1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 2" lift Teraflex

[4thefamily2]

Looking for a jeep for my daughter, found a WJ with a teraflex lift. It is a great looking jeep but felt a little loose side to side driving at lower speeds. Seemed to handle fine at higher speeds. Years ago I had a XJ with lift and it felt much tighter if i remember right. So here are my questions:

Is the teraflex lift a good one?
It has 125K miles what repairs will I be having?
Historical Issues that I will have?
Full time 4 wheel drive, what issues with this cause?

Any other advice on buying a WJ would be great. Thanks

 

[mbryson]

If you have the 4.0L that engine should have a LOT of life left in it. 4.7L V8, you never know. Fixing the "loose" should be relatively easy. Just some fresh bushings and such and you should be good to go?

 

[4thefamily2]

If you have the 4.0L that engine should have a LOT of life left in it. 4.7L V8, you never know. Fixing the "loose" should be relatively easy. Just some fresh bushings and such and you should be good to go?

It does have the 4.7L V8, Is this engine a POS?

 

[mbryson]

It does have the 4.7L V8, Is this engine a POS?

Not a POS but something to have checked out pretty thoroughly. Has good power and good characteristics and frankly is more desirable as far as the driving experience vs. the 4.0L (inline 6 cyl). I know of a couple of people with the 4.7L that are approaching 200k, so they're not bad. I do know of a few that have checked out earlier than expected as well.

Interesting thread for you

http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.ph...ortly)-be-my-new-rig&highlight=grand+cherokee

 

[Troop92]

Hey man. That thread he's directing you to is my thread from when I was deciding if I should or not. I've had my wj for a few months and have put about 1,500 miles on it, both and off road. I LOVE it.

I took my time and test drove a lot of them, it really came down to the maintenance the previous owners had done. Mine had 164k when I purchased it, the first 132k were an older lady that dealer serviced it for everything. Next 32k was a family in Spanish Fork that used it around town to ferry children about, with records from a local shop on maintenance and repairs. That really drove my decision, knowing the history and having documentation.

The V8 is a great engine, found in many Dodge products over the years. With good maintenance, they seem to last a long long time. With poor maintenance, they don't last long, just like any engine/vehicle.

Check the oil/tranny fluid levels, check what fluid is in radiator (green or champagne color, you want champagne), and get maintenance/carfax if possible.

www.wjjeeps.com is a great resource, and answers many questions.

 

[4thefamily2]

Troop92 did you look for certain maintenance things that had been done?

Thanks for the information.

 

[Troop92]

Troop92 did you look for certain maintenance things that had been done?

Thanks for the information.

Basics, really. Oil changes, transmission service, radiator service, etc. I was lucky enough to contact the dealerships it was serviced at and have complete maintenance records provided.

 

[Rock Taco]

WJs in general do have a few well documented issues. Blender doors, window switches/motors, sunroof drains leaking, heater cores leaking, seats breaking down fairly quickly, seat heaters, and previously mentioned engine issues. Most of them are really pretty minor and not too hard to fix. I do really enjoy my 4.7 in mine. Just check it out throughly and ask for the history and you should be fine. I used known issues as a key part of my price negotiation and was able to get a good deal on it.

 

[skippy]

my WJ needs a new blend door... but Im to lazy to fix it.