Newb needs help...
 

Hey everyone! I posted a while back that I have been looking into cherokees and just about a week ago my dad and I started going to see a few of them and they werent what they looked like in the ads.
Keep in mind ive got a little bit before i can drive, and know next to nothing about cars, what should we be looking for that wrong? And how do we check for some of these issues? ( im going to see a 2001 on wednesday)

Rust is obviously something we've been trying to avoid. Are there any spots that a newb like me might overlook for rust?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

In the rear, where the plastic bumper end caps wrap around the sides. Put your hand up underneath behind there. Most XJ's in the rust belt rot out there & you won't see it till its really bad & your cargo area is soaking wet.

Also the rockers (section under the doors) knock on them & you'll hear / see / feel if they are thin.

Be cautious with the 2000 & 2001 model years. Depending on what you have planned or how you drive, if it comes with ABS, it'll have the Dana 35 rear axle & they are not the best for wheelin', running big tires, or doing burnouts (as you are young you'll probably be doing plenty of them…

Those model years also have "bad heads", I have a 2001 & haven't had any issues (yet)

You should search for a 96 - 99, they are the best years IMHO

Good luck.

Go 95-96, mechanical airbag can be disabled for wheelin' anything before 96 is obd1, more modifications without a check engine light.

Thanks for the replies!
I probably wont be doing to many mods, if any. Mainly cause I'm a broke teen.
I doubt ill wheel for a while.
Ive read about the head gasket issue. That scares me.
So my dad has a rule for cars, ( he's a perfectionist) and its basically that he doesn't want me to get a beater. After letting him know i cant afford one that isn't a little rough, he agreed to help me pay for one. ( I'm still covering insurance and gas....)
Thanks again guys! This is really helpful, also, could you post a picture of the space behind the bumper that i should be checking?

I'll post some Picts when I get out of work for you.

Awesome thanks. I think i know where your talking about, but i dont want to look like a nutcase when looking.

Also, what is the difference in the axle that would make more sense for me to go '96-99?

So i looked at a couple today. Both '00. Both stock except one had All Terrains. The one with T/A had 150k miles and a bit of rust. The other one had 65k miles and almost no rust. Both asking 4500. Checked the oil and pressure when starting up( i read that these are the things to do to check for a cracked header) and were fine. Went 4hi/4lo well. Carona, i looked at the underside of the bumper and felt around, i believe in the right spot, and it was rust free on both vehicles.

Bought the grey one with 64k on it by the way.