Whutdidyousay

I'm going to replace my XJ in about 6 months.

What years/models will get me closest to this:

4x4
4.0
AW4
NP242j
D30 front
D35 rear (will get 8.25 eventually)
4:10 gears
4-door
Manual windows
Manual seats
Cloth seats
'92+ style cooling (not a deal breaker)
Tinted windows
"old style" grille

What I DON'T want:
Air bags
Sunroof
ABS? (not a deal breaker)

I have an '88 limited right now, it's more suited to be a wheeler due to damage in the rear.... I like everything about it but the cooling system. I think I would prefer a 92+, but I'm not sure when ABS and airbags came into play.
Come to think of it I don't know when most of this stuff was available.

NorCalJeep

Look into the 96

Atmos

no not 96. he doesnt want air bags. 92-94 are the years for you. air bag was introduced in 95
4.10 gears were only found in 4cyl engines. you dont want that. better option is swap in 4banger D30 and ford 8.8 both with stock 4.10 gears
sounds like your building. np242 is not as good off road. why would you need 4x4 on dry pavement anyway right? np231 makes 1000x more sense

everything else was optional. you can always swap the other parts you want at the junk yard
I love my 1993. but 1994 is slightly better

Whutdidyousay

I'm not building for off road really. I'm more preparing for what it needs to be. A rugged, reasonable long time solution to living in the NW. Dealing with weird weather in the winter, some gravel/logging roads. Very mild off road use Some towing of a utility/gear trailer.
In the long run it will be on a 3" lift and 31's. Nothing too crazy. I thought 4:10 was recommended for that???
I'm not against another renix jeep, but I'd have to change the cooling system immediately.
I'm pretty curious about when ABS was introduced an made standard.

91 limited owner

1991 was the first year the 4.0 HO was offered. here is the org. build sheet for my 1991 Limited. According to our records, your vehicle was equipped from the factory
with the following:

*XL Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
-SA
AHT Trailer Tow Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ARPP Limited Decor Group
BAFP 130 Amp Alternator
BGAS Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
CACP Low Back Bucket Seats
CDBP Reclining Front Seats
CFMS Rear Folding Seat
CKBP Floor Carpet
CKNP Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTP Cargo Tie Down Loops
CKVP MOPAR Third Row Cargo Bins w/Table
CLEP Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAP Spare Tire Cover
CSCP Cargo Compartment Cover
CUFP Full Length Floor Console
CUNP Overhead Console
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHPP Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
DHSS Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever
DJHS Dana M30/181MM Front Axle
DMDS 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRMP Dana 35C/194MM Rear Axle
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GAJP Sunscreen Glass
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEC Front Left Side Sliding Window
GFAP Rear Window Defroster
GNCP Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GRKP Left Power Mirror
GSKP Right Power Mirror
GTKP Power Mirrors
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGDP Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCAS 85 MPH Primary Speedometer
JGBP Digital Clock
JHAP Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBP Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
JPTP Power Front Driver/Passenger Seats
LACP Illuminated Entry
LAJP Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LBBP Courtesy Lamps
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LBDP Ash Tray Lamp
LBEP Cigar Lighter
LDAP Underhood Lamp
LDBP Cargo Compartment Lamp
LHDP Headlamp Off Time Delay
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LNJP Fog Lamps
LSAP Security Alarm
MBPP Body Color Front Bumper
MBQP Body Color Rear Bumper w/Step Pads
MCAP Front Bumper Guards
MCBP Rear Bumper Guards
MDA Front License Plate Bracket
MFKP Body Color Grille
MHAP Black Windshield Moldings
MMCS Upper Door Frame Moldings
MMGS Belt Moldings
MMKP Body Color Drip Trough Molding
MTAS Bright Liftgate Applique
MWGP Roof Rack
NAAS Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHBP Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
NHMP Speed Control
NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
PS7 Dark Silver Metallic
QS7S Dark Silver Metallic Clear Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RAFP AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCGP 6 Speakers
RDCP Power Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCGP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SFAS Standard Duty Shock Absorbers
SGAS Rear Shock Absorbers
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBB Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRMA P225/75R16 BSW On/Off Road Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJGP 15" Aluminum Wheels
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
Z03P Rear Spring Group Iii
Z59P Left Front Spring Group Ix
Z78P Right Front Spring Group VIII

holycaveman

Good luck finding one without power! I tried but failed. Truth is the xj is a soccer mom ride. So it will be full power and auto most of the time. Maybe some of the older ones won't be?

As stated if you want a 4.0 then your getting only 3.73 gears a best, 3.55 as a standard, which will be fine on 33's if your not hard core trailing/rock crawling.

The chry 8.25 came in models 96 and up I think. 99-01 came with the 29spline 8.25 and there are plenty of those around. Thats what I bought.

peter93xj

Wrong. My old 93 that I used to have had an 8.25 and so does my buddies 93. They were 27 spline though. 91-96 were 27 spline 8.25. 97-01 were 29 spline 8.25.

Atmos

you wont need to regear for 31" tires by any means. would it be nice to have? yes of course

so much incorrect info here. I've had 89, 91 and 93. none had power anything. the 93 had an 8.25.
8.25 was introduced in 91 and was given 29 spline axles halfway through 96

Whutdidyousay

Thanks for all the info. I like the idea of not regearing. The 8.25 probably isn't necessary either, but I'll probably upgrade at some time for towing. Unless it comes with it.
I really can't do power doors or a sunroof.... They are both problems down the line.... I want it to be as simple and reliable as I can make it.
Just trying to figure out if buying a high end and UNconverting the power options would be better because of the better alternator, or if it would be best to get a low end ride and upgrade the alternator....
Now that I've done more research, it sounds like I want a limited with manual doors... That covers the tinted windows and a lot of other things.
'92-95 with all options sounds like the best overall choice. I could go as far back as '88... But the purchase price would be limited to $250 less to upgrade the cooling system immediately.... then I gotta find 4 manual doors... That should be easy.... Right?....no?... Lol

holycaveman

Roll eyes.........

Sorry my dates were off on the axles. Point being the 8.25 can be found.


Secondly I couldn't find a plain newer xj. But I said it maybe more common with the older ones.

You people are wound too tight

Roll eyes......

odgreen

We are here to give correct information. You gave incorrect info and where corrected. How are we wound to tight?

holycaveman

I originally stated "I think" in which I wasn't saying for certain.

And I was correct about the newer models being harder to find plain Jane. But they do come with an 8.25.

So undo the ol belt a notch an enjoy a beautiful saturday

Whutdidyousay

Well, it sounds like I really didn't narrow the year down much. But I did learn quite a bit about trim levels & options.
It looks like I'm in the market for a '88-'95 limited or other high optioned XJ. I'll pay up to $1750 for ones with upgraded cooling, $1500 without. Then I have to convert the doors and seats. Should be easy to get where I'm going quick.I should come out with exactly what I want for under $2000. Then I sell my XJ for $800.... And use that to catch up on all maintenance & do minor repairs.
I looked at a 93 on CL that had manual doors and power seats... I liked they one a lot.

Atmos

if you have the option, just get a 91-94HO engine. I personally just dont like dealing with the renix and closed cooling
for reference, I have a 1993 base model. it is the exact one you want in every way execpt the windows arent tinted. it had 118k and I bought it for $1000. if I had a do-over I would've spent more like $1800 on a much cleaner one. same model though
base model, sport, or limited are probably going to be the ones you want to look at

91 - Base, Briarwood, Chief, Laredo, Limited, Sport
92 - Base, Briarwood, Chief, Laredo, Limited, Sport
93 - Base, Sport, Country
94 - SE, Sport, Country

Open style - any normal cooling system used today. Opposite of closed style described below.
Closed style - has no radiator cap and utilizes a pressure bottle. This style cooling system was used in 87-90 XJs.

3.07 - used with 4.0L engine / manual transmission
3.31 - only available on older (pre87?) 2 door XJs with "Fuel Economy" package
3.55 - used with 4.0L engine / automatic transmission
3.73 - found in some XJs with the towing package
4.10 - used with 2.5L engine usually, and older XJs with the "Off-Highway Vehicle" package.

Dana 30 high pinion - reverse cut - 27 spline, 1.16" diameter shafts, 7.13" ring gear - used 84-99 (some axles through 91 are vacuum disconnect, 92+ are non-disconnect

AW4 - 4 speed automatic, electronically controlled - manufactured by Aisin - used from 87-01 (87-91 models include a Power/Comfort button that adjusts the shift points)

4.0L I6 MPI "Power Tech HO" (High Output) - 190 hp @ 4750 rpm, 220 ft lb @ 4,000 rpm - used in 91-95 and updated in 96-01 to 225 ft lb torque @ 3000 rpm (00-01 models use a distributorless ignition system)


http://jeephorizons.com/tech/xjstockspecs.html

Whutdidyousay

I'll go for a '92-'94... Getting away from renix could avoid an extra headache in the future, the cooling system will be an open system, and it has the HO system... Easier to find exhaust parts
I'll hope to find one with 3.55's in it, sounds like its very common.