Need Jeep Advice(not on my SJ...on XJ)

[LRRH]

thanks for taking the time to come in and look! tomrrow(Saturday) my girlfriend is perhaps buying a 92 Chero Laredo. Is there anything I should look for in particular???? It has adjustable Rancho 9000's on it that don't work(compressor turns on...but no adjustment), about 105K miles, and other than that it's plain as can be. anything I should look that is problematic?

thanks

[joe]

Since you're in salted roads country I would look closely at the underside of the thing. They're a uniframe construction with the body welded to the frame rather than conventional mounts and "it ain't much of a frame". It's not a real frame as we're used too on FSJ's but a rather el cheapo angle iron version. I just bought a '90 XJ here in WA where rust usually isn't a prob but this XJ spent it's first 6 years in bathed in NH salt and mine is still pretty solid underneath but...it'll be something to keep an eye on. I've heard other folks complaining about the door hinges falling/rotting off too I've haven't had any experience with that though...yet. Mine seems to a fun little thing, runs great but it's no bigger inside or out than my CJ-8 and it does seem to be built a little cheesy. At least compared to the oldiron I'm used too. Still having trouble with the concept of sitting in it and not seeing one piece of metal anywhere..."everything" inside is plastic :(
XJ's seem to be the Bic lighters of 4x4's...when they're done ya just throw'em away I guess smile.gif

[fas2c]

XJ's are are POS. Some like them , but I'd rather have a SJ.
IF I were to buy an XJ look for a 4.0 Ltr and a clean underside. The rear ends are crap, although there are plenty of swap-ins. The front ends are pretty good a locker would be a plus. Transfercase is not bad fairly durable but it needs to be protected.
If it is lifted look closely for driveshaft vibration. Sometimes it is an easily fixed by dropping the Xfer case and inch. But it might need more expensive work, costing hundreds of dollars in parts. :eek:
Watch the high mileage too. With proper care, the inline 6 will last a life time, and will amaze you with its capabilities. It is a GREAT motor! :D But, as with any engine if it has been ignored then the cost of your purchase has risen as well. Long blocks are availible but can get pricey.
Good luck,
fas2c
ps: try to talk her into a FSJ then you will match ;)