Hi, I'm Max and I'm new here.
I just purchased a 96 XJ from a co-worker. Before purchasing, he told me this:

-Suspension needs work (new parts, if not replaced)
-needs new tires
-the windshield has a crack
-rear windshield & driver window has completely shattered - needs to be replaced
-interior carpet has an awful stench to it
-there are holes in the floorboards (rusted through) in which you can see the carpet sagging through
-needs new battery

The thing has been sitting in a driveway for almost 2 years now. Before purchasing, I did drive it and it does drive and shift as it should, the 4WD works, and the heat works. Now I know that the list above is more than a weekends worth of work, but that is not my main concern. My main concern is the frame, we got it to my house finally (battery died halfway to my house) and pulled it into the garage. There we could take a better look at the undercarriage in better lighting (because it was 1am) and we noticed the the frame was rusted like a mother - especially on the passenger side. That being said, he told me he would give my money back and take it to the scrap yard if I wanted. I know multiple people with a welder and that would be willing to do the job for a case of beer or so - that is if it can actually be done (given the frame condition).

I want to know what you guys think about it. I paid $200 for the thing. Do you think its worth trying to repair the thing? Or do you think I am in over my head and should just have him take it back? I've attached (pretty sh*tty) pictures of the worst of it below. Thanks!

 

I'd call that a donor.
For $200 you've got a lot of good parts but not much of a body

 

Welcome to the forum!

I am with Morat. If you are looking to get into Cherokees I would keep it for sure and use it for parts. You could probably take a buttload of parts off of it then part it out and make your money back at least

 

Thats not rust. Thats rot. You bought a donor. Keep looking.

 

I've seen good cherokees with a bad motors for about $500 -$800 and I mean good ones with a lift and larger tires and wheels .

 

I say get a 2nd opinion at a local shop.
This seems like a great deal, and offers some small projects for you.
How many miles?

 

167,500

 

I've checked Craigslist local but haven't seen much. Maybe I'll expand my search distance before I make a decision.

 

yep i agree, use it as a donor... use it for here and there but do not plan big things for the Cherokee, you can spend serious money

 

It may be possible to repair. However a lot of folks whose opinons I trust are saying "donor".
You don't want any random welder, you really want a frame welding specialist. If that stuff is not done right it's dangerous if you get in an accident.
A decent "random welder" can help you with the floor pans.

Only you know if it's worth doing - you're probably looking at over a grand (maybe well over) just to get the structural stuff up to snuff.
If XJ's are that hard to come by where you are, and you're willing to spend a few grand, maybe it's worth it. I'd look around for another with a better body.

I got my 95 for 800 with a solid body and great tires and it was a lot easier to find (I wanted a 5spd) than I expected.

 

I've been driving a rusted as hell XJ for 5 years.
They are a nightmare to work on, but I will take photos of the same areas tomorrow for comparison.
The car looks pretty damn good to me.
Outer rocker panels aren't even rusted.
Hell, the car almost looks brand new compared to mine.

 

Drive south, and buy a roller for $400 or so. Swap the drivetrain over. Good weekend project. Couple weekends for the inexperienced or meticulous. Little sweat equity and you are well ahead.

I wouldn't bother trying to fix that rot. It is GONE. Let it die.

 

Thanks for the input fellas, it's really appreciated. I think what I am going to do is scrap it and keep the search going. Otherwise I would end up putting way too much money into it

 

If you don’t want it, pay it forward and offer it for sale here on the forum for the $200 you paid. That’s a lot of good parts for the money.

 

For $200, definitely keep it at least until you've found your decent XJ. Most of the parts from the 96 will fit any 94-96, a lot will work in a wider range and even if you only use a few parts you'll recover that $200 in no time.