Hello to all that read this. This is my first post here on the forum. Been lurking for a few weeks and now I'm hooked. Anyway on to why I'm posting.

I'm looking for advice from the XJ lovers. My dad is giving me his 96 XJ Sport that he wrecked. It is hit on the pass. side front corner. It's not real bad. He actually drove it home (about a mile) after we bent the bumper back off of the tire. He didn't even bend the "frame", except for some slight caving in right behind the bumper. The XJ is all stock. An added bonus though is he had just bought new 235/75 all terrains less than 3 mos. before he wrecked it. He replaced it with an Explorer with hopes of building a toy. The money just wasn't going to be there which is why he's giving the XJ to me. I have already purchased a JY hood, fender, and batt. box. I just need the header panel (and everything in it), radiator, radiator support, and bumper.

I love XJ's and have loved them for some time, but here's my delima and why I'm looking for advice. I already own an 89 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 360 V8 (needs rebuilt), D44's front and rear, and a full actual frame. Oh wait, I forgot the fake woodrain. I'm trying to convince myself I'm not stupid for getting rid of the FSj to build the XJ. I just worry about the strength of the XJ's unibody and lightweight body panels vs. the FSJ's full frame and heavy body panels. I'm planning to strip the axles (to put in the XJ later) and scrap the rest of the FSJ. I just keep worrying that I'm making a mistake by not building the FSJ. I'm just trying to make myself feel better about my decision. I would just like to know your thoughts please since you all have experience with the XJ.

Sorry for the long post. Just trying to convey my feelings.

 

And before you ask, I'll get some photos for you all.

 

If you love Jeeps then you will beat yourself up for stripping out your FSJ. You should just keep it because once you get done building your XJ Jeep, You will want another one to build and then another. This is a sickness one jeep is not enough so having two already puts you ahead of the power curve.

 

Well I hope you didn't want an unbiased opinion. You asked the good folks on "Cherokee" Forum which we would rather build!! I say the XJ, but make sure that the "caving" in has not tweaked the uni body at all. To me the size of the XJ VS the FSJ is the nut. I run a lot of tight trails, and a FSJ would struggle to squeeze through some of them. It really depends on what YOU are looking for, good luck!!

 

for a wheeler. the xj hands down is the better machine

smaller, more lightweight package, better breakover, approach departure angles, more aftermarket support

 

scrap the old barge and keep the good stuff off of it for your XJ. That is what I would do.

 

I still say build Both, but build the XJ first lol.

 

build the xj and keep the fsj for your tow rig. but please don't scrap the full size, they're rare enough as it is.

get on with the pics. lol.

 

I sold my 45 *****'s because of financial and to many toys
and I have never stopped regretting it

 

If you have it, you should keep it. either as a tow rig or just to have another Jeep to drive around. you don't necessarily have to build the FSJ up to be another trail rig, but you should hang on to it for sure. and yes pics of both would be sweet.

 

Id keep the FSJ

 

Hey guys thank you for all the advice. I actually was thinking to myself you're on the XJ forum asking XJ lovers for their advice. Like I said though, I'm trying to make myself feel better about building the XJ over the FSJ.

As far as getting rid of the FSJ, I really don't want to scrap it but i just don't have the space to let it sit around. Plus, the wife really doesn't want to see it sitting around. I might just put it on the net for sale vs. scrapping though.

The sheer size and weight of the FSJ is also one of my major points against it. Also, I know there is a lot of aftermarket support for the FSJ, but you all know there is so much more available for the XJ.