The new to me Cherokee

[torque]

Ok, so I kept a copy of the original add from CL...

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/Screenshot2011-06-07at64330PM.png

Went to look and most everything mechanical seems exactly like what you would expect from an average 15 year old Jeep.

PO was decent, knew what he had and also knew that there were a few short comings and things to be addressed. We negotiated on price, and found a number that was agreeable.

after a few emails and making arrangements I paid and went to the notary Friday evening, and I picked her up this afternoon. I spent about 7 hours total on the road today, but I am fairly happy.

The Good...
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1239.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1240.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1241.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1238.jpg

like I said it is 15 years old, the engine and under the hood is messy, didn't really poke the camera in there too much. The body is about 99.9% rust free. there is a very little beginnings of rust under the jeep on the rockers, which I will be addressing in the next few weeks. there is one rust spot on the passengers side rear floorboard about the size of a nickel that is rusted through so that will be getting fixed and then it is time to do some major underbody coating, I want to prevent rust like it was aids.


on the drive home I found that the tires need balanced, at least I hope that is all it is... at about 60-65 mph it feels like the right front is oval shaped.

The front doors window switches are peculiar, the black pieces will pop off in your hands, and the lock and unlock on switch doesn't fully lock the doors, it tries but doesn't get the job done. Manually the buttons are a little hard to push. I think I read somewhere that this is something to do with the keyless entry receiver... I didn't get a fob as apparently it had worn out long ago and was never replaced. I also think that I read that that was what this odd little thing here was.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1250.jpg

Which brings us to one of the downsides of the jeep... the head liner is in less than desirable condition
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1246.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1245.jpg

Plan on re-upholstering the upper center console, and also redoing the headliner. I know it doesn't affect the function or performance but it will bother me.

The seats are stained to high heavens, but I think I may be able to address a lot of that with cleaners and whatnot, one of the first things I ever purchased when I started driving was a haynes detailing manual.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1242.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1243.jpg

The Rims have seen better days, and will need some work or possible even replacing since it seems that I can find them online rather cheap, haven't decided yet.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1251.jpg

it also seems that the door limiting mechanism failed at some point, and I have read about this happening and knew this when I looked at the jeep, the parts to fix this aren't terribly expensive but it seemed well enough for the PO to fix it his own way...http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1247.jpg

all in all not a bad find, deal worked out well. not bad for the mileage the poor old girl has on her...http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/torque1257/CIMG1249.jpg

But even if the engine, tranny, or Xfer case does go I see them all the time on CL around me for less than 500; remans aren't that terribly expensive either when you compare it to having a car payment or buying a new car.

So I am tired and itching to go play around with the new toy, thinking I will start scrubbing the seats this evening to see just how bad the stains are set in...

Let me know what you think guys, good find?

[4x4Dalton]

Wow Mat great grab on the XJ. Thats where I found mine was on CL. Yers is in better shape then mine was. Yeah the lil black orb up top is the keyless entry sensor mine had it but its gone now to make room for the CB. Yers looks almost new compared to some Ive seen for sell so enjoy bro. Cant wait to hear to stories bout yer playin in it :driving:

[jccatt]

Looks a good buy for the price Mat. My head lining is hanging around my ears, its a common problem.

[torque]

I have a maintenance list started already...

not to mention the stuff like CB, Stereo, speakers and "luxury" items

There is so much I want to do and so little time and money to do it in not to mention that there is so much that I don't know where to start.

[OverEasy]

Congrats on the purchase! Doesn't look to be in all that bad a shape either. Looks great to me for the price for a XJ!

Looking forward to another great build thread soon! :thumbsup:

[torque]

cool, I am just glad that you guys didn't think I got ripped off... I haven't really bought many cars and usually they came from a family friend who owned a used car lot, there were times when the old car broke down that I called and said "this is what I have and this is what the trade in needs in work what do you have for me?" the guy would tell me and I would come buy it. that and this is the only one I ever bought without consulting my dad, he doesn't get it with the jeeps. when I told him I was going to look at it he said not to spend more than 1000 on a '96... then again a 96 blazer/jimmy or something maybe but he has no idea what the market is for cherokees, and around here to find one that had only one rust spot was a jewel...

I wasn't beating it up though with the complaint pictures, I knew about that stuff when I looked at it and when I made my offer on it, just some things that were worth noting to me. I cant wait till thursday LOL. order of business number one is full tune up, oil change, trans fluid change, and I am going to try to do the diffs too. God only knows when they were done last if they ever were... and coolant flush and replace.

[4.3LXJ]

No, that was a great price. Out here it would have gone for $1-2000 more after some detailing

[bluedragon436]

I think it looks as if you got a really good deal!! As far as the seat get some of that carpet/seat cleaner in a can stuff with the little scrubber on the top... use some of that and let it set in.. then rent one of those steam cleaners from the grocery stores if you don't already have one of our own.. and clean up the seats and carpet.. and the interior will look and smell way better... then just redo your headliner and upper center console and you will be golden on the interior.. I see what the rims look like, but what shape are the tires in??

[torque]

LOL, I even negotiated the price down from there... so if 16 was a good deal I got a steal!

I will look into the carpet steamer from the grocery, I tried the blue coral to no avail... I testied some simple green and a medium brush and it did pretty good but I have to see it dry no miracles though. The PO had kids, and a pool. It looks like there were many a trip where wet kids hopped in the jeep to go get ice-cream or something. Is it weird that at the same time I hate the stains in the seats but the idea of the kids hoping in the jeep to go get ice-cream is kind of heart warming. (Im going soft in my old age LOL)

Right now I am trying to do all the stuff that I can without spending more money until I get paid this week. My wrangler has a decal on the windsheild that had the "Just Empty Every Pocket" and this could quickly become that unless I am careful... I could empty my bank account on this thing before lunch and not be done. I used to go to the bank on Payday and then to the carwash and then the parts store/s and then spend all day working on her followed by a cookout and bonfire on saturdays.. That was the life!

[LizardRunner]

Looks like a great deal to me. Can't wait to see pics of you having fun in it.

[steph74]

oh I see a lot of fun for you in the future.... take care of her and she will take care of you ;)
And by taking care of her I mean ... take her places off road ;) I take mine on a small trail usually when it starts making all kind of funky noises and run rough.... and when we come back, she is all happy and runs like a champ ;)

[torque]

So, I found out that here in the middle nowhere that parts stores close at 5 and 6pm. it will be a little while before i can post up some new pictures, but I will likely be getting under the hood this week.
Taking her tonight to have the tire balance checked as at about 60-65 I swear the front right tire is shaped like an oval.
will keep this thread updated and things progress... maybe this will become my build thread.