This concerns our '89 Jeep Cherokee Limited. We've had this vehicle since new and it's garage kept and the interior and exterior are in very good original condition. We have had regular maintenance done (minimum twice a year). There are about 300,000 miles on the clock and we've driven it off-road on three continents. It's at the point now where, though not burning much oil, it doesn't want to do much over 70mph. When it was new 90mph was no problem (in Montana and Wyoming). There is a certain amount of sentimental attachment. No air bags, no esp, etc. It's 19 years old. I don't want an engine swap, I want a complete engine rebuild. There is a specialist in Cologne who will do the dirty for about $7,000 (he speciality is off road rally 4X4's and has placed some in the used to be Paris to Dakar race). What you think. Be honest.

 

hmmmm 300K is alot of miles.... checking the compression will give you an idea if its worth rebuilding or replacing... my .02

 

$7000, that is a lot of money.

 

I cant see spending 7k on a 19 year old jeep, but sounds like thats really what you want. Make yourself happy.........fix it

 

make good rebuild candidates.

I can't comment on price other than it seems high but being where you are could be Jeep engine rebuilding experience comes expensive, is worth a premium.

Stock rebuilds can deliver a good engine if done right. Nothing fancy. Factory parts. No need to be build a loose motor either. Tighter tolerances will lead to quieter running, lower oil consumption, better fuel economy.

Gotta remember you got 300,000 out of the original stock/factory engine parts...

Sincerely,

Macster.

 

Thanks, guys. $7000 is alot of dough. On the other hand what kinda vehicle can I get for $7000?

 

Any brand-new full size pick-up you want. They can't give them away here in the States!

I have seen Dodge Ram 1500's with the "hemmah" for $15,000. Ford F-150's for less than that.

 

Why wouldn't you just drop in a crate engine instead of paying a guy to rebuild the one in the truck?

 

He wants it #'s matching.

 

As far as I know on a 89 cherokee the numbers wont "match" anything in particular anyways.

The 4.0 is a good engine, 300k miles is about where they die regardless of use/abuse over the year.
7k is a ridiculous amount though. You can buy a whole 02 Cherokee for that.
Unless parts are really hard to find there a rebuild on the 4.0 shouldnt cost you more then 2000. Oddly only a few hundred less then what a crate engine 4.0 would cost you.

PS, I have a 99 Cherokee that I treat like garbage and still doesnt burn a drop of oil or have any problems. Its only at 160k though. 10-12k between oil changes has been standard for the last 5 changes or so. And this is with whatever oil is the cheapest at the time.

 

those are great trucks, great motors, but this one is done at 300K. The number of potential issues you will have trying to get this thing to mesh with new components and old iron and baked in oil and, oh man, it's just too much to think about. When a motor has that many hours on it, it is "greater than the sum of its parts", meaning it's held together by habit. Blueprint that thing and it will begin to fail, guaranteed.

Take out the block, steam it, an turn it into a coffee table. That way you can revel in the 300,000 miles of excellent service it gave you without souring your love through continued service beyond its useful life. Drop in a crate and accessories. Go straight to DC, you should be able to get the crate motor duty free still. I would go to a long block if they will sell it, with trans or at least plate, new motor mounts too.