100K miles, with no body rust and well-kept service records/receipts for $5-8K. Good options to look for are 8.25" rear end, 3.73 gears (tow package?), 'selec-trac' full time 4x4. For peace of mind, check the service record and replace any parts nearing end-of life (joints, bearings, seals, belt, sensors, alternator, battery, fluids, etc.). Take the balance of your $15K and get a good quality 3" lift that replaces all springs, shocks, and control arms, then install a good set of 31" all-terrain tires. Voila - daily driver that's fun to drive on road and off.

The important bits such as the I6 engine, transfer case, transmission, axle assemblies, are reliable and can take you to 300K miles if they've been well maintained.

Steve

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com proclaimed:

For 15K you should be able to get a really really nice Cherokee. I paid way less than that for a low miles 95 Grand Cherokee about 4.5 years ago, and see lotsa good Grands on the lots in that range.

as are TJs Don't know about YJs though ?

Dave

They galvanized the YJ body too. CJ's weren't.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail >