Update: Cool Jeep, priced fairly, not for me

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
08/28/2020 at 15:47 • Filed to: unnecessary jeep shopping with jj, jeep, XJ Cherokee

I met the owner (great guy, knows way more about car mechanicals than me, built most of this himself), took it for a spin, and crawled around underneath for a while. Hurrah for lifted vehicles.

Very much built for off-roading, which I like and would enjoy, but it would take a lot of work to make me happy with it on the road.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

It’s only an hour and a half from the park where I’m staying this week, so I plan to check it out Friday.

(I know, I know, I find a new XJ to fall in love with every couple of weeks, but I have the funds and it’s a manual and a 4.0L and 4wd and superficially at least seems like a solid build.)

I could do without the snorkel, or the oversized tires that will kill my back, and I’d like a back seat. But it would be fun to take on the trails that I’ve avoided for years because my LJ is just too fragile.

DISCUSSION (33)

jminer > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 12:45

It definitely does look a bit much, but also in good shape and fairly well done.

On a related note I can’t believe how expensive these have gotten, 10 years ago they were basically disposable.

DipodomysDeserti > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 12:50

Your Wrangler is only fragile because it was built poorly. Any Jeep is going to have that same issue. If anything, the Wrangler is going to have a much more robust, simple and more easily repairable design than an XJ that someone has already screwed with. Unless your still having issues with your six speed, in which case it is probably toast. Mine started doing weird stuff which is why I knew it was time to let her go.

adamftw > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 13:17

Damn, back in the day that would have been a STEAL. Buy it and beat the balls off it.

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 13:22

$4500, huh — why wait until Friday to take a look if you really want it? Also, you’ll probably have an easier time sourcing a back bench seat and/or interior trim.

Oh, and another steering wheel since the owner went the DIY airbag delete option

Cash Rewards > DipodomysDeserti
08/26/2020 at 13:28

Can we convince him to change his name to 4ever 4runnin'?

Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 13:31

I wonder how hard a back seat would be to find. I can’t imagine the seat is any different between the 2 and 4 door models.

RacinBob > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 13:34

Yep, this one looks legit and at a fair/realistic price. Only deal killer would be finding serious rust lur king underneath. Those things crumble to dust up in Wisconsin.

What I see is basically an off road machine. Hence be ready to accept some compromises in handling and everyday usage but if its the droid for you go for it.

Just Jeepin' > Cash Rewards
08/26/2020 at 13:37

If Toyota still made an open air off-road vehicle...

Just Jeepin' > boredalways
08/26/2020 at 13:41

Honestly, while this seems nice and I’m interested, if someone else steps in before I can and buys it that’s ok with me. For half that price I can find an auto XJ that hasn’t been thrashed off-road.

boredalways > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 13:44

I know you can, but it begs the question: why haven't you made that purchase previously?

Just Jeepin' > boredalways
08/26/2020 at 13:46

Because it’s cheaper not to buy anything!

(Also money has historically been tight. Being in lockdown has helped replenish some savings.)

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 14:13

It’s kind of insane Toyota didn’t do that with the FJ Cruiser. How hard would it have been?

Just Jeepin' > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
08/26/2020 at 15:50

Overall that vehicle feels like a case study in missed opportunities.

Just Jeepin' > Kiltedpadre
08/26/2020 at 15:51

I know the back seat changed mid-cycle for the TJs, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are multiple types of seat connections over the longer XJ lifespan. But, hopefully not too hard to remedy either way.

Just Jeepin' > adamftw
08/26/2020 at 15:52

If it’s as well built as it appears, it’s definitely cheaper than it would be for me to do it since I’d have to outsource the work anyway.

Just Jeepin' > RacinBob
08/26/2020 at 15:52

It does say the floor was replaced, so I’m curious what the rest of the underbelly looks like. Could be rust everywhere.

Just Jeepin' > jminer
08/26/2020 at 15:53

They still have that reputation around here, but I imagine it’s changing with the rising prices. I’ve hea rd of people just abandoning their stuck XJs rather than try to rescue them.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 16:25

Sure does, my cousin had one and eventually sold it. There are some out there.

https://www.smartmotorguide.com/L48322417

Kinja'd!!!

jminer > Just Jeepin'
08/26/2020 at 21:53

I remember an article talking about modding Cherokee and grand Cherokee and they talked about how it was a plus how cheap they were so when you wore out the unibody in one you could just bolt your previous mods to a new shell and rinse repeat as needed.

lone_liberal > Just Jeepin'
08/28/2020 at 15:53

Too bad it was too off-road focused for what you need. Did you at least get yourself a soft cone?

Just Jeepin' > lone_liberal
08/28/2020 at 15:56

The drive- in is closed indefinitely, thanks I assume to our current affliction.

Noodles > Just Jeepin'
08/28/2020 at 16:08

Cherokee's are cool, but I had a Wrangler 20 years ago and always wondered why anyone would choose a Cherokee over a removable roof. They're cool looking and all, but offroading with the top off is kinda hard to beat

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > RacinBob
08/28/2020 at 16:14

I used to sell these when they were new. I remember having a discussion with the sales manager about the underhood rust on brand new vehicles sitting inside of the showroom. He didn't feel it was a problem. I did.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Just Jeepin'
08/28/2020 at 16:16

I’m not an off-roader - what is the purpose of that huge steel hoop coming off the front bumper?

Just Jeepin' > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/28/2020 at 16:32

Believe it or not, for situations like this one. (Sorry about the music.)

Just Jeepin' > Noodles
08/28/2020 at 16:33

I agree, but sometimes it’s nice having more security. And you can get a nice XJ for the price of a clapped-out Wrangler.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Just Jeepin'
08/28/2020 at 17:15

Yeah! XJs!!!!

My shitt y one for reference (90% rust):

Kinja'd!!!

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
08/28/2020 at 18:54

First thing I had noticed was lock outs and long arms. I thought, well, probably not what he is looking for. Also without and interior it’s loud. But you drive a wrangler so that may not bother you.

Fair price for what it is, what’s been done to it.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
08/28/2020 at 18:58

I was surprised: my Jeep has no carpeting and it’s loud, but this was a whole new level.

He deserves what he’s asking, hope he gets it. He’s been getting lowballs of course, but he knows what he has.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
08/28/2020 at 19:04

It’s the metal top. It echos in there or something.

When I bought my 5 speed XJ it was missing a rear window with some thin metal in its place. I was amazed how much the glass quieted it down.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Just Jeepin'
08/28/2020 at 21:20

Amazing. Finally found the name of those “stinger bars” in a comment. Thx.

Just Jeepin' > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/28/2020 at 21:29

Oh, good, I couldn’t remember off-hand what they were called. I almost bought one last time I needed a new bumper, but in hindsight , it’s been too flaky to go off-roading in years.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Just Jeepin'
08/28/2020 at 21:51

heh-I was going to ask you their name but then thought I have google-fu. Which failed me so I read all the YT comments.

I’ve seen a few of those around here and have always been curious - thought they had something to do with winching.

That trail is near me. I’m not riding that on a mtn bike. It’s almost 30% grade! Friend took me first time in his Jeep to Moody Hill near me. Also about 30% here. I chickened out and bailed at this rock ledge. Correct decision based on that video!

Kinja'd!!!

huh - those nerf bars on the XJ’s rear quarter panels are new to me too.