L2daGee

My daily driver, a 2004 Ford Explorer, was hit by a massive hail storm the other week, and insurance is going to pay out $3500 to repair it. The Explorer only has 60K miles on it, and its KBB value is around $4500.

I'm debating selling the Explorer and buying another vehicle.

Option 1: Buy another XJ to use as a DD (preferably a 242 T-case).

Option 2: Buy a TJ (preferably an LJ) and use my current XJ as a DD.

Option 3: Buy a gas saving throw-away vehicle, and keep my current XJ as a weekend warrior.

Option 4: Fix the Explorer and drive till the wheels fall off. (I think I'd rather do that with a Jeep.)

thatXJguy

Answer to title: yes.

I miss my XJ, but I bought a JK. I like that I still have a Jeep and it has a lot of the bells and whistles of a modern car I always dreamed of having.

TJs are awesome because they have the 4.0L, but maybe you'd be interested in a 3.6L JK?

L2daGee

I'd love a JKU if the price is right. I really don't want to spend more than $12K at the max, which pretty much means TJ/LJ at the top of the budget or another XJ at the lower end.

Kuya

Get another XJ, if you off road. If you don't off road, reinvest in your XJ and save some of that cash. Car payments suck.

Fred/N0AZZ

An excellent replacement for the 04 Explorer would be an 04 WJ perhaps even an "Overland" edition I have one for my DD and the XJ for the weekend warrior. Mine has every option offered by Chrysler that year a very long list of comfort and off road items included.


My only problem is keeping the wife out of it she drive a 13 Town Car but likes the WJ all to well it seems.

L2daGee

That actually sounds doable. I didn't realize the WJ also has the 4.0 L engine. A fully loaded one would be nice.

SatiricalHen

if I was getting a Wj I think I would have to go with the 4.7 v8 or a stroker. I just feel like the 4.0 is a little underpowered for the wj. Personally I prefer the transmissions of the xjs over the wjs. I know 3 guys with wjs and one had one transmission go out, one is about to rebuild his second, and one has low miles and drives like a grandma.

L2daGee

That's what I seem to be learning as I research the WJ more. As of right now, another XJ is what I'm considering the most. I would really like an LJ, but it's costly and hard to find one with a hard top (since I don't have a garage to keep it in). I really need the extra cargo space, so a regular TJ or JK won't work.

These are my must haves for another XJ:

1999 XJ (I'd take a 2000-2001 if it's a good deal)
242 T-Case
100% Stock
rust-free
under 150K miles

SatiricalHen

ljs have bad transmissions from what I've heard. They're all Chrysler transmissions.

dmill89

If you get an automatic they have the 42RLE which is generally a piece of crap (an already weak FWD car transmission originally designed for the Dodge intrepid/Chrysler Concorde, converted to RWD and put into an even heavier vehicle, likely subject to more abuse), but the manual is the NV3550 in 2004s or NSG370 (same as the JK) in 05-06, which are pretty decent.

SatiricalHen

yes, I was really tired when I typed my reply and completely forgot about manual trans. I swear I just saw a thread complaining about the 3550 rattling in neutral.

Fred/N0AZZ

My WJ has over 200,000 mi. on it and the 03/04 models had much less problems than the 99-02's with trans and the 4.7HO engines run very well. I am the second owner of mine and every option works fine here is a list of options, many of these come with the Overland pkg.


*TL Lux Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
-DB Dk/Lt Slate Gray
ADES Cold Weather Group
ADLP Skid Plate Group
AFFS Luxury Group
AHX Trailer Tow Group IV
APAS Monotone Paint
ARGS Overland Decor Group
ATCS Radio-CD/Cass/10 Disc/Infinity Spkrs AWBS Quadra-Drive II (R) 4WD System
AWES Up Country Suspension Group A83P Mutually Exclusive Package BAZS 136 Amp
Alternator BC6S 625 Amp Maintenance Free Battery BRYS Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc
Brakes CACS Low Back Bucket Seats CBWS Highline Door Trim Panel CFNS Rear
60/40 Folding Seat CGSS Supplemental Side Air Bags CGUS Child Seat Anchor
System-LATCH Ready CG1S Next Gen Multistage Front Air Bags** CJ2P Supp. Side
Curtain Frt/Rr Air Bags CKDS Floor Carpet CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet CKTS
Cargo Tie Down Loops CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats CLGS Covered Cargo Storage
CLHS Cargo Trim Panel w/Storage Net CLPS Driver Foot Rest CSCS Cargo
Compartment Cover CSRS Passenger Assist Handles CUDS Mini Overhead Console
CUFS Full Length Floor Console DGES All 5-Speed Automatic Transmissions DGQ 5-
Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter DHFP Quadra-
Trac II On Demand 4WD System DJJS Dana 30/186MM Front Axle DMES 3.73 Rear Axle
Ratio DRKS Dana 44/226MM Rear Axle DSBP Vari-Lok Progressive Front Axle DSCP
Vari-Lok Progressive Rear Axle EVC 4.7L V8 Power Tech HO Engine GBBS Tinted
Windshield Glass GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GEPS Flipper Liftgate Glass GFAS Rear Window Defroster GNCS Sun Visors w/Illum
Vanity Mirrors GNKS Rear View Auto Dim Mirror GT3S Power Heat Driver Auto Dim
Mirrors GWAS Power Sunroof GXMS Remote Keyless Entry GXXS Sentry Key Theft
Deterrent System HAFS Air Cond ATC w/Dual Zone Control HGAS Hood Insulation
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group I51S Route 51 - CSX, Memphis, TN JA6S
Electroluminescent Instr Cluster JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer JHBS Rear
Window Wiper/Washer JHCS Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers JJBS Dual Note
Electric Horns JJJP 12V Rear Auxiliary Power Outlet JKAS Glove Box JKPS 12V
Auxiliary Power Outlet JKYS Power Accessory Delay JPBS Power Locks JPDS Power
Windows, Driver One-Touch JTFP Power 10-Way Heated Memory Seats K4BS EXTERIOR
COMPONENT COLOR K9KS MED. DRIFTWOOD MET. - Rails - Rock LACS Illuminated Entry
LAGS Warning Chime LAZP Vehicle Information Center LBBS Courtesy Lamps LBCS
Glove Box Lamp LCES Rear Courtesy/Reading Lamps LDBS Cargo Compartment Lamp
LETP Traveler/Mini Trip Computer LEWS Radio/Driver Seat/Mirror Memory LMBS
Halogen Headlamps LMGP Automatic Headlamps LNJS Fog Lamps LPSS CHMSL Lamp LSAS
Security Alarm MDAS Front License Plate Bracket MFDS Bright Grille MHAS Black
Windshield Moldings MTBP 4.7L HO Badge MVBS Grand Cherokee Badge MVCS Jeep
Badge MVEP V-8 Badge MWES Side Roof Rails MWF Adjustable Roof Rail Crossbars
MZBS Quadra Drive Badge MZMS Overland Badge NAS 50 State Emissions NBGP
Federal Tier 2, Bin 9A Emissions NFPS 20.5 Gallon Fuel Tank NHFP Power
Steering Cooler NHMS Speed Control NMHP Hydraulic Engine Cooling PXR Brilliant
Black Crystal Pearl Coat QXRS Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat RAAC All
Radio Equipped Vehicles RBPS AM/FM Cass/CD Radio w/Changer Ctrl RCES Infinity
Speakers RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna RDPP 10-Disc Remote CD Changer RDZP
Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls SBAS Power Steering SCWS Wood/Leather
Wrapped Steering Wheel SDUS Heavy Duty Suspension w/Gas Shocks SUAS Tilt
Steering Column TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire TBWS Full Size Spare Tire
w/Matching Whl TS6S P235/65R17 OWL All Terrain Tires TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WGWS 17" Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels WLZC All Aluminum Wheels XAM Power
Adjustable Pedals w/Memory XEEP Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield XEFP Transfer Case
Skid Plate Shield XEUP Front Suspension Skid Plate XFBP Bright Tow Hooks XFHP
Class IV Receiver Hitch XFKP 7 Pin Wiring Harness XFLP 7 to 4 Pin Wiring
Adaptor XGDP Universal Garage Door Opener XPFS Protective Coating and Remover


I tow with this also as you can see below it was spotless inside and out when I bought it.

Xj88

Ive been between an XJ and TJ 3 different times now.. when summer comes I really get that TJ fever...and once im in one I miss the room and overall utility of my XJ.

An LJ would be sweet, especially an LJ rubi...but youll be hard pressed to find one for 12k.


If you are going to have an option to have both a TJ and an XJ then go for it.

andrewmp6

Just as a daily driver i would take either grand the zj and wj over a xj.The grands have better seats and the rear coil springs ride better on the road.Around me the grands are cheaper then a xj and most of the time in better shape.