A buddy is planning to buy a fully functional 1991 XJ for less than $500 (Lucky SOB) and I need to know what guts it has. It has less than 120k on the ticker and is one owner.

THanks for your help in a hurry,
s

Engine:
Does it have the 190 HP HO engine?

Manual Transmission:
Is it the AX-15 or the Peugeot and how do I differentiate them (a pic would be sweet)?

Transfer Case:
Will there be the 231 or 242 in there for sure?

Cooling System:
Is it the closed system or the open one?

Axles:
Likely the 30/35. What should I know? How do you upgrade to larger U's?

What amd I missing? What should I make sure to look for.

 

STOCK SPECS/INFO http://sisoffroad.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118

Helpful Links!!!

 

Should be the HO.

They stopped using the Peugeot in mid 89 IIRC.

Does it have Full time 4wd? if it does, its 242.

 

Nice. I love Jeep ****. Keep it coming.

s

 

91 and up are open cooling system. Was also the last year for the vac disco front axle (but not all 91 and older XJs had it). Rear axle, D35 has a round center section, or could be a 8.25 which has a flat bottom on the housing.

 

A 91 XJ will have the 4.0 HO if it has the 4.0. It will have the AX-15, 5-speed or AW-4, Automatic. It can have the NP231 or NP242. You will get a HP D30 front axle and a D35 or Chrysler 8.25 for the rear. It will have the open (and far better) cooling system. the 91 XJ was also the first year for the ODB I electronic fuel injection. Very good and reliable.

 

If it has ABS it will have the beefier front U joints and no Vac Disco on the axle. Only downside is the ABS system is the Bendix 9 system.

 

Well, he picked it up for a mere $350 and it is in SWEET condition. The only issue is that the steering column is loose internally somehow so there is play. How do you fix that?

s

 

It's a GM column with a Chrysler key - so just Google "GM Steering Column Repair" and variations, and it will tell you how to take it to bits and what to check.

Good news - GM columns are common as fleas and generally pretty easy to work on - the only really "special" tools you should need are the steering wheel puller and the lock plate pressor (they can be bought for a nominal fee, or rented, or borrowed.)

 

thanks for the sweet links!!

 

Yeah they're full of good info.