Buying Late model XJs in NY

[jth877]

So I've had 2 XJs in the past 5 years. First was an 87, the current one is a 96. I love the things, but I hate the rust/corrosion that comes with living in this area (saratoga). I had to replace the seat brackets in the 87 and I've had to weld in new floor steel on most of the 96. I'm currently in the market for a 99 after I sell my 96 in the spring.

My question is what have ya'll gotten in terms of body cancer with the later models? Most I see on the road are OK, some have rust starting on the drivers side corner roof or by the bottom of the doors. Is the floor issue mostly fixed? Anybody find any surprises with rust on 97-01 models? Thanks for any info... hopefully I'll have another XJ soon.

 

[asp]

my rockers and rear quarter panels are effed. bad. but, that being said, i have only broken one steering box bolt when removing stock hardware and parts to upgrade/go bigger. FWIW, mine is a 98...

 

[5spd_xj]

i can confirm the condition of anthony's rockers... "effed" is a good, fairly accurate description. "not there" is better though.

 

[prb24]

Rockers...bad enough that I really need to do something about them. Mine is a '98 too. Floors, doors, and quarters are fine. It did have a Ziebart job done on it by the previous owner, so I'm not sure if that helped or not.

 

[CopperTop]

It's kind of a hit or miss thing. Anthony has a 98 and his rockers are toast. I have a 96 and my rockers are solid but floors and roof are horrible. There seems to be no rhime or reason as to why some rot and others don't

 

[sean_xj]

i got mine from a beach area on long island and there is almost no rust. just a spot on the hood when i got it. after i cut into it theres alot more. but thats my fault. its a '96. i guess i got really lucky.

 

[Unearthed]

Rockers...bad enough that I really need to do something about them. Mine is a '98 too. Floors, doors, and quarters are fine. It did have a Ziebart job done on it by the previous owner, so I'm not sure if that helped or not.

I go to school in Cortland, where are you at?


To the OP My 99' has a little bit of rust under the doors where the weather stripping meets the metal, and by one of the rear windows.

My friends 98' still has the rear axle sticker, and not an ounce of rust on it... I don't know how. I think you just need to shop around... for a while

 

[chedisme]

Yea I have the rust to the rear of the lower door sill area in my 98. other then that when I ripped my carpet out the floor on the driver side had a little bit of surface rust.

I go to school in Cortland, where are you at?

hey is your rig green?

I was there like 3 weeks ago and saw a green lifted xj I was in a red 2 door with 3in and a winch.

 

[jth877]

Well, it looks like I'll have to do some serious inspecting on anything I buy. Maybe butt the bullet and look at a 2001 even though I hate the coil on plug thing.

 

[billyjp2]

and low pinion front ends

 

[Unearthed]

Yea I have the rust to the rear of the lower door sill area in my 98. other then that when I ripped my carpet out the floor on the driver side had a little bit of surface rust.




hey is your rig green?

I was there like 3 weeks ago and saw a green lifted xj I was in a red 2 door with 3in and a winch.

Nope... although I used to have a green one in cortland. Here are the two that I've had up here.

 

[prb24]

I go to school in Cortland, where are you at?

I live over on the west side near the hospital. I work at Cornell, so my XJ is mostly for DD duties until the nice weather comes back and I can ride my bike.

 

[chedisme]

yea the rig I saw was similar to the green one you had. but I guess it wasn't you.

 

[5spd_xj]

fwiw, i've got a 100% rust free 95... thank you, california

 

[jth877]

fwiw, i've got a 100% rust free 95... thank you, california

Not funny!

Seriously, I was thinking of taking a vacation in FL and driving back with a 99 (or close to it) XJ back to NY. I guess you could pre investigate by looking at the FL craigslists for the area. I see that PA XJs are also in much better shape. Any PA dudes care to comment?

 

[5spd_xj]

Yep... with mine, I got super lucky. went to take a look at it, got realllllly excited, and then the kid goes "oh, and btw, i went to school out in cali and liked the jeep so i drove it back this past spring" ...in other words, i gave it its first salt bath 06/07 was my baby's first winter...too bad its all twisted up now and waiting to be chopped hahah.

 

[Hammered]

mines a 97... rockers are all good to go. No cancer that I can find... floors are good too (To my knowledge)

 

[xalexjx]

you just need to do some heavy searching, theres a few around. Keep an eye on adirondack jeeps and in the want ad and look over what ever you buy .