Advice on purchasing used GC

I am looking at purchasing a 96-98 GC 5.2 for my girlfriend. I own a 96 Cherokee sport 4.0 5speed and have had a 99 Wrangler Sahara and 89 Cherokee Laredo in the past so I am familiar with 231 Transfer cases, 4.0 and 5 Speed trans. What do I need to look for in the GC and is it even worth it? I have heard so many horror storied about bad trannys, axles and Transfer cases that I am second guessing the whole thing. Should I assume that a used GC with about 75-100k has had prior work drivetrain work? I need help....

Assume nothing and know everthing. This sounds a bit like "Frued" but look under the Jeep . You have the knowledge just get the flashlight and take the time to look. discolored bolts , marked up or knicked bolt heads( especially on differ. housing and trans case). I have a 93 gc and have never(knock-knock) had a horror story with the drivetrain.

avoid the v8, it has the np249 tcase. the 4.0 has the 242 and can be upgraded to the 231.

I would drive both the V8 and the I6 before discounting either. What you buy should depend on the vehicle's intended use. The 4.0 gets better mileage but has 30 less hp. Any of the t-cases are OK. If you want good road manners then the 249 is fine. The 96-98 249s have a locking 4lo so they don't do all that bad off-road. If you plan on wheeling the thing relatively hard then you might benifit from the 231. Keep in mind though that swapping in a stronger t-case will not make that big of a difference off-road on a relatively stock vehicle. As far as swapping goes you can swap any of the cases into either vehicle. Some will be a bit more of a direct fit than others but if you are capable of swapping one you can swap any of them. Personally I couldn't give up the extra ponies and torque that V8 offers. If you've worked on your other Jeeps then you'll be familiar with most of the ZJ's components. They use a lot of the same parts.

Hi Edmaude,

I do not have the technical knowledge that ByronP has so my answer is just from experience.

We had a '94 GC V-8. Had tranny problems as well as other problems that my memory has let fade. Hated that Jeep.

Traded for a '96 GC 6 cylinder and the truck was never in the shop the 2 short years we owned it. Just didn't have the power.

Bought our current 97 GC V-8 in 1997. Has 70k (+) miles. Has had about everything possible break on it. 2 trannys, fuel injector system, transfer case, electrical problems, fuel pump (2), and my biggest pet peeve...a bad fuel gauge sending unit that stranded me in -10 degree weather on I-76 at 11PM near Limon, CO. (This later was a recall item on '97's...so check and make sure it was done).

But dangit, I still love that Jeep...my thought is that if the Jeep you are thinking of buying has not had work done on it, plan on it happening.

Good Luck...maybe you'll get a good one!!

Mike

Recently I was in the market for a GC, for my son's first vehicle. I knew the 4wd and 6 cyl. would be great for him. To be honest I didn't much care which transfer case the vehicle had, as long as it was cared for and had relatively low miles. We found one after about 8 weeks, and ebay was the source. In the search box I filtered the results with closest first, so I could inspect, and drive the vehicle before bidding.
I passed on at least 6 different models ranging from 1995 to 1998, and ended up buying a 1994 Limited with 110k.
I brought my coveralls, floor jack and some tools to check the vehicle out and it was acceptable with just a couple of minor problems.
Best advice is to not be in a hurry, the right one will come along.

That's true. They made a ton of these vehicles. So I would agree to wait for one you feel comfortable with. There will come a time when you think "dang I should have bought that one" but wait a little while and another deal will turn up. If you are looking for a low maintenance vehicle then try to stick with something with low mileage or a previous owner with meticulous records. I haven't had anything major break on my Jeep yet(not to say it won't happen tomorrow) but I have had my share of small problems. Yet I think this is one of my favorite trucks yet. I came from a full size Bronco and was sceptical of going to a midsize truck after having a full size. But the ZJ has been very good to me and has yet to let me down on or off road. It drives better on road and has traveled the same trails off road as my old Bronco. All in all I have found it to be a very capable vehicle. Drive some used SUVs, you'l see what I mean. They are all either underpowered or suited for cruising the mall parking lot. It will really come down to what you need in a vehicle.

I have a 96 JGC 5.2 and 93 Cherokee 4.0 Both have been reliable trucks. There are problems with the danna front axle and the 249 transfer case VC problem. Those are the main ones and the transmission that I hear about. I bought mine because of driving in Winter Weather mainly Snow. Cant beat them when the traction is bad. If you can do your own work that is a big plus. Jeep systems are easier to work on that others I have done and parts are not that bad on price if you stay away from the Dealer. Every thing you buy will need repair sooner or later a lot has to do with how the vechile was taken care of. Look for something that was well maintained.

We have a 96 JGC with 129,000 miles that we bought new.
318 V8 4X4.
Water Pump at 120,000 and a seal on the transfer case at 60,000.
THAT IS IT.
This has been the most repair free vehicle I have ever owned.
I have been driving and owning cars since 1975.
I guess the good ones are kept and the one for sale have problems[?].

I agree with the that 100%. I have looked at a few so far and plan on getting a 5.2. So far they all have had bad pinion seals and potential VC issues. Pinion seals are not a big deal since every Dana axle I have had has leaked at some point any required pinion seal replacement. The VC issue was noticeable in lock to lock turns on dry pavement. Oh well, I will keep looking, but might turn my approach to GC that have had the axles and VC rebuilt. Hey it can't hurt. Happy Holidays