New to the forums...buying an XJ

[drumset5994]

I dont know if this is the right forum, but im very new to the Jeep community. I've driven Chevy Trucks my whole life, and now on a whim and a prayer, im buying a 95 XJ off my friend...but here's the story on it...and i need your opinion.

They were selling it for a $1000...they owe me $100, so its a clean sell at $900. These are the specs on it...

1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport (XJ)
4wd-4.0L I-6 High Output
4-speed auto, 4-door
120,000 miles

The reason why its so cheap is because she rolled it last winter, and although the rear right corner was crushed, it rippled down the side...but not even that bad! Yeah, its a little noticeable, but its a $900 4x4!!! So ive been doing alot of reading and ive discovered the XJ's last a long time. But there's some problems with it im worried about...here's where you guys come in, because im clueless.

This thing vibrates...bad. Almost like every u-joint is bad. Constant vibration...0-55...her boyfriend said "the vehicle sat so long, the bearings went flat" ...i have to call the BS flag on that one.

So, whats your opinion guys?

[Flip94ta]

unlike chevy's, jeep XJ's are a unibody vehicle, can you post up some pics of the damage. You may also want to take a very good look underneath by the rear "frame rails" about where a trailer hitch would go up to the front seats. See if they are bent.

If the body it somewhat solid and you have a Daily Driver it probably wouldn't be a bad toy to tinker with. Parts are cheap and they do last a pretty long time.

[Hellbent]

there is a ton of good info on here. search phrases like "drivetrain vibration", see what that turns up. i would have to say that "bearings going flat" sounds like bs. i suppose that could happen, maybe if it sat for 100 years. if the body damage is really that light then that sounds like a good deal. IMO 95-96 are among the best years of xj to have.

[drumset5994]

The damage isnt THAT extensive...with a good eye and a keen hammer, inside and out can be pounded to near unnoticeable conditions.

My only concern is the vibrations...that and the $500+ i just spent on my 99 Silverado's Rear to be overhauled...:smsoap: GM!!!

[8Mud]

The first three things that pop into mind are a bent driveshaft,which is pretty easy to check with a straight edge. And/or a bent front end part, look real close at the drag link. Bent rims are always a possiblilty.
The wife rolled her 87, the drag link bent, the trac bar bent, a motor mount and a tranny/transfer mount broke. I'm guessing much of the damage was done when the tow truck driver rolled it back over and then tried to winch it on the trailer. The bent drag link and the bent trac bar both have bends in a V pointing forwords, like he was blind and didn't see the two tow hooks on the front and tried to use the drag link and then the trac bar as a tow point.
I've seen a lot of bent driveshafts, that got bent at the holding lot after a wreck. They sometimes use forklifts to move the vehicles around and forget about the driveshaft being one of the lowest points, when lifting from the side.

[drumset5994]

I talked to her more tonight...here's the timeline.

1.)Around 2004 her dad bought it for her for $1000. It rode amazingly smooth.

2.) It sat in the garage...unmoved...for at least a year or two.

3.) After that, it vibrated immensely. Nobody touched it while it was in the garage.

Any ideas?

[88XJSport]

That doesnt make any sense, mine sat from 2001-05, and it doesnt vibe at all. Were you there when they took it out of storage to feel the vibe yourself? Did something maybe dry-rot or loosen up, check to make sure everything is tight in the front, if thats where the vibes are coming from.

[PhotographerMike]

Flat spotted tires?

[drumset5994]

It sounds identical to a u-joint...like a rolling tank...

She may be lieing...youre right...that doesnt make sense

[88XJSport]

When my front u-joints went bad, they didnt vibe the truck at all. When the u-joint in the rear driveshaft went bad, it vibed the truck from 0-35mph, but it was nowhere near violent.

[AlohaBra]

Jack it up or put it on a lift and run it in drive.

[drumset5994]

I see alot of problems on the forum that i'm not used to with a GM...kinda, advanced problems.

Are there any problems im almost certain to see? From the looks of this forum, im kinda afraid of an XJ -LOL

[bikinnotdykin]

GM's and XJ's aren't that different, the thing still has 4x4 drivetrain just different components like aw4 instead of 700R4 or 4L80E!!! I would NOT jack it up and run it. I would however jack it up and push, wiggle, jiggle and move everything under it and see what could be suspect. check your steering linkages too, could have been damaged in the roll causing your vibes.

[beakie]

I talked to her more tonight...here's the timeline.

1.)Around 2004 her dad bought it for her for $1000. It rode amazingly smooth.

2.) It sat in the garage...unmoved...for at least a year or two.

3.) After that, it vibrated immensely. Nobody touched it while it was in the garage.

Any ideas?

If it was bought for $1000, than rolled it last winter, and now wants $1000 for a ride that has a bad wobble to it? Let alone the BS flag on possible problems or reasons for problem they may be giving you, if you pay that price (or $900) they win either way.
My math isn't great, but paying them what they paid for a vehicle that was in better shape than how your getting it now doesn't add up to me.
I would offer tham $500 max. They owe you money, you don't owe them a favour by taking it off their hands.

[dizzymac]

Have the tires been changed? I just picked a 91' that sat in a barn for a year,untouched(except by the mice that have taken over the duct work,still working on that one) we trailered it home and inflated all the tires back to spec., took it for a ride the other day....terrible.....changed over the tires from my '90 (out of action for floor pans), the vibration is gone.