1998 XJ "Classic" - Input Sought
06-03-2017, 02:08 AM
#16
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06-03-2017, 03:08 AM
#17
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Model: Cherokee
Sorry, I don't know of anyone up north. I do have a link to the D35 to 8.25 swap with disc brakes, tho...and if you have the tools and are mechanically inclined, it isn't that tough.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/d3...ersion-126719/
For gear ratio, there should be tags on the diff covers of the axles, but if not, there's ways around that, you can either spin the rear wheels and see how much the driveshaft rotates compared to the wheel rotations, and get a rough estimate, or you can pop the diff cover and count the teeth...but let's not get ahead of ourselves, wait until you have something first, LOL
On the rust...if it's there, it's likely in other spots as well. Check the rockers, rear fender wells, floorboards, etc...go over it with a fine tooth comb. Rust is a deal breaker.
Finally, take it to a mechanic for a pre-sale inspection, if you don't know what you're looking at. Might cost a small amount, but it's worth it in the long run if you don't know what to look for. If the seller has issue with this RUN, not walk, away.
Good luck.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/d3...ersion-126719/
For gear ratio, there should be tags on the diff covers of the axles, but if not, there's ways around that, you can either spin the rear wheels and see how much the driveshaft rotates compared to the wheel rotations, and get a rough estimate, or you can pop the diff cover and count the teeth...but let's not get ahead of ourselves, wait until you have something first, LOL
On the rust...if it's there, it's likely in other spots as well. Check the rockers, rear fender wells, floorboards, etc...go over it with a fine tooth comb. Rust is a deal breaker.
Finally, take it to a mechanic for a pre-sale inspection, if you don't know what you're looking at. Might cost a small amount, but it's worth it in the long run if you don't know what to look for. If the seller has issue with this RUN, not walk, away.
Good luck.
So, I need to find someone local with such experience to find-out what they would charge; and then factor that into an offer, assuming that rust is not a deal-breaker...
Just did some reading on the areas prone to rust on XJs. Indeed, rocker panels were noted. I found this discussion helpful:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/r...rokees-215824/
Is it easy to lift up the carpets? I will bring a flashlight and look carefully...
06-03-2017, 02:36 PM
#18
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I passed on the XJ.
At a different time in my life and if I was not new to XJs, I would have made an offer.
The rust as seen on page one is also under the gutters too and the rust "blister" under the rack makes for a bit of an unknown below it. Door perimeters and frames are rust free, seemingly. Also, I didn't see any rust where the leaf springs secure, or in the pan areas. For a CA car it's whole life, probably more rust than others. It is somewhat near the ocean, foggy, and he keeps it outdoors, which likely explains it.
It was pretty "wet" on the underside, in various areas. The valve cover on down, wet. Coolant, oil and tranny fluid looked great.
He mentioned some issue with the brakes he noticed this morning, a strange sound in the master cylinder area, and that he had less pedal.
Coupled with the rear end needing repair or a swap, I wished him luck and headed home.
Original owner, has all records, all the way back to the window sticker, never punished it, going into 4x4 mode maybe half a dozen times on Tahoe trips, gravel roads and the like. Drat.
Oh well, I'll keep looking. Thanks for the help.
At a different time in my life and if I was not new to XJs, I would have made an offer.
The rust as seen on page one is also under the gutters too and the rust "blister" under the rack makes for a bit of an unknown below it. Door perimeters and frames are rust free, seemingly. Also, I didn't see any rust where the leaf springs secure, or in the pan areas. For a CA car it's whole life, probably more rust than others. It is somewhat near the ocean, foggy, and he keeps it outdoors, which likely explains it.
It was pretty "wet" on the underside, in various areas. The valve cover on down, wet. Coolant, oil and tranny fluid looked great.
He mentioned some issue with the brakes he noticed this morning, a strange sound in the master cylinder area, and that he had less pedal.
Coupled with the rear end needing repair or a swap, I wished him luck and headed home.
Original owner, has all records, all the way back to the window sticker, never punished it, going into 4x4 mode maybe half a dozen times on Tahoe trips, gravel roads and the like. Drat.
Oh well, I'll keep looking. Thanks for the help.
Last edited by TonyBJ300; 06-03-2017 at 02:38 PM.
06-05-2017, 03:51 PM
#19
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
if you are willing to travel check in AZ most of these jeeps have lived in the Sonoran Desert their entire lives and are rust free
06-05-2017, 04:42 PM
#20
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AZ89Laredo - Good advice, thank you. Most in CA tend to be rust-free too. This one is a bit of an exception, and even then it was likely fairly minor. Thanks again.
06-05-2017, 07:13 PM
#21
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I passed on the XJ.
At a different time in my life and if I was not new to XJs, I would have made an offer.
The rust as seen on page one is also under the gutters too and the rust "blister" under the rack makes for a bit of an unknown below it. Door perimeters and frames are rust free, seemingly. Also, I didn't see any rust where the leaf springs secure, or in the pan areas. For a CA car it's whole life, probably more rust than others. It is somewhat near the ocean, foggy, and he keeps it outdoors, which likely explains it.
It was pretty "wet" on the underside, in various areas. The valve cover on down, wet. Coolant, oil and tranny fluid looked great.
He mentioned some issue with the brakes he noticed this morning, a strange sound in the master cylinder area, and that he had less pedal.
Coupled with the rear end needing repair or a swap, I wished him luck and headed home.
Original owner, has all records, all the way back to the window sticker, never punished it, going into 4x4 mode maybe half a dozen times on Tahoe trips, gravel roads and the like. Drat.
Oh well, I'll keep looking. Thanks for the help.
At a different time in my life and if I was not new to XJs, I would have made an offer.
The rust as seen on page one is also under the gutters too and the rust "blister" under the rack makes for a bit of an unknown below it. Door perimeters and frames are rust free, seemingly. Also, I didn't see any rust where the leaf springs secure, or in the pan areas. For a CA car it's whole life, probably more rust than others. It is somewhat near the ocean, foggy, and he keeps it outdoors, which likely explains it.
It was pretty "wet" on the underside, in various areas. The valve cover on down, wet. Coolant, oil and tranny fluid looked great.
He mentioned some issue with the brakes he noticed this morning, a strange sound in the master cylinder area, and that he had less pedal.
Coupled with the rear end needing repair or a swap, I wished him luck and headed home.
Original owner, has all records, all the way back to the window sticker, never punished it, going into 4x4 mode maybe half a dozen times on Tahoe trips, gravel roads and the like. Drat.
Oh well, I'll keep looking. Thanks for the help.