Cherokee frame rust problem spots

[chrism]

I am going to take a look at a 79 Cherokee this weekend. It has a freshly rebuilt drive train so I am not too concerned about that.

What I need to know are what areas of the frame or body might be the problem areas.
I have been looking for a FS Cherokee for a while and I'm hoping that this might be the one.

[ May 20, 2002: Message edited by: chrism ]</p>

[jode]

Behind front wheels
In front of rear wheels
far rear corners
I hear that the chero WTs have probs at the fender flares too.

[Panther]

First good luck with the Cherokee.
I gave up looking locally and got one in Florida.
Unfortunately the biggest problem area in the frame is behind the gas tank so you can't see it. My tank was "lined" with trash bag like padding that collected dirt and junk. Other than that you can see most of the other areas if you crawl under and look. If it's a wide trac check the rear flares. And the front floor pans might be worth a look if covered with carpet. Good luck.
Lee

[1BAD401]

Also look in the door jams and look over the tailgate jams. If those rust they are a pain to re-do. Flares aren't bad you can get new ones and there not bad priced. Check under the dash and see if it's a rats nest, chasing down electrical problems can be a real pain. Besides that, I think you'll be ok, nice choice of Jeep! Of course I'm a little bias towards the 79 Chero !!! :D

[ May 20, 2002: Message edited by: 1BAD401 ]</p>

[joe]

The 80's up FSJ's have a prob with mud/salt etc getting trapped behind the fuel tank mount and rusting the frame out but that shouldn't be a prob on a 79.
Basically no...there aren't any special places to be aware of other than if it's been in MA all it's life on salted roads I'd look the entire frame/body/floor boards over carefully as you would on any 23 year old rig that's had to deal with rock salt.
I do recommend taking a good anti-bondo magnet with you though. smile.gif
Wrap it in a handkerchief and run it over the normal spots on the body that rust but look just too good to have lived in road salt for 23 years ;)

[JEEPGUZZZI]

Don't worry too much about frame rot in a 1979 FSJ. They have probably the strongest frames of all of the FSJ's. The real frame rot issue starts in the 1980 models when they lightened the frame and installed a new gas tank and rust accelerant.
The bodies, are a different story. If you can, look inside at the kick panels. Dirt and debris falls into the vents and accumulates there. The floors in front of the rear wheels are another spot.

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

I SAY THIS, THE MORE RUST YOU CAN FIND, MOVES THE ASKING PRICE DOWN tongue.gif :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Bob Barry]

I've seen rust on a '79 in the area of the frame where the front eye for the rear spring is mounted.