30th Jul 2001, 15:20
Just purchased a 1988 Jeep Cherokee and when I got it.. there's oil leaking from the engine... cleaned the engine and found out that leak is coming out from the oil cover. Purchased a new one which has a rubber seal and no more leaks. PVC elbow is cracked, but sealed it with a sealant until I get it replaced. Checked the air filter and there's oil in the air filter..
Other than that.. this Jeep runs pretty good at 155,000+ miles...
10th Jan 2003, 13:00
I have a 1988 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer I got it with 187,000 on the ticker and I am now at over 212,000 miles. It has a good tick at idle from the valve train and it knocks from time to time at idle. But those things I do not consider a problem, because it runs and runs well. I do have to replace the fuel pump in a week, but I consider it a pretty minor thing considering it has 212K on the car.
4th Feb 2003, 19:36
I bought My 87 Cherokee Chief about 3 years ago. It had 105,000 miles on it when I bought it, and it now has about 200,000 on it. I have only had a few small problems that I was able to fix myself for fairly cheap. My first problem was my fuel rail & injector o-rings had to be replaced-Due to wear they started to crack and leak. Second was I had to replace my water pump. I love my Jeep and have had fun with it. It runs just as good as it did when I bought it. Now it's lifted 8" with lockers, a winch and other goodies. I'm planning a Rubicon trip later this year. Now that's impressive-a little over 200,000 miles and still climbing just as strong!
9th May 2003, 21:01
I own an 1986 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer and could never give it up it has 166,000 miles.
I have had many problems with this Jeep though. I had to replace the engine within 2 months of buying, I replaced the transmission, the clutch, brakes and also the carburetor.
I would recommend doing some research on the Jeep if it was made before 1989. I have heard of lots of problems, but there are many out there just like mine with no problems. I just didn't so any research of my particular Jeep.
But I would give it up if I had to when it runs it runs like a beauty.
7th Oct 2003, 21:17
I have been wanting a jeep "cherokee" ever since my parents have brought 2 of them home and run them on the mail route. Even they have said they won't be caught driving anything else. I am going to school and am trying to get out of my 86 ford pickup truck to save money on gas. Last week I saw a 1988 jeep pioneer on the side of the road for sale. We stopped and looked at it very close and checked all the fluids and all the mechanical specs on it, it was in over all excellent shape. It had 190,000 miles on it, but drove like my parents new SUV. We are definitely going to get it after all of the good things we have heard about them on this site, and the good luck my parents have had with them in the past... THANK YOU!!
23rd Jun 2004, 15:51
To the student experiencing AC problems: If a mechanic has checked the most obvious things without results, ask about the expansion valve a.k.a. H-block. It can clog up and cause big problems. I found a new one for $40.00 and its not hard to install.
20th Jul 2004, 22:00
We bought an 88 Pioneer for $500.00. It Drove rough when we first got it. The previous owner lost the keys and while taking the Steering colum apart to change ignitions he broke some parts and lost others. It had a full 360 degree tilt steering. After we fixed that the clutch started going. It had to be pumped between every gear. Then it overheated on the way home from work. Changed the Thermostat, that didn't help. Changed the waterpump, that didn't help. They defroster turns from hot to cold to hot when on full heat. That is our current Project. We fixed the clutch finally. There is a set of hoses from the fill tank for the radiator. It had a T like connection. That is broken and we can't seem to find one. Also the PCV valve is bad. The Airfilter fills with oil. Can't find a fresh air intake hose for it either. It does run like a champ we have used it for mild rock crawling. She has over 225,000 miles on her, and was not taken care of in the 3 years prior to us buying it. So we have expected to have to make repairs.
I Love it and can't see myself ever getting rid of it.
11th Apr 2005, 12:52
I just got a 1986 Pioneer And it has 208,000 miles on it and I love it, but I have one problem, My brakes lock up when I make evasive maneuvers And I was wondering could anybody help me with that? But all and all I LOVE my jeep it is the greatest SUV I have ever owned and I have had a Trooper and a Blazer, but yeah this thing is GREAT!!!
29th Dec 2006, 18:44
I just bought a 1986 pioneer today for $375.00, and also with 220,000+ miles. When I saw this jeep I was a tad skeptical on the condition on the over all vehicle. Now I am a mechanic so I looked very closely at every detail. And boy was I shocked. It was in great condition everything look like it was brand new. I was also happy that it was a 5 speed, but when I drove that jeep home I've never had drove a vehicle with so many miles to be so smooth. But it came with lots of recites and it was well maintained. I plan to keep this until it gives out completely or until I get enough money for a wrangler.
28th Mar 2008, 05:01
I have a 1988 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer with 212000 miles. It runs kinda rough and the oil pressure is low; about 20 I believe.
It runs and drives good; it's just at idle it runs rough. There's also oil in my air filter. Can anybody help me?
Thanks.
16th Oct 2008, 15:25
My step grandfather gave me his 1988 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer. I love the Pioneer. It had been sitting for 5 years in the yard so I had to replace a couple of parts; the fuel pump, fuel filter, new battery, and new tires.
The only downside to the jeep is the gas mileage is about 16mpg, and with the gas prices at $4.00 per gallon that wasn't too good, but prices are back down.
All that is left to do is some bodywork.
Overall the Jeep Cherokee Pioneer is AWESOME!
2nd May 2001, 22:27
Just purchased a Jeep cherokee pioneer '85 and it sure out performs my dads Bronko 2 in stability in corners, comfort, and hill climbing under all conditions.