Starting a "project" with my son. New to XJ's. What year and options should I seek in purchasing a rig? Spend money on the best unit I can get, or get a high milage unit and save some $$$ for upgrades? Codes for trailer pkg. and things like limited slip? Thanks for any advice.

 

I would get a 98 purple sport with a sunroof. Wait thats mine.

Get a renix era xj that are easy to work on plus they are better looking.

 

1st 2 door the guy thought it had a blown slave it was a master cylinder for the clutch easy fix. newer rebuilt motor

2cd was a 4 door with a bad cps and coil

both ran awsome


both i bought for 250

look on craigslist

 

i would personally go with a late 80's or early 90's. 2 door if possible. with the tow packace and auto. reason being. is they already have lower gears with the tow package. and if you get the right year. you can get a dana 44 in them. and also go with a new process 231 (NP231) transfer case. because all you are doing is starting out right. thats just my opinion for a starter. once you get a little more experianced however. go with the 5 speed. just my opinions. hope this helped you out in some way. happy buliding.

 

Go with a (91-95 model XJ). You the have the better 4.0 "HO" motor (has the chrysler fuel injection vs. the old Renix fuel injection (87-90). You get a choice of the AW-4 auto. tranny or the AX-15 5-speed. Both are rugged and very reliable. You still have the high pinion D30 axle in the front. You get a choice or the D35 (YUCK!) or the better Chrysler 8.25 rear axles. If you go with a 92-95 model. You will get the non vacuum disconnect front axle with bigger axle shafts and front axle U-joints. My 91 has the vacuum disco and smaller shafts and U-joints but, I haven't broken anything even with 4.56 gears and an Aussie Locker in the front. The other nice thing about this era od XJ is they are all old enough that you can find them nicely equipped for a decent price. If you don't want the extra power doddads, locks and windows, go for the base or Sport model. If you do like the extras, go for the Laredo or Pioneer models.

 

97-2001 two door, manual.

 

you're going to want to find a Red renix era XJ in as good of condition as you can find.

Look for a truck that has been undercoated if you live in the rust belt.

 

not this one.http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/1087354059.html

 

100% agree. That is another example of someone who should have been kicked really really hard in the head. Even for thinking about doing that to a XJ.

As far as xj go I prefer the older renix models. Mainly for the eas of working on them. I dont care for my 2 door all that much just because of the weight of the bigger doors they do have a tendancy to sad.

 

In my opinion, for a good off road XJ, look for a '97 to '99. Big front axle u joints, still high pinion front axle, 29 spline 8.25 rearend. As long as you aren't too hard on the go pedal, this combo is good locked on '35's. If the price is too high because of the year, my second choice would be anything '91 and up.

 

What??? No love for the 01 XJ?

 

99' with the 8.25

 

Coil on plug ignition and mostly the fact that it has a low pinion front axle are what would keep me away from an '00 or '01

 

what the hell is a renix? always see that but never knew what it meant

 

I would just keep looking for the best deal I could find price wise and overall condition of the jeep.