'98 Grand Cherokee 5.9L: Worth Buying?

CJP04

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2018
Messages
41
Location
Philadelphia, PA, USA
I've got my eye and heart set on a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L, but it has some mechanical issues I'm not familiar with. If anyone is familiar with these issues, specially regarding the ZJs, I am all ears.

Issues:
  • Engine transmission code: P0740
  • Rear track bar mount broke at the axle
Is this Jeep worth the investment (specifically the transmission)? What would it normally cost to fix these 2 items, ball park? Thanks in advance!
 
Did a google search for the code - could be as simple as low Trans fluid caused the system to heat and the torque converter circuit to register a fault.
https://www.autocodes.com/p0740_jeep.html

As for the broken rear track bar mount, These are easy enough to weld in a replacement with a stronger unit, however I would suspect either some hard-wheeling or maybe a previous rear end collision may have caused it?
https://www.cjcoffroad.com/Synergy-Jeep-TJ-LJ-Rear-Track-Bar-Bracket-p/synergy-tj-lj-zj-rtbc.htm
 
Did a google search for the code - could be as simple as low Trans fluid caused the system to heat and the torque converter circuit to register a fault.
https://www.autocodes.com/p0740_jeep.html

As for the broken rear track bar mount, These are easy enough to weld in a replacement with a stronger unit, however I would suspect either some hard-wheeling or maybe a previous rear end collision may have caused it?
https://www.cjcoffroad.com/Synergy-Jeep-TJ-LJ-Rear-Track-Bar-Bracket-p/synergy-tj-lj-zj-rtbc.htm

I was reading that it could be as simple as low or dirty transmission fluid, which would be nice. The Jeep shifts just fine, so the problem could likely be the fluid rather than a mechanical issue. Worst case scenario, the ZJ needs a new torque convert clutch, what would one of those roughly cost to replace?

Apparently rust is the culprit for the rear track bar mount breaking. If the rust was cleaned up, would a strong weld work here as a solution?
 
Apparently rust is the culprit for the rear track bar mount breaking. If the rust was cleaned up, would a strong weld work here as a solution?

Removing the rust then using a strong weld will fix this with no problem but if rust was the cause of this problem. I'd double check the rest of that Jeep for anything rusty underneath.

One time I was riding behind a mid 90s Grand Cherokee and noticed the rear end wagging at me. As I passed it at an intersection I was shocked to see the lower control arm mount was rusted off the frame. It was still on the control arm and apparently randomly being pushed into the road. I'm sure it didn't just happen based on how much the mount had been ground down by the road. Unfortunately due to traffic I wasn't able to stop and tell them to get it off the road.
 
Removing the rust then using a strong weld will fix this with no problem but if rust was the cause of this problem. I'd double check the rest of that Jeep for anything rusty underneath.

One time I was riding behind a mid 90s Grand Cherokee and noticed the rear end wagging at me. As I passed it at an intersection I was shocked to see the lower control arm mount was rusted off the frame. It was still on the control arm and apparently randomly being pushed into the road. I'm sure it didn't just happen based on how much the mount had been ground down by the road. Unfortunately due to traffic I wasn't able to stop and tell them to get it off the road.

Thanks for your take on the fix!

You'd think you'd at least be able to feel your control arm has snapped or the effects of it, but I guess any bump in a Jeep is just a bump.