Cherokee Chat General non-tech Cherokee chat
XJ/MJ/ZJ/WJ

Tree on My Jeep What now?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 4, 2018 | 04:55 AM
  #16  
andrewmp6's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,KY
Model: Cherokee
Default

Unless your a pro body man that jeep has two options,Cut the roof off and make it a off road toy,Or its a parts jeep.To fix that roof you'll have to cut a whole roof off another jeep,Put the jeep on a frame table pull it back straight and weld the new roof on it.Then pray you did it right.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2018 | 05:05 AM
  #17  
Bugout4x4's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by That Jeep Guy XJMJ
Maybe cut the roof out leaving the outer border. get that back right corner back to par the best you can and then skin a donor roof back in..... maybe
That's exactly what I was going to do with mine, and incorporate a rollcage in at the same time.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 12:04 PM
  #18  
oldguy52's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 303
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, NY
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Late in 79 I had a guy that had a trans am like the smokey and the bandit car but without t-tops. Cut the roof off and replaced with t-top roof from a jy donor.
I'm serious its not that hard.

I would've done those all day long and made very good money. The hardest part is the windshield but you would farm that out to a service like I did.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 02:03 PM
  #19  
Morat's Avatar
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

For my money I'd either go with the cage like Monaca said or swap all the good bits into a new Jeep. Our Jeeps don't have a lot of rollover protection to start with, and with a weakened roof.. I'd be unhappy. Put it this way, in England it would be illegal to put that Jeep back on the road.

But apart from all that I personally wouldn't want to spend lots of money and end up back where I started, especially when it's never really going to look as good as it did before.

Sad news and sorry to hear of your bad luck - but you could come back with something better than before if you have a good think.

Last edited by Morat; Mar 5, 2018 at 02:06 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 02:16 PM
  #20  
Bugout4x4's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Morat
Put it this way, in England it would be illegal to put that Jeep back on the road.
Please do not be offended... But that's why we don't live there anymore.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 02:37 PM
  #21  
Morat's Avatar
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Bugout4x4
Please do not be offended... But that's why we don't live there anymore.
Haha, don't worry
Anyway, we can run lots more cars than you can without having to wait 25 years to import them. They just have to be roadworthy and a buckled roof is enough to write a car off permanently unless it is a body on frame model (and the Cherokee doesn't count). I know that's not the law in the USA and fair enough but I'd still be worried at the amount of strength that a car loses with a buckled roof.

Last edited by Morat; Mar 5, 2018 at 02:39 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 03:09 PM
  #22  
fb97xj1's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 338
From: PA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

The roof itself is just a steel sheet and could probably be salvaged and reused, minus the roof rack and other trim pieces. The steel around the 1/4 window and entire driprail is going to take some work for a good seal. You have bracing under the roof that will probably need some work. The backglass popped and the hinge was stressed/shifted so that will need tended to as well. And thats just the side we can see. The driver side should be gone over as well. The roof is bent just above the drivers door and can only assume theres some shifting from there on back to some degree.

Fixable? Yes. But whats it worth to you? Its going to be a lot of work. A donor would be best if there is no sentimental attatchment.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 03:24 PM
  #23  
Bugout4x4's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Morat
Haha, don't worry
Anyway, we can run lots more cars than you can without having to wait 25 years to import them. They just have to be roadworthy and a buckled roof is enough to write a car off permanently unless it is a body on frame model (and the Cherokee doesn't count). I know that's not the law in the USA and fair enough but I'd still be worried at the amount of strength that a car loses with a buckled roof.
I agree... Once the skeleton has been compromised there is no strength left. I am in a similar pickle right now myself. I had a slow roll over and crushed in the roof. I have it almost straight enough to put a windshield back in, but I will be worried to drive it too long before finding something else to put this engine into.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 04:34 PM
  #24  
brokenspoke's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
Ouch!!!! and very sad.

Easiest to get an 87 to 90 donor.
Thanks, kind of what I was looking for what years would be easiest swap.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2018 | 04:56 PM
  #25  
brokenspoke's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for all the responses, It does run excellent. I was not asking if it could be repaired I know it can. I have several welders and have been fabricating most of my life. I actually have three porta-powers two 4 tons and one 10 ton. I have a shop and a plasma cutter as well as sawz-all and torches.I have all ready jacked the roof back out though it will still need lots of work.
I have air compressor air tools and paint guns orbital sanders and grinders. I am 63 and a cancer survivor so was not looking for a lot of work. I was just thinking swapping bodies might be less work and what would be easiest years to swap to. It does also have the leather interior in great shape. As far as the roof rack it will not be a difficult repair finding sunroof I don't know. As far as weakened structure I can reinforce that if it appears to be needed.
I know to long did not read. Any way thanks again for all the replies.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
number9
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
47
Jan 16, 2015 09:06 AM
CounrtyWide
Cherokee Chat
28
Jun 13, 2012 07:07 AM
chukrz
Jeep Builds
11
May 13, 2012 03:47 PM
Purp
Southeast
2
May 23, 2010 11:39 PM
digital509
Jeep Builds
37
May 22, 2010 08:04 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:37 PM.