Hello all, total XJ newb here... My wife and I have been looking for a good and affordable 4x4 to support our hiking/backpacking/mountain climbing habit and we found a 2000 XJ with a 4.5" lift and 136K miles sitting in a park and sell lot. I contacted the seller and test drove it tonight. He also has a CL listing. Here is the link:
http://westslope.craigslist.org/cto/2934633316.html

So I have some questions based on my test drive of the vehicle that I'm hoping you guys might be able to help me with:

1. The guy says he thinks the lift is a Rustys. It has some old looking bilstein dual reservoir shocks on the front and I'm not sure what in the back. Is this lift alright?

2. It makes ALOT of clunking and rattling down the road. I know much of this is probably normal, but how can I tell if something is really screwed up? The left front wheel makes the most noise by far. Is this probably just a wheel bearing that needs to be replaced?

3. Are there relatively affordable mods to make the ride smoother and quieter? I don't really mind, but my wife does!

4. What do I need to look for in the drivetrain? It has the Chrysler 8.25 rear diff. It shifts into 4high and 4low just fine. I put it in 4wd high and low and turned the vehicle slowing in tight turns. There was definitely some noticable wheel hopping and some rhythmic lurching. What should it feel like and how much if any is acceptable?

5. The tires are mismatched and just about bald. What sort of options are out there for some good all around, cost effective tires?

6. Price! He is asking $3,500. I'm thinking this is high, but we didn't talk price yet. What do you all think?

Other things: Windshield is cracked, A/C pully clutch is frozen so he has a bypass belt in there. I looked all over for rust and found basically none, so this is good! The main engine seal looked ok - the oil pan had oil and dirt on it, but there were only a couple drops on the pavement below it. The owner says it's been sitting there for awhile, so I don't think he been moving it to hide a serious leak.

I know this is a whole lot to ask from you guys, but whatever you could tell me would be great. I really want to be an XJ owner, but don't want to get started with a never ending project! Thanks in advance!

Dave

Don't buy it keep on looking, I did what you did and jumped in on it.... I could have had a lot nicer XJ if I had just waited, dings on every door panel, no speakers, cracked windshield, sagging headliner, etx. This has the 0331 heads, can't stress enough for you to walk away, of set a firm price of $2900 and if he says no then walk away.

Just read the questions you had. There seems to be some things going on. My option is the price is a bit much. If your not in a big hurry I wouldnt rust it. At least give it a day and look at it again. look into prices to replace front hub and other things like tires. Check all the oils.
Then come back with a counter offer. Just my thoughts

I recommend buying one that is stock and then doing your own mods. That is the best way to know how it has been lifted and how things work. I even recommend taking the stock rig off road before a lift kit is installed, it makes you a better driver and gives you a feel of its manners and limitations. Part of the fun of having any 4x4 is the build of it, don't buy a lifted rig and cheat yourself out of that fun.

I agree, sounds like you'd have to put quite a bit more money into it after you bought it. Dont get to excited just cause it has a lift either, my jeep does great without a lift when I go camping in the National forests. Unless your planning on taking some pretty rough roads you might want to stay away from jeeps with lifts, the sellers normally use it as an excuse to really jack up the price (of course unless your dead set on buying one with a lift). I'd say keep looking

Also if you can find a county or city vehicle auction that has some cherokees available, they are normally in really good shape (thats where mine came from and its the best cherokee ever!) =]

Thanks for the quick response guys! Sounds like maybe I need to hold off on this unless the price comes down alot. Could you all comment on some of the questions I had as it would relate to any XJ I look at in the future? I really need to know more about how to evaluate the condition of the drivetrain.

Also, on the subject of building - I know the joy of building a project vehicle (I have a highly modified 1990 mazda miata I made into a track/autocross fun car), but I just don't have the time or funds to start another expensive projects. And, if I did, my wife would attempt to kill me and I might not get to enjoy it then anyway!

Thanks,
Dave

It sounds like you were driving in 4hi and 4lo while on pavement? If so that explains the wheel hop. 4hi and 4lo cannot be used on dry pavement. There are two types of transfer cases in XJ's np231 which has 4hi and 4lo and the np242 which has full time 4x4 and 4lo. The full time can be used on any surface. So depending on where you live and the road conditions you may want to look for one with a transfer case that fits your needs.

I was testing the 4 wheel drive on dirt with some large potholes. What are some good ways to evaluate the condition of the tranfer case and diffs? This XJ will just be for excursions into the mountains with very limited everyday use. I don't plan on any serious wheeling, but it might be fun to play around ^^

Have you thought about a grand cherokee?Its a little bigger then a xj but will ride smoother they have rear coil springs vs the xj leafs.You can mod one just as much but some things cost a tiny bit more to do tho.

I have thought about a grand Cherokee some, but I think I just like the XJ better since it is more of a no-frills, only what you need kind of 4x4. The luxury additions made to the grand’s are kind a turn off to me. Do you know where I can find good information comparing the two?
Also, since I’m not really needing to know about a specific XJ anymore, can you guys just point me toward some good sources of information that I can use to learn about making a good purchase on a XJ? Rather than bug you all with every little question, I should just take some time to educate myself! Thanks!

Same xjs have little things like grands have suck as power seats, windows, and thermostats.
I would recommend getting someone that knows about vehicles or atleast get under it and check for leaks rust and check the fluids. Basically inspect and check everything possible

Take the air filter box off and look for oil. Timing chain could be streched and it creates blow by.

Before you buy anything i would have a mechanic give it a looking over.Even if it cost you 100 bucks its worth it not to buy something with problems which will cost a lot more to fix then that.A xj vs the grand the grand has a little bigger body and more power options like a v8 leather seats power everything.Both they share a lot of drivetrain parts engine trans t case.Just go test drive a grand see if it rides smoother to you then a xj.

Guy is crazy! I wouldnt pay more than $2k for that xj. cracked windshield? and the tires are shot? For $3500 you can get something really nice. Like other have said too you should buy a stock xj and build it yourself that way you know more about your vehicle, especially if your gonna be out in the offroad a lot with your wife.

I love you for saying that ^ I dislike the GC as well. and the fact that you want to do the research yourself is awesome. do a lot of searching on this website. plenty of info on here

I vote stocker and build it. if you cant do that buy a 97-99 with a mild lift and 31" tires
look for quality. if it says rough country stay away! lol

and keep in mind that no one sells their well-built quality-parts rig on craigslist. 90% of the time their just trying to get rid of the mess they made