Glory days of the XJ hobby
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 799
Likes: 4
From: usa
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cylinder
Those XJs look like they came right off the dealer's show room floor 20 years ago. They also have a Utube channel which is even better than the website.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 541
Likes: 70
From: Southern MD
Model: Cherokee
Think "Early 90's" and the Muscle cars,, once the "high End" dealers start snatching them up,, not a lot left for the hobbyist.
I saw Davis was in Richmond VA,, that's 2 hours from Southern MD,,, I wonder why finding a good solid, rust free project is so hard to find.
I saw Davis was in Richmond VA,, that's 2 hours from Southern MD,,, I wonder why finding a good solid, rust free project is so hard to find.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 541
Likes: 70
From: Southern MD
Model: Cherokee
Looking at the web site and a description of the work performed on each one,, Paint is mentioned,, but nothing about the insides of the rockers and uni-frame.
So are as far as the body are they just performing "exterior work" and sprying the underside with under coating. If I was a customer, I would have a hard time paying money for something that never had any "rust work" done to the "inside" of the uni-body.
So are as far as the body are they just performing "exterior work" and sprying the underside with under coating. If I was a customer, I would have a hard time paying money for something that never had any "rust work" done to the "inside" of the uni-body.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 799
Likes: 4
From: usa
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cylinder
On a lot maybe most of those Davis XJs i seen on Utube, the sales guy mentions no rust.
Whether thats really true or not...who knows for sure.
Most of them are Linex'd too. Is that to cover up bondo'd door dings and/or rusty areas?
They always show the interiors also. They even do some engine work on some of them.
Rarely have i seen them advertise a stock XJ pretty much as is.
Instead they load them up with lights, lifts, linex, tires, winches, paint correction, etc. to ask the big bucks.
If i were to buy one of those, i'd have to 'kick the tires' in person before signing the dotted line.
Whether thats really true or not...who knows for sure.
Most of them are Linex'd too. Is that to cover up bondo'd door dings and/or rusty areas?
They always show the interiors also. They even do some engine work on some of them.
Rarely have i seen them advertise a stock XJ pretty much as is.
Instead they load them up with lights, lifts, linex, tires, winches, paint correction, etc. to ask the big bucks.
If i were to buy one of those, i'd have to 'kick the tires' in person before signing the dotted line.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
On a lot maybe most of those Davis XJs i seen on Utube, the sales guy mentions no rust.
Whether thats really true or not...who knows for sure.
Most of them are Linex'd too. Is that to cover up bondo'd door dings and/or rusty areas?
They always show the interiors also. They even do some engine work on some of them.
Rarely have i seen them advertise a stock XJ pretty much as is.
Instead they load them up with lights, lifts, linex, tires, winches, paint correction, etc. to ask the big bucks.
If i were to buy one of those, i'd have to 'kick the tires' in person before signing the dotted line.
Whether thats really true or not...who knows for sure.
Most of them are Linex'd too. Is that to cover up bondo'd door dings and/or rusty areas?
They always show the interiors also. They even do some engine work on some of them.
Rarely have i seen them advertise a stock XJ pretty much as is.
Instead they load them up with lights, lifts, linex, tires, winches, paint correction, etc. to ask the big bucks.
If i were to buy one of those, i'd have to 'kick the tires' in person before signing the dotted line.
And if you were to buy one from them you would be insane.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: 4 Corners, USA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6 Cyl. w/ 0630Head+MikeWilsonAdapter (preserves engine/brain function w/ stronger head) 62mmTB
Ive been saying for a couple of years that XJs are on the cusp of being the next early bronco. Same story you tell about the muscle cars: They were everywhere, people trashed them, then *poof* rusted out EB with no top goes for ten grand.
That's why I cry every time I see someone chop a 2 door.
That's why I cry every time I see someone chop a 2 door.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 777
Likes: 5
From: Nolensville, TN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Oldest kid (who already says he wants my jeep for his first car) starts kindergarten in August, so that's ten grand a year I don't have to pay for daycare. That'll be a good start.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 127
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
This is one reason I'll never sell my XJ. there are a few other cars that I would like to buy right now that are cheap that I think will go up in value over time. but the wife keeps telling me "NO". plus I don't have anywhere to put them.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 2
From: Quebec
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
What I'm trying to say is that you should look at those other cars as time capsules, something that you'll slowly build and in 10-20 years from now, people will look at them and say "woah this guy really has a clean *insert old car you don't see around anymore here*" and when the time comes and you want to start a new project, you might be able to sell it for a good profit to someone looking exactly for that car.
If you go in with the idea that it's worth nothing now and there might be a high demand for them in the future, you won't have the same drive to upgrade and restore the car, you'll only have money (how much you're making/losing) in mind, and how much it costs. To me that's things you do when you have a business and need to make money, not when you're one or two guys working on a project.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
New member,
I turned 16 in 1981, got my DL on my BD and was a serous gear head.
I was in the "Glory Days" of the 68-71 muscle cars because,,,, they were all 10-12 years old and could be bought a dime a dozen. 2nd car was a 1970 MD javelin w/ 390 4spd, ram air hood. car was like new and paid $325 for it. I bought AMX's, javelins, CJ's for anywhere from $50 - 300.
My buddy was into Mopar E bodys, same thing. These cars where 10-15 years old, the junk yards had a steady supply of them. I would pick up a perfectly good AMX, pull the engine for myself, cut it up and part it out and make 300-500 and have an engine. Times were good, there was an endless supply of V8 muscle cars. Then around 1989-1990 - "poof" they were gone, the supply ran out.
Marriage, houses, kids - now 25 years later I am getting back into "cars" because my 15 year old son has a strong interest, just finishing my heated slab shop/garage and we are looking for a XJ project.
I can not tell you how familiar the XJ market/culture is, compared to the muscle cars in the 80's. They are junk to the ones who used them for 10 years as daily drivers,, they are treasures to "jeepers", buy 2 or 3 decent ones and cut them up and part them out. look on craigslist, tons of 300-800 dollar projects.
In the near future (around the 20 year since manufactured mark), "poof" the "supply" will be gone. I am not sure the XJ will be in high as demand as a 68-72 muscle car.
Enjoy it while it last, been there, done that, these "Are" the glory days of the XJ
I turned 16 in 1981, got my DL on my BD and was a serous gear head.
I was in the "Glory Days" of the 68-71 muscle cars because,,,, they were all 10-12 years old and could be bought a dime a dozen. 2nd car was a 1970 MD javelin w/ 390 4spd, ram air hood. car was like new and paid $325 for it. I bought AMX's, javelins, CJ's for anywhere from $50 - 300.
My buddy was into Mopar E bodys, same thing. These cars where 10-15 years old, the junk yards had a steady supply of them. I would pick up a perfectly good AMX, pull the engine for myself, cut it up and part it out and make 300-500 and have an engine. Times were good, there was an endless supply of V8 muscle cars. Then around 1989-1990 - "poof" they were gone, the supply ran out.
Marriage, houses, kids - now 25 years later I am getting back into "cars" because my 15 year old son has a strong interest, just finishing my heated slab shop/garage and we are looking for a XJ project.
I can not tell you how familiar the XJ market/culture is, compared to the muscle cars in the 80's. They are junk to the ones who used them for 10 years as daily drivers,, they are treasures to "jeepers", buy 2 or 3 decent ones and cut them up and part them out. look on craigslist, tons of 300-800 dollar projects.
In the near future (around the 20 year since manufactured mark), "poof" the "supply" will be gone. I am not sure the XJ will be in high as demand as a 68-72 muscle car.
Enjoy it while it last, been there, done that, these "Are" the glory days of the XJ
same thing with foxbody mustangs, when I was in highschool wed cut them up left and right, put big v8's in 4 bangers. now you cant touch a somewhat clean stockish notchback 5 speed for less than 8 grand.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 799
Likes: 4
From: usa
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cylinder
Fresh from the Davis Home page!
The Alpha XJ..?
The Alpha XJ..?
New for 2017......THE ALPHA XJ
We are very excited to announce our newest XJ build!!!!! We will be releasing the ALPHA XJ for public purchase in late 2017. This XJ will include our full GM LS 5.3, 6.0, 6.2 engine and transmission conversion. You may be asking, why 2017?? Well, we are manufacturing our VERY own Davis AutoSports Custom 4 Link Rear Suspension System to get rid of the 100-year-old leaf springs. We are also teaming up with Fox to develop a Full Coil Over System for this set up. Optional Axles for the Alpha include the HP44, Dana 60, 8.8 and 9. We have a few other secrets that we will release in due time....Stayed Tuned For More Info...
We are very excited to announce our newest XJ build!!!!! We will be releasing the ALPHA XJ for public purchase in late 2017. This XJ will include our full GM LS 5.3, 6.0, 6.2 engine and transmission conversion. You may be asking, why 2017?? Well, we are manufacturing our VERY own Davis AutoSports Custom 4 Link Rear Suspension System to get rid of the 100-year-old leaf springs. We are also teaming up with Fox to develop a Full Coil Over System for this set up. Optional Axles for the Alpha include the HP44, Dana 60, 8.8 and 9. We have a few other secrets that we will release in due time....Stayed Tuned For More Info...