Red and Rusty 1999 Cherokee XJ Limited
 

Hello all,
im creating this threat to chronicle the life of my 1999 XJ Limited. I bought her for $250 with no breaks and no rockers but a running 4.0 L I6 with 135,000 miles. After another $2000 of maintenance she was ready for the road. I had to use to aluminum gutter, spray foam, and duct tape to get the rockers to pass inspection in MA. Got the sticker, but then on her first big road trip the rear differential went bust and she locked up on the interstate. That was scary!... so now I am stuck, low on money and losing faith that my semi restoration project is a very, very deep money pit. I'm very new to auto mechanics, but I'm using this vehicle to learn. If anyone has advice on common problems to look out for, on top of cheap fixes I will be open to anything. Further, I will document my trials and tribulations to try and help anyone else out there trying to revive a once dead XJ. Pics soon to follow once I get her back (if I get her back). Merry Christmas and happy jeepin'!!!

So let me ask you this at $250 then another $2000 later you managed to get it inspected based on MA standards but yet you didn't bother to do the basic items such as differential fluid changes? Not saying that would have helped because its possible yours was toast to begin with but what all did you do to it for $2000 later?

I'm sorry for your trouble but looks like you got had on this deal. I'm pretty sure you could have found another XJ for $2000 that would have been better.

However on to your issue, cheapest way to fix your issue now is check your local junk yards for a rear differential only this time change fluids before you swap yours out. Assuming you have no experience doing this swap so if you are interested let us know someone here will guide you and quite possibly a sticky someplace for a good how to.

Again not trying to insult your intelligence or make you feel bad I'm truly sorry for your troubles but stick around long enough and we will get you out of this jam.

Post photos of your XJ!

What have you done to it mechanically so far?

Okay wait sorry correction you did say you did $2000 later on maintenance so what does that cover then?