Having recently entered the world of XJ's, there's a couple of things I've discovered that are way different from my WJ. For instance, my fuel seems to disappear quickly. Then I realized it's got a 20.5 gallon tank, not a 26 gallon like in my WJ! My WJ can drive 65 miles before the needle comes off the full mark whereas the XJ seems to move right off the bat. I've checked the mileage on the XJ and I'm getting around 12 to 14 mpg which is about right this time of year considering warmup times and staying warm while waiting for my newspapers AND normal family business driving. The heater will turn the jeep into a sweatbox a lot quicker than the WJ. I still haven't gotten used to hearing the clutchfan whirling in lower gears whereas my WJ is silent. I absolutely love the way it handles compared to my WJ. It's quick and nimble compared to handling like a large truck. I do so miss my 242 though. Last night on my newspaper route the streets were bare of snow, but it was deep near the mailboxes so I had to shift into and out of 4wd rather than spin the tires half the time. It was okay on the straight ones, but doing the cul-de-sacs was a beouch. It seems I either have a water leak in my tailgate or a hole in the cargo floor because the carpet gets wet back there. I put a full size spare tire in the back and it's WAY too big! 235/75R15 on a Cragar Soft 8. Then I noticed my owner's manual says it's supposed to have a compact spare. Oh well.

There was a discussion about using ATF+4 in the AW4. My owner's glovebox manual says the 2.5L uses Mopar Automatic Transmission Fluid or ATF+3, and the 4.0L uses Mopar Automatic Transmission Fluid or Dextron II / Mercon. The NV 231 uses Dextron III / Mercon. Why? Does the 2.5L use the 42re?

 

I miss my XJ. Hopefully one day I will get another to beat around in.

Automatic transmissions

• 1984–1986: Chrysler A904 three-speed automatic, used with 2.5 L I4 and 2.8 L V6
• 1987–2001: Aisin-Warner AW-4 four-speed automatic, used with 4.0 L I6
• 1994–2000: Chrysler 30RH three-speed automatic, used with 2.5 L I4

 

A 235 should if in the factory spare spot just fine as a full size spare was available as an option and in 4 XJs I've had plenty 235 sized spares in that spot.

The 2.5L did indeed use a Chryco sourced automatic as referenced by Steve above. The 4.0L used a Japanese made AW4 (very similar to many Toyota transmissions namely the A340 , Toyota owns a large chunk of Aisin), I would not use ATF+4 in the transmission. Use a namebrand Dex/Merc that meets DEX III specs. Lots of options out there. Many people reported failures after going to ATF+4 and Chrysler didn't change the spec to ATF+4 until nearly all the XJs were way out of warranty period so no skin off their nose. I can get a gallon of Valvoline Dex/Merc at Walmart for 13 or 14 dollars. A drain and refil using the rain plug (the transpan has a drain plug), is around a gallon of fluid.

12-14 is on the low side typically but doing a paper route it sounds like it's doing pretty good.

 

I fit a 30.5" spare off my previous Jeep in my 95 without modification. It's a tight fit on the J bolt that was there, but it fits and sits snug.

Wetness in the cargo area can be either rotten floors, or an issue with the tailgate seal. I noticed that if the tailgate is open in the rain, the water pours into the corners. Of course, I did have a good amount of rot in there - mostly the corners and a bit along the edge.

​​​​​​​At least on the 95, if you have any rust holes in the rear quarter panel, water can get up into the trunk from there since it's hollow.

 

I get around 12-14 mpg also but my vehicles get idled a lot, I idle for around an hour per day. When I deliver food I'm idling for hours (not in one period five minutes adds up quick in a 12 hour day) I've noticed the 4.0 uses more gas idling than my mgm. Add in 200-300 pounds of tools, shifting at 2500-3000 rpm mpg goes down pretty quick.

 

Do NOT use atf4 in an aw4 transmission unless you intend to destroy it. Dex3 works beautifully in aw4, and mine was recently serviced and filled with dex6 which is backwards compatible.

 

I get about 19 combined in my 95 5-spd. Lately, due to the cold weather early this year, I've been getting 15-16-ish from the extra idle time.

 

I hadn't even thought of using ATF+4 in my AW4! I was merely reporting what it said in my owner's manual. I can see where it might be confusing if you're driving a 2.5L.

 

Every pre 97 owner should check the lip & channel up behind the tailgate...dirt & debris build up on the electrical cable grommets and "dam" the channel, so it holds moist dirt at all times.
All 3 of mine required repair in this area, one needed a partial roof section transplant, I cut the rear section from a wreck

One of my 96 has a 30" X 10" spare fitted in the standard location

 

Oh, I'm not saying the spare doesn't fit. I'm just saying it takes up a whole lot of room! IIRC the spare in my 97 ZJ didn't seem so big.

 

Thinking of the spare, does anyone know where one can buy a slighly longer "j-bolt" or even what the proper name for that is?

 

Buy a coupler, a piece of threaded rod, and some red Loctite. These are just for illustration. No idea of what size you need.
Also is a space saver spare rod a different length then a full size spare one? If so boneyard trip. Thinking a '93 to '98 Grand Cherokee would also work and more likely to have a full size spare.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-1-Count-0-500-in-Zinc-Plated-Standard-SAE-Regular-Nut/3013471?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-ToolsAndHardware-_-Fasteners-_-3013471:Hillman&CAWELAID=&kpid=3013471&CAGPSPN=pla &store_code=2395&k_clickID=go_625706834_3461375011 0_111132558790_aud-299487635210la-78266456166_c_9003419&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7YPi6aCE3w IVy-DICh2nfgGUEAQYASABEgLOg_D_BwE

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-0-3...ed-Rod/3127747

EDIT: So I was researching to see if I could find the size of the J Hook. No joy. But I did find that they list the size for the wing nut. At least I think so. M10x1.50. Also looks like no mention of space saver vs. full size spare J Hook.

https://www.factorychryslerparts.com.../06503070.html

 

Hmmm, who knows if the bolt that was there is original or not. If so, I'm sure it would've been the compact spare (Jeep is SE with nothing fancy).
It appears to match the bracket, so *probably* original.

I do know that I can get the 30.5"x9.5"R15 tire and rim on the bolt, but it's a fight to get it on and pushed in enough to get the nut to thread on the bolt. Once it's started I can get a couple of turns on it with a ratchet.

It's not a priority, just an annoyance, but I hadn't considered that a grand cherokee might have a larger bolt. I don't care to screw around with a creative solution, but if I can find a slightly longer bolt off a grand cherokee at the junkyard, I'd definitely grab it.

I sometimes question even having the tire - as Dave mentioned it takes up a good amount of space (though when you're used to a corolla or TJ, the trunk still seems huge) and I drove my last Jeep for 14 years, 302k miles and never once needed a spare. I've had times for regular cars that I've put the spare on, but with how beefy the Jeep tires are, I've never had a puncture.
I suppose it's one of those things that once I didn't have it, I'd need it - much like the old belt that I kept around.. lol

 

Yes I agree. They should also check and make sure the hinge bolts or nuts are tight.

In my 89 XJ the nuts were totally loose on the passenger side, witch I discovered by chance when replacing the liftgate gas struts or supports couple of weeks ago!
The hinge on the roof was loose and obviously had leaked water inside.

 

That's pretty damn good for combined mileage. What tire size are you running? 235/75-15?