Thinking about being unfaithful to my XJ. Going through a bit of a vehicle crisis
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 391
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From: Lawrence ****ing Kansas
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thinking about being unfaithful to my XJ. Going through a bit of a vehicle crisis
I'll try to keep this as short as possible.
I had a warped head causing overheating, so I fixed it and it solved my problem I think. Then it overheated again when I was going too hard up a big mountain. It warped the head again (I took it off and measured it) and it blew the heater core. And the windshield also cracked on the trip.
So I'm kinda pissed at it and looking at other vehicles. I still like it a lot and everytime I look at it in the driveway I get sad because she is broken. I also have a 2013 GMC sierra to sell or traded in, it has low miles so its worth over $10k. I don't like full size trucks though (I inherited it) and would rather have a SUV or smaller truck namely a Tacoma.
Options:
I had a warped head causing overheating, so I fixed it and it solved my problem I think. Then it overheated again when I was going too hard up a big mountain. It warped the head again (I took it off and measured it) and it blew the heater core. And the windshield also cracked on the trip.
So I'm kinda pissed at it and looking at other vehicles. I still like it a lot and everytime I look at it in the driveway I get sad because she is broken. I also have a 2013 GMC sierra to sell or traded in, it has low miles so its worth over $10k. I don't like full size trucks though (I inherited it) and would rather have a SUV or smaller truck namely a Tacoma.
Options:
- Fix the XJ's engine, keep the GMC sierra as a 2nd vehicle. This is the SIMPLEST OPTION but least satisfying, I would basically do nothing. I don't know if I can trust the XJ's engine even after fixing it.
- Get a new, low-miles XJ. Swap my aftermarket parts to that new Jeep. This might be the SMARTEST OPTION but it would take a lot of work to do all the parts swapping. I could even sell my GMC when the engine swap is done, and put money into my pocket.
- Get a new/low-miles engine for my XJ. I would still have a broken heater core, no AC, trans that is getting old, etc. This might be the CHEAPEST OPTION. But it would take a lot of work to do all the parts swapping. My GMC would become my daily driver and the XJ could be more of a toy - since it has no heater/AC.
- Get a whole new vehicle. This might be the MOST OBVIOUS OPTIONS and EASIEST OPTION. I have the money, plus the GMC as a trade in. I'm looking at Toyota 4runners, tacomas, land cruisers, etc. I could repair my XJ's engine and retain that vehicle as a rock crawler, or sell it.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i dont know about you, but many xj owners feel "love" towards their xj..just how it goes....sure you can get another, but man they grow on you haha
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 391
Likes: 10
From: Lawrence ****ing Kansas
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I get attached to things, especially things that I put a LOT of time and money into. And I've poured a lot of my own personallity into my Jeep as well.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 391
Likes: 10
From: Lawrence ****ing Kansas
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
If you aren’t happy with it or no longer want to turn a wrench on your vehicle every weekend, then sell it lol.
I’ve had overheating issues lately and while I think I fixed the issues I still watch the temp gauge every second of my commutes so I know the untrustworthy feelings you have.
I’ve had overheating issues lately and while I think I fixed the issues I still watch the temp gauge every second of my commutes so I know the untrustworthy feelings you have.
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Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 391
Likes: 10
From: Lawrence ****ing Kansas
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If you aren’t happy with it or no longer want to turn a wrench on your vehicle every weekend, then sell it lol.
I’ve had overheating issues lately and while I think I fixed the issues I still watch the temp gauge every second of my commutes so I know the untrustworthy feelings you have.
I’ve had overheating issues lately and while I think I fixed the issues I still watch the temp gauge every second of my commutes so I know the untrustworthy feelings you have.
Problem is I'm emotionally attached to the damn thing. This morning was 99% sure I was going to get a new(ish) 4runner. Now I'm back to looking at old XJs and ZJs with a good engine to take out of it. What am I thinking???
Really having a hard timing making a decisions
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 391
Likes: 10
From: Lawrence ****ing Kansas
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Oh and I took the "warped" head to the machine shop and he cleared the carbon build up off (I should have done that) and sure enough it was NOT warped afterall. Neither is the block. So.... I still do not know why it was/is overheating... no way an air bubble has been ****ing with me for this long
Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 185
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Model: Cherokee
Oh and I took the "warped" head to the machine shop and he cleared the carbon build up off (I should have done that) and sure enough it was NOT warped afterall. Neither is the block. So.... I still do not know why it was/is overheating... no way an air bubble has been ****ing with me for this long
I’m with you on the 4runners. I love those things.
I relplaced my entire cooling system and I was still having issues. Turns out I didn’t get all the air out of the system and two rad hoses were loose at the connections, one actually blew off.
If I was you I would just slow down and double/triple check everything on the XJ before making a decision. Could be something simple that gets you back on the road for many more miles.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
A full size truck is a valuable asset to have around. It makes dragging home more jeeps a breeze. Keep the truck. Buy another XJ in better shape. Use yours for parts/part it out. I love my XJ but wouldn't lose any sleep over trading it for another one if something catastrophic happened to it. These things are like legos, dime a dozen and easy to swap parts around.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 275
From: Southern Texas (former AZ & Aus)
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
I can speak from personal experience with my XJ... there are a few times that she's pissed me off to the point of not wanting to deal with it anymore... but then when it came right down to it.... I just couldn't bear to part with her. And I'm glad that I didn't.
When it all comes down to it, every vehicle on the planet will **** you off from time to time, because they break. But ole XJ's aren't rocket science and can generally fix them yourself. And parts are still everywhere for them. Not many older vehicles have the same level of "cult following" as older Jeeps do... especially XJ's.. just the way it is.
From what you said, I think you'll probably kick yourself if you sell it.... and either wish you hadn't and end up getting another one.