Bright Red 97 XJ Build
#316
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Yes, at least since my ownership it has progressed in some spots. Snow isn't the problem, it's the salt that mixes with the water, or that horrible calcium stuff they would use. When that gets in and forms rust, it is in there. My rockers are getting pretty bad, my muffler and cat converter have holes in them, the fender panel is getting some, and of course all the bolts I tamper with either are siezed or snap.
#317
Had the same issues with my truck-lites the wet heavy snow is an issue. But mine were still bright enough i didn't realize it until I got home and saw it. Still worth it!
#318
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 551
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yes, at least since my ownership it has progressed in some spots. Snow isn't the problem, it's the salt that mixes with the water, or that horrible calcium stuff they would use. When that gets in and forms rust, it is in there. My rockers are getting pretty bad, my muffler and cat converter have holes in them, the fender panel is getting some, and of course all the bolts I tamper with either are siezed or snap.
#319
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Tarpon springs, FL
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Guess I'm luck that mine never left Florida after it was built. No rust and the bolts have never seized on me yet
#320
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
There's some pretty clean ones up here. A guy on the other block from me has a spotless gold XJ. The rust buckets greatly outweigh the nice ones though.
#322
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
They'll go $8k here too, but hlaf the time they're not running/ so rusty you'll fall through the floor if you step the wrong way. All because it's on some 4.5" RC lift, bald 33s, and light bars.
What's crazy is people actually buy them though.
#323
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 371
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From: Tarpon springs, FL
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
5 grand for mine with 225,000 original miles. Great shape inside and out. the previous and only other owner was the father of the salesman at the dealer so it still looked like it did the day it came out of the factory
#324
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Tarpon springs, FL
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'd kill for a rust free one.
They'll go $8k here too, but hlaf the time they're not running/ so rusty you'll fall through the floor if you step the wrong way. All because it's on some 4.5" RC lift, bald 33s, and light bars.
What's crazy is people actually buy them though.
They'll go $8k here too, but hlaf the time they're not running/ so rusty you'll fall through the floor if you step the wrong way. All because it's on some 4.5" RC lift, bald 33s, and light bars.
What's crazy is people actually buy them though.
I'd rather buy one in good/great shape and have it still stock. Then I can have the fun of building it up that way that I want it
#325
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 190
From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
#326
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
I wouldn't dare touch those with a 10ft pole haha! I got mine bone stock for $1700, pretty clean with 179,xxx on it. I'm the 4th owner I think though. Got off some kid. Took 3 days to get the cigarette smoke smell out.
#327
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Winterfest procrastination last minute panic prep
As the title says. Yeah.
Been fighting to get my rear bumper off since yesterday. Opted to take the whole bracket off with it since the 2 bottom bolts on the bumper itself broke and just spin freely. So far have gotten 6/8 off. The last 2 are the outer top ones on each side and are a pain to reach. Even with how rusty they are, once they break loose they come right out. I'll have to figure out how to get the PS nut strip out, or maybe just put in the DS one in and leave the other for when I get a bumper.
Second thing I have to do is the brake hardlines. I can get by with just the fronts as I already have the RE extended one in the rear. If I can get my RC extended lines in the front I'll be golden Pony Boy.
Been fighting to get my rear bumper off since yesterday. Opted to take the whole bracket off with it since the 2 bottom bolts on the bumper itself broke and just spin freely. So far have gotten 6/8 off. The last 2 are the outer top ones on each side and are a pain to reach. Even with how rusty they are, once they break loose they come right out. I'll have to figure out how to get the PS nut strip out, or maybe just put in the DS one in and leave the other for when I get a bumper.
Second thing I have to do is the brake hardlines. I can get by with just the fronts as I already have the RE extended one in the rear. If I can get my RC extended lines in the front I'll be golden Pony Boy.
#328
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Got the bumper off. Only took 2 days...
The good side
Cut and fold definitely on the list now.
Now to do the nut strips and Curt hitch.
The good side
Cut and fold definitely on the list now.
Now to do the nut strips and Curt hitch.
#329
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
I'm attempted to abort mission. I'm out here with a space heater/radiator made for a small room fighting this stupid hitch, it's starting to drizzle, and it's suppose to snowtonight into tomorrow. The nut strip threads are done. I can get 1 side bolted up, but the other is only held on by the exhaust hangar bolts. I'm going to force them in for now.