Jeep Cherokee Rust. Fix or Junk

[jgillott]

Back story. I purchased this 2001 Jeep Cherokee new in the fall in 2000. I put approximately 60K on it before giving it to my mother to drive in 2003. After my mother got sick and had to quit driving, my dad has used it a little here and there as a spare vehicle.

Saturday he calls me and told me to go pick up the old Jeep and see if I can fix it. He had taken it in for inspection and it failed. So I bring it home and put it on the lift to find the following.

Drivers side inner rocker.

Passenger side "frame"

And finally the passenger side front axle spring bucket and shock mount.

Now the Jeep had 146K on it right now. It runs great, the AC works, has some wiring issues, but is otherwise pretty decent for a 16+ year old vehicle. It also needs a driver's door and outer rocker panel for inspection.

I know that it will cost more to fix than what it is worth. But, my father wants it fixed.

What is your opinion. Fix it or talk the old man in to sending it to the junk yard?

 

[moparguy]

Sounds like it's more a sentiment thing than necessity. IF I were going to keep it, I would not go down the "fix rust" rabbit hole. Been there there/done that. It'a always much worse than you think and that looks pretty bad.

I'd either buy a same year rust free model and use your Dads for a parts rig when needed, or pick up a rust free unit and swap components.

These showed up in a quick Craigslist search and being Southern, no rust.

http://jonesboro.craigslist.org/cto/5922435412.html

http://fayar.craigslist.org/cto/5894833969.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/5930189130.html

 

[DonFitzwater]

Let it go on to the next life......

 

[DavidC]

Salvage what you can and send the rest to China.

Dave

 

[jgillott]

I did some looking around on Craigslist tonight and I found a complete front axle assembly from a 2000 for $200 and rust free drivers door for $125. My buddy who has a body shop said that he would do the spots on the frame, the inner and outer rocker panel, and paint the door to match for $1200. That's just the minimum to get it to pass inspection if we don't find anything else in the process and providing the used parts don't need any work.

I'm going to talk to my father tomorrow and see if I can talk some sense in to him. It just doesn't make sense financially to attempt to fix it.

 

[Wayne M.]

These guys
http://www.autorust.com/
got started making Mopar frame repair sections. Looks like they've branched out a bit, but I see nothing for the XJ Cherokee which surprises me. I'd call them and see if they have anything in the works. I'd also hit the XJ forums. There were a couple of good ones a few years ago. These Jeeps have a fierce loyalty in the off road world. There has to be something out there. None of that looks too bad unless she folds in half or cant open the doors on the lift.

 

[jgillott]

Wayne, I didn't notice any other issues other than the areas I mentioned. I still have it in the air. I'll check it out a little closer tomorrow after work.

It is certainly fixable. I just don't know if it makes sense to put that kind of money in to it.

 

[mwilson]

The going price up here for a beater vehicle that will survive a state inspection is $2000.00 and up. Add a bit for 4wd AND the fact that you know what you have. Now you have a value of $3000.00 or better.

I'd fix it once and get it back on the road, the next time she fails it would be off to car heaven.

How are the brake and fuel lines???

 

[jgillott]

Brake and fuel lines look very good Mike. I understand what you are saying about pricing for even a beater. It's the same around here.

 

[GrantP]

Given the XJ is a unibody vehicle you're looking at structural damage. I'd send it off to the scrapyard. You could buy a rust free XJ for about the same price of the repairs if you don't mind traveling a little to pick one up. I'm spoiled on the rust issue since I live in AZ but to me that XJ looks done (and I've owned a few of them).

 

[jhenderson]

1 vote for auto rust tech. They're a RI company. They've been around for over 30 years and have an excellent reputation. It might be cheaper to buy repair pieces pre fabbed from them than it would be to make them yourself.

 

[HPSimpson]

I would sent to car heaven, too far gone.

 

[Wayne M.]

Fix it or someone else will.

 

[jgillott]

I found 2 more areas of rust tonight. Both minor, but something to add to the list. I found some rust bove the gas tank behind the rear bumper and the roof of all things is just about rusted through above the driver's seat.

I hate rust.

 

[Wayne M.]

Floor pan rot is one thing, if done right is repairable. But the roof and pillar joints are another. How bad?

 

[jgillott]

I can push a screwdriver through the the spots on the roof. The spots are isolated to approx an 8" circle but they are far beyond surface rust.

 

[Wayne M.]

Yea. No good. Stick it on Craigslist and you'll sell it to a rock crawler who'll rip the doors off, put a fording kit and run its last miles out. I still wouldn't junk it.

 

[jgillott]

Yes, I agree with you. It's not worth the effort. In a quick search, XJ's in similar condition are listed in the $1500 range. I'm not sure how much he would actually get out of it, but that would be a good starting point.

I don't think my father wants to sell it immediately. It's sad actually. My mother is still alive but her dementia is so bad that she hasn't known anyone in several years. He keeps holding out hope that she will get better. I don't think he can come to grips with selling her vehicle, even though she hasn't been able to drive in 7 years or more.

 

[Wayne M.]

That's like my Daughter and the '98 Durango. She came home from the hospital in it. She's laid claim to it and expects it'll be her first car.
I hope things shake out well in your house. I'm sure it can stick around a while without it being a burden.

 

[DavidC]

Sorry to hear about your Mother. Your Father may have a very hard time letting go of the Xj as there are memories attached which is a good thing. I wish your Mom and Dad the best.

Dave