04-02-2012, 10:52 PM
Damn....if it were 3-4 months from now id sell you mine 
These things are dead reliable. Bought mine for $3500, its an 01 and had 130k or so.
Stick to the 97+, gives you the updated interior.
Things I have had to replace...
A/C Evaporator.
PS Pump.
The A/C Evaporators are known to go out in these, and wranglers. Its a relatively cheap and easy fix, I can walk you through it. It does involve removing the dash, but can be done in a longer day or definitely in a weekend. May as well replace the heater core while your in there.
My PS pump went out, but was the original pump at 143K.
Things to look for....aside from the normal, buying a used car stuff.
Floor pan rust, get under it and poke around in the floor boards, rear trunk area. Also check the rocker panels.
Valvecover leaks, no biggie.
Rear main seal leak, easier fix, doesn't involve removing the transmission or anything, from what i've read.
The above can be disguised as a bad VC leak.
Water pump leak, I haven't had to do this, but I know Thayer has, I think its a 2-3hr job if you have never done it before.
As I said before, these things are stupid reliable, cheap to maintain, and easy to find parts for, new or from the junkyard. Next time your out, look for Cherokees, I see 10 or so a day. There is a reason so many of these are still on the road, and they haven't been made for 12 years.
These things are dead reliable. Bought mine for $3500, its an 01 and had 130k or so.
Stick to the 97+, gives you the updated interior.
Things I have had to replace...
A/C Evaporator.
PS Pump.
The A/C Evaporators are known to go out in these, and wranglers. Its a relatively cheap and easy fix, I can walk you through it. It does involve removing the dash, but can be done in a longer day or definitely in a weekend. May as well replace the heater core while your in there.
My PS pump went out, but was the original pump at 143K.
Things to look for....aside from the normal, buying a used car stuff.
Floor pan rust, get under it and poke around in the floor boards, rear trunk area. Also check the rocker panels.
Valvecover leaks, no biggie.
Rear main seal leak, easier fix, doesn't involve removing the transmission or anything, from what i've read.
The above can be disguised as a bad VC leak.
Water pump leak, I haven't had to do this, but I know Thayer has, I think its a 2-3hr job if you have never done it before.
As I said before, these things are stupid reliable, cheap to maintain, and easy to find parts for, new or from the junkyard. Next time your out, look for Cherokees, I see 10 or so a day. There is a reason so many of these are still on the road, and they haven't been made for 12 years.