Opinions wanted... What year xj to buy?
#1
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Model: Cherokee
Opinions wanted... What year xj to buy?
First off I am not new to the jeep world I have owned a few. I did a full resto on a 78 CJ5 it was awesome.. And I had a nicely built 01 TJ.. As my family grew the jeeps had to go.. With that being said I love to wheel, and build/fabricate jeeps. An XJ seems like the perfect choice! I have been reading these forums for some time and love it! SOOO much info here. My question for you XJ owners is this: Is there certain years that are better then others? Anything I might be overlooking?
I am so far leaning towards a 97-01 XJ.
Thoughts?
I am so far leaning towards a 97-01 XJ.
Thoughts?
#2
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Year: 1992 Cherokee Sport
Engine: Bone-Stock 242
I would go with the newest you can find for a good value. All i have to say is stay away from the '96
Last edited by 1976Mustang; 01-27-2013 at 01:12 PM.
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Year: 1992 Cherokee Sport
Engine: Bone-Stock 242
It's sorta a bastard year, they did a ton of crazy **** with them. I keep hearing stay away from them unless you're very mechanically inclined with all XJ's.
#5
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L stroker
Stay away from all 2000-01 models...
Reasons:
- bad cylinder heads that are prone to cracking
- damn epa CA front catalytic converters that are a huge pain in the @$$
- stupid leak detection pump evap system
- annoying coil pack ignition system
- Low pinion d30 not as well suited for off-road use as hp
Reasons:
- bad cylinder heads that are prone to cracking
- damn epa CA front catalytic converters that are a huge pain in the @$$
- stupid leak detection pump evap system
- annoying coil pack ignition system
- Low pinion d30 not as well suited for off-road use as hp
#6
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Year: 88
Engine: 4.0
Its 96 because of the transition for obd1 to obd2 they used half and half so electric gremlins are very notorious on them. So In a way anything made past 8/95 is obd2, few 95's had it but I don't think very many did.
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#9
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Year: My Jeep is a GMC
All depends on your location and what you are willing to spend, they are all 12+ years old. Check around this site and you will see some scary stuff i.e. structural metal that has rotted away replaced by plywood and fiberglass, I kid you not. If you want to buy something like that, it's a major tear-up to make it safe. For some reason peeps like to scrounge junkyards for items like spark plugs and headlights, something else to watch out for. Whatever year you deceide on always look at the electrical wiring under the dash and hood, some of these things are rolling death traps.
#10
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Year: 2000 XJ
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.8L Stroker
Can open. Worms everywhere....
I have a 2000. Love it. I did experience the cracked head issue, did away with the 2000 engine and built up a 1994 and put that in. As far as compete package goes. Buy the nicest specimen that you can afford. If you have done a full CJ resto, there isn't anything on an XJ that should intimidate you. The coil pack ignition really isnt that complex once you figure it out. Plenty of good resources here to help with any issue on any year XJ you pick up. Good choice on vehicles!
Not all 00-01's have dual front manifold cats. Only Cali spec. Most are federal spec and only have a single like all other xj's.
I have a 2000. Love it. I did experience the cracked head issue, did away with the 2000 engine and built up a 1994 and put that in. As far as compete package goes. Buy the nicest specimen that you can afford. If you have done a full CJ resto, there isn't anything on an XJ that should intimidate you. The coil pack ignition really isnt that complex once you figure it out. Plenty of good resources here to help with any issue on any year XJ you pick up. Good choice on vehicles!
Not all 00-01's have dual front manifold cats. Only Cali spec. Most are federal spec and only have a single like all other xj's.
Last edited by SpruceJedi; 01-27-2013 at 01:52 PM.
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thanks for all the responses!! I want to worl on it.. Build it.. But I like the interior a bit more on the 97 and up.. I will buy the best I can affor and go from there. Thanks!
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It all depends on what you want to do with them. I recommend you go on you-tube and look up: Bleepin Jeep. He has a video on all the pro's and con's, up and downs on all the XJ's. Again, just depending on what you want to do, and what's around you were you live.
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Year: 1990 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6 Renix
Me personally love the 88-90 the Renix years easy to work on cheap to fix and parts are plenty no matter where you go i
Most part avable I have seen is for 91~95 not one 1995 xj came with obd2 best year for obd1 so I hear... If you like the 97 interior stick with 97-99 they are the best years for that body style if you want some comfort get a country or limited in those years but always check for rust.... Rust is the dealer breaker also try and get a jeep that has gauges and not lights hope this help
Most part avable I have seen is for 91~95 not one 1995 xj came with obd2 best year for obd1 so I hear... If you like the 97 interior stick with 97-99 they are the best years for that body style if you want some comfort get a country or limited in those years but always check for rust.... Rust is the dealer breaker also try and get a jeep that has gauges and not lights hope this help
#15
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I am partial to the '98.
Updated body style,HP 30, 29 spline 8.25,no coil packs.
In '99 they got the better intake manifold.
Updated body style,HP 30, 29 spline 8.25,no coil packs.
In '99 they got the better intake manifold.