Besides the 0331 head they got pretty goofy there trying to be smog complaint. Dual upstream cats and no dizzy....not for me!

There is nothing wrong with a 97. Like said the O rings in the oil filter adapter harden, then it blows right back and drips where a rear main would. My RM in my 90 with 276K barely leaks a drop.

I have cracks around the the corners near the hatch hinges on both of my Jeeps. If I park my 90 with one rear wheel up on something, the hatch might hit a tail lens when closing. The whole deal is crumbling! 12 years on washboard gravel takes a tole! I think that engine and suspension might run untill the rest just falls away.

 

I bet you're right !!

 

a neglected cherokee is always a good idea for the right price. mine was in pretty rough shape when i got it for 1300 and even after putting that much or more into it again in parts it's still worth it. i have never taken it to a shop for anything though. it becomes a more expensive vehicle if you take it to a shop or require $3000 in tools to remove a seized shock bolt like bimmer jeeper.

 

Rear main seals on the 4.0 get replaced without the engine or tyranny coming out... not real hard for a shop... I refreshed my whole engine but cut the rear main and didn't feel like doing it again so a local shop did it for me for $350... The rest of the leaks are nothing... floor pans are $50 or so and easy since they don't have to be pretty... question is WHY is it rusted out... If nothing else is... leaking heater core?

 

Not just heater core but also the washer fluid tube running under the carpet to the rear wiper. Could be leaking

 

Could be many things but just throwing a worst case out there... lol... point really is something ain't right...

 

Doesn't mean u shouldn't buy it! Bimmerjeeper really doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to xj.

 

If the pass floorboards is gone, I would be verrrrrrry cautious. The frame rail right under it is open on the top if I'm not mistaken, so rust would naturally find its way there. Just my opinion maybe, but I would keep searching imo. But, if your willing to do the welding, cutting, wrenching etc, talk him down to more like 1500. Get legit shop quotes from local independant shops and list the numbers out if you really want this one.

 

what about a 96 with 130,000 miles. I haven't seen it but the dealer is asking $2500.

 

The frame rails have tons of holes in them along the way. Find me an XJ without rust inside the frame and I'll show you one that's never been driven. lol