Vin check

Hello all,
i am trying to get my first jeep , heard it's a lot of fun.
can anyone help me answering whats better a 1996-1999 jeep cherokee or grand cherokee and waht's better a V6 OR V8 model.
i looked at a few, but kind of concerned with the records numbers. can anyone get me some answers and a vin check would really appreciate.
carfax is only alowing not as much info for free :frown:.

1J4FF28S3XL645299
1J4FJ28S6WL234542
1J4FF68S9XL556439
Thanx a lot for any info.

How many miles on each, and what transmission/transfer case?

In general, the 4.0 inline six lasts a long time, but then again so does the 5.2L V8. The part time transfer case is the better one to have; the full time (usually with V8) works fine but requires maintenance to replace a part called the viscous coupler every 85-100k miles.

So it comes to how many miles on the vehicles....more info will get you more info.

trying to get his 2000 Jeep cherokee sport 120000 miles asking price is $2999 a few minor dents , paint on roof seems to start pilling other that that nice working jeep

Sounds like a fair price, I'd try to reduce it based on the peeling paint but that's just me. If everything works that's a good thing. Just remember to change all the fluids when you get it!

i was gonna try to negotiate on the price too. as far as fluids you mean transmission, engine, brake, steering what else?

i was gonna try to negotiate on the price too. as far as fluids you mean transmission, engine, brake, steering what else?

i also would like to install a pop up sunroof on it but cant really find a good deal, anyone?

Change the differential fluid in both axles, and the fluid in the transfer case, Id be willing to bet neither one of them has ever been changed.

With a Cherokee, you get a solid engine AND a solid transmission. That good running 5.2 does you no good when your tranny takes a dump. Grand Cherokees have a lot more transmission issues. My opinion is because they use Chrysler transmissions, whereas the Cherokees use transmissions built by Aisin-Warner who supply a lot of transmissions for Toyota.

Not all Grand Cherokees will have a viscous coupler, a lot of it depends on which year range youre talking about. There are several different year ranges of the Grand Cherokee, and there are some significant differences. If I was going to even consider getting a Grand Cherokee it would be a 99-04 Laredo with the 4.7 V8. The transmission used behind the 4.7 is overbuilt for the application because its also used behind the Hemi in Dodge pickups.

It all really depends on what youre looking for. A Grand Cherokee is going to provide a lot more creature comforts, but they can be a lot more finicky. With a Cherokee, you might wake up one day and realize your power windows dont work, neither does the AC, and your front door speakers are blown, but I bet if you turn the key itll start!

as you said if the ac or speakers are blown i wo'nt care as long as it starts.
what do you think about a sunroof, i will do some off road trips but nothing extreme.

I dont know about the sunroof, I know some Cherokees had them from the factory, and that the factory ones are prone to leaking.

No matter what route you go, youre taking a perfectly good, watertight roof (hopefully) and hacking a big hole in it.

There are kits available, and I believe places that do that sort of thing for hire, neither of which is probably cheap. A sunroof sounds like the sort of thing that if you cheap out on, youll most likely end up getting wet.

a saw afew of this sunroofs and prices range from $170-$600
but after reading comments people getting wet, i decided to let it go.

i got my jeep cherokee 120000 miles for $2300, spoke with the owner after it was in my name asking if there is something he would have done he said nothing nor had any problems, hopefully it will be a good car.

Right on...enjoy! I've talked to many Cherokee owners who go over 250K miles.....

what kind of engine oil is best used for this trucks of you're off roading , but nothing extreme. high milage ? synthetic ? or 10w30 regular?
thanx all for your responses

10w30 is the rule for the 4.0. If you have the money, then synthetic is the way to go IMO. But normal "dino" oil works fine if changed regularly.

I'd stay away from "high mileage" oils though. They have seal swellers in them and unless you have some leaky seals already, they won't help anything. I've read of people who started using them at 75k, then got really bad leaks a year or two later.

i bought 75w90 for axles and some transmission oil for transfer case, du i need to add something else to the transfer case?
also my jeep when comes to a total stop seems to change the gears harsh, when you almost stoped there is that little hit that kinda moves you forward . i think it's when it changes gears from the 2nd to the 1st gear, i heard others have the same problem is there anything that needs to be done about it?

Transfer case: no additional things, just the ATF fluid recommended for your year.

The 'bump' you feel when you stop has happened with both GCs that I've had; sometimes it happens as I stop, others when I let off the brakes to pull away from the light.

I did some research on it awhile back, and it seems it's normal for the vehicle. What has worked for me is either coming to a stop more gently, or shifting into Neutral when coming to a stop.

Well if you're planning on draining the diff fluid, you will need some RTV gasket maker to put the diff cover back on. You may already have that though.

Oh and the transfer case may or may not require a very large socket to remove the fill and drain plugs. Some of the cases used different methods. You should see what you need. My case requires a 30mm socket, not something everyone has just laying around.

Well if you're planning on draining the diff fluid, you will need some RTV gasket maker to put the diff cover back on. You may already have that though.

Oh and the transfer case may or may not require a very large socket to remove the fill and drain plugs. Some of the cases used different methods. You should see what you need. My case requires a 30mm socket, not something everyone has just laying around.

30mm!!! That's huge....the plugs on my 04 (and the 00) are 10mm hex drive (allen wrench type). There are two of them on the rear of the unit, one high and one low.

well i changed the oil in both axles, i used 3 1/2 quarts even though KRAGEN AUTO PARTS told me i need 8 quarts ???????????
i was going to ask when is it time to change the timing chain, my cherokee has 120000 miles on it ?
i really appreciate all responses to my questions
thanx guys.

well i changed the oil in both axles, i used 3 1/2 quarts even though KRAGEN AUTO PARTS told me i need 8 quarts ???????????
i was going to ask when is it time to change the timing chain, my cherokee has 120000 miles on it ?
i really appreciate all responses to my questions
thanx guys.

Timing chain should last as long as the rest of the engine. And I've often had auto parts stores tell me the wrong fluid capacity.

all right, now i am trying to install an auto alarm with engine kill, but don't have a wiring diagram and have no clue how to do this . Anyone?