New member needs info on 1998 jimmy

[Heypops]

Hey guys,
New to this forum. 1st post!

Thinking about buying 1998 4x4 Jimmy V8, 4.3L, 127,000 miles, for
1 towing Mastercraft 190 (boat & trailer est 3300 lbs).
2 occasional snow & ice (live in NE Georgia)

Would like any info, good or bad, on this model GMC.

Many thx

George Burdell

 

[Molson02536]

Hey guys,
New to this forum. 1st post!

Thinking about buying 1998 4x4 Jimmy V8, 4.3L, 127,000 miles, for
1 towing Mastercraft 190 (boat & trailer est 3300 lbs).
2 occasional snow & ice (live in NE Georgia)

Would like any info, good or bad, on this model GMC.

Many thx

George Burdell

Great towing SUV, if you do buy the Jimmy. Service the transmission and replace the boost valve with a 0.490" boost valve, this will add a few more years to your transmission and give it a firmer shift.

The other thing to also look for is corrosion to your transmission, brake, and fuel line. Common area on the fuel line will be where the nylon clips hold the line to the frame buy the back door, drivers side just before the back wheels.

Other than that, my 96 has over 365,000 miles with regular maintance and worn parts replaced.

Good luck and almost forgot the ball joints are all so a problem area for the Jimmy's, Blazer's and the pick ups.

 

[Heypops]

info on 1998 jimmy

Many thanks for your info.

hopefully, we can arrive at a suitable price soon.

I'll let everyone how it goes!

thx again

 

[Heypops]

New member needs info on '98 Jimmy

Ok... I have been doing some research and reading.

First many thank to Molson02536 !!! What a wealth of knowledge & willingness to share it.

Now, I'm looking at buying a '98 jimmy 4x4 auto (4L60 E tranny). Just had the tranny inspected and passed muster.

Starts up good, runs well, good acceleration with some wiggle in the front end. Maybe shocks or front end wear, not sure yet. But acceptable for now.

No codes on OBD II scanner.

So over all, so far--so good......

But wait, the radiator and plastic over-fill bottle are both full of dark/rusty gritty stuff and the inside of the rad viewed thru the cap opening looks like a rusted mess as well as inside the rad cap.

So here is the question...
1. Even if I change out radiator and/or water pump, What about the block water circulation?? Has the bad radiator maintenance affected the cooling of the block?? How can I know or test this idea??

(radiator at NAPA $136 + water pump $60 + sundry other items $ ??)


Bigger question..... Is finding the rusted-up radiator, a deal breaker for buying the 1998 jimmy??

What is this vehicle worth in this condition ??

Should I wait for another or make a play for this one ??

thanks again guys !!!

George P. Burdell

 

[Molson02536]

Ok... I have been doing some research and reading.

First many thank to Molson02536 !!! What a wealth of knowledge & willingness to share it.

Now, I'm looking at buying a '98 jimmy 4x4 auto (4L60 E tranny). Just had the tranny inspected and passed muster.

Starts up good, runs well, good acceleration with some wiggle in the front end. Maybe shocks or front end wear, not sure yet. But acceptable for now.

No codes on OBD II scanner.

So over all, so far--so good......

But wait, the radiator and plastic over-fill bottle are both full of dark/rusty gritty stuff and the inside of the rad viewed thru the cap opening looks like a rusted mess as well as inside the rad cap.

So here is the question...
1. Even if I change out radiator and/or water pump, What about the block water circulation?? Has the bad radiator maintenance affected the cooling of the block?? How can I know or test this idea??

(radiator at NAPA $136 + water pump $60 + sundry other items $ ??)


Bigger question..... Is finding the rusted-up radiator, a deal breaker for buying the 1998 jimmy??

What is this vehicle worth in this condition ??

Should I wait for another or make a play for this one ??

thanks again guys !!!

George P. Burdell

It's not rust, it's the coolant (Dex-Cool). The coolant has not been serviced as it should have been. 5 years or 100,000 miles which ever comes first with a 50/50 mix. The coolant will crystallize after a few years causing what you have described, and you'll find that your heating system may not be running at 100% from the lack of proper circulation.

Here is a link that should help you understand what needs to be done and I would buy the Jimmy and have some money put a side to invest in it to bring it to running 100% again.

Good luck and enjoy and don't forget to inspect the vacuum line for transmission fluid. Transmission fluid will find it self in there from a bad 4wd vacuum switch on top of the transfer case and also the vacuum line on the drivers side on top on the manifold tend to crack and break.

http://members.shaw.ca/betterthanyoutoo/dexcoolflush.htm