my winter ride, jeep, w/ pics

[madness410]

hey everyone

picked up my new ride for the winter yesterday. a lot of you probably dont know but i worked in point pleasant beach..and recently got a full time job up in warren county and the terrain and weather is a whole different animal up there. i didnt trust my camaro in the snow on flat surfaces and i wont trust it up there in the mountains lol. so i figured i'd invest in a nice winter beater and here it is..

its a 97 jeep grand cherokee 5.2 v8 4x4 with 200,000 miles. i got it for a thousand bucks...i didnt think it was a bad deal. its got a few issues here and there, minor ones i can smooth out in time like the sunroof leaks a bit, gauge dimmer is broken, rear gate supports are worn, stuff like that..the car could definitely use a little tlc.

there are a few major ones that i would have to address soon though..sounds like a little humming sound coming from the rear end..i hear it more when i hit the gas. the woman i got it from also says its hard to start in the rain or when its damp out. i checked the terminal wires looks like some of it is exposed but it will need to be replaced soon.

i know a few members on here have jeeps and if you have any input i'd appreciate it also. after i fix it up and it runs right i plan to do a 2" lift, 30.5 inch all terrain tires and some cragar soft 8 rims. im not a hardcore off roader but wouldnt mind taking it wheeling once in a while.

let me know what you all think.

jon

http://cdn.jeepforum.com/forum/attachments/f13/497782d1351434608-got-my-hands-zj-pics-inside-image2.jpeg
http://cdn.jeepforum.com/forum/attachments/f13/497783d1351434608-got-my-hands-zj-pics-inside-image3.jpeg
http://cdn.jeepforum.com/forum/attachments/f13/497784d1351434608-got-my-hands-zj-pics-inside-image.jpeg

[LTb1ow]

Looks nice, def better than trying to lug a camaro up mountains with snow. Congrats!

[OG]

Tried and true. You'll be set in the snow

[1320B4U]

5.2...full time 4wd? Bad mpg..w/a lift even worse but thats the case w/a jeep. Saw my gas mileage drop 20-25% w/a 2" and 30's on a 3.7L. Just drive it..don't worry about the lift or miscellaneous b/s crap that is befitting of a car w/that mileage and age. Those g/c weren't know for great reliability in the long run, so don't put too many eggs in that basket...just get a $1000 worth of use outta it and be done w/it.

[V]

nice, i paid a grand for my 95 a few years back, served it purpose well. I would pick one up in a heartbeat for a few hundred.

i also dont suggest putting money into for anything extra. If anything, fix the little things, polish it up and sell it after the winter and put that money towards something else.

[sweetbmxrider]

That should be a trooper in the white stuff, enjoy!

[maroman88]

my friends got a 97 5.2 limited, got it for 100 bucks with 162k miles, and boy is it beat, but runs! lol

[unstable bob gable]

My buddy finally had to retire his due to rust issues, but it was still running at 225+ thousand miles.

[madness410]

yes I bought it for the sole purpose to get to work when it snows in the winter. but so far it's been fun to drive. I understand jeep fuel efficiency sucks but it seems to be a general consensus among jeep owenera that they'd prefer smiles per gallon rather than miles per gallon. I'll see how it runs after I fix it up but I'm leaning toward no lift. these motors are known to go to 300k but the interior shows it's age and wear

[LTb1ow]

Just a lift kit with lousy tires is just the same if not worse as a stock truck.

I would get it 100% drivetrain wise and get a good set of winter/snow tires. Maybe throw em on a spare set of wheels if you can so you don't kill em driving now.

[madness410]

what i think im going to do is put a nice set of all terrains on and get it in good working order for the most part. unless im having a great time driving the jeep and it runs amazingly come spring i will most likely sell it...and whoever buys it wont want the winter tires in the spring.

[The_Bishop]

Goodyear duratracs are supposed to be good in the snow, but are an all-terrain.

[grazi]

Goodyear duratracs are supposed to be good in the snow, but are an all-terrain.

Great in the snow. Had them on my last P/U.

[madness410]

these? : http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&partnum=325QR5WDTOWL&KEYWORD=tires.jsp_Goodyear_Wrangler_DuraTrac_Tire&cagpspn=pla&code=yes&CAWELAID=712070110&tireModel=Wrangler+DuraTrac&GCID=C13674x012-tire

decently priced...i had a brain fart and saw a price of 438 per tire my reaction was like http://img.bluegartr.com/images/smilies/meme/Shocked.png

..but then i realized it was the largest they had lol

[B4C]

those are 33's...I would suggest some general at2's great tire
2in budget lift with 31's would do great
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Grabber+AT+2&partnum=105SR5GRAT2OWL

[NastyEllEssWon]

why lift it and ruin a pretty nice looking truck?

[FIcamaroRE92]

Duratracs are the best for your money. They aren't loud and ride really well plus there a hybrid all terrain/mt they look mean too. I've had me for a year on my jeep love em...

[r0nin89]

why lift it and ruin a pretty nice looking truck?

Cause thats your opinion and a lot of us think trucks look better lifted. I happen to think that the body of a Grand is way to big to be riding around on 29in tires and looks disproportional. 31s look like they should have been there from the factory.

I have metric 33 duratracs on my trooper. I love them. Quite, nice AT tread on the inside but MT tread on the outside and side lugs. They're great in the rain on pavement too.

[sweetbmxrider]

I have duratracs on the front of mine and they aren't that noisy. The little I have put them through, they handled fine. I can't wait for winter.

[madness410]

yeah im looking to put a bigger tire on for the winter and see how it runs..if i want to keep it come spring and its running good ill think about the lift and some new wheels.

i just got the title from the lady yesterday and she signed where it says hand print but hand printed her name above where she signed it..and wrote the first initial on the buyers name hand print line and i wrote over it with a J and it looks like i sneezed or something when i wrote on it. ill try it at the dmv to get the title transferred to me but for some reason i highly doubt its going to fly.

[1320B4U]

Best thing to do w/titles is to not cross out or write over a mistake...hope it works out for you...if she could go w/your to the dmv it might make it easier.

[B4C]

Good luck with that your going to have to get some paperwork notarized to get thar title transferred now

[madness410]

cant she just get a new title issued

[LTb1ow]

http://www.treaddepot.com/tire/51714.html

I run them on all four on my truck, very quiet on the highway and they were a decent price, I got all four shipped for 900. Granted I think a E rated tire may be a little overkill but just sharing my thoughts on em.

I have duratracs on the front of mine and they aren't that noisy. The little I have put them through, they handled fine. I can't wait for winter.

I think Adam runs the same tire I have on the spare and back two wheels of his heep.

[B4C]

cant she just get a new title issued

I didnt think of that but what would be easier, getting a duplicate title, or getting a notarized statement from her saying what happened was a mistake and that she is selling you the vehicle.

[sweetbmxrider]

http://www.treaddepot.com/tire/51714.html

I run them on all four on my truck, very quiet on the highway and they were a decent price, I got all four shipped for 900. Granted I think a E rated tire may be a little overkill but just sharing my thoughts on em.



I think Adam runs the same tire I have on the spare and back two wheels of his heep.

Nah, duratrac spare and up front. Newer MT/R's on the rear load range E.

[madness410]

http://www.treaddepot.com/tire/51714.html

I run them on all four on my truck, very quiet on the highway and they were a decent price, I got all four shipped for 900. Granted I think a E rated tire may be a little overkill but just sharing my thoughts on em.



I think Adam runs the same tire I have on the spare and back two wheels of his heep.

matt have you tested them out in the snow or icy conditions? im looking for a tire thats quiet since i would mainly travel highways with the zj but would also be very good in the snow, and also at a decent price.

[B4C]

I had some duratrac's on my last jeep, great tire, did good in everything except for heavy mud. My buddy has the AT2's and they do great as well, also had bfg all terrains on my last xj no complaints.

[LTb1ow]

I have not had them in snow, just got em on the truck a few months ago. They did fine in mud/sand though.

[79T/A]

BFG A/Ts are excellent in the snow, but the Duratracs are probably cheaper. I'd check that rear noise; not going to be good if you have carrier bearings go boom when you're miles from home. May even be a problem with the driveshaft, perhaps something as simple as a new U joint. Any vibrations? As for the electrical, it could be something as simple as needing a new battery.

[sweetbmxrider]

My mtr's were fine through this messy stuff. When I was going 40+, I clicked it into 4wd and felt very stable with the duratracs up front. Didn't think twice about driving, braking, or turning. The only thing was I noticed the tires do like to float some but they are very wide. in4moarsnow

[madness410]

yeah ill look into tires when i get to that bridge. ill get the jeep working great first. as of now i took it out in the snow and its a monster even with crappy tires...i think there are different tires mounted on each wheel lol..frankenjeep. i got the title and everything figured out today..they didnt give me an issue at the dmv.

BFG A/Ts are excellent in the snow, but the Duratracs are probably cheaper. I'd check that rear noise; not going to be good if you have carrier bearings go boom when you're miles from home. May even be a problem with the driveshaft, perhaps something as simple as a new U joint. Any vibrations? As for the electrical, it could be something as simple as needing a new battery.

i plan to check out that noise from the rear sound soon. it sounds like something swirling its hard to explain. what would the worst case scenario be...if its the carrier bearings how much would that cost if i brought it to a shop? the electrical problem i solved the other day. it looks like someone took the original wire that connected to the battery, attached a thinner wire to that wire to connect to the battery. the thinner wire was the one that was melted and frayed with copper exposed. i looked down as far as i could with the original wire and it appeared to be in good condition. so i ripped the thinner wire off and got a new terminal cable and it hooked up just fine. no issues as of yet with it...it fires up much better than before.

i also replaced the plugs and wires and holy crap there was so much carbon build up on the old ones i wouldnt be surprised if the previous owner hadnt changed them in 100k miles. but i could really feel a difference with newer plugs.

[madness410]

the noise in the rear could even be something dumb like a brake part rubbing. idk ill have to check it out whenever i get a chance.

[sweetbmxrider]

Yeah I'd start simple first and pull the rear tires off and see what's going on there.

[madness410]

I'll do that when I get a chance this weekend. she told me her mechanic said the ball joints might be going but who knows. are there any other symptoms of these carrier pins going besides a noise coming from the rear?

[79T/A]

As stated above, jack up the rear and see if you can duplicate the noise (Or any noise) by spinning the tires. It could indeed just be a friction issue. Does it have rear disc brakes? I know my '01 does. Maybe it's as simple as that. Another trick would be to remove the rear drive shaft, put it in 4WD and drive a short distance to see if the noise went away. If it does, then the driveshaft may need a new U joint. Easy fix. Worst case scenario would be bad bearings, or something within the rear diff. If that's the case, you could end up spending anywhere between $500 and $1500. Differentials are very labor intensive and require specialized tools to do correctly.

[madness410]

i didnt get a chance to mess around with the sound coming from the rear yet. it does have disc brakes all around. im hoping its just a bad rotor or something its really weird if i turn hard sometimes the sound lessens. i just need to borrow a jack from a buddy of mine and ill be able to jack it up.

as for other stuff, i decided to do a few minor things to get things in order for the winter, and i got around to flushing the coolant out. and man, there has to be some major rust issues going on somewhere, when i drained the coolant from the valve on the lower part of the radiator it looked like apple cider was pouring out. definitely not good, wherever the rust is it could rust through any day now.

i have a new issue also. when i turned the jeep off and went around to open up the rear gate when i was done for the day the tail lights and third brake light wouldnt go off. tried messing with the light switches and everything and nothing was getting them to go off. i finally disconnected the battery and that got them to go off. according to jeep forum its a common electrical problem..any jeep owners here have that happen to them?

[sweetbmxrider]

I would look at the brake light switch under the dash. It is tripped by the brake pedal. I would also suspect a bad multifunction switch aka turn signal switch.

[madness410]

idk what i did but i connected the battery today..lights were still on. then i looked under the dash for that switch you were talking about by the brake pedal. just saw a bunch of wires and looked confusing. touched a few of them and walking back around the truck...i noticed they were off. lmao. must be a loose wire.