I'm new to this forum and Jeeps although I've been wheeling since '77. Since my Scout is a tank and weighs 5K I am looking at XJ's before 2002 since they are light about 3.5K. Reason is that for a towed vehicle behind a MH I don't need a tank although the Scout does everything I need. So the question on Xj's which have unit hubs and appear to be costly to change to manual lockout hubs, What is expected life of hub bearings in a light to moderate wheeling. Many miles being towed though. I have access to a Scout dana 30 and while I might be able to change out rotors, knuckles etc the bolt pattern on Scout is 5x5.5 and xj is 5x4.5

 

Buy quality bearings and they'll last a loooong time. They aren't that expensive. You can get Timken bearings online for $150 for the set.

There are other things I'd look at before worrying about wheel bearings.

FYI, the last year of the XJ was 2001.

 

I don't know about wheeling but my DD has gone through three sets of front hub bearing units in less than 15 years; the originals and two subsequent sets.

The ones in there now will be there until my Heep finally takes its dirt nap.

Timken is the way to go.

 

I ran about 8 years on the last set I changed.

I just replaced the bearings on my wifes XJ. They appeared to be the original bearings with 201,000 miles on them. They were shot but weren't falling apart.

 

Mine weren't totally shot, they just squealed like a stuck pig, and growled when turning.