Hi everyone, My name is Rob.
I am strongly considering getting an XJ.
After doing a lot of reading / research I see that the 97-99 are the best to choose from.
A few questions if you don't mind... (kinda long)

how problematic are the 2000 and 2001's ? (head issues? or other?)

how are the manual trans on the 97-99 or should I just skip that idea and get the auto?

what mileage is considered too much for the 4.0? I'm buying used (duh lol) and from the looks, it seems like many are over the 130K mark.

what are some of the trouble areas on the XJ's?

what should I expect mpg wise? Any way to improve? say header and full exhaust with intake? how about an ECU reflash or programmer/tuner?
I know the XJ isn't built for speed or fuel efficiency, I just plan on keeping it for a long time and would like not to waste $ on fuel IF possible.

ok, some questions about the tech side.
looks like the 5" Lift kit from Old Man Emu seems like the wise choice. Is there a reason not to buy it?
what else would be needed to make it a happy XJ with that setup?
I'm hopping to keep the tires close to 10.in wide and maybe 31 or 33 tall so they don't stick out past the stock body- reason is to 'try' to keep the mpg reasonable, keep costs down and a tamed look.

I don't want to go 'too' nuts building an XJ, just something that can handle most places. Will include fire roads, snow, beaches, some easy to med trails, I doubt rock crawling, But plenty of long hwy trips to get there.

This will be my DD, exploring and fishing vehicle so I need to keep it simple and reliable as possible.

thank you for any advice.

My total budget should be about 7K, hoping to be less.
Think I could build a sweet XJ ?

 

Oh and would a locker be good?
Suggestions on which I should look into, thanks.

 

95-99 are the best xj's ever. get the 4.0
forget about MPG's it's a jeep. you cant do any upgrades (except gears) to increase mpg's. there's just nothing out there worth doing. with 33's on stock gears you'll get maybe 13mpg.
OME is great but 5" will be way too tall for 31's. just buy a jeep and ask more questions later

 

well inline six 4.0 will last forever, they will get to that 300,000 mile mark, i would say 98 because its one year newer than 97 and later 99's are prone to head cracking? i believe its late 99's up to 01,

5" lift and there are a few things you have to screw with that you wouldnt if you went 4"
if you are worried about mpg i would say 31"'s on a 4" lift thats what i have and i love the look, and if you are not doing extreme rock crawling a 4" is fine

one problem with cherokees i would have to say rust and rockers. if you take care of your vehicle then its not so much a problem but i need new rockers

 

thanks for the responses.

so the 4" Lift kit from Old Man Emu won't require extra stuff, is that correct?
Are there parts that would be strongly recommended?

I like the idea of a locker in the rear?
Does anyone have experience with them and care to share?

And sliders seem to be needed, suggestions on which?
I wish I could make them at home, but not enough skills or tools

thanks again, Rob.

 

I would familiarize myself with the stock areas before getting concerned with add ons...

 

like I said before. just get the jeep and worry about upgrades later. you're doing fine so far looking at quality parts and the proper way to build a jeep
just do a bunch of research on this site in the meantime. all your questions have been answered before in other threads

 

understood.

 

I have a 98 and love it started with 167k on the odometer. Bought it redid all fluids oil, trans, diffs, radiator, etc... Then hit brakes exhaust, some body work. Ordered a 3.5in rubicon express lift and a ton of extra parts. The lift is what you make it, saw a guy lift an xj with oak 2x4's safe...no...functional yes for awhile.

So buy it, fix it, have lots of fun with it, and throw mpg out the window....like said its a jeep.

This is my 5th jeep, and my favorite so far.