After nearly 11 years of happy ownership of my stock 1999 Cherokee Sport, I've decided to replace her with a slightly newer model with fewer miles. My current ride is up to 348,000 and needs a few thousand in repairs to pass inspection. The cost of repair is nearly the amount I'd pay to get a new/old Jeep (transmission clutch solenoid, front suspension coil replacement, exhaust pipe repair, muffler replacement, replace brake lines). Not to mention I inflicted some body damage to the rear hatch and roof a couple years ago and it's not worth repairing that, either. I've been looking at a few 2000's here with about 100K on the odometer and I'm thinking that's the way to go.

So I've checked out a few Jeeps, and since I've only driven my stock XJ since 2002, I have some questions.

- I notice the 4x4 gearbox on the 2000 only has 4 positions, 2H, 4H, N, and 4L... Is there no part-time or 2WD on the 2000?

- Seems to ride a little higher than my '99. I'm thinking it's because I haven't completely worn out the springs on the captain's chair yet!

- DONUT. So the 2000 and 2001 have a donut instead of a full-size spare. Are the rim/tire sizes the same? Was going to keep the full-size spare from my '99 and toss the donut.

- Sunroof - One XJ I looked at came equipped with a sunroof. I didn't even know this was a factory option.

Those are my questions, thanks in advance for thoughtful answers. I couldn't find a similar thread that answered these questions, so I hope this is okay.

-otto-

 

The 2000 is a bit different.
Coil packs instead of the distributor, the 0331 cast head which is more prone to cracking, and a low pinion dana 30.

The 4wd options depend on the t-case. The NP231 has 2wd, 4wdHI, N 4Lo (all part time)
The NP242 has a full time 4wd option in addition to what the 231 offers

Sunroof is a rare option.

 

i second everything XJ88 said. The 2000 and 2001 XJ's had a bad casting of heads, number 0331, that gained a reputation for cracking early. So, if you are looking at an XJ of those years just make sure the head isn't of that casting. You can tell - there shoudl be a casting number half way down the head on the right side.

For what it's worth, i think 99's are the best (...I may be a bit biased). High Pinion Dana 30 in the front, no issues with coil packs, no issues with the 0331 casting (there technically a few late model 99's that may ahve been in the same casting, but rare). The only other, very small difference is the '4.0 L' on the tailgate. the 99's had a sticker in silver/white that was just the letters '4.0 L'. the 2000 and 2001 had a small silverish emblem, not just the letters. it's a completely unimportant factor.....but it's the way i distinguish between 99's and up! hahaha.

no matter what, you should be able to find a few examples of each year within a few miles of you. There's always a few XJ's for sale!

Good luck

 

I have a 99 and a 2000. The 2000 is for sale ...

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. So the 2000 and 2001 don't have a 2WD option at all? Interesting. And I'll be on the look out for the head casting, one XJ I looked at was great except for a bad header.

I agree, I love my '99, but I haven't had any luck finding low-mileage examples around here... (Rochester, NY).

No difference in tire/rim size, right?

-otto-

 

Might have missed that....
ALL 4wd XJs have a 2wd mode. That is the normal, forward most position on your transfer case lever.

I have a '00, i love it, but do wish I had gotten a '99. For the reasons proposed: no-coil packs, high pinion Dana30. My '00 head isn't cracked and i maintain the cooling system so I'm not worried.

 

The OP didn't say what transmission he wanted, unless I missed it.

I"ve had a 2001 for a while, and although the 0331 head issue is something to be watched, assuming you take care of your cooling system, it shouldn't be a problem.

It doesn't sound like he offroads much, if at all, therefore the LP vs. HP shouldn't be an issue for him.

That being said, if he wants a manual, I think the NV3550 is the best manual Jeep ever used.
Just my opinion.

 

There are strictly 2wd 00s.
My 00 was a 2wd from teh factory.. Now its 4wd with the 242 t-case.

If its 4wd of course it has 2wd option.. lol

 

Thanks all for the replies... I'm about to embark on a new adventure with a 2000 XJ... It's low-mileage, no rust, and I look forward to putting another 300K on the odometer! I'll keep in mind all the points brought up here, as I hadn't realized there was such a drastic difference between those two model years. Appreciate all of the experience of the members of this forum, thank you.

 

Sorry if I'm thread jacking but is there any advantage of the coil rail over the regular distributor? I have a 2000 and it seems to be a the worse year:/

 

Actually are there any redeeming qualities of the 2000-2001 xj?

 

I can think of only 1 advantage of the COP vs dizzy.......after spending $500 on a new a/c bracket/pulley hub, alternator and fan clutch chasing a momentary squealing noise at cold start-up, it turned out to be bad bushings in the dizzy......pop another C note for a dizzy and bingo, noise is gone $600 later.

 

So no noise and 3 hp? Right? Lol

 

I have a 01 never had a problem with the coil pack. The coil packs are actually better because you don't have to worry about water messing anything up. The 0331 head issue is only a worry for people that let their jeeps overheat.

 

Does the 0331 flow better or anything?