Thanks for adding me to the forum. Though I suspect we are all accepted initially. It's our actions and attitudes moving forward that will determine if we stay or get the boot!

I have finally decided on what I want for my "retirement" vehicle. I considered a hot rod, then a squarebody Chevy and then a later model Tacoma. But then I remembered back when we owned an '88 Cherokee Laredo and how much we enjoyed that vehicle. It was dependable, versatile and easy to work on. We drove that thing for years, then passed it to my daughter who drove it during college and then she sold it (against my wishes) to get a car with better fuel efficiency (she later admitted that she should have listened to dad).

I am starting the process of finding one. I have narrowed it down to 1995-1998, early 99. I can do anything to a vehicle except bodywork so I will be looking for one that is mostly, if not completely rust free. With a squarebody, I was going to have to learn how to weld sheet metal. I will with this but am hoping I won't have to. It doesn't matter where in the U.S. I have to go to get one. I can either have it shipped or make a trip out of it.

My plan is to buy it now and do a lot of work and buy what I will eventually need while I'm still earning a paycheck. Then by the time I retire in 3-7 years, I'll have a nice vehicle to keep until I ride off into the sunset.

I am not a rock crawler or a mud bogger, but I would do some mild two-track type off roading. Mostly it will be for around town driving, going to the range, being able to navigate in inclement weather and tinkering around on as a hobby. It will be close to factory condition, but not exact...I'm old enough that I am getting weary of all the technology this world offers. I would like to have something simple in my life. An XJ fits the bill nicely.

 

Funny that you post this. I was away for a week in my truck and I had left my 99XJ 4WD auto sitting in my RV carport. While I was gone a guy and his wife stopped by the house and contacted my wife about wondering if my XJ was for sale. I bought my XJ shortly after my retirement, and drove it quite a bit at first. But the comfort and convenience of a full size truck is winning more and more resulting in me driving the XJ less and less. So the wife tells the guy that she was not sure but would pass his phone # and name to me when I got home. I haven't called the guy yet, but am seriously thinking about it. Mine is rust free, has a few dents from previous owners but comes with a spare front end (Dana 30 HP) and a extra set of front bucket seats. I just have a hard time placing a value on it. Its had a compete suspension replacement (up country) completed about 1 year ago.

When I bought mine, I was looking for a while and found XJ's hard to find unless they had been modified into a alien rock crawler and I didn't want that!

 

My brother has a full size truck and he also prefers the smoother ride. If my plan works, my wife will have the "nice" car for trips so I can manage a vehicle that is maybe not so smooth.

I'm looking but haven't looked long enough to determine what is a fair deal for both the seller and me the buyer. Obviously there are many variables but if you do place a value on it, let me know and maybe you can send me some pictures.

What part of Texas are you in? My company has a plant in Georgetown and my daughter's employer has their corporate HQ in Houston.

 

My brother has a full size truck and he also prefers the smoother ride. If my plan works, my wife will have the "nice" car for trips so I can manage a vehicle that is maybe not so smooth.

I'm looking but haven't looked long enough to determine what is a fair deal for both the seller and me the buyer. Obviously there are many variables but if you do place a value on it, let me know and maybe you can send me some pictures.

What part of Texas are you in? My company has a plant in Georgetown and my daughter's employer has their corporate HQ in Houston.

 

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