Hi guys, new here but I am excited to get into an XJ soon and i'm sure i'll be spending a lot of time around here. I'm looking at a couple jeeps here:

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2552199963.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2552272993.html
(235xxx miles. And how much trouble is it to replace a bent axle?)

What do you think about these two? I'm not in a huge rush so I can wait if neither of these look great. I want to put a mild lift and maybe 31's on to start, and I plan on doing some mild to medium trails around here in Colorado, as well as using it as a winter/bad weather driver.

Thanks for any advice you can give to this off road newbie!

 

I really like the first one! Is got low mikes for a jeep that old, it's manual, and it most likely had the C8.25 rear in it. I'd pay 1900 for it! But I'd offer 1500

 

That's kinda what i was thinking as well. Start with a good running base at least, instead of spending another 1k trying to get a clunker back in shape. Guy hasn't returned my message yet though, hope it's not sold already.

 

Agreed! Just check underneath for rust, but I like the first one too!

 

Being in Denver i am sure it is going to have rust like up here in MA so i wouldnt be too concerned look under the rear seats for sure and just make sure there are no major leaks... 168K is nothing for these motors mine has about that on it and has been driver HARD! for the past 3 years off road. The first one looks great being that it is a stick and also LEATHER seats $1500 all day long.

 

Thanks for the info, what is the reason behind looking under the rear seats? Is that a stress point for the unibody and rust there = bad?

I'm having trouble getting a response from the guy with the '96 unfortunately, but this one came up today: http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2553469690.html

I am 90% sure I could tear down that transmission, with enough time and beer