hey guys, i am looking to buy an xj soon. just curious if there are any particular years or engine/trans combos to stay away from. i just want a solid dd, i have no plans of modding further than some sort of cold air intake and possibly exhaust work. i want 4wd, 4.0 and 2 door. i would prefer a manual trans, but i am not finding many for sale set up like that.

i am very familiar with ls1 cars and engines, i know there are a few differences in the years, just curious if the jeeps hold anything similar. thanks in advance.

 

Well speaking from my current prediciment, Manuel windows will be your lifelong friend like your red solo cup :P. I live in the NE and only my driver window is fully operational, going up and down. Its horrid. Id go ofor anything with the bigger axle shafts and non-disconnect axles. A 242 transfercase and maybe a chryco rearend would be good. I advise serching a bit maybe and buying the ''Jeeo Cherokee's Builder Guide'' Its a good book to have along with the haynes.

 

thanks man. i am a fan of manual windows as well. what year cherokees came with the aforementioned items? any one year(s) to stay away from?

 

I have an 89 and there pretty straight forward and easy to work on

 

87-89 Is renix. Most basic FI ever, can test anything with a multimeter. Most have d35's in the rear. If you want a manual get a 90-2001. Anything older will have a pugot or something worse. 96 is the first year they updated the interior. And 95+ has an easier slave cylinder to work on. 97+ have 29 spline axle shafts with the 8.25. So overall, 97-2001 will be the best years to buy. Especially for a DD because the interior is so very much nicer.

 

Don't rule out a cherry sweet 2wd XJ..... easy and cheap to install a auto-locker in the rear diff.

 

What does everyone mean wen they say renix

 

Renix is the fuel managment system. And I believe the computer also.

 

What does renix actually mean what's the difference in the fuel system

 

Renix is just a name but it has a french fuel injection system and 97 to 99 is the best years to me 29 spline 8.25 high pinion dana 30 2000 and 2001 have a head cracking issue when over heated they crack in between the 3rd and 4th cylinder

 

I believe renix is a acronym for Renault/Bendix.

 

Yes, Renix is the name of the system that was used from 87-90. Many sensors can be tested using merely a multimeter. If your are handy, this may be a good option to look at, as many people find this easy and straightforward to work on. In 1991, the OBD-I system replaced the Renix.Also here is a great link for you. I think someone else mentioned it on here- http://www.jpmagazine.com/featuredve...e/viewall.html

 

also 96 is the first year of the obdII on the xjs

 

my favorite places for research
specs: http://jeephorizons.com/tech/xjstockspecs.html
1990-1996: http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...p-cherokee.htm
1997-2001: http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...p-cherokee.htm
check out the year to year changes

my opinion: stay away from 89 and older. stay away from 2000-2001 (bad head)
np231 t-case is part time and better for off roading. not for pavement use
np242 is full time and you can use it on pavement.

 

i would go with anything 90-99, when looking make sure to look at the exaust manifold they love to crack on anything with a jeep straight six, exhaust work is easier on a pre 96 cause they only have one o2 sensor. some other problems to look for is working windows on power locks, lift gate shocks in working order (very unlikely), sagging leafs, and just general condition of the under body/supension, cause of the nature of these vehicles people like to beat the living **** out of them. plus most of what has been stated before, also the left turn signal turns off buy it's self not really a big deal but the return likes to break, stay away from renix IMO, their not bad but theirs alot more than just the computer system that wasn't the greatest, i would go with a 8.25 if you can find one but most likely you only find d35.

i think thats about it,