1997 Cherokee sport 4.0L all stock with approximately 280k daily driver and original owner. Due to a previous fender bender it has now caught up to me. the crack is between track bar mount and steering box bolts. I've found a bunch of videos about fixes but not sure which way to go with this and also made a few observations. so i'd like to get some opinions.

First thing I noticed or lack of is informative threads or videos about anyone getting the OEM part from Wholesalemopar.com. I'd need the Side Rail part # 4798085AB, which is currently listed at $732. Is it the money why people are not going that route? or something else? I'd like to possibly get the Jeep back to "normal" and figure I'd try a junk yard to obtain the part at a better price.

Also saw in one thread on NAXJA that there may have been a recall on the Jeeps for this particular crack issue but I searched online quite a bit last night and didn't find a thing about it. anyone have any evidence?

Then I've seen what seems to be the most common resolution to clean the area and then apply a weld patch. Curious if anyone has success with that but also incurred future problems as a result? In addition I've found the frame stiffeners that would be a addition once I get things cleaned up. Something more unique or on occasion was so people would stabilize the whole box by placing a clamp around the pitman arm (I think) and weld a bar to the opposite frame that extends to the clamp. not sure if i'd want to go this route. So, I have some choices to make as I put together a strategy.

Looking for opinions and suggestions of things I should be aware of with any of these examples I mention above. The goal is to keep this thing going as a second vehicle to get around town but it is still my daily driver as I mention early on.

outside

underneath

inside


Thanks

 

Going to have to clean it all up and do some welding and maybe use something like this https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-1984-2...IAAOSwCtJagMRt To make the frame strong again .

 

yes there was a recall, (in Australia at least, we have the details on that site)...but they will clearly tell you to f off if you front up with that damage...the Jeep dealer will even deny the recalls existence if you phone up lol

imo, unfortunately, you would need to purchase the aftermarket frame & steering box strengthening kits, fit those, complete high-quality welding repairs, maybe some extra frame plating

 

Honestly what you have is a salvage vehicle . That frame should have and would total the vehicle. It now appears to have frame rot due to rust . With 280k and just given what I’ve seen you’d be better off to find another XJ than to repair it . Just my .02

 

That is now a parts donor in my book. I am finding body shops will no longer work on something that banged up, rusted, and rotted. Too much time, too much work. It ties up thier shop for weeks. They wont even patch something like that. It becomes a liability. If that were my XJ, it would be stripped, and the body sent to the crusher.

You are asking a lot to fix that. Doable? Yes. But is it worth the time and money you will have to put into it? Thats up to you. It wont be cheap. IF you can find a shop willing enough to do it. Good luck with that.

 

thanks for all the opinions thus far.

 

Yeah I would say pull everything of value from it and send it off to it's final resting place. You got a lot of miles from her, but shes cooked at this point

 

so, if i'm gonna part it out what is the best way to do that. Keep in mind i'm a novice. the inside is in pretty good shape for 22 years old. if ya could make a list how would you make it out?

Thanks again

 

You could go about it a couple ways.

1) list it on Craigslist or any other online market place as a part out. List whats in good condition and then let them come to you. You can let people pull parts as they purchase them.

2) sell the entire Jeep a a parts donor. List it online but state the condition of the frame and then state you are selling it as a parts car

3) pull what is in good condition and store it yourself if you have the space (i.e. doors, body panels, motor, trans, t-case, rear diff, interior). List the parts online for sale, then scrap the parted out vehicle

 

 

so I guess i'd have to figure which way I'd want to go to maximize my return versus time I want to deal with it. I'm guessing to if I piece it out it may bring in more money but take more time. sound about right?

 

Time is the most precious commodity. If you don't want to eat up your time, let people come and grab the stuff off of it. If you don't mind taking the time and want more cash, pulling parts yourself will maximize the profit. People are likely to pay more if they can just come and pick it up, versus having to come to you with tools and take their time to remove what they want. Personally, I would just sell the entire thing as a parts donor. You will be able to get a fair amount if it's in decent shape, and then you don't have to worry about it. You won't get as much as if you pulled the parts yourself and sold them, but it's a lot less headache.

 

okay, so if i'm gonna sell wholesale as a parts donor is there a source/website? craiglist? or do I just contact some junk yards?

 

Craigslist works, there's a buy/sell section on this forum, or put it by the street with a price tag on it. A junkyard will take it off your hands, but they won't give you anything close to a fair deal in terms of money.

Regardless, you need to be VERY clear you're selling "AS IS", "Parts vehicle only". If someone doesn't understand that or can reasonably suggest they didn't, they may try to come after you legally if you're not extremely clear that the vehicle is not safe to drive due to structural frame damage that you're aware of and possibly other problems that you're not aware of.

I'll happily take the side view mirrors if they're manual and you want to give me a good price on them...

 

okay, thanks for all the information. I'd give you the manual mirrors but the left recently became a victim of the garage door backing in and the right side I notice doesn't sit in place as good as it should. its' kind of in a swivel mode, however that happened.