Wanted a cheap winter car that I could also work on. Wanted a model with active forums on internet for help. Turns out, Jeep is the hardest car I've ever tried to work on (rust, etc) and has made me expand my $1000 tool collection up to about $2000 once I started buying the "big boy" tools needed for these XJs. But, it has made me learn some stuff beyond remove/replace that I will take to future cars. Rust, stripped bolts, certain tools, etc.

 

sounds to me its been a blessing in disguise for you then Bimmer, just think had you not bought something that you're not afraid to get your hands a little dirty on you just could've ended up a poster child for some local dealership had you bought a "hard to work on vehicle"..

 

I wanted a 4wd vehicle that wasn't a truck and not a huge SUV. my friends dad bought 8 XJs at an auction so I picked out the one I liked the most. it happened to be just like one my dad had new in 96, but mines a 97.

 

Necessity! Living in the Sahara Desert in the mid 50's, the IHC Travelall couldn't get to a lot of places. Dad found 2 WWII MB's left behind after the War. One was wrecked, the other had a blown engine. Out of the 2, we built one good one and had spares for the future. Painted yellow with red rims, named her NelliBelle. Was an awesome hunting vehicle. Served us well for many years.
I have been Jeepin' ever since.

 

had a buddy while i was going to tech school that had a cherokee. He wheeled the crap out of it, and i was really impressed at what it could do for such little money. I did some research after getting out of school and found out they had solid axles, and i wanted one ever since. Finally bought a beat up one for 500 bucks 8 months ago, and i like it more then my megacab lol

 

My dad always told me awesome story's of his college years when he had a cj5 up in the U.P.(upper peninsula of Mich ) I especially liked his story's of just throwing the canoe on the top and going camping.. So of course I needed an expedition rig and what's better the a Cherokee for that role....