Rightly or not, I've been led to believe the '96 was the best of it's generation, and the '99 best overall. So if you had a '96 with 150k miles, no mods, and no 'major' problems (that you knew of)....would you begin to mod it, or look for a good deal on a '99.
Just kinda wonderin,
Tut

 

A '96 w/142K miles is what I've got. Only thing that really concerns me is the combination fuel pump,fuel regulator,sending unit that's not available anymore. I'm the second owner and know the original owner. She did have it replaced at one time. Might be something to consider.

 

1996 is a bastard year. That was the last year of 1 version of the XJ before they redesigned it for 1997-2001. Changeover years are NEVER the best. 99 is considered a good year because it doesn't have the head issues of the 00-01 years and most of the bugs are worked out from the changes made in 1997.

Rockauto has the fuel pump stuff. And most other parts you might need. I wouldn't worry to much about parts as most of them are interchangable/adaptable between ALL years XJ.

 

Love my 96 with its random mixture of parts. I just say it's a 96 with 95 tendencies

 

I've got a 96 with 193,000 miles and no major issues (that i know of lol) but i love it to death. I've never had any problem that i couldn't fix myself...well maybe a Little help ...but now i lost my train of thought. Dammit lol

 

'96 is a good year provided you don't need a fuel pressure regulator. 95 and older had them on the fuel rail.
96 moved the regulator to the pump assembly, but it was re-designed in '97 and they are NOT interchangeable. Nobody makes them anymore. Grab one from the scrapyard and put it away. That said, I got 235k+ on my OEM regulator and still ticking.
The PDC is slightly different than other years too, but nothing you can't work around.

 

I guess I got the Bastard year then.I haven't had any major problems...I had it for 7 years....2door,5 speed,2 inch lift..yada,yada,yada

 

I would probably get rid of it, but theres a few reasons for me... I prefer the looks of the 97+ cherokees alot more, If it wasnt a 97+ I would want 95 or down because that doesnt have emissions testing in my state. But thats just me... Also I love my 99 haha

 

I like my 96. It just turned 150,000. Full overhead console, six speaker system, sound deadened doors, full roof rails, 29 spline 8.25.
And doesn't have the electrical issues that plague the later models. But the 97+ does look nice.

 

^ I DO like that.

I like my '96 to BUT don't like the idea of having the fuel pressure regulator problem hanging over my head. Done alot of reading and I've yet to see a solution to the problem except to HOPEFULLY find one at the jy.

 

Technically true because the '96 is the ONLY of its generation!

Not sure what Steve means about newer Jeeps being "plagued with electrical problems". Only issue my '99 has is corrosion from road salt.

On that note most XJs are close enough. If you have rust where you live, #1 priority is NO RUDT. Everything else is secondary. I hate '96s but I would buy a clean one before a rusty '99.

 

[QUOTE=salad;2894643]Technically true because the '96 is the ONLY of its generation!

Now that makes me feel better.