Hi,
I'm from fort collins CO. I recently started re-started college for mechanical engineering (i'm 28)... I'm thinking about selling my bling-subaru (05 outback sport) and getting something that doesn't involve a car payment.

I used to have a 1989 toyota pickup 4x4. that thing was fun. So i'm considering getting back into the 4wd game. Not looking to do anything too crazy, just need a reliable 4x4, preferably under 3 grand. Seems like XJ's are quite available at this price range.
I think I'd prefer a manual transmission, but i see a lot of automatics with 200k+ on them. Should i not be afraid of the autos in this vehicle?
Anything else i should look for in a vintage jeep? They do that death wobble thing right? how do you check for that?

any electrical issues worth noting?

are parts cheap?

thanks guys. I know "do a search noob!" but i rolled it into an intro thread too, so

 

Hey bud, Welcome to the Forums!

I'm from Greeley, Colorado! We're close. hahaha In any case, one of my biggest things is, especially around here, search for Rust. Make sure that you have as little rust as possible going on in the body. Also, yeah, our XJ's tend to be high mileage but the 4.0 is easily a half-a-million mile motor all day long if it's well maintained. Our transmissions....eh. But our engines are great. Parts are relatively cheap yes. I'd say go with a newer XJ if you can afford it. Anyways, I'm relatively new to Jeeps myself, so i'll let some of these guys take care of ya, but welcome to the forums!

 

I'm originally from upstate NY, so i consider the rust issue out here to be fairly minimal. In NY you're lucky to get much past 5 years before some serious rust takes hold

I'm gonna try and pick up a manual trans jeep i think. I've never owned an automatic, and i'd rather not.
Definitely liking the 4.0 I6 though...

 

96- 99 are good years. check them out if you see any that catches your eye. but dont limit your self if you come a pun a good deal!!

 

I would really say 92-01 are good years, try to stay away from the 80's and early 90's cherokees unless your good at tracking down faulty sensors with a volt meter. 92-95 are OBDI but you dont need a scanner to get the codes and only have 1 cat and 1 O2 sensor to worry about.

I love my manual XJ but i just bought a 2000 auto with 200K miles for the woman and it still shifts great, so dont be afraid of autos if you find a screaming deal. Just test drive it 1st.

 

X2! i havnt had an automatic before but my mom's grand cherokee is auto and it shifts smooth as butter still.

 

where in upstate NY are you from? I'm originally from near Binghamton.

I have a 95 manual and i love it. Try and stay away from 1999 1/2 - 2001 4.0L XJs due to head cracking problems, and pre-1991 XJs due to lack of diagnostic (computer) assistance.

Other than that, the 4.0 is a beast, and will last well above 300k if properly maintained - and i would specifically look for one that has a good maintenance record.

 

XJ Automatics and Manuals are all made by Aisin, which is something of a joint venture between Toyota and Borg Warner, if wikipedia is to be correct. This is the same company that provided the transmissions for the Toyota pickups for years.

So, unlike a great deal of other Chrysler transmissions (at least the ones I've had) XJ transmissions seem to hold up very well. You see a lot of people on here complaining about getting the dipstick tube out of the automatic, and you do see XJ autos occasionally going south, but not nearly at the same rate that I've heard of in other Chryslers.

My 94 XJ is up to 201K miles, and it was neglected quite a bit by previous owners, but the transmission shifts like butter - smoother than my 99 CRV with 100K miles. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the auto from what I've seen, and I normally HATE automatics. I like the XJ automatic a lot.

As others have said, check any XJ you're looking at for rust; especially the undercarriage. Lots of them look spotless, but have completely rotted out floors.

 

Theres only a small percentage of 00 and 01's that have head problems, its only something to remember when your checking it out

 

I grew up in geneva, lived in rochester for 4 years and new paltz for 3 years.
loving colorado though. i don't think i'll be back to NY

this seems like a great forum.. i always try to buy "enthusiast vehicles" just due to the amount of internet and aftermarket help one can find.

 

NY state rust is what my 98 is suffering from right now lol but its a 5-speed, took 4-years to find but i found it. Honestly if you want a 5-speed look for one with the 4.0, AX-15, id seriously recommend it, another thing you should know about the 00-01's is that they have low pinion axles where as the 97-99 XJ's have high pinion axles. If i were you the id be looking for one between the years of 97-99 but if you spot a great deal dont pass it up.

 

find a manual one you will be much happier I went from a manual honda to an auto jeep and some days I miss driving the honda because of utter boredom. I love to drive and auto is boring as hell.....

 

x2 love my 5-speed. Gives the truck so much more pep