rcguymike

Finally got some new tires, the shaking is better but still there. Hopefully just need a balancing.
Found a quick disconnect battery terminal at Tractor Supply for real cheap too:

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New vs old

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6 30x9.5s fit in the back...barely

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rcguymike

Installed KOR's steering box brace and radiator support. Very easy, helps a lot!

rcguymike

Huh, did a tire rotation a couple weeks ago and she's been driving completely smooth since then... only difference is that the slightly deeper treaded tires are on the front now.

rcguymike

So I need an opinion from some experienced people. (See link to picts) Is it worth keeping this vehicle? I can weld and was thinking of getting a plating kit and then making some plate for the front and rear and possibly even plating inside, but it basically needs to be a weekend project as this is my DD. I didn't buy it for much and the engine, transmission, drivetrain isn't in bad shape. What could I get rid of it for? Or should I part it out?

Main concern right now is it safe to drive if I baby it? 11 mile daily commute and currently nice snow banks to drive off into if something goes really bad...
Drivers side front:
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Drivers side rear:
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Full album: https://goo.gl/photos/tp2rFPMbeqrXfjCy5

Also I was thinking of putting a Long Arm on it this spring if that changes anyone's thoughts or idea as it'll move the weak points and/or I could just use the money to by another rig and sell this one...wifey is still pretty adamant about not having 3 vehicles...

aroundincircles

That is A LOT of rust... I personally would not drive it, the one around the sway bar is not too big a deal, but the rust behind the control arm would be.

rcguymike

The front one is only compromised by that little tab welded on the back, the rest of the bracket is actually structurally sound and attached to good metal. The rear one concerns me almost as much as it is actually crack a good 3/4 of the way through the frame rail between the upper and lower control arm mounts. It's interesting that the passenger side is almost completely solid along most of the frame rail...I wish I could just get a 3rd vehicle and then either part this one, swap stuff, sell it, etc...

Edit: Plus I've done some crazy stuff in it that I'm surprised wouldn't have tore some healthy parts off...

dave1123

Sorry to say, but that frame is toast! My 97 ZJ went the same way on the rear driver's side lower control arm. After bolting and welding almost 100 lbs of metal into it, it wouldn't pass inspection. I drove it another 2 months anyway and the other 7 control arm mount frame areas started cracking as well. I sold it to a kid who wanted it for parts for $400 because it had a rebuilt trans and a solid 4.0 in it. He also got 4 new tires on it. That's what I paid for the tires! They were the wrong size for my WJ.

He called me a week later and said he was driving it on his farm and the front axle rolled up underneath it!

You know what's funny? From your pics, it looks just like mine.

aroundincircles

I don't know if you have safety inspections or not, but regardless I wouldn't doubt that you have enough work there, that you could pay for another GC with the labor and materials, maybe just the materials even.

take a few days off, Fly to AZ, find a nice rust free GC, and drive it home!

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/search...grand+cherokee

rcguymike

yeah I've been holding off on anything too expensive...I have the capability to plate/replace the entire frame rail just not the time. Currently 3rd vehicle shopping...

There are a few around here(some even from California) that I'm looking into, but for the price, lost wages, time etc not really worth it. I've been trying to wait until work sends me somewhere, but nowhere too far south yet. Going to New Jersey later this year, but IDK if that area will be much better...lol

aroundincircles

nah, NJ won't be much better, you need to go somewhere where they do not salt the roads.

dave1123

PA would be good. That's where my spotless WJ came from.

rcguymike

I'll be near Philadelphia so PA, NJ, DE, MD, but IDK if it's worth the effort, I should be able to find a garage kept one near here eventually...Just might have to settle on something else until I find the right one.

rcguymike

Next question: (And you won't hurt my feelings) What is it worth? I may have a friend interested in the Engine/transmission. Should I try to sell it as a whole parts vehicle, part it out, get a 3rd vehicle and swap what's good? Most of the front axle is new, tie rods, fluid, track bar, balljoints, passenger side axle, both hubs. Wifey will now let me have 3 vehicles for a while if we must. I've never parted a vehicle, so anyone with experience, or if the price is good enough should I just take everything good off and see what the junkyard will take?

aroundincircles

Used? $3-800, at least in these parts.

You will get a lot more $ for it parting it out, but is it worth your time parting it out?

Having a parts car can be nice, especially if you invested some $ into it and don't want to invest that same $ into a new car.

rcguymike

Forgot to post here. I picked up a 99 XJ to DD until I figure out what to do with the ZJ...






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