1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Sport Utility

5.2L 5211CC 318Cu. In. V8 GAS OHV Naturally Aspira

Automatic

1J4GZ78Y9WC162315

Clear

GAS

I bought this Jeep Grand Cherokee in Chicago in 2003 when it had just over 50,000 miles. I noted at the time from a Carmax report that it had originally been a Florida car. Following a compression test that showed the engine to be in excellent shape (all cylinders at 175-180lbs), I set about changing all the fluids to synthetic and initiated a rigorous maintenance schedule that I have maintained to date. I used it as my daily driver and changed the oil every 5k miles with Mobil One. Trans fluid has always been Red Line synthetic (since I've owned it). I also added a Mopar factory transmission cooler (strangely, this option was standard until 1998-the last year for this body style). I used the Jeep for occasional towing of a race car so I wanted to give the tranny all the protection it could get. With this in mind I also added rear "helper" springs (additional coil springs that sit inside the factory coils) to prevent sag while towing. They work GREAT; this Jeep sits level when towing or carrying large loads. I just brought the Jeep down to Florida from Chicago and she made the trip with no issues. Before the trip I put in a new battery, changed the oil, checked the other fluids (including the rear differential), put new wipers on (front and rear) and replaced the muffler. I'm attaching a spreadsheet that highlights the regular maintenance this vehicle received during the period I owned it. I've had relatively few problems with the Jeep, surely a result of good maintenance. I have all (or just about all) of the receipts for the parts and work done. Here are some some of the bigger jobs I've done: Two water pumps I replaced the Viscous coupling (it engages the front drive-shaft when the rear wheels slip when operation in AWD mode). Sway-bar link Track Arm Steering Dampener Brake rotors and pads Monroe Reflex shocks (dampeners) Bassett Steel Racing wheels (picked those up at the factory in Wisconsin) with Bridgestone AT Dueller Revo tires Aftermarket Infinity Speakers front and rear Yakima Bike rack with locks for the rack and bikes New Flowmaster muffler (October, 2012) New Battery (October, 2012) Some notes on the condition of this Jeep: I've tried to take detailed photos to give you an impression of the condition. It is fifteen years old now, so it does have scratches and some small rust spots starting under the lips of the rear lid and hood. The ABS is not working. The steering wheel is not completely straight when the vehicle goes straight. I have been told that an alignment would sort this out, but I just got used to it. The fuel tank leaks a bit if I fill it up all the way to the top and then park it. The tires have lots of tread left, but are showing some dry-rot now. The transmission oil-pan drips a little, so it will need a new gasket. The AC works well-enough, but I think it could use a recharge (it's been seven years now I think). So, it's not perfect, but it's also a well-maintained and upgraded workhorse with tons of life left in her. And, the price is right. Please feel free to email if you have any questions. Anybody in the St. Pete/Tampa area is welcome to come by for a look. One more thing: I'm selling her because I still work out of the country and it just doesn't make any sense to keep her any longer. *The spreadsheet below shows that I had put 7004 "Bright White" headlight bulbs in at one point. I went back to standard bulbs because the "white" ones kept burning out. Date Miles Service Product Redline Product Quantity (Pints) Quantity (Quarts) 2/15/2003 50,000 Wax Meguiar's 2/15/2003 50,000 Motor Oil Change Mobil One 10W/30 5 Quarts 2/15/2003 50,000 Change Air Filter K&N Filter 1 2/15/2003 50,000 Spark Plugs Bosch Platinum 8 2/15/2003 50,000 Serpentine Belt Replacement Michelin Gatorbelt 1 2/15/2003 50,000 Distributor Cap and Rotor Mopar 1 2/15/2003 50,000 Windshield Wipers Bosch 2 2/15/2003 50,000 7004 Bright White Headlight Bulbs 2 2/15/2003 50,000 PCV Valve Mopar 1 2/15/2003 50,000 Left Front Rotor .926" Minimum = .8937" NA NA 2/15/2003 50,000 Right Front Rotor .926" Minimum = .8937" NA NA TBD Left Rear Rotor NA NA TBD Right Rear Rotor NA NA 65,000 Brake Pads MOPAR 2/16/2003 50,190 Compression Check Cylinder: 1 180 lbs. Driver's Side NA NA 2/16/2003 50,190 Compression Check Cylinder: 3 175 lbs. Driver's Side NA NA 2/16/2003 50,190 Compression Check Cylinder: 5 180 lbs. Driver's Side NA NA 2/16/2003 50,190 Compression Check Cylinder: 7 175 lbs. Driver's Side NA NA 2/16/2003 50,190 Compression Check Cylinder: 2 180 lbs. Passenger's Side NA NA 2/16/2003 50,190 Compression Check Cylinder: 4 180 lbs. Passenger's Side NA NA 2/16/2003 50,190 Compression Check Cylinder: 6 175 lbs. Passenger's Side NA NA 2/16/2003 50,190 Compression Check Cylinder: 8 175 lbs. Passenger's Side NA NA 2/23/2003 50,400 Front Differential Oil Change Synthetic 80W/90 75W/90 3.13 Pints 1.565 Quarts 2/23/2003 50,400 Rear Differential Oil Change Synthetic 75W/140 75W/140 4.75 Pints 2.375 Quarts 2/23/2003 50,400 Transfer Case Oil Change Synthetic ATF+3 C+ATF 2.2 Pints 1.1 Quarts 2/23/2003 50,400 Coolant System Flush and Change 4 Gallons TBD Plug Wires 8 2/20/2003 50,364 Techtron Fuel System Cleaner Treatment 1 Rear Door Speakers Infinity 2 3/29/2003 51,200 Replaced Viscous Coupling in Transfer Case Brumotoa Bearing Co. 1 7/15/2003 56,800 Replaced Water Pump Aftermarket 1 1 7/15/2003 56,800 Coolant System Flush and Change (with new water pump) didn't flush block. 8/17/2003 57,800 Installed MOPAR Transmission Cooler MOPAR 1 1 10/10/2003 60,000 Motor Oil Change Mobil One 10/W 30 5 Quarts 10/18/2003 60,000 ATF Fluid Change Synthetic ATF+3 C+ATF (Redline) 5 Quarts 10/19/2003 60,000 7004 Bright White Headlight Bulbs 1 TBD 60,000 Techtron Fuel System Cleaner Treatment 1 11/1/2003 60,000 Clean K&N Air Filter 11/1/2003 60,000 Windshield Wipers Bosch 2 11/1/2003 60,000 Front Door Speakers Infinity 652i 6.5" 2 65,000 Motor Oil Change Mobil One 10/W 30 5 Quarts 4/3/2004 69,500 Motor Oil Change Mobil One 10/W 30 5 Quarts 4/3/2004 69,500 Brake Pads Tuff Stop Fronts (Raybestos from Pepboys) 4 corners 75,000 Motor Oil Change Mobil One 10/W 30 80,000 Motor Oil Change Mobil One 10W/30 80,000 ATF Fluid Change Synthetic ATF+3 C+ATF (Redline) 5 Quarts 80,000 Clean K&N Air Filter 1/30/2005 85,000 Motor Oil Change Mobil One 10W/30 1/30/2005 85,000 New Tires Bridgestone AT Dueller Revo 30"x 15" 1/30/2005 85,000 New Wheels Bassett DOT 15" x 7" with 3.675" backspacing 1/30/2005 85,000 Changed fuel pump assembly Replaced with unit from original gas tank 1/30/2005 85,000 New windshield wipers and rear arm 1/30/2005 85,000 ABS non functioning possibly a bad sensor? 1/30/2005 85,000 Front Door Speakers Infinity 2000i 6.5" (passenger blown) 10/16/2005 99,000 New Water Pump Murray's (Lifetime Warranty) 10/16/2005 99,000 Coolant Flush and Change Prestone Dex-Cool 10/16/2005 99,000 Clean K&N Air Filter 10/28/2005 100,000 Oil Change Mobil One 10W/30 5 Quarts 3/1/2006 105,000 Oil Change Mobil One 10/W 30 5 Quarts 6/1/2006 110,000 Oil Change Mobil One 10/W 30 5 Quarts 6/23/2006 110,687 New Front Brake Pads Hawk 9/1/2006 115,000 Oil Change Mobil One 10/W 30 5 Quarts 9/1/2009 119,000 Oil Change Mobil One 10/W 30 5 Quarts 10/25/2012 120,000 Oil Change Non-synthetic oil 5 Quarts On Nov-11-12 at 05:27:19 PST, seller added the following information: Some additional info on the gas tank and transmission leaking... Gas tank: At some point I had to replace it because the exhaust pipe (which routes under the tank) broke while returning to Chicago from Michigan and the heat damaged the tank (it's plastic). I sourced a used tank and installed it. I'm a little fuzzy on the details because it was a while ago, but I believe sometime afterward the fuel pump (which resides in the tank) failed, so I dropped the tank and put the fuel pump assembly from the original tank into the "new" used one. If I recall correctly, the top of the tank has a threaded aperture and the assembly threads onto it (almost like threading the cap onto a portable red plastic gas tank). I think the leaking (which only occurs when the tank is filled all the way to the top) is coming from where the fuel pump assembly threads onto the tank--probably from a leaky gasket. It shouldn't be a big deal to fix. I would take it to a good mechanic. The job isn't really that complicated so avoiding the dealer for this type of work might be more cost effective. Transmission Leak: The leak is pretty small. "Weep" or "seep" is probably more accurate. I wiped off the transmission oil pan before I left Chicago and it looks pretty clean right now. If you look at the Photobucket photos below there are two pictures of the oil pan taken here in Florida after the road-trip and I did nothing to try to clean it off before capturing the images. You can see from the photos that I added a drain plug to the pan. That was to simplify changing the fluid; otherwise, you have to remove the pan to drain it (a real pain in the neck!) You can see a drop of the pink transmission fluid on the end of the drain plug, but it's also weeping around the outer gasket of the pan itself. Feel free to email me for any questions.