Bad Idea of the Now

by "Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
Published 09/19/2017 at 12:09

Tags: XJ ; Jerp ; two-jeep family
STARS: 3

So, after much debate, my wife and I have come to the conclusion that we need a second vehicle. She works from home and is stuck there regularly. She wants me to get a small pickemup truck, which I fully support. Our budget is $3000 but I’d like to stay under $2500 if possible.

So I saw this on Craigslist:

And my sister has a 2wd 1994 XJ Cherokee, with a recently rebuilt rear axle, and the factory mesh wheels with nearly new tires. Unfortunately, a bunch of little things have gone wrong with it and it’s due to be donated to NPR before the end of the year.

*edit*

Her jerp is now my jerp

So I sent the ad, along with the idea of towing the Comanche and the Cherokee to my sister’s mechanic to have the axle and wheels swapped.

If she says it’s a go, I’m going to look at the Comanche today.

Replies (9)

"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
09/19/2017 at 12:21, STARS: 0

OH GOD YES.

"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
09/19/2017 at 12:25, STARS: 1

Any chance the owner will let you compression test the cylinders?

It seems like a great idea, but I’d hate for the “good running engine” to really be beat to shit underneath it all.

"adamftw" (adamftw)
09/19/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 1

Hey. Cherokees are spring over and Comanches are spring under. Just FYI; the rear axle isn’t a direct swap.

"Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
09/19/2017 at 12:31, STARS: 0

At $650 it won’t hurt too bad if I have to spring for a junkyard 2.5 or 4.0 and the contents of the engine bay

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
09/19/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 0

I’m impressed at the condition, actually, for the mileage. I would also be concerned about engine compression, but you said a swap wouldn’t be a huge deal considering the starting point... so yeah go for it.

"NojustNo" (front24200)
09/19/2017 at 13:00, STARS: 0

I hear police surplus vehicles are a way to get a deal

"boredalways" (boredalway666)
09/19/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 0

Sorry, but I’ll be that guy: since this will be your wife’s car and not yours, wouldn’t it be best to find something with more modern construction in terms of crash worthiness in the event of an accident?

I think the Comanche is very nice, but it’s from 1987. Something from the ‘00's would be much safer, even if it’s just for short trips to wherever she wants to go.

"Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
09/19/2017 at 13:24, STARS: 0

This will be my car. She’ll be driving Meepster, the 2015 Renegade...

"boredalways" (boredalway666)
09/19/2017 at 13:45, STARS: 0

OIC, sorry for the misunderstanding.

Maybe you can get the Comanche and something more reliable (until the truck is sorted) and still make your budget?