After several long months of searching for the right Jeep Cherokee XJ I found one.
I had specific requirements that I was after:
I was really looking for a XJ Wagoneer and had one found from a collector in Atlanta, we agreed on a price and he forgot to pull the eBay listing and it went for higher than we agreed, so he honored the bid. So the hunt continued. I continued to look for another Wagoneer and added 2 doors to the list.
And then there was one.
Pics from wholesaler.
Pretty much hit the list of wants, outside of the budget. I can handle that. Crazy turn of events as I found it Monday late, called Tuesday early AM and owner said he wasn't sure what he wanted. I made an offer he said no, a couple hours passes and the phone rings. He and I chat some more and he throws out an offer less than I originally offered.
I told him get me some specific info and I ran a CarFax(thank you Dustin Bailey at WK Chevrolet for all the pestering). It all checked out, so I listed it on uShip Tuesday afternoon and got some crazy bids, with crazy timeframes. The I got a message from a company asking what I wanted to spend. I told them and they said they were a couple hours away and if they could pick it up Wednesday morning they would deliver it Thursday (Christmas Eve). Damn talk about short times to get this all done. So Wednesday am comes, I wire the money, dispatch them and they are on the road from Maryland Wednesday afternoon. The stars aligned.
Locked and loaded.
At our lakehouse for the holidays, before it rained.
Interior is clean, don't mind the steering wheel cover, I have a replacement wheel at the shop. Already installed the Rugged Ridge mats, thanks to my brother callie454 for the kick *** Christmas present.
Pinch welds have ZERO rust.
The only exterior issue I can find is the CHEROKEE emblem and 4X4 emblem are missing from the driver side, but shows zero signs of paint repair. And then this. WHY OH WHY.
Following the path of a former build I had some parts already in mind or bought that I would do. It was a 98 Classic.
Eventually I will load all of my ole school stereo gear in it and buy a Safari Rack.
Thanks for following along.
I had specific requirements that I was after:
- Decent miles (130k-160K)
- Good ownership history with records
- NO RUST, none not even a trace, no accidents
- Southeast or west/southwest previous residence
- Priced within my budget
- Unique combination or options
- White or Gunmetal Pearl exterior
- Non smoker
I was really looking for a XJ Wagoneer and had one found from a collector in Atlanta, we agreed on a price and he forgot to pull the eBay listing and it went for higher than we agreed, so he honored the bid. So the hunt continued. I continued to look for another Wagoneer and added 2 doors to the list.
And then there was one.
- 1998 Cherokee Sport 2 door
- 153k miles
- CarFax showed good maintenance history
- one owner from new in California, moved to Maryland in 2014, no accidents
- Priced above my budget by a little
- Its a 2 door Sport with window wings, pretty odd combo, even has working OEM Keyless
- Gunmetal Pearl
- Non smoker
Pics from wholesaler.
Pretty much hit the list of wants, outside of the budget. I can handle that. Crazy turn of events as I found it Monday late, called Tuesday early AM and owner said he wasn't sure what he wanted. I made an offer he said no, a couple hours passes and the phone rings. He and I chat some more and he throws out an offer less than I originally offered.
I told him get me some specific info and I ran a CarFax(thank you Dustin Bailey at WK Chevrolet for all the pestering). It all checked out, so I listed it on uShip Tuesday afternoon and got some crazy bids, with crazy timeframes. The I got a message from a company asking what I wanted to spend. I told them and they said they were a couple hours away and if they could pick it up Wednesday morning they would deliver it Thursday (Christmas Eve). Damn talk about short times to get this all done. So Wednesday am comes, I wire the money, dispatch them and they are on the road from Maryland Wednesday afternoon. The stars aligned.
Locked and loaded.
At our lakehouse for the holidays, before it rained.
Interior is clean, don't mind the steering wheel cover, I have a replacement wheel at the shop. Already installed the Rugged Ridge mats, thanks to my brother callie454 for the kick *** Christmas present.
Pinch welds have ZERO rust.
The only exterior issue I can find is the CHEROKEE emblem and 4X4 emblem are missing from the driver side, but shows zero signs of paint repair. And then this. WHY OH WHY.
Following the path of a former build I had some parts already in mind or bought that I would do. It was a 98 Classic.
- 3" Superlift on the way
- TJ Rubicon MOAB Reps already have
- 245/75/16 Kanati Mud Hogs already have
- Rugged Ridge floor and cargo liners (thanks to my brother callie454) already have
- Side molding delete
- Full color match, bumpers, caps, flares
- 35% tint front 3 windows
- Depo Smoke front signal and corner marker on the way
- Depo Smoke and clear tail lights on the way
- Truck Lite LED head lights on the way
- Oneway LED interior light kit on the way
- LED bulbs for all exterior lighting on the way
- LED pods or 7" bars in the OEM fog location
- KL Cherokee Gunmetal badging on the way
- Python remote start alarm on the way
Eventually I will load all of my ole school stereo gear in it and buy a Safari Rack.
Thanks for following along.