So, starting over

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
10/22/2020 at 23:05 • Filed to: unnecessary jeep shopping with jj

I hear Kodos & Kang are yelling at each other tonight, but I thought I’d spend time on yet another forlorn search for interesting Jeeps and share them with you, because surely you haven’t been exposed to enough manual XJs yet.

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This one has caught my eye in part because it’s a drivable distance, and also because I know we have a couple of Jeep enthusiasts in North Carolina. Unfortunately brokenmostweeks is too far, but maybe jeepoftheseus is closer...

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This is local, obviously not an XJ, a bit out of my range, and I’d need a roof, but it’s a looker.

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Plus of course not the straight 6 I’d want or one of the classic CJ V8s, but rather a GM 151 I4.

http://jeeptech.com/engine/gm151.html

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Moving out west, where the Jeeps are plentiful and the rust is marginal...

I absolutely love the color on this rural Washington XJ. The lift is a bit much, and I hate the idea of having such big tires that I wouldn’t be able to put on a spare without rendering my back inoperable for a week.

It’s interesting how different the blue looks on these two photos. Sun vs shadow, but still.

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This Portland vehicle definitely looks the part of an adventure Jeep, but it’s only 2WD. Still, the price is hard to beat.

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This Portland Jeep is out of my price range (especially when you include the cost of shipping) and the photos are ... well, damned few and damned crappy.

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This one in the SF Bay Area is currently inoperable, and 2WD only, but I like the price. Still, if I were going to buy a cheap 2WD, I’d probably buy the Portland one, because it actually runs. Or more likely the Orlando one further down the page.

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More weird photo choices...there are quite a few, but they’re mostly very tight and just weird. But the price is right, and it’s New Mexico, where they’ve never heard of rust.

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This one’s from Texas, nearly to the New Mexico border. I absolutely hate the color (white? cream?), but it has remarkably low mileage. Apparently sat for years.

Also, the seller has quite an attitude. “I’m a dealer but I refuse to do dealer things.”

(I just noticed that intriguing yellow...truck? Anyone recognize that?)

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This problem child from Colorado has been fixed frequently by its adoptive parent and still is glitchy. I know the feeling.

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Can’t beat the price on this Colorado special, $800...probably because it needs a new engine (or some major work on the current one). If I had the engine and the chops I’d grab it.

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Jumping down to Florida, this is tempting because I could fly to see family in the area and drive it home. Single owner! 2WD only, sadly, but I really should think more about this one given its proximity to my grandmother.

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Also in Florida, also perplexed by the lack of photos. As I’ve ranted before, photos are cheap! Take them, share them, you’re spending money to post on Craigslist so make the best of it!

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(That rant was a lot more interesting when the linked for sale pages were still up.)

This is also sadly white, but not the dingy white of the Texas low-mileage example.

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Holy crackpipe, Batman! But it is undeniably gorgeous.

(It’s actually probably a fair price for a restored, relatively rare Jeep like that, but it’s way way way out of my range.)

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This is an SJ Cherokee. Nice classic, affordable, but there’s no way I have the chops or the pocketbook to clean it up like it deserves.

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This one in the DC area is gorgeous , and looks so clean, but trying to sell it 4000 miles after an engine swap is a big red flag to me. Still, if I knew it were a safe bet, this would be near the top of my wishlist.

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So, those are (most of) the Jeeps I have my eye on right now, none of which I’m likely to buy. If anyone’s within a short drive of any of them, let me know (although some of them aren’t even worth a visit, so definitely check with me first).

Thank you for indulging me by reading this new edition of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (50)

HammerheadFistpunch > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:10

I had a 91 laredo 5 speed. in white though. great combo.

wafflesnfalafel > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:10

You know, i’ve never been a big fan of the Cherokee because I don’t fit in the damn things - not enough head/leg room. But I sure would take that gorgeous green scrambler.

Just Jeepin' > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:11

Heck, I forgot the one I wanted facw to look at for me if he’s anywhere nearby. Not sure why this didn’t pop up in my A uto tempest Craigslist search, guess I need to take a closer look at that.

Any Boston-area peeps near this one?

Kinja'd!!!

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/d/auburndale-1999-cherokee-4-sale-5-speed/7212578642.html

Just Jeepin' > HammerheadFistpunch
10/22/2020 at 23:12

How did I not know that? Any pics?

Just Jeepin' > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:13

Another random question: anyone know if Facebook Marketplace is down, or have they simply figured out I’m a waste of CPU cycles?

Alfalfa > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:14

2 door XJ is best XJ

Just Jeepin' > Alfalfa
10/22/2020 at 23:16

After 6 years of limited access to my back seat in my LJ, I’m ready for a 4-door.

Granted, any XJ will have the advantage of rear access during the winter that I lack, but still.

facw > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:17

I am indeed extremely close to that one (next town over), but I’m also feeling a bit sick (getting tested again tomorrow), so I’m probably not able to look at it for at least a week or two under our guidelines. Also honestly it’s been ages since I’ve even been in a stick shift, so if I took it on test drive, I might be reporting that it will probably need a new clutch because some idiot destroyed the old one.

Unfortunately Opposaurus is over on the other side of the city so it might be a bit of a hike for him.

lone_liberal > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:18

I’m sure the one in Pasco, WA isn’t rusty as it’s in a desert.

Just Jeepin' > facw
10/22/2020 at 23:19

Oh, man, hope you feel better soon, hope the test comes back negative.

Good luck!

facw > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:20

Thanks!

Just Jeepin' > lone_liberal
10/22/2020 at 23:21

TIL. I knew the mountains made a big difference in E vs W Washington climate, but I didn’t realize it was a desert.

HammerheadFistpunch > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:23

This was pre-digital. There might be some pics someplace, but I haven’t seen any in a while.

lone_liberal > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:24

Most people don’t think about the rain shadow of the Cascades creating a desert climate but it’s true. Not all of eastern Washington is desert but a lot of the central part is.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:24

The white one in Florida looks amazing for the price really. I'm not sure how willing you are to do a fly-in.

Just Jeepin' > HammerheadFistpunch
10/22/2020 at 23:25

Yeah, most of my life simply doesn’t exist in photographic form, even most of my digital photos pre 2013. A bit of a shame.

Just Jeepin' > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
10/22/2020 at 23:27

I’ll have to think about it; the appeal of seeing family, even if only from a distance, is strong.

JMKarstetter > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:30

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3339771352742645/

Just Jeepin' > JMKarstetter
10/22/2020 at 23:31

The real price is buried in there; $6800 is more than I want to pay for an auto.

Where are you in Texas?

JMKarstetter > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:33

I’m actually in the Oklahoma City area, and I could have sworn it said manual. I think the only reason it’s priced that high is because of the lockers and added stuff it has.

Just Jeepin' > JMKarstetter
10/22/2020 at 23:35

This is the closest one I found to you: https://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/d/owasso-1996-jeep-cherokee/7215595041.html

Price is right, but 2WD.

fintail > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:43

The Pasco one is probably just under 2 hours away from me now. I’d offer to take a look for you, but snow is in the forecast tomorrow, so no :)

Yellow truck is a ~70 Chevy.

Beefchips > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:43

C hevy c10 I think? P hoto is a ‘68

Kinja'd!!!

Just Jeepin' > fintail
10/22/2020 at 23:44

I appreciate the thought. Realistically any west coast Jeep is going to have to be spectacular to deal with the shipping cost (although I don’t have a great feeling for how much that’ll be, I’m expecting at least 1500).

flatisflat > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:46

The pandemic has caused stranger instances than this being for sale so soon after a new engine.

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:48

West coast is where you find clean cars, not good deals.

Just Jeepin' > flatisflat
10/22/2020 at 23:55

True enough. I may reach out tomorrow.

Jb boin > Just Jeepin'
10/22/2020 at 23:57

Just virtual-Jeepin ’

They see you Jeepin’

They rustin’

Trolling and tryin’ to catch you Jeepin’ dirty

Your diff’s so loud

You’re swerving’

They hopin that they gonna catch you corrodin’ dirty

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 00:00

That one in Van Horn doesn’t look right to me. Not that I wouldn’t be willing to drive out there and check it out for you, but something doesn’t add up. There is no way that truck could’ve lived in Las Cruces (or anywhere in the borderland) without tinted windows and still have any part of the interior not disintegrated to nothing. Even if it lived in a garage most of the time, interiors don’t last here without UV shielding. And then there’s the fact the curbstoning seller spray painted the wheel wells black. My money would be on that truck having been pulled out an auction, and with a more interesting (and less appealing, as a buyer) life story than sitting in Las Cruces.

Just Jeepin' > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2020 at 00:01

Interesting. I’m not sold on the idea of buying a Jeep and having it shipped without ever seeing it anyway (although I’m kicking myself for a couple I’ve missed) so that one wasn’t high on my list anyway.

Plus, cream, ugh.

I am curious now what the real story is.

RacinBob > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 00:18

There are people for whom $5k means nothing. Why would you doubt the 4000 engine swap? also the red on e first sounds fine. When you roll up to their 300K house you will realise it.

fintail > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 00:25

Just fly in and drive home, it’ll be an adventure. I just did that in the fintail to my new place, but that was 300 miles rather than 1500. Made it without a hiccup.

Just think, no rust, no rust, no rust, might be worth it.

Just Jeepin' > fintail
10/23/2020 at 00:29

Wer e I mechanically inclined I’d consider that. Driving a completely unknown, 20+ year-old vehicle 2000 miles is a bit too daring for me.

Chariotoflove > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 00:45

If you buy the IU one, I promise I will road trip to West Lafayette with you.

Derpwagon > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 01:21

There's also tape on the driver's seat.

Dead_Elvis, Inc. > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2020 at 01:41

That one in Van Horn doesn’t look right to me.

OT alert:

I stayed in a very, very cheap motel in Van Horn on a long motorcycle trip some years back.

Kinja'd!!!

As I’d been camping half the time, and crashing on the c ouches of a friends & distant relatives otherwise, an actual motel room to myself was kind of a treat. This place was dirt cheap, but still fancy enough to have custom, branded linens in the terlet :

Kinja'd!!!

These towels definitely were not worth stealing even when new, so I can’t imagine what led to this fine hand lettering gracing them.

Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 06:00

That ugly cream Jeep either didn’t start it’s life in NM, or we can easily explain the low miles. Can you imagine a desert Jeep being bought with no AC and vinyl seats? Holy melted thighs Batman!

Plus the interior plastics look much better than I would expect to see on a 33yo vehicle from that area. There’s a 2004 Acura from Nevada for sale at work, and the dash cover and top of the door panels are horribly cracked at half the age.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 07:47

Remind me again of your criteria?

Dest > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 07:56

Remember if you're planning on doing a 4wd swap you'll need to swap the transmission too.

pizzaman09 > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 08:38

You have done the type of search I do on a weekly basis for Jeep Comanche s. Unfortunately they are far more rare than Cherokees.

pizzaman09 > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 08:40

I did it with a 30 year old Jeep Comanche. Bought it and drove 3500 miles home. Was totally worth it and the adventure was epic.

Just Jeepin' > Dest
10/23/2020 at 08:41

I did not know that. Why?

Just Jeepin' > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/23/2020 at 08:45

If I buy an XJ, my strong preference is for the 4 liter straight 6 with the AX-15 manual transmission. ( Some older Cherokees came with a 5-speed transmission from Renault with a poor reputation.)

I have a moderate preference for the 4 door models but I haven’t spent enough time in an XJ to call that a dea l breaker, and everyone seems to have different opinions on the subject.

I’ ve considered autos, and Grand Cherokees of similar vintage, and Commanders of more recent vintage, for more comfort and better NVH characteristics, but that’s a wholly separate discussion.

Just Jeepin' > pizzaman09
10/23/2020 at 08:48

A Comanche occasionally crosses my radar, but yeah, far too few of them.

This guy got crazy lucky.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/100-and-a-cheap-pistol-1828953105

scguy > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 09:12

The tailshaft is different, it can be converted, but requires complete disassembly.

Best bet is to buy a parts rig with front axle, proper driveshafts, transmission and transfer case in one go.

That’s what I did to 4WD swap my Comanche, but I went the step further and converted it from Renix to the HO setup as well.

Just Jeepin' > scguy
10/23/2020 at 09:16

Good to know that, thanks.

Dest > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 10:05

I think the output shaft length is different? Possibly electrical connections too? I did all the research years ago cause you can get some sweet deals on 2wd XJs lol. Decided it was too much work for me in the end.

fintail > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 11:25

I’m not exactly Edd China either, but a 20 minute drive can probably give me a clue if a car is up to it. It had been many years since my complex nearly 60 year old car ventured more than 50 miles from home, I had faith in its behavior, and it made it. Maybe find a car, take it for a 20 minute highway road test, and if nothing is leaking or smoking by then, roll the dice.

Or just spend the grand or so to have it transported - probably worth multiples of that in lack of rust and likely better cosmetic condition.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 11:37

That one isn’t too far from me. I’d be happy to go look at it for you.

Just Jeepin' > Snuze: Needs another Swede
10/23/2020 at 11:44

Thanks! I’ll reach out.

Drop me an email if you would: oppo@epep.us