Thinking of an XJ

[Schattenjager]

As I'm trying to put a deal together on my Cruiser, I'm thinking of something to replace it with. I had an 89 XJ for about 5 months - it was a horrible car. Leaky Y pipe, leaky fuel injectors and un-cureable overheating made me ditch it ASAP. I've been told that the issues were neglect and fixable, but it was too much too soon for me. Well, there was no ExPo then, so I thought I would post my re-considerations here for your input. I like the car-like nature of the Cherokee and the smaller size compared to the Cruiser for just a puppy and me to explore around with.

To replace the cruiser, I want a few nonnegotiable things: better MPG (not hard) GREAT reliability (4.0 ?), low operation costs, and an inexpensive buy in - sub $4K area. Decent off road ability is somewhat important - but not critical. If I get a stocker (hopefully) I'll add an OME lift, some Treadwrights tires, and a set of LightForce 170's and call it a day. Since this will be a second car, it will have a RTT, hi-lift, CO2 tank and related gear always packed and ready to take the pup and I canoeing or camping.

Something like this:

Am I nuts? Is this a good idea? I am not too interested in Grand Cherokee's and would like to keep this focused on the XJ.

[gophere]

I drove a 98 XJ for 6 years stock. It went everywhere I wanted and would only get stuck up in the mud(AT tires).100,000 miles from Baja to northern Canada and only issue besides rock damage was an alternator.
Replaced it last week with a Montero, North Dakota rust had its way with the XJ.
Only issue I see is size and seat height. Mine was cramped on long trips and you sit in them like a car not a truck.

[Amauri]

XJ's are solid, sometimes I wish I would have gone with an XJ instead of my ZJ.

Anyway, the 4.0 is bullet proof, I have almost 150k on mine and it runs perfect.With proper care and maintenance there is no reason I shouldn't get another 100k out of it. With an 4k initial budget you might be able to pick up a 97+ XJ which got an exterior and interior update.

[czenkov]

Drove a two door 5 speed 1994 from '96 through 2004. Great truck - drove it everywhere stock except for BFG AT's. Went everywhere in Utah and never left me wanting. A lot of people have bad things to say about these - I have nothing but great memories. Besides it failing its emissions - check engine came on - two weeks prior had changed the oil - nothing but white milky on the stick. Should have rebuilt the engine or replaced in hindsight.

[The Adam Blaster]

I've had my 1998 XJ that I bought used for about 8 years now, 2.5 of those years it sat in various stages of a 4.5" lift. I've got just over 200,00 kms on it now.
I was VERY happy with it on 31's with a 3" lift. It's cheap and easy to put a lift like that on, and you don't have to alter any other driveline components. (No SYE needed, or new driveshafts etc.)
On muddy trails, I was usually able to keep up with other higher modded Jeeps etc with much larger tires, 35" plus.

I put the larger lift on it because I wanted to get larger 33's on it, and be able to get myself over more difficult obstacles/through tougher trails.
I drove it pretty hard on 31's, sucked water into the engine 2-3 times before I got my snorkel. Changed the oil each time and it ran fine right afterward.
After it sat with a 1/2 tank of gas in my garage for 2.5 years, I charged the battery up and it turned over like it was my daily driver. Crappy old gas, same oil in there as it had when it was parked etc. I was impressed.

From the factory it is rated to tow 5000 pounds, and I could always get 8' long 2x4's slid along the passenger side and braced against the pass. door.

In my opinion, it truly is one of the better SUV's that has been produced for actual "U"tilitarian purposes, and it works really well offroad, especially if you get a locker in at least the rear.

If I was to buy an XJ right now, for general trail riding and adventuring, this is what I'd do:

Get the newest/lowest mileage one you could find. (Try to find one with the 8.25 rear end, it's pretty strong, and PLENTY strong for 31's.)
Put a good quality 3" lift on it. (Add M/T tires in a 31x10.5R15 because they will fit on the stock rims.)
Get a skid plate for the transfer case, and transmission if possible. A lot of the later XJ's came with a factory skid covering the gas tank.)
Get a snorkel.
Get or make an offroad bumper with winch mount for the front, and a matching rear bumper with a spare tire and jerry can carrier.
I would also get some sliders for it, but that option is dependent on what sort of trails you'll be seeing.
If you move the pass. seat all the way forward, you can sleep on that side of it, but the RTT is definitely an option. You'll definitely lose some of the relatively good fuel mileage of the vehicle if you go that route though. I'd personally try the sleeping platform first to see if it works - cheaper and you can boondock more discreetly.

You won't have to get different gear sets if you go to 31" tires and the lift, but it is an option. I wouldn't advise going any shorter than 4.10's though, that's all you'll need to keep good mpg and power offroad.
(I still haven't re-geared, but with these heavy and wide 33's, I really should, I will eventually be going for 4.56's.)
But, if you're looking for the most traction offroad, you'll want front and rear lockers, I'd go with ARB air lockers. If you're putting lockers in both axles, you might as well do the ARB's because it's one of the best options to keep driveability very high, especially in wintery/slippery conditions.
And if you're doing lockers in the axles, THIS is the time to do the gearing because you're pulling all the guts out anyway. If you're paying someone, you're going to save a lot of money having them install the gears and lockers at the same time. I was quoted about 9 -10 hours of labour to do gears in both axles, apparently it takes longer for the front axle than the rear.

Anyways, hopefully I've helped you spend a bunch of money, and don't forget to enjoy the XJ!

[nbleak21]

I picked up mine bone stock (still even has cassette player!) for $3600, w/ just over 100k on it. Sub 4k shouldn't be a problem at all.

[T>D>C]

Great choice. My 91 has over 272,000 miles on it. I bought it with 134,000 miles on it for $3,500 and with mods and repairs I have spent over $10,500 on mine in 7.6 years of ownership.I keep very detailed records. I tried to do most of the work myself if possible. If I would have left it stock (no lift, gear changes, et) I probably would have only spent about half that or less.

For the DIY person, I think this is a great site to repair/mod or link to repairs/mod on anything Jeep - http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/

I have only been on this site a short time but there are very mechanically sound people here as well.

For the money, I think the Cherokee is perfect for low budget off road adventures. It will fit down small trails. It has enough room to carry what you need (what you need is not what you want sometimes). And it is a very capable 4x4 (or it would not have "Jeep" any where on it).

As for as I can tell, stay away from any that or not 4.0 and any earlier than 1991.

Good luck.

T>D>C

[Root Moose]

Where to begin...

I've been told that the issues were neglect and fixable, but it was too much too soon for me.

Yes.

I like the car-like nature of the Cherokee and the smaller size compared to the Cruiser for just a puppy and me to explore around with.

The size is a big deal up this way. Not so certain it is a big deal where you are but I've never wheeled down there so take that with a grain of salt.

To replace the cruiser, I want a few nonnegotiable things: better MPG (not hard)

Late models can get ~22mpg if in good nick, higher if "hyper miled". Highest I've ever seen is 24.x (~sea level, flat lands, ~90 km/h, stock except the ARB bar, wth needs a diesel?)

GREAT reliability (4.0 ?),

Arguably the most reliable Jeep ever built. Avoid one that has ABS. The system is lack luster and it will have a Dana 35 rear axle. The late models without ABS have a Chrysler 8.25" rear axle. Plenty big enough for any reasonable usage of a XJ. That's not to say that the Dana 35 is unreliable per se, they just tend to lead to issues in either heavy usage or upgraditis (can't get there from here)

low operation costs,

200,000 kms and I've only replaced wear items and fluids. I had an issue with misfire / vapour lock on #3 cylinder but the TSB cured it.

Read up on the cracking cylinder heads for ~2000-2001 XJs. I haven't made up my mind whether it is something overstated like the FZJ80 head gaskets or a real problem. In either case the fix is cheap relative to other vehicles.

Decent off road ability is somewhat important - but not critical.

Out of the box these Jeeps wheel like mad.

Do a lot of reading before buying anything. There are changes throughout the entire seventeen year model run. These Jeeps are truly like the ultimate mechano set and can be made into anything.

#1 thing: check to see if you fit.

#2 thing: the newest one is ~10 years old. If you can't deal with getting an old Jeep into spec then look at something newer. That said, parts are everywhere and cheap.

[Root Moose]

I think Schattenjager was just trollin'.

[Schattenjager]

I think Schattenjager was just trollin'.

A careful re-read of the first post will tell you what I am thinking!