SirCyber

Hey guys, I'm looking for a cheap xj for a friend and I think I have a good one in mind. Its $750 on Craigslist. His story is that he hit a tree, causing front end damage. The grill is off, bumper destroyed, radiator damaged. He claims that it didn't touch the clutch fan, no data on electric fan (forgot to ask since mine didn't come with one). He says the frame is bent but runs and drives (until it overheats). Also, apparently the guys who helped pull him out damaged the tie rod. Now, my takes are this. Grill, bumper, and front frame should be easy to repair with junkyard parts. Tie rod as well, but will need an alignment afterwards. I can use my old radiator. He claims a recent engine and transmission replacement.

I will be going out there to check for the usual suspects. Rust, engine knocks, signs of poor maintenance, etc and etc. Not my first rodeo buying a cherokee. My question is simple. Is is actually possible that he bent the frame in a front end collision with a tree at 20mph? I'm thinking that if the clutch fan was not damaged but the radiator was, then the frame itself wouldn't have been damaged. The front framework (under the radiator) maybe but i don't see it damaging the frame ate the sides. Is it worth it for $750? How derp could I look at digging into this? Are there any other considerations or things I should look at relating specifically to the front damage?

Chick-N-Picker

Personally I wouldn't buy an XJ that has been in a wreck, especially a front end collison. Hard to say what it really did.

The reason I say this is I see XJ's all the time for $500-$1000 that needs just a fuel pump (at least that's what they say), or ones that just need head gaskets (really not that hard to change on these), or other problems like crank no starts.

So I'd rather pick up a very straight non wrecked XJ and do a head gasket or something than buy a wrecked one. That just me though.

But then again if you think it will be a simple fix then go for it. It's always a gamble though whether your buying a wrecked one or one like I said but then again that's why they are only hundreds of dollars......okay I'm talking in circles haha.

SirCyber

Eh out here a "mechanics special" cherokee runs $1500+, (cheapest cherokee in my area, minus trashed off road only and the one in question) is $5000, and highest $8000. So finding a $750 one is a bit rare. That's why I'm looking at this one. Classified ads aren't any better, seen a '99 go for $12k recently!

BlueRidgeMark

This.

Dave51

I'm trying to picture how you run into a tree at 20 MPH such that you need to be pulled out from the front...

Dave51

Dave51

And they laughed at me when I posted

1976gmc20

Probably bent the tie rod hitting the tree.

BlueRidgeMark

Dave, is that a current NADA sheet?

fb97xj1

When asking a forum if a vehicle thats been in an accident with possible frame damage is worth buying, always post pics of the damage. We have no way of knowing what was actually done to it. it could be an easy fix, but maybe not. A vehicle listed for 750 can easily end up costing double, or even triple in repair costs. Body shops are not cheap. If you will be doing all the work yourself, that changes things. If it were me looking for a friend, all i want to deal with are the basics like a tuneup, tires, and battery. Frame damage (including rot) or any major machanical issues, no. Find something they can get in and drive right away.