You are going to pay to have it detailed, when you don't even know if it runs reliably???


I sure hope this works out well for you.....

 

I know that it runs reliably, in and across town. I do not know that it runs 500 miles in a single day. If you had seen the condition of the interior when it was traded in, you would have had it "cleaned out" or, "detailed" as well. I do not want to drive 7-8 hours in something that smells like a fresh cat box mixed with sour milk and sweat socks.
I'm asking for advice on items to take on a road trip with a 22 year old vehicle that I will need to procure in an unfamiliar town in another state, nothing more.

MrTodd

 

That's a pretty good list. I'd probably throw in some decent gloves, wheel chocks, and some hand tools.

 

Since you're flying, buy any consumables like fluids once you're there an have an idea of what you might need. Oil or coolant if it's leaking.

 

x2
Hand tools, inspect coolant hoses and coolant condition, check the brake lines to make sure they don't blow half in. Also, why not bring distilled water instead of coolant for the trip and then flush it when you get home. it's probably due for it. Good luck!

 

Charged extra cell phone battery, sleeping bag, tent, cooler of food for 4 days, lets see.....

 

AAA card, they will tow it home for you at reasonable rate for extra miles and even give u a ride

 

Quote " I will be driving it nearly 500 miles home after I fly up this Saturday to pick it up. "

He is already on his way......

 

It is entirely possible that the detail job wasnt effective and the smell slowly killed him in the first 100 miles.

RIP MrTodd



I hope it's going well and you make it home sooner or later

 

I have this image in my head of him laying under a Cherokee somewhere cursing, and screaming "Where in the heck am I going to find another xyz in the middle of bf-nowhere?!?!" It wouldn't be the first time someone posted from the road, trying to figure out something like a broken output shaft on the xfer case. The picture didn't show a front license plate, so eliminates a couple of the neighboring states from the search area.




*Sorry, I keep seeing the username and thinking "Mr Toad"...

 

I would spend the money to go to a 10 minute oil change and have the oil changed and the front and rear differentials serviced. The transfer case can wait hopefully. I would go to Wal Mart and spend the $17 for the 14or so oz A/c recharge can for the a/c system which may be all you need if the refrigerent is low.

 

I didnt want to read 25 posts that all said "tools, cash, jack, duct tape....". I may be repeating what was said.

All you can conveniently bring with you is cash, zip ties, and duct tape. Maybe a hand full of select tools that'll fit in a backpack.
If you want anything else, you'll probably be stopping at the parts store to get what you need to throw it in the jeep for the drive back. Tools, fluids, and maybe a spare part or 2.

Since I just realized he should have gotten the XJ like 5 days ago, I'll go ahead and keep what I've said and post it even though it means jack squat at this point

 

1

 

Sorry to keep you all in suspense. In case you're in a hurry, I made the trip home without any troubles. For the rest of you who like to read, I'll post the story below the pic of a very happy young man!



1999 Cherokee Sport 4WD

(This is a condensed version of a rough draft, please bear with me)

I was not looking forward to the drive home. With the alarm on my phone set to blast me out of slumber at 0315 Saturday morning, the first priority after dinner was to load my backpack and then get to sleep.. It wasn't easy, though I most certainly began a fitful night of rest by 11:00 Friday night. The coffee (for my wife) began its brew cycle at 0305 and 15 minutes later I was placing it into her hands, though her eyes were nowhere near open. I was counting on her delivering me to the airport and she is not a morning person. She did inform me that it was not yet morning. We were, however, on our way to the airport by 0430 for my 0600 scheduled flight.

The American Airlines flight to DFW was full. Moments after the aircraft doors were sealed shut, the dings and buzzes from dozens of smart phones filled the air, including my own. The notification, from American, informed us that our takeoff had been delayed until 0755 due to storms in and around the Dallas area. In fact, DFW was closed to any incoming traffic. My connecting flight to Tulsa was scheduled for 0830, so I began looking to re-book that flight since we were not allowed to leave the plane as we sat at the gate. Though I tried every avenue, I could not change my flight until DFW reopened. In the end, it worked out that my flight to Tulsa was also delayed, and I was able to make the gate in a different terminal with minutes to spare.

Jesse picked me up in Tulsa after the 1045 landing. The 2 hour truck ride down to McAlester was uneventful and I was wishing I could catch a little nap. Instead of rest, we talked all things Cherokee related. He had owned 2, back to back, and had been my go to helper when I was doing mechanic work on my own vehicles. Jesse, was also the one who I tasked with picking up the essentials I thought I would need for the jaunt back home to south Texas. He's a good friend. I didn't feel tired.

Patriot Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram ( https://www.patriotmac.com/ ) was alive with business. Brett Haney (see him to make a purchase, tell him I sent you) met us right in front of my newly acquired Cherokee. It was parked directly in front of the dealership, oozing nostalgia a garnering a small crowd. I heard a salesman boast to a potential buyer that someone had "flown all the way from San Antonio" just to buy from them. I chuckled. Brett, on the other hand, was a down to earth, no BS kinda guy, and I was his first sale. Jesse and I began going over all the fluids in the Jeep as well as going through the engine and underneath as if the Cherokee were in a garage. It had been sitting since 0915, shortly after Brett had arrived and moved it into position. Now that it was 1:30 in the afternoon, the engine had cooled completely and we had no trouble inspecting. We both agreed that it was ready for a test drive. Brett hopped in the back and we proceeded to the streets behind the dealership which were void of any traffic.

I had already arranged a backup plan in case we felt the Jeep would not make the journey. After putting her through the paces for around 30 minutes, we determined she would. We left Brett after several pictures, courtesy bottles of water and a hand shake. Our next stop was the auto parts store. Since we knew the fan motor worked and the compressor would kick on, I bought a R134a recharge kit along with front wipers and a gallon of washer fluid. We found an abandoned drive-in hamburger joint a few doors down and parked the Jeep in the shade. Following the directions on the can, we had cold air blowing out strong after dispensing nearly the full amount. I popped the new wiper blades on and topped off the washer fluid. Braums is also a hamburger joint and not something we see in my neck of the woods, and it just so happened to be across the street. We had lunch after washing up and then, I was on my way.

Stopping for gas before leaving town, I entered my destination into the Waze app. The phone was placed onto a windshield mounted holder and plugged into the 12v access port on the lower right side of the center control console with a USB cable and lighter adapter. I bought a bag of jalapeno spiced sunflower seeds, closed the gas cap access door, and got on the road. It was 4:30 pm. I was not looking forward to the 7 hour drive.

After nearly four hours of driving through 95 degree temperatures and the traffic that defines Dallas, I pulled over for a restroom break and decided to fill up the tank. I calculated the fuel mileage out to roughly 19 mpg at highway speeds no more than 75 miles per hour. The oil pressure held steady. The engine temp hovered at what I'm guessing is 225 degrees. I can tell you this, though I knew it before I left Oklahoma, the suspension needs to be replaced along with the steering components on the underside. It also needs all four tires, one of which has about 1/32" of tread. The interior of the Jeep is nearly immaculate, in which it was a pleasure to drive home. It took another 3 1/2 hours, but I did finally make it to my driveway. Again, that inline six hummed along nicely. My son, who woke up when I came in the door, was beyond speechless when I handed him the key after we walked back out "to get my bag" from my 455 mile trip.

The next day, after driving the 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport home from church, a little hell broke loose. That's another thread, coming soon.

MrTodd

 

I hate it when hell breaks loose after church....

Good story writing though. I felt like I was there haha....

Standing by for Chapter 2.