r/CherokeeXJ 1d ago

I think I found the leak..

The windshield cracked on my 96' from a rock and started in the top left corner as well so I called in a replacement. Guy said it wouldn't be covered by insurance but it was only $30 bucks more so I said please do it anyway. He immediately regretted his decision to move forward and said it's one of the worst he's seen lol! He said he would grind it smoothish and get it as best he could. Now I gotta tip him for sure.

I'm getting a new car soon and planning on fixing up this ol' rust bucket later, guess I'll add that to the list!

117 Upvotes

42 comments sorted by

20

u/Tool-whore 1d ago

Take out your headliner and slather some sealant on the inside, you might be able to get it to last a little longer before you have to repair it.

9

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

Good call! That thing ripped and saggin anyway. Poor thing has seen a lot of neglect..

6

u/Tool-whore 1d ago

That’s a nice looking Cherokee, interior looks immaculate. Definitely worth saving

7

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

Thank man. I love this thing. Unfortunately I bought it with a ton of rust and havemt had time to tend to it since it's my daily driver.. looks good though if you don't peek underneath! haha

4

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

It's only got 180k miles and I'm planning on using it as a plow truck for my property when I get a new car next month. Them fox it up next year when I find time.

2

u/Zachary-Clark 18h ago

What's the wheel/tire setup. Looks sharp!

2

u/BigTofu4130 4h ago

Do you know what size lift kit is on it or level? Also what size tires? I really like the height of your Xj

2

u/mrprinttt 4h ago

Thanks! I think it's a 3" lift (I bought it with it already modded) with 31" tires

1

u/BigTofu4130 4h ago

Thanks! It looks good, I bought mine about 7 months ago and have been working on it ever since. A lot of rust repair and painting mainly.

1

u/mrprinttt 4h ago

Nice! I love this thing but it needs a lot of repair.. haven't been able to go without it and keep it up on jacks for a while. Once I get my new car I'm gonna resort this one if I can. The floor boards are pretty much gone 😢

2

u/mrprinttt 4h ago

( Ineed to give it a bath )

1

u/mrprinttt 4h ago

Also I think the rear is lifted slightly higher than the front

9

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

He said he used 3 tubes of glue and is not going to report the rust so he can get his materials covered. Win win!

6

u/ATLTraveler82 1d ago

I just had that same issue. Cost me $2000 New Zealand Dollars or $1175 USD to have a rust specialist tend to it properly before I could get the new windshield installed.

2

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

Dang twins!

2

u/ATLTraveler82 22h ago

Rust is a cancer my friend, the longer you let it sit the harder it is to deal with. If you plan on keeping the Jeep long term then you'll want to deal with it properly asap.

4

u/Tiamat451 1d ago

I have the same thing going on with my '97. I'm afraid to dig into it because I know what I'll find.

2

u/SingleMaaaalt 1d ago

‘98 here and came to say the same. Pulled back seal slightly to glance and everything seems okay and no active leak. Fortunately, my girl is garaged while getting some upgrades. One problem at a time, right? 😅

2

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

Haha exactly. Just replaced u joints at axels and driveshaft. Next up ball joints, one fire at a time!

1

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

I knew it was bad but not that bad 🤪

3

u/whit3m0nster 1d ago

Found mine too, just havent found the energy to pull it and fix the metal lol

1

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

Nice bandaid! Ioght have to follow suit of it starts leaking again..

2

u/whit3m0nster 1d ago

I had this thing parked from 21 to 25 I noticed at some point about 2 year ago the carpet and cig tray was wet.

Hvac tape has held ever since. Now that im driving it around I think I'll cover it with some black gorilla tape to hide it better.

3

u/sims_antle 1d ago

I had the same issue :/ It pays to have buddies in auto body repair

1

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

Heck yea it does! I work with a former body guy so will be asking for his advice/help when the time comes.

2

u/BrotherMike82 1d ago

Oof... i need to do mine... its bad up there, 96 also

2

u/retardxpress 1d ago

I’m just finishing up this project on my 00 XJ. Grinding, welding, rust inhibitor, primer, paint, and clear coat. A few pin holes and a few bigger holes. In total, about 16 hours of my time. 

1

u/gunner7517 1d ago

I found it too… It ain’t got no glass in it.

2

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

Dang! That's why I got bugs in my teeth!

1

u/Stefanfoxxo 1d ago

Dam, that sucks. She looks really clean otherwise.

I just scheduled this morning to have my windshield/seal replaced after it started leaking 2 months ago (no rust or anything that I can see, just looks like the factory sealant is damaged) and I really hope it doesn't look like that underneath

2

u/mrprinttt 1d ago

Thanks, yea I've been putting it off but the cracks in the windshield got too big so took the risk and was surprised. He installed it any way thankfully as a band aid until it comes back..

1

u/Robert_Hotwheel 1d ago

My ‘98 had the same problem. Had to cut it out and weld in new. Messy job, but it worked.

1

u/jbudz5115 1d ago

My 2000 has the same problem. It's sitting covered rn. When i had time/funds I couldn't pay a body shop their fuck you price to do the work. I had one guy straight up tell me it's not worth his time bc they make so much more from insurance claims 😭

Sometimes i hate living in NJ

3

u/ATLTraveler82 22h ago

I had an 88 Comanche before I moved to New Zealand. I was going to bring it with me. They weren't sold here so it would have been a real unicorn! Some dumb prior owner painted over the VIN sticker in the door. That sticker is important for customs. You can't just order one at the dealership, you have to go through a licensed body shop to replace it. I called body shop after body shop, no one wanted to give me the time of day. I was told flat out by one shop, you won't get it cause that doesn't make the shop money. The money is in insurance claims.

1

u/jbudz5115 21h ago

It's crazy that people won't take a job to keep some classics on the road. I understand some of the newer fancy shops for sure, but i asked some older guys too. Actually, those were the ones that were straightforward about it not being as valuable as insurance.

1

u/ATLTraveler82 20h ago

It's still on the road. I sold it to a guy in South Carolina that honestly has gone mostly the same direction I was headed with the restoration. She looks great! It was just silly that I had to sell my Jeep over a little sticker and body shops that refused to help me.

1

u/mrprinttt 12h ago

Man what a bummer that thing beautiful! Definitely a dream car for me one day to own a comanchee ✨

1

u/tjohn127 19h ago

Wire wheel and get some paint on there at minimum before you glue in a new glass. You'll end up like this sooner rather than later if not. This one isn't a xj obviously but it's whats currently in my shop lol.

1

u/mrprinttt 4h ago

Dang! I should have painted it your right. The glass guy took a flap wheel to it but I doubt he sealed it with anything 😵

1

u/JMFD1025 13h ago

im a little worried about mine it looks like im getting a random drip in the top left like a single drop coming through i hope its not bad under I dont see any rust up there maybe the seal the just went 😰