Advice needed
03-18-2018, 01:13 PM
#1
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Model: Cherokee(SJ)
Advice needed
Hey all,
Sorry if this is a stupid question or taking up unnecessary space. I am a 4th year medical student (aka broke ) and own a 96 XJ. Unfortunately, I was looking underneath and the floor panels have rusted through to the carpet. At this point in my life, money is extremely tight so I was looking for opinions. Would it be wise to just keep driving it until it dies (hoping to get 2 more years out of it) or rip out the carpet and seats myself and have someone with the proper tools install new floor boards. Thank you for any advice in advance.
Sorry if this is a stupid question or taking up unnecessary space. I am a 4th year medical student (aka broke ) and own a 96 XJ. Unfortunately, I was looking underneath and the floor panels have rusted through to the carpet. At this point in my life, money is extremely tight so I was looking for opinions. Would it be wise to just keep driving it until it dies (hoping to get 2 more years out of it) or rip out the carpet and seats myself and have someone with the proper tools install new floor boards. Thank you for any advice in advance.
03-18-2018, 01:42 PM
#2
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Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
New floor boards are almost a routine repair with these. There are companies that manufacture repair panels just for this job. See here.
But before you decide, it's time to get a sharp screwdriver and some grungy clothes. You need to find out what else is rusted. Rust is never lonely for very long.
Crawl under it with that screwdriver and a good flashlight, and start eyeballing and poking things.
Once you've made an assessment, and maybe even posted pictures here, we can advise you better on which way to go.
But before you decide, it's time to get a sharp screwdriver and some grungy clothes. You need to find out what else is rusted. Rust is never lonely for very long.
Crawl under it with that screwdriver and a good flashlight, and start eyeballing and poking things.
Once you've made an assessment, and maybe even posted pictures here, we can advise you better on which way to go.
03-18-2018, 01:58 PM
#3
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
While you certainly can drive with rusted floors, and maybe for 2 years depending on how bad they are, there are some things to keep in mind:
1 - like Blueridge said - rust is not likely an isolated item - especially if that item is floors.
2 - Safety concerns - the XJ is a uni-frame construction, so the entire body (including floors) are important to the overall stability and strength of the vehicle. A guy on here reported an XJ (donor vehicle at the junkyard) folding in half on him (not literally) when he cut the floors out.
3 - Inspection - Your state inspection may (and likely will) require that there be no rust-through and rusted out floors is definitely something that will cause a failed inspection.
I'll second what blueridge said - evaluate the whole thing, post pictures if you want others to opine and then you will know as much as possible regarding your cost/time options.
1 - like Blueridge said - rust is not likely an isolated item - especially if that item is floors.
2 - Safety concerns - the XJ is a uni-frame construction, so the entire body (including floors) are important to the overall stability and strength of the vehicle. A guy on here reported an XJ (donor vehicle at the junkyard) folding in half on him (not literally) when he cut the floors out.
3 - Inspection - Your state inspection may (and likely will) require that there be no rust-through and rusted out floors is definitely something that will cause a failed inspection.
I'll second what blueridge said - evaluate the whole thing, post pictures if you want others to opine and then you will know as much as possible regarding your cost/time options.
03-19-2018, 06:51 PM
#6
Hey all,
Sorry if this is a stupid question or taking up unnecessary space. I am a 4th year medical student (aka broke ) and own a 96 XJ. Unfortunately, I was looking underneath and the floor panels have rusted through to the carpet. At this point in my life, money is extremely tight so I was looking for opinions. Would it be wise to just keep driving it until it dies (hoping to get 2 more years out of it) or rip out the carpet and seats myself and have someone with the proper tools install new floor boards. Thank you for any advice in advance.
Sorry if this is a stupid question or taking up unnecessary space. I am a 4th year medical student (aka broke ) and own a 96 XJ. Unfortunately, I was looking underneath and the floor panels have rusted through to the carpet. At this point in my life, money is extremely tight so I was looking for opinions. Would it be wise to just keep driving it until it dies (hoping to get 2 more years out of it) or rip out the carpet and seats myself and have someone with the proper tools install new floor boards. Thank you for any advice in advance.
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03-20-2018, 10:31 AM
#9
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Year: 1995
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I wouldn't recommend anything but a proper fix myself, but it's none of my business and I know nothing.
03-20-2018, 11:48 AM
#10
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yes like was mentioned earlier a good rust converter would slow it down considerably. I always clean it first with some brake cleaner or a good degreaser to remove any oils or grease. Then use some sort of wire brush to remove the loose rust. Once your converter dries you will want to coat it with a top coat of paint. You can by the paint with a rust inhibitor in also and that will help seal it and keep moisture from getting to the area treated.
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