1998 gc

[eggie1000]

hi everyone, i am new to the forum, glad i found it, i am buying a 1998 grand cherokee laredo loaded with 64,000 miles for 4500, run and looks great is this a good price and is there problems with this year jeep that worth backing out of the deal, thanks for any info.

[hulkmn069]

Originally Posted by eggie1000

hi everyone, i am new to the forum, glad i found it, i am buying a 1998 grand cherokee laredo loaded with 64,000 miles for 4500, run and looks great is this a good price and is there problems with this year jeep that worth backing out of the deal, thanks for any info.

my opinion for the price and the mileage you're good to go i'd just take it for a ride and make sure the transmission is in good shape and if it's a 4x4 run it through all the selections and make sure it works other than that look through the forum and make sure you know what you're getting into

[SteveB05]

As my brother who owned a GC before I did said...its called a grand because everytime you have to take it in, it costs a grand to fix. I'm a recovering master mechanic (he lives a long distance from me or I would've helped) so I don't take mine in.

There is a sticky that has a pretty complete list of the usual issues. May sure you don't overlook the standards though...check the fluids very carfully, check for replaced body panels and if found, check the frame, check for rust etc., also check and make sure all the warning lights work and then go off, and check for ECM codes...starting in the off position, turn the key on, then off twice, then on a third time (not start) and record the codes the "Check Engine" light flashes. (on-off-on-off-on-off-on-off-on-off-pause-on-off-on-off-on-off-on-off-on-off) would be code 55 and should be the only one you see. It will repeat each code three times.

[adgjqetuo]

As a master mechanic you should know that the key trick doesn't work on the 98's. It's the only year they removed that feature...also in 96-97 the check engine light doesn't flash, it displays the codes on the digital odometer... the 93-95's is where the check engine light blinks...

[SteveB05]

Not too proud to admit when I'm wrong. (but I did say recovering ) I use my scanner on mine.

[adgjqetuo]

It's okay, it happens to the best of us...I just wanted to clear it up so he didn't think something was wrong with his Jeep when he tried it and nothing happened

[RBrandon]

If you have never owned a jeep then you will be pleasantly surprised. It's a cushy ride and a good vehicle. I got 280k out my my 98 with the 242 straight six before I had to rebuild it for a bad piston. (almost finished) I don't know if that kind of mileage is the norm but I certainly put that engine through her paces in the course of the 8 years I have owned it. The rest of the jeep was in good enough condition that I opted to rebuild the engine verses replacing the jeep. I will drive it until it falls apart.

[eggie1000]

Originally Posted by RBrandon

If you have never owned a jeep then you will be pleasantly surprised. It's a cushy ride and a good vehicle. I got 280k out my my 98 with the 242 straight six before I had to rebuild it for a bad piston. (almost finished) I don't know if that kind of mileage is the norm but I certainly put that engine through her paces in the course of the 8 years I have owned it. The rest of the jeep was in good enough condition that I opted to rebuild the engine verses replacing the jeep. I will drive it until it falls apart.

how can you tell its a 242 straight six? and is the 242 straight six the best set up, thanks for any info.

[RBrandon]

When you look under the hood you will either see one long valve cover in the center of the engine bay with an aluminum intake manifold attached on the right-hand side. That would be the straight six (six cylinders in a row). If you see two valve covers with the intake manifold between them then the engine is a V-8. (2 sets of 4 cyliders at a V angle to eachother) Perhaps the easier way would be to look on the back of the jeep and see if it has a 4.0 emblem on it (242 cc is roughly 4.0 liters). The various v-8 engines would have a 4.7, 5.2, or 5.9 emblem on the back. Or you can just count the spark plugs or plug wires coming off the distributor. Either 6 or 8. As far as which engine is better, I honestly couldn't tell you. The only v-8 experience I have is from a mustang gt 302. Perhaps some other folks have input on the larger jeep engines...

[eggie1000]

Originally Posted by RBrandon

When you look under the hood you will either see one long valve cover in the center of the engine bay with an aluminum intake manifold attached on the right-hand side. That would be the straight six (six cylinders in a row). If you see two valve covers with the intake manifold between them then the engine is a V-8. (2 sets of 4 cyliders at a V angle to eachother) Perhaps the easier way would be to look on the back of the jeep and see if it has a 4.0 emblem on it (242 cc is roughly 4.0 liters). The various v-8 engines would have a 4.7, 5.2, or 5.9 emblem on the back. Or you can just count the spark plugs or plug wires coming off the distributor. Either 6 or 8. As far as which engine is better, I honestly couldn't tell you. The only v-8 experience I have is from a mustang gt 302. Perhaps some other folks have input on the larger jeep engines...

sorry i must soud like a dumb a$$ i know i have a six 4.0, i thought the 242 was the transfer case that went with the 4.0, 242 or 249. trying find out what i have.

[adgjqetuo]

Originally Posted by eggie1000

sorry i must soud like a dumb a$$ i know i have a six 4.0, i thought the 242 was the transfer case that went with the 4.0, 242 or 249. trying find out what i have.

Slec-Trac is the 242
Quadra-Trac is the 249

Almost all the V8's came with the 249, however it's common for people to swap them out for 242's because the 249's have a common problem with the v/c going bad and they tend to generally like the 242 better.

As for the 4.0's...it's mixed which transfer case they have. I think it's more common for the 4.0's to have the 242 though.

If you have 2wd, 4PT,4FT,N,4Lo then you have the selec-trac np242. If you have 4wd, N, 4Lo then you have the Quadra-Trac np 249

HTH!

[bringselpup]

So Eggie, You bought it?

FWIW It's generally accepted that as long as you change the oil on a regular basis the 4.0 I6 is an unkillable motor. My 93 has 214K.

[RBrandon]

Actually, I feel like the numbnut for missing the point of your question. My bad. I apologize.

[eggie1000]

Originally Posted by bringselpup

So Eggie, You bought it?

FWIW It's generally accepted that as long as you change the oil on a regular basis the 4.0 I6 is an unkillable motor. My 93 has 214K.

yes picking it up today, hoping it last at least another 60,000 miles.

[dksob81]

Originally Posted by adgjqetuo

Slec-Trac is the 242
Quadra-Trac is the 249

Almost all the V8's came with the 249, however it's common for people to swap them out for 242's because the 249's have a common problem with the v/c going bad and they tend to generally like the 242 better.

As for the 4.0's...it's mixed which transfer case they have. I think it's more common for the 4.0's to have the 242 though.

If you have 2wd, 4PT,4FT,N,4Lo then you have the selec-trac np242. If you have 4wd, N, 4Lo then you have the Quadra-Trac np 249

HTH!

There is also the command trac NP231. 2HI, 4HI, N, 4LO.