Am I Getting Too Narrow in My Search?

[wayleigh]

+1

Also 2000-2001 had a crack prone cylinder head that was fixed in later years. With that said, I owned two 2000 model year Jeep Cherokee XJs with the 4.0L. Neither of them the cylinder head cracked on, and one I owned for over 10 years and 150k miles. I did help a friend swap the cylinder head on his 2001 Cherokee and it was honestly a weekend job with hand tools. I wouldn't exclude a 2000 or 2001 out of my search if it had a clean frame.

Thanks. I see a 2001 for about $15K with 85K miles in Oregon, but not sure that means rust is likelier or not. I can ask that dealer to send me undercarriage photos. The 0331 head does seem problematic, but also as you say, things could be fine with it.

 

[Chris]

Thanks. I see a 2001 for about $15K with 85K miles in Oregon, but not sure that means rust is likelier or not. I can ask that dealer to send me undercarriage photos. The 0331 head does seem problematic, but also as you say, things could be fine with it.

Don't even bother going to see it unless they sent you detailed photos of the underside first.

 

[jeepguy03]

Don't even bother going to see it unless they sent you detailed photos of the underside first.

This, 100%.

In general Oregon does not have the rust issues like the NorthEast does, and I have seen many clean Jeeps for sale there, but unless you know the history is it impossible to know if it has lived its whole life there and is rust free.

 

[Chris]

This, 100%.

In general Oregon does not have the rust issues like the NorthEast does, and I have seen many clean Jeeps for sale there, but unless you know the history is it impossible to know if it has lived its whole life there and is rust free.

Coastal Oregon can be different though with all the salt in the air, that's one thing to consider.

But otherwise, yes, you are right!

 

[jeepguy03]

Coastal Oregon can be different though with all the salt in the air, that's one thing to consider.

But otherwise, yes, you are right!

That's true I forgot about the coast. "Low miles, only driven on the beach through the salt water".

 

[ColoJeep]

Thanks. I see a 2001 for about $15K with 85K miles in Oregon, but not sure that means rust is likelier or not. I can ask that dealer to send me undercarriage photos. The 0331 head does seem problematic, but also as you say, things could be fine with it.

I've only had 1 non TUPY 0331 head , on a 2000 XJ . It cracked after owning it for a year. Okay today , doesn't equal Okay tomorrow.

 

[jeepguy03]

I've only had 1 non TUPY 0331 head , on a 2000 XJ . It cracked after owning it for a year. Okay today , doesn't equal Okay tomorrow.

I'm wondering what the percentage of 0331 heads cracking in XJs vs. other 4.0 powered vehicles is. I know of 3 cracked 0331 heads in my circle through the years, all 3 were in 2000-2001 XJs, none in the several 99-01 year range WJs and TJs that my family/friends have owned through the years. XJs notoriously run pretty hot, especially 2000-2001s with the pre-cats in the engine bay. There is certainly more room in the engine bay of the TJs and WJs, and I feel like the XJ cooling system is only marginally adequate in comparison to the WJ/TJ.

 

[ColoJeep]

I'm wondering what the percentage of 0331 heads cracking in XJs vs. other 4.0 powered vehicles is. I know of 3 cracked 0331 heads in my circle through the years, all 3 were in 2000-2001 XJs, none in the several 99-01 year range WJs and TJs that my family/friends have owned through the years. XJs notoriously run pretty hot, especially 2000-2001s with the pre-cats in the engine bay. There is certainly more room in the engine bay of the TJs and WJs, and I feel like the XJ cooling system is only marginally adequate in comparison to the WJ/TJ.

I totally agree on XJ marginal cooling , The XJ was designed for the 2.5 4 banger with the optional " big engine " being the under powered Chevy 2.8 V-6 .