Hey Everyone,
I'm relatively new to this forum and the proud new owner of an execellent condition '97 Collector's Edition with 106k miles. I live in Maryland, but spent most of my life living near Syracuse, NY (can't wait to take the LC up to Black Lake (north of Watertown, NY) for ice fishing this winter).
I say I'm relatively new, because I spent about a month researching the threads within this forum, before purchasing my LC. I learned great deal about the longevity of these vehicles (if properly maintained). This forum helped me decide that buying a LC was the right move...that's powerful stuff.
After looking at/driving many, I finally found the jewel. The guy I bought mine from was the original owner of the vehicle. His wife drove it (mostly on the highway) to and from work (Baltimore to DC) daily. He had alot of maintenance records...mostly oil changes by the dealer every 3k-4k miles. It drives like new.
While I've always done most of the maintenance on my vehicles (my current "other vehicle" is a '97 Saab 900 SE Turbo Coupe...104k miles and still sneeky fast), this is my first 4wd, so I have alot to learn about the drivetrain and related preventive maintenance. I have learned from you folks that it is important to service the steering knuckles and birfield joints regularly (is every 60k correct?). The only records the previous owner had in this area was a few shots of new grease by the dealer from time to time. Needless to say, I'm purchasing a FSM and will do the service myself...along with any other maintenance suggested by this forum.
Finally, I'm thinking about converting from dino to synthetic oil. I did this slowly with my Saab and never developed leaky seals. I started with a 30-70 mix of M1-dino, then increased the M1 amount each change until it was 100% M1...it took almost two years.
Thanks all,
Paul
I'm relatively new to this forum and the proud new owner of an execellent condition '97 Collector's Edition with 106k miles. I live in Maryland, but spent most of my life living near Syracuse, NY (can't wait to take the LC up to Black Lake (north of Watertown, NY) for ice fishing this winter).
I say I'm relatively new, because I spent about a month researching the threads within this forum, before purchasing my LC. I learned great deal about the longevity of these vehicles (if properly maintained). This forum helped me decide that buying a LC was the right move...that's powerful stuff.
After looking at/driving many, I finally found the jewel. The guy I bought mine from was the original owner of the vehicle. His wife drove it (mostly on the highway) to and from work (Baltimore to DC) daily. He had alot of maintenance records...mostly oil changes by the dealer every 3k-4k miles. It drives like new.
While I've always done most of the maintenance on my vehicles (my current "other vehicle" is a '97 Saab 900 SE Turbo Coupe...104k miles and still sneeky fast), this is my first 4wd, so I have alot to learn about the drivetrain and related preventive maintenance. I have learned from you folks that it is important to service the steering knuckles and birfield joints regularly (is every 60k correct?). The only records the previous owner had in this area was a few shots of new grease by the dealer from time to time. Needless to say, I'm purchasing a FSM and will do the service myself...along with any other maintenance suggested by this forum.
Finally, I'm thinking about converting from dino to synthetic oil. I did this slowly with my Saab and never developed leaky seals. I started with a 30-70 mix of M1-dino, then increased the M1 amount each change until it was 100% M1...it took almost two years.
Thanks all,
Paul
, and welcome to the forum. Lots of good guys, and maybe gals, here willing to help out with anything and everything. 
D-
