What's the deal with frame rot? Is this something that can be repaired by a body shop? I'm guessing no.
Anything is fixable, but if you're shopping with a smallish budget like $3k total, nothing is really fixable (if you're paying someone). 
If you get a cherokee you wont have to worry about frame rot.. see what i did there? eh? ho ho ho
I dont get it :(
I saw a pretty heavily modded XJ today and got an immediate pants tent. I must have one...
XJs as dailys are about like boats.
The happiest days are the day you buy it and the day you sell it. Trust me, I know!
J308 wrote: XJs as dailys are about like boats. The happiest days are the day you buy it and the day you sell it. Trust me, I know!
Can you explain more? I'd like to avoid as much headache as possible.
Just buy the last gen and you'll be fine. I had the 94 and it was old and rickety like an old Volare. Certain years have an issue with the head, a quick search on cherokeeforums or naxja will tell you which. I think its 99-00. They are a lot nicer inside with the updated console and dash.
Happy hunting,they're nearly bulletproof mechanically.
Gotta agree on the later models, the later interior is MUCH nicer.
The thing about DD'ing a cherokee is they dont ride that great, they dont handle well, they dont stop that great, they dont make good noises, and they arent that comfortable to sit in.
They do accelerate ok (stock) and they are very reliable. They also have super tight turning radius. With the back seat folded down they have large, useful cargo space.
Honestly, its one of those things that you have to appreciate the design to enjoy owning it. It was a great design that made it almost 20 years on the market with only minor changes and was way ahead of its time when it came out. Its simple and durable and able to go a lot of places and come back out again without stranding you or costing you a fortune.
I dont get it :(
It's unibody. 
The Troopers up to 1991 are basic, simple, rugged boxes. Like early Cherokees they lack creature comforts (although they have more interior room) and are as tough as nails. They do have one characteristic which puts them head and shoulders above the Cherokee: they drive pretty well. My '92 Cherokee drove like E36 M3, it was replaced quickly with a Nissan SE V6 4x4 for that reason. The '92 and up Troopers actually handle fairly well for a SUV, as I noted in another thread if you go by the road test results it will pull almost as many skidpad G's as my Jensen Healey.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3241181296.html
Thoughts?
The price is right. That one being an LS, it probably has the DOHC motor which is the 190hp version. I wouldn't mind finding one of those myself as a donor for my early/late Trooper mind meld project.
Yeah, the price is DEFINITELY right..
Looking more locally..
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/3284849794.html ?
Nice! Low miles, low price, last year which means better intake, COP ignition, better water pump, probably some other better stuff im forgetting.. ABS..
I like that one. Too bad it's white and has boring wheels, but it looks like a deal.
Every one I look at seems to be autotragic. 
Including the white one.
I ran into this guy but who knows. He's about 30 minutes from me which is a huge plus.
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/3271616376.html
ARO Crosslander!
(Okay...bad idea...)
Auto 4 liters are pretty good to drive. They have slightly lower gears than the 5spd so they move about the same at lower speeds.
Also its one of the best automatic transmissions on the planet as far as durability and reliability, and im not joking.
Vigo wrote: Auto 4 liters are pretty good to drive. They have slightly lower gears than the 5spd so they move about the same at lower speeds. Also its one of the best automatic transmissions on the planet as far as durability and reliability, and im not joking.
I'm trying to convince myself to go auto just for the fact that it multiplies available XJs by about 30.
But, I plan to use this as my daily for the next five years so I'd rather get it right the first time.
How about these out of left field:
First gen Suzuki XL7. Full ladder frame, third row seating and can be found in a stick. Old Man Emu lift kit available to fit 31" shoes. I had one and V6 was nice and torquey.
First gen Kia Sportage. Again, full ladder frame. Aftermarket lift kit support. Suspension design by Lotus. Engine is a 2.0 FE. Did I mention the engine is an FE? Is it me or does the term FE sound familiar?
SJ Suzuki Samurai: Just for the cool fact that a VW 1.6td is an easy swap. Oh, and again FULL LADDER FRAME.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/3261539057.html
I will buy this if it's still for sale.
How is that better than the newer one that has better everything for $200 more?
One is from NC the other is from New England. 
That has huge implications where rust is concerned. Also, the NC one is a Limited which means it could have the full time 4wd transfer case. A big plus for snow time!
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/3294328045.html
Here is one, keep this website handy NEOW is the new engl 4x4 equivalent. Good classified section.
Man that thing is SWEET! I can only imagine how much it costs to drive though.
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