Oh it specifically said auto in the CL add, which is annoying because it's enough to encourage me to check every add in case there is a typo. There was one more that this happened with, which didn't help with the conditioned reinforcement!

 

(I like that one too)

Like I said, "dickering issues". When the deal is close, just pick up, and hold that middle compartment lid, (which IS predictably un attached), lift and jiggle the drivers door on it's worn hinges, and show him the $1,800 in cash you brought..

 

I wish I had XJ's a decent prices by me. All of them are either beat to hell or too expensive. I'm trying to sway my girlfriend more towards a 2 door XJ if she can find one at a good price. She wants either an XJ like me or a neon. For a reliable and durable first car, I say XJ! Can't complain about mine.

 

Good strategy

 

I'm back! Really eekin you guys like a annoying cicada, I'm sure. Been still waiting for the right one to peek it's head out. Looked at Xterras and Discoveries and they just don't have all the right ingredients for me...

So I have another question. If I were to look at an xj that has already been lifted, what should I be aware of? I'll try to get some more research under my belt on this one, but any direction as to signs of quality or cheap lifts I'd love to know.

p.s. This one is why I bring it up: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/3152394704.html

 

If you find one that is already lifted, inspect it and MAKE SURE you take it for a test drive. You can buy it and then figure out 5 miles down the road that it has horrible death wobble and sways all over the place. Make sure the lift was done right, no rigged up areas. Find the brand of the lift in case parts need to be replaced eventually. If it is a budget lift with add-a-leaf packs and crappy coil springs designed just to make it sit higher, start saving for a kit than can give you decent flex. I could go out and buy a 4 inch lift for $400, but it won't perform the same as a $1200 kit. Id rather have function over just looks in my opinion. If the seller talks about a body lift, they are full of it. The XJ is a unibody. Ask how long the lift has been on for, and determine the quality by how to looks. If it is full of rust, the seller either didn't take any care for it, or the lift is just crappy. Zone is the cheapest lift I know of, and they are more for looks than quality. Rough Country, for instance, has been around for years and makes kits specifically for many jeep models. If a kit is pieced together, I would pass just because some people don't know what they are doing when they make up a custom lift. If it is lifted, it was most likely beaten on pretty good. Check the body and undercarriage for any damage. Make sure there aren't any leaks in the windows, because that may be from too much body flex from wheeling hard. Just give it a good once over, maybe twice over. Some people really beat the hell out of these great machines, so keep an eye open and your senses trained. Reading over this link will give you a good amount of info:

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticl...s/viewall.html

Have fun!

 

Some other things:
-The 33's will rub like hell on only a 4 inch kit. And I can clearly tell he didn't trim the fenders to compensate
-The window and lock situation may be pretty hectic. The door may need to be taken apart and everything might need to be replaced. Hopefully things would just need to be lubed up, but that might not be just it.
-As far as the mileage goes, I guarantee it is off by a good amount because of the tires. If he replaced the speedo gear to compensate, then you're in the clear.
-Look at how the supports are for the winch. Since it is on the stock bumper, there may not be strong enough anchor points and the weight of the winch might be messing up the bumper, bumper mounts, or frame rails.

Like I said before, just give it a good look before you make an offer. Good luck!

 

Looks like a front 2 inch hitch. The tires look like 31's to me, But hard to say with only one picture.

 

I agree on you with the tires. They do not look like 33's. Unless he has 33's to throw in or somethin.

 

Another thing to add, watch out for the hinges on the doors. Usually only the front doors on 4 door models. The hinges can literally crack away from the body. On 2 door models it is more likely to happen because of the weight of the single door.

 

XJ.89... I owe you a cold one for taking the time here. I'm very wary of the jeep b/c it may have been abused (and been down that road before with other vehicles) but it's a two door manual that I think I can talk the price down a bit.

Ultimately I'm shooting for a 3.5" lift with 31's, done right which I'm still reading how to do. Longer shocks, I think lower the control arm, trim fenders, try not to embarrass the jeeping community with my lack of offroad knowledge, haha!

 

Haha, no prob man. I appreciate the offer of a cold one, but I still got a month to go till I'm 18, haha. Even at my young age, I'm always here to help. In my few months I've been a member of this forum, I learned a hell of a lot from the guys and gals on here. I'm happy to help out anyone that has a question. Even if I don't know the answer, I direct them to somewhere that might help. I've actually took time to do some research to help people out.

With the jeep being a 2 door and manual, he might not drop the price too low. It's more rare than the usual 4 door auto that most of us have.

As far as the "offroad knowledge", don't worry about it. Everyone has to start from somewhere. I'm still learning the ropes of how suspensions work. I would still go to a pro if I built my own kit just to double check. You can get a decent 3.5 kit if you would like. You want the control arms to be as level to the ground as possible, but not too level so they end up snapping off the mounts because they're so far from the frame rails. That's where a strong drop bracket comes in handy. We have the more simple straight axle design, guys with independent arrangements (toyota tacomas) have more to worry about in my opinion.

 

Haha, well I'll buy you a lotto ticket in a month then...

I realize that a two door manual is like trying to find a jeep unicorn, and would be perfectly happy with a four door manual.

 

A lotto ticket works! And I completely agree about a manual 2 door being like a jeep unicorn. Guys hold on to those like it's their own manhood.