Got a buddy looking for an XJ but has had no luck finding what he wantswithin his price range (3500-4000). He is looking for a 97 or newer with a 5 speed in or around Wyoming. Since he doesn't have the luxury for patience right now, he has started looking at wranglers and assuming debt for one. Can y'all help lay out the pros and cons of the Wrangler compared to the XJ? The rig will be a DD but will need to be stout for rather extreme off roading (Wyoming doesn't have lift or modification laws that limit what kinds of vehicles drive on the road).

Thanks,
s

 

i have both, but i prefer the xj.
xj has longer wheelbase therefor it's a much smoother ride both on and off road.
tj rides like a lumberwagon, but, the xj is built on 36s and the tj is bb on 33s.

 

I like both, but I fell that the XJ would be better just for the room. The gas mileage is roughly the same and you would be able to tote more stuff. And it would be cheaper.

 

XJ i wish i still had mine i got a wrangler now and it does not do what the xj did

 

Your bud can't find an XJ in the 3500-4000 range???? Where is he lookin? If you search Denver, or North Colo, you will find a butt load.

I'd go w/an XJ. More bang for your buck. Only thing about the wranglers is they are convertible and that has it's cons.

 

Well the only plus of a wrangler is putting the top down and removing the doors. I admit I do get jelious of this in the summer time but when winter comes i LOVE the XJ. Other than that the wheelbase is better and it rides well. I would go XJ.

I think hes having problems finding one cause of the 5 speed. But focus on 2 doors most of them are manuals.

 

Wranglers have a real frame, that is thier plus and the XJ's minus.
I assume you get cold weather up there, interior heat/cooling comfort is the XJ's plus, the Wanglers minus (even with hard top)

 

i have driven both. my xj goes some much farther and stronger than my moms wrangler. they both have 31's a manual tranny and everything is the same on both of these minus the frame difference. i would much rather have a body over frame rather than a uni but my xj performs well.

i vote xj because of the many reasons stated above I.E comfort, weather conditions, and the fact that he wants a daily driver. to me the xj is a better offroad choice. but the decision is up to him. it depends on personal preferance. but the most comon manual xj's are 2 door.

 

Honestly, I don't see a large difference in the two except for frames, comfort, space, etc. I've got a friend who I wheel with and he's got a yj. I'd say we both get the same distance on the trails. Although he's running 35's and I'm only on 33's. I guess all that really matters is that, a jeep's a jeep. I wheel my xj, if I got a wrangler, I'd wheel it just like my xj. I just wish some of the wrangler owners would agree.

 

XJ all the way. Better ride because of longer wheel base. Better heating in Wyoming cold weather. More seating. More cargo space. More stable on road and off road. More comfortable on road and off road. Just as capable as any Wrangler with the same lift, tire and locker modes. XJs for a given year and tril level cost less than an equivelent Wrangler. Better driveline angles on the XJ. More previously owned Wranglers have had the snott run out of them than XJs. You can still find cherry XJs that were owned by little old ladies or soccer moms. Give me some time. I will think of more.

 

I'm in Cali so the only down side I see with my XJ over a wrangler
is the top off option in good weather is something I miss a lot

 

Wow. You went the next level and read my location. Kudos to you. How do you like living on an island? My brother lived on Bainbridge for a couple years when working for the Navy. He thought it was alright but kinda limiting and he had an easier route off the island that I'd expect you have. My wife is from the Seattle area and I lived in Spokane, then Portland for a while, so we'd spend a lot of time on the ferry's and whatnot. Still, I'll never get comfortable with my motorcycle on a ferry. Yikes.

Thanks for the input. Those were some great points.
s