luckyAD80

Hey guys. So, my dad has a wrangler (but I'm the only one that drives it) and I currently have an Envoy. I like them both a lot, so I figured I'd try to get most things I like into one vehicle so we can sell those two cars - which is a Cherokee XJ. I'm looking for a 98-01 with lowish mileage and stock (so I can build it up- probably anywhere between a 4-6 inch lift with 33s and eventually lockers)

What all should I be looking for/looking out for?

I found this Cherokee: Jeep - lovin the color but the mileage is a little high... what do yall think?

Also, random question, but can Cherokees use 15x8 wheels?

XJeep98Classic

Price is what they asked for my 1999 classic with 129k miles and 2wd... I got them down to $4,300 with the $99 "document" fees included(so $4,201). That's probably about what you could get that for. I would have rather bought that than what I drive now.

xjsnake

See what engine head it has. If it's the 0331 head, avoid it.

That's not high mileage at all for an XJ.

Silver60th

The 0331 head is over exaggerated...just make sure if it's a 2000-2001 that the cooling system is up to spec and it has been maintained.


(although, on a similar note...y'all keep scaring people away from the 00-01's so I can get better prices in a few years when I go to buy a second one!)

The autotrader link you posted isn't bad. That shouldn't be the 0331 head, and will have a HP D30. Good year for XJ's!

white99xjclassic

Should have the 8.25 too which is another plus.

luckyAD80

What's this?

Silver60th

It's a different type of rear axle that comes on some non-ABS equipped Cherokees. It is stronger in strength than the Dana 35, and more suitable to larger tires. However, just because this Jeep doesn't have ABS doesn't guarantee that it will have this stronger Corporate 8.25 axle. It is more of a matter of what they factory had on hand at that moment. My later model XJ is a non-ABS model and it still had a Dana 35.

Overall, if it comes with an 8.25 rear axle, it will be a nice bonus but not a deal-breaker assuming your aren't lifting the vehicle a bunch.

pa96xj

Your rear. Chrysler 8.25 rear compared to the dana 40. Your front rear will be a Dana 35 if im not mistaken.

Silver60th

Huh? Did you have your coffee this morning PA? No such thing as a Dana 40 in an XJ and the front is a Dana 30.

This is a good visual reference to tell the difference.

pa96xj

Lol. Matter I fact no I haven't. And this my fault I was literally havin another convo with someone here at work about rears and there were numbers flying around every which way. My bad.

Silver60th

Haha no problem, just didn't want the new owner to think he had a D40 rear and a D35 front. On a related note, I looked it up...Dana does indeed make a 40 model axle, it's for tandem-axle setup. Nothing you would ever see in an XJ though

77olds

Price seems steep to me.

From the one picture of the interior, it looks like the one you're looking at has a stain on the pass. seat, which means there's probably a lot more stains elsewhere, especially UNDER the seats. The seat fabric is removable and I've been told it's machine washable, but I just used a garden hose and some light scrubbing for mine, and they look brand new.

My 2000 XJ wasn't a one owner when I bought it, but the interior was near perfect, save for the seats being slightly dirty. It's rust free and aside from a crappy re-clearing of the hood where the clear coat peeled, the exterior is in good condition.

It also only had 135k on it when I bought it... and they gave me a price of $4,500, and with taxes and plate transfer and all that I dropped $5,000 out the door to take it home.

That looks like a nice Cherokee but I think you can find a better deal.

pa96xj

I agree with olds. I think you can def find a better deal out there. I got my 94 with 149xxx for $1500. All it needed was a $40 water pump. I dont know how soon your looking to buy but keep looking and you'll def find better deals.

luckyAD80

Alright I checked it out after school today. The color is just too good. I really like it. Here are some pics... so what axles am I lookin at? Also, I only found one spec of rust, there's a medium sized dent, and thef front right of the Jeep is a slightly different color because it was replaced when someone bumped it or something. One owner. It's a 99 classic. Exactly what are the differences between the classics, sports, etc...? Also, the inside was clean but I smelled dog... Anyway to get rid of this? It's not horrible but it's not discrete either. Belt just replaced. No crashes or anything as reportedfrom AutoCheck.
I got him to bring the price down tp 4700 just asking him if it was negotiable. There's only one guy that works there so how can I go about reducing it even further? I'm taking my dad there tonight because he is going out of town for a while - so buying it is a possibility. So any quick feedback would be great! Thanks guys. I really appreciate all these comments.

Great tread on tires. What size are they? 30s 31s? It said 235/xx/15 I believe. Also would it be easy to change the wipers cause theyre rusted.

mr white

Looks good. Run a carfax. LOL