4.0 true durability?

[Body Hauler]

I've been looking at various Wranglers, unfortunately I know I can't afford any examples I see. Cherokees on the other hand are in my price range. I've heard that 4.0's can be good for 250K with maintenance but scouring craigslist, Ebay and various Jeep Forum classifieds I see multiple ads stating "175K rebuilt engine at 160K" and so on.

Is this just from poor maintenance or off-road abuse that is hurting these God like engines?
Also yes I know I'm in for a ton of different answers but since I doubt I'll get the answer from the owners themselves I look here.

[coatofarms]

From my personal experience the 4.0 is a great motor. Readily available parts nearly anywhere I go, relativity inexpensive, reliable on and off road. *Decent* mpgs, (upper teen avg with 4wd)

Just a few examples, my sisters 4.0 cherokee, 3xxk miles, her husband 230+, my father 198k, my last 4.0 215k and ran GREAT when sold.

So real question is, what are you looking for? A trail rig, a daily or both?

I personally stray away from "rebuilds" unless done as an upgrade.(4.6 or 4.7 stroker) It has been my experience, the main reason for a rebuild is negligence in maintenance. And from my personal car buying experience its usually not just the engine, and that's the first to go. Ask me how I know

So, best of wishes in your future purchase, if you are patient and find the right one, I assure you will not regret buying a cherokee. The 4.0 can tow, haul and crawl. And its fun enough to drive around daily. Auto or manual, both I have owned and like.

P.S. read up on the 97-01 cyl head/head-gasket issues. Not trying to scare you, just be cautious.

[zane!]

FWIW, I've never seen one live to 200k in the PNW. 150-175k seems to be their lifespan from what I've seen. I would never consider buying a Cherokee with over 120k.

[AndyG86]

I have 175k on my cherokee and it still runs great, granted it was built at ~75k bored out to 0.030 and cammed. if anything happens I am going to build it to a stroker.

[Cameron1152]

FWIW, I've never seen one live to 200k in the PNW. 150-175k seems to be their lifespan from what I've seen. I would never consider buying a Cherokee with over 120k.

thats your own stupidity.. And your blind. There are 6 Cherokees on portland cl with over 200k.. Mine is a 87 4wd so the unfamed renix and I have 285k miles.. Runs perfect, shifts perfect, pulls decently for what it is, and does amazing offroad for stock. I would drive it anywhere. Actually drove it 300 miles yesterday with another 600 miles planned in a month.

[coatofarms]

thats your own stupidity.. And your blind. There are 6 Cherokees on portland cl with over 200k.. Mine is a 87 4wd so the unfamed renix and I have 285k miles.. Runs perfect, shifts perfect, pulls decently for what it is, and does amazing offroad for stock. I would drive it anywhere. Actually drove it 300 miles yesterday with another 600 miles planned in a month.

Heck yes, thats what I am talking about. I beat the crap out of my 4.0 off road, in some nasty thick clay, then go spray it off and drive it hundreds of miles. Meaniingful feed back from actual owners.

[turboed vw]

I recently bought a 2000 cherokee with 4.0L with 176 000 miles on it and it runs like new. Look for the ones that have good maintenance and you should be fine.

[zane!]

thats your own stupidity.. And your blind. There are 6 Cherokees on portland cl with over 200k.. Mine is a 87 4wd so the unfamed renix and I have 285k miles.. Runs perfect, shifts perfect, pulls decently for what it is, and does amazing offroad for stock. I would drive it anywhere. Actually drove it 300 miles yesterday with another 600 miles planned in a month.

Good for those Cherokees.

EVERY Cherokee I've owned and had friends own developed rod knocks or other issues by 150k. I have never seen an untouched engine go to 200k. That is my experience, yours sounds more promising than mine.

[CreeperSleeper]

I agree with Zane... The Chero-cars may have that many miles but I would be willing to bet that the motor was repaired or rebuilt at some point.

[wheeltowheel]

Purchased my 1995 Cherokee with 180k.

It's on +215k now and isn't showing any signs of stopping. I can't believe that someone would be worried about one with over 120k


Cherokee 1 by wheeltowheel, on Flickr

[Uk in NY]

my 4.0 is just about to cross the 130k mark.

I had to have a camshaft replaced, and I have been diligent with maintenance. Motor runs better today than at 30k.

Parts are cheap, they are easy to work on. MPG sucks.

If you are willing to work on it yourself, 120k is no issue on a well maintained truck.

[Body Hauler]

Thanks for the responses, sorry I hadn't checked in though. My plans would be 80/20 work fun. I do have a bit of daily city driving that i must do. I am not interested in picking up a project or somebodies trail rig as I have my own ideas. I have the time to look that's not an issue what is, is now that I'm looking I can't find I want.

[driggity]

My 1988 Comanche (so another Renix) had just over 190K miles when I sold it. I don't know what the history of it was but as far as I know it didn't have an engine rebuild during it's life. It was a little slow to start but it ran great. It was originally a northeast truck and made it's way to the northwest at some point. At least part of it's life in the northeast was spent with a snow plow attached.

[Body Hauler]

So I finally got around to testing out a couple Cherokee's (a 94' 96 and a 97)and have run into a small problem. It seems I cannot comfortably get into the drivers seat. I have the seat all the way back and steering all the way up (if equipped) but I cannot get my head in with out bending and leaning beyond comfort. I'm only 6' and 230. I have never liked getting into the backseat of one but since I didn't plan on driving the truck from there it didn't seem like a big deal. I didn't have this problem driving my friend Wrangler but I may have to scrap buying a XJ.

[scottbob99]

I'm 6'-4" and would not buy one as I do not fit!!! I had a 98 Grand Cherokee and that seemed OK, ran great too. Good luck.

[1badMKIrocco]

It all depends on the kind of mileage.

I sold a car to a guy that was replacing his Cherokee, with 347,000 miles on it. He commuted 100 miles of hwy a day and the only thing that was worn out was the Oil Pump, he could've thrown an new on in there and driven for doG only knows how much longer.

Even the worst engines can last a long time without abuse and proper maintenance, I knew a kid 10yrs ago that had a 2.8L V-6 firebird that had over 250K on it, and he'd have kept it longer if someone hadn't stolen it.

[autopulse]

]

my 4.0 is just about to cross the 130k mark.

I had to have a camshaft replaced, and I have been diligent with maintenance. Motor runs better today than at 30k.

Parts are cheap, they are easy to work on. MPG sucks.

If you are willing to work on it yourself, 120k is no issue on a well maintained truck.

Very True. Although I noticed that with near stock sized tires the 4.0L does pretty well. BUT... put 32x7.5s on and it will drop to terrible, tear inducing numbers.

pic for thought. yes mine was a trail brat, but i also ran it on the freeways frequently

[IMG][/IMG]

[SebTheDJ]

My XJ had 291k miles before I sold it. The engine is a tank. Changed oil ever 3k miles.

[deadbob]

I got 196,000 out of my original 4.0 in my 98 wrangler. Cracked cylinder did it in. I used nothing but synthetic oil in it. I changed the oil every 3000 miles (wasn't needed) change the plugs every 50,000 even thought they didn't need it. I was rough on it, but it was well taken care of. Then one day on the way to work it just gave up the ghost accelerating into traffic with no warning. I now have about 69,000 on a Jasper 4.0 and it's running very strong right now. I'm hoping I can make another 130,000 miles on it before it goes.

[Cameron1152]

Figured since I commented saying I trust my jeep to go anywhere.. Put over 1500 miles on it 2 weeks ago and not even one problem... Burned no oil, leaked nothing, nothing broke, and averaged about 16mpg. I need a oil change (about 5k miles on this one) but other then that no issues.. I'm at 292k miles now..