kawana

I wasn't sure if this would be a technical question or not. If this is in the wrong forum section, please move it.

I'm thinking of getting an XJ for a daily driver/weekend off-roader. I was talking to a friend of mine, and he says he's heard nothing but bad things about them. I don't put too much into this though, as he's never personally owned one, which is why I'm asking you guys. Do these things have known problems? Are there any years I should avoid? What should I look for when purchasing one? Also, how expensive are parts? Would you say they are on par with most other vehicles out there, or more expensive? Anything else you could tell me is much appreciated. Thanks

calijeep

i "inherited" a 96 red classic xj with close to 200k on the clock and was not too thrilled about it. i thought id have nothing but problems. needless to say, i was WRONG. i have never loved a vehicle like i love my xj. mechanically it is very strong. a few oil leaks here and there. a few knocks. but these things are solid. and if you are at all inclined to wrench on it, then it might be the start of a beautiful relationship. parts are easy to come by and it is easy to work on. and this forum is amazing. guys on here will give you reliable and helpful info on EVERYTHING. i love my dog and i love my xj. i will always own one. JMTC

tuxfan212

Was your "friend" high when he said that? Great vehicles. Yes mine may not be working as of right this second BUT overall they are great. My dad has one with almost 240k on it and hasnt had any major problems.

revo16691

mines got 260 on the clock perfect oil pressure and completly rust free!

N20jeep

'double post' ... stupid phone!

N20jeep

First off your friends pretty misinformed. An xj is on different than any other vehicle when it comes to reliability. Just depends on how it was maintained.

With that being said...here are some common issues to look for.
Rusty floorboards, rusted sagging door hinges, rear main seal leakage, low oil pressure, sludge

If maintained they can last around 300k easily

caged

they suck, get a raider

Kmart164

Man, they are solid as titanium alloy. i got mine from an Illinois state auction. It's a retired conservation Jeep. State workers never care for the vehicles they drive, but the jeep was rust free (For Illinois, WOW) and 140k on the odom. Runs like a champ. Handles like a horse (Slow, but surprisingly nimble). Tell your friend to lay off the smack for a while.

mikesplumbing

I would love to answer this question for you!

Once upon a time I was in your shoes and asked the same questions on the forum. Search out my posting history and read it.

Since then I bought one.....and I love it!!!! Yeah, I have a few issues with mine but It's my fault and not the Jeeps, I should of looked a little harder because I ended up buying one that the previous owner probably beat on pretty hard.

Having said that, I have a bone stock XJ with an aftermarket intake that's got a TON of power.

Last weekend I took it out to a once a year mud fest in Wisconsin and watched all sorts of trucks go through some serious marsh where many trucks that are custom built......I mean totally custome frames, lockers, custom made rims, and ag tires bust and break down. Many trucks were trailered because they are not street legal.

Anyhow, the top two trucks that ran through the mud the easies were the Jeep Cherokees and the Jeep CJ's. I'm a fool for not bringing my video camera because it would of made this Cherokee forum proud. Cherokees simply rule the roost......and they make great everyday drivers.

The funny thing is the Cherokees perform amazing on medium size tires and a little lift. The worst peroformers of the day were full size pickup trucks with loud V8's and 44" tires, they got burried while the Cherokees danced around them all day.

What I have learned in my experience so far is to never blame the Cherokee, history prooves that the Cherokee is in a class of it's own. Instead, try and find one that the previous owner took good care of.

This is my second Jeep but first Cherokee.......I will always own a Cherokee now that I have one.....Period!

Good luck friend!

Mike

slick

about every 3 to 5 weeks you will have some sort of problem, or at least mine does.

tuxfan212

X2 but usually a quick and or cheap fix. Stupid stuff like Heater Control Valves and batteries and such.

kawana

Thanks for the quick replies guys, this makes me feel more confident about buying one. My question about known problems was more about the electrical side of things. Mechanical things I can usually figure out, but im lost with most electrical stuff. Ill be sure to let you guys know if/when I get one. Oh, one more question. Are all the XJ's interchangeable with parts? or only certain years?

Tural

get a later model one. i'd say +97. and find one from a grandma, or any lady owned one. XJ is like any other reliable vehicle. if someone has beaten the dog poopies out of it, then you will be buying their troubles. but in general reliability i'd say at least 8.5 out of 10. mine was a christmas present from my mother in law and she has owned it since day one. i'd trust to take it to the end of the world. with 4.5" lift and 31" 67lb tires i get 21-22 mpg highway and about 16 city. and i wheel it occasionally.
i'll put it this way for you. i own an '04 dakota, which is bulletproof and one of the best trucks to own. and i've had my XJ for 7 months now. i think i have driven my dakota twice in the last 7 months. one of those times, my XJ was on jack stands getting a lift kit .
i wouldn't trade my XJ for a thundra, or titan, or hemi ram, or f150 or f250 or z71 or escalade.
as far as breaking down... i'd say it breaks down a whole lot less than your american or japanese made average suv.
it has glitches every now and then, but nothing serious.
next time you're on the road, count how many XJ's there are. you're probably gonna see more than 10. now try to think of the last time you've seen an XJ broke down on the side of the road. i've personally never seen one.
to sum up, getting an XJ to go through 6 foot deep mud is like getting a honda civic for a fast car. it can be done, but it will take some work.

Wiegand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http:...?v=FES3pvsOjYs

1991Jeep_Man

Worst vehicle ever? You're friend was very wrong. I have seen AND heard of many MANY xj's making 400K miles before anything major internal went wrong. Yeah, at about 200K you might begin replacing standard stuff, much like I did (harmonic balancer, maybe the water pump), but overall the 4.0 is bombproof, and the tranny kickin behind is too. Take good care of your XJ, and it will take care of you.