'88 Jeep XJ Cherokee Laredo

1988 Jeep XJ Cherokee Laredo
4.0L I-6 (242 CID) Engine EFI/MFI
4 speed Automatic “Selec-Trac” Electronic Transmission (Power/Comfort)
Dana 30 Front axle and Dana 35 Rear axle with OEM “Trac-lok” limited slip.
NP-242 Transfer Case with Full-Time Four Wheel Drive
Heavy Duty Suspension
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Air Conditioning
Heavy Duty Cooling System (upgraded Radiator and Fan)
Cold Weather Package (Engine Block Heater, HD Alternator, Optima Red Top Battery)
20Gal Fuel Tank
Halogen Fog Lamps
“Sterling Metallic” paint
10 Spoke Sport Aluminum Wheels
Tow Hooks
Cruise Control
Power Antenna

~140,000 miles.
Runs solid.
$1,500

Check out the Original factory window sticker!!





New headliner:







odometer:



engine compartment:



engine type:



Fire wall VIN:













This vehicle has been on a power line road, I wanted to see how it performed in full time 4wd. It did awesome, went up a 25 foot, 15 degree incline of loose dirt on all weather tires with no problems. Remember: this jeep has the NP-242, which allows you to drive in 4wd on paved surfaces (there's a diff in the t-case). I'm sure the lim-slip helped with that a lot. The NP-242 is great, full time 4wd is awesome in the winter.

I am the second owner, the AC has been serviced and is frosty cold, but on this model year the vents are oddly placed, so it takes a while to get the whole car cooled. All electronics work. I was surprised how much did work on this old bird. Things normally expected to not work: like the power antenna, the rear wiper and sprayer, intermittent wipers up front, the rear window defroster. There are no power windows or locks to break.

Price: The price I chose is based on a strict interpretation of the Kelly Blue-Book value, plus a smidge for skinned knuckles.

I've owned her for almost 3 years and treated her well, drove 'er to and from work mostly. I'm a certified auto mechanic and have done all my own work. This is not the first jeep I've owned, but it is the first one that I've endeavored to keep immaculate stock. She's got a lot of life left in her no matter which way you go, stock or trailer queen. The title is mine and clean, she passed emissions when it was required and still has a year left on the current registration.

Here is ALL I have done since purchasing in FEB of '06 (BTW, I'm a mechanic and a perfectionist):

-New stock cat-back exhaust.
-New poly tie-rod ends (have a pitman end, uninstalled, comes with the jeep).
-New rear bumper mounts.
-New stock distributor cap.
-New high performance spark plug dist. wires.
-New dual point platinum spark plugs.
-New center console cup holder.
-New double thickness headliner.
-New 20 gal steel gas tank.
-New OEM fuel pump.
-New 160 amp alternator (direct replacement of the OEM heavy duty alt.).
-Replaced battery with Optima red top battery.
-Replaced various bulbs throughout.
-Replaced ALL fluids axle to axle (when I got her there was no friction modifier in the rear diff and the lim-slip was very noisy, but I opened it up and all is well).
-I use high mileage engine oil and "engine restorer" for oil changes.

-Removed after market alarm (siren is still in the eng. comp.).
-Removed OEM trailer hitch (rusted through, BTW the wiring harness is still there, zip-tied under/inside the bumper).

Salvage Yard goodies:
-Replaced rear wiper base.
-Replaced tranny shift boot.
-Replaced lift gate latch mounting plate (rusted).
-Sundry missing hardware.
-Found slightly beat up gas tank skid (uninstalled, comes with the jeep).

There may be more, but I work on cars a lot, so I may pipe in with an "also" when reminded.

Issues (some may be less of an issue if you know jeeps):
-Rear main oil seal leaks (typical of all I-6 242's with more than 100K miles).
-right rear tire got side walled and was replaced with a used all weather tire of the same height and width.
-the front right passenger window crank is stripped for the last inch down, just don't roll it down the last inch and you're fine.
-the paint on the roof and hood cowl has lost its clear coat and is faded.
-lug wrench is missing and I'll be keeping mine.
-cruise control isn't working, probably due to vacuum leaks.
-t-case shifting is slow, also probably due to vacuum leaks (the front axle disconnect and the t-case switch are vacuum powered)
-window and door seals are O-L-D!
-right rear drum brake is a bit "grabby" (all the brakes could use service).
-Front stereo speakers are in-operative (I suspect loose wires, but haven't chosen to dive behind the dash).
-it's relatively loud inside, it’s because the insulation is 20 years old, the 4wd running gear, the lim-slip and the wind noise (you're driving a brick shaped car). Not really an issue per se, but I thought it worth mentioning.

russtewart@yahoo.com
Ft. Meade, MD