I've been looking at some used Grand Cherokees. They are 96's to 2000's and have between 75k and 105k on them and are selling for $4000-$7000. Is it true that the 4.0 six cylinder can easily get over 200k without too many problems? Anything I should pay special attention to when looking at these?

yes 200 K is not uncommon from the 4.0, even 250+
I guess just check to make every thing is working well, and ask if the front rotors have been swapped out, with aftermarket, hopefully.... but by 100K on a GC, I would think they would've been replaced :rolleyes:
A lot around, most never seen the beach!

i do bodywork for colonial chrysler/jeep in belmont. and metro west dodge in hudson{niether one have shops so they sub. it out to me}
i see ALOT of jeeps, all kinds of chryslers,dodges,plymouth.too
the 4.0's are very good motors we have three shop{company cars} jeeps.an old comanche p/u with the 4.0{carbed}{190,000 miles--new motor at 175,000 miles.
and two grand cherokees with 4.0's both under 100,000 miles.
the motors are fine.alot more fuel effeciant than the v8's too.

on the grand cherokees keep an eye out for rust on the inside of the doors.{open every door,even the tailgate and look way down at the bottom edge.very common problem esp. if the previous owner never rinsed out the door jambs.

the way the door hinges are desined{the hinge is the actual door "stop"} the older ones when abused{door whipped oped hard alot} will separate the door skin from the door shell itself.mostly the drivers door.look in bye the hinges to see if all the welds look factory and not some poor attempt to repair.

on any used car you should look to see if the bolts that hold on the major body panels{doors,hood,fenders,etc...} have ever been loosened,i.e. removed? then you can dig deeper into why? why was this hood/door replaced, etc...

i'll give you some more tips on how to spot bad bodywork and shotty workmanship if you want.
mike

I have a 96 limited with the 318 enging and have 142k on it. great engine, no serious maint aside from regular oil changes:D

I got a 1994 in 1999 with 74k mi, now its close to 150k with nothing too off the wall going wrong. Look in duxburys local papers the clipper and reporter, I believe it's a town bylaw to own one.

Last model year for the old 318 V-8 was 1998. From 1999 on, the V-8 is the new 4.7 and I don't know much about them. The 4.0 six is in mine and I expect it last a long time.

I have a '93 4.0 with 163,000 miles. Only things replaced were brakes and fuel pump. Engine's been noisy (lifters) since I bought it, as are many 4.0's. Usually nothing to worry about.

freak: I have that rusty bottom of the door problem and I kept the jambs clean. Is replacement the only fix?

That lifter noise will go away, if you have a mechanic adjust, or re-tourqe, the rocker arms, Good time to replace the valve cover gasket, :rolleyes:, seeing as most of them weep, after a while, on the 4.0. As with all engines, oil and filter changes every 3K are key to longevity.

I own a 98 Grand Cherokee Laredo. It is a great vehicle. I imagine it would handle the beach well. I have had no major problems to speak of. I put only full synthetic oil in it. Last year i put a new set of tires on it and had the catalytic converter replaced. I have heard some bad press about the newer models with all time four wheel drive.

yeah, I have the all time 4wd, or should I say had. the front diff took a crap @ 110K miles so I pulled the front driveshaft and axle-shafts. can't afford to fix:( if you have the means change the transfer case from the 249 to a 242
I would but I spend too much moolah on fishin and living beyond my means
on the good side, chrysler put a high amount of nickel in when casting the blocks so that leads to these high mileage engines. I slick 50 the engine every oil change, which I stretched to 5K miles. 250k is not uncommon with the 318:D:cool:

Thanks for all the info guys. Unfortunately the dealer backed out of the agreed upon price for the one I wanted. So I told him to shove it and at the next lot I went to I found a deal for a sweet car that I couldn't pass up. Looks and drives like it just came off the assembly line. Nope, I'm not gonna be driving on the sand anytime soon :(

Put some big balloon tires on that bad boy and you are all set!:ss:

Let me know when you're ready CAl, and I can get you one at the Auction for Wholesale...