Hey guys, new here. Buying my first xj. I'm going to look at one on Wed. It's a '94 with about 150k miles on it. Straight 6, automatic. Is there anything that I should be looking for? Any issues to check on? Any feedback would be great. Thanks!

 

No. It'll be the best vehicle you'll ever own and you'll inevitably ruin it with so many aftermarket parts that you'll just buy another one and ruin that too.

Seriously though, check the quarter panels and floor boards for rust. Some people hide body cancer with trim pieces so check that too. Check for oil leaks around the valve cover and rear main (you'll see oil around the pan and bellhousing). Put it in 4 wheel drive (high, low, all wheel if equipped) and listen to it. There should be zero moans or strangeness. Test drive it and get it up to speed. An unfortunate downside to the truck's suspension geometry is that if one front-end component goes bad, bump steer can happen at certain speeds. This is commonly called death wobble. Trust me, you'll know why if you experience it.

Best of luck dude and welcome to CherokeeForum! Where you at by the by?

 

Look for rust in the rockers and floor pans,Drive it test everything from the ac to the 4x4.And have a mechanic look it over before you buy it.

 

Look for rust on the frame also

 

Just went through the same thing last week.

This is a for the general basics and mechanicals of an XJ.

Also, Google "what to look for when buying xj" and you will get more opinions and thoughts than you'll have time for.

Good luck. I bought mine on Friday night and had it out by Sunday!

 

Yea, I'm hoping it's the best vehicle I've ever owned. Thanks for the feedback. I'm in MD.

thebyus, I came across that video last night a little after I made this thread. Very informative!

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I'll let you know how it turns out. I think I'm going to look at one or two more. I found a 2000 with 151k with the clear coat coming off roof/hood.

 

Just be careful with the 2000-2001s. They were fitted with a different head from the rest (0331) and it is notorious for cracking, causing overheating and inevitable headgasket failure. I'm not saying stay away from it as not every single one has the issue and some are already remedied - just be careful.

 

^^^ I've got an 01 with no issues, but as stated there is a known issue to be aware of. Pull the dipstick & the filler cap on the valve cover. If the oil looks "milky" odds are it's got issues. If the oil looks good, it's probably good to go.

Rust, rust, rust, look behind the bumperetts at the back corners. Put your hand up between the bumperetts and the body. Salt sits there and you can't see it it'll it's really bad.

Good luck.

 

How were these remedied? I'm looking at a 2000 XJ.