I know this isn't a tech question, but I wanted to say it where it would be read by those that I am complimenting.

I have had my Cherokee for 2 years now. I have been all over the interweb looking at different "Cherokee groups". This page is far and away the most useful, most polite, and most "on point" group I have found.

All questions are answered respectfully. No snarky-ness.

Every piece of advice I have received here has been spot on correct.

Thanks
Mike Davis

 

Thank you. That's nice to hear. We try to run a tight ship here...

And, sometimes there is some snarkiness, but usually between known members and not malicious for the most part, haha

 

Thanks for being a respectful member and contributing

If you want some snarkiness you'll probably get it. But we take care of this place pretty well as far as flagging and reporting and actually helping.

the Mods deserve 90% of the credit.

 

What's a little snark amongst friends!!

Glad you're here!!

 

This forum 5+ years ago was extra awesome because of the amount of people using it. We still have some great people on here but I have seen quite a bit of good people sadly leave. Im just glad most of the Mods have stuck around!

 

X2 on the kudos to the mods who have stuck around!

 

freakin right

 

Once dudes sell their XJ they no longer have need to participate,

these vehicles are pretty old for a "modern" SUV and unless you can do most of the work yourself, (mine) would have been uneconomic to keep going

If you do still own one, you definitely need a good forum to help keep it going, I plan on keeping mine, as I have all the spare parts I need, have done quite a lot to it, would cost a lot more to get such a capable vehicle, and I would probably struggle to sell mine for what it is (imo) worth, which is about $A6k

 

I was just thinking about this. I see threads on Reddit all the time about a high schooler wanting an XJ for their first vehicle. Honestly, I try to talk them out of it because most kids aren't going to know how to keep this thing going. You either need knowledge and tools or deep pockets. If their thread includes words like wanting to learn or have the tools and I have the time and dedication to learn, then I speak a different tune. I tell them it's a great vehicle to learn to work on.

Us normal people working on our vehicles is a dying art (hobby?). Let's try to preserve what we have left!

The other problem is parts availability. Because the XJ is so old and there are dwindling numbers of them left, more and more parts will be discontinued with no aftermarket solution. Sad.

 

I've had my '88 for 22 years (and counting). I do my best to keep it going. However, as I'm in CA, I'm subject to smog testing. That's been a particular challenge for the past 10 years as CA tightens emissions. After the first failure, I can generally fix whatever was wrong and pass on the retest (knock on wood). After my last fail/pass, I asked the smog shop (they also do repairs) about who in the area they could recommend to work on these old Jeeps. He replied "Besides you?" and had no other answer.

Whenever a Renix XJ shows up at one of my local yards, I head out to cherry pick parts off so I can keep the old heep running. Once the yard is finished with it, it may be many months before another shows up. Those that remember "Cash for Clunkers" may have noticed a reduced supply of XJs (and other older vehicles) after that.

Like vroomvroom suggested, if I had to pay someone to do all the work I've done on my XJ, I would have ditched it years ago.

There will come a time when I part with my beloved XJ, but that is not today!

 

The problem is not with your 88 XJ...Its with your State !!!!

 

I don't think parts will be a problem because the prices XJ's command now mean that their owners will demand, & be prepared to pay for, them & the market will respond with more & more repro parts.

Meanwhile those of us who've not been able to get much other than consumables for, probably, 20 years will be able to offer encouragement - & a few pointers.

 

time is the usual enemy in most cases......
we will all face the consequences of time...
Maybe we could get the liberals to ban time.....
(sorry...couldn't help it)
oh well...running out of time....must go now...

 

Honestly, that's crap! Older vehicles should be grandfathered in and not be subjected to stricter laws. If anything, stricter laws should be for brand new vehicles at the time and any vehicles in the future. The emissions it takes to create a brand new vehicle compared to just keeping an older vehicle... Ugh.

Here in NC, emissions testing goes away after a vehicle hits 20 years old. Emissions and safety inspections both go away after 30 years. Only a few years left for my XJ!

 

CA does but it applies to gas vehicle model years from 1975 and earlier (before cats were required). Oddly enough, gas vehicles less than 8 model years old (probably coincides with expiration of emissions warranty).

The good part of being in SoCal is I don't have to deal with rusty parts and hardware.