Simple question on opinions. I was just given a 1998 cherokee classic. My questions is it worth the money to fix up. I'm in Erie,PA and salted roads rule. so it has typical rust and normal body wear. no holes, slight surface rust, except rockers are shot, and frame is showing the beginning of bad rust takeover (no holes or soft spots). 190,000 on engine 4.0, but runs like a champ. steering is all over, already replaced sway bar and components. looking at the rest of the steering. interior is fine, everything works, except driver window issue, and rear wiper. I'm good with mechanics, but horrible with body work. plan on summer frame rust removal, and repaint. So for free is it worth the money to put back to kick *** status, or just a scrap toy?

 

This is personal. Depends on your budget also. Start small. Fix it up if you like to do that. If you like to work on it, do some cheap maintenance. But, if you want to make it "kick azz" it's going to cost you thousands. That's were $0 to start vs. $3000 to start on a mint condition one may be a bad idea. Restoring a car can become very expensive very fast. If you want a kick *** XJ, start with something better, cleaner, and with lower miles and less rust that will make every repair a saga. To me, it sounds like you have a nice cheap beater. Enjoy it. Even spend money to tune it up, but save your body work money.

If you want to start fixing it up, here is a decent list to start with
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/wha...g-deal-150969/