Hi all !

Right before i buy an XJ, i'd like to have input from you guys, as to whats the common problem, and what are the MUSTS for a wheeler. I live in Quebec, so i don't have that many rocks to climb, but heck, anything is cool.

I'm looking into 1997 and up XJ's.


Thanks for your input !

 

00-01 have the bad 0331 cylinder head and the weaker D35 rear axle

 

You need to start off by deciding what your XJ is going to be used for....rock crawling, mud bogging, dune running, snow blasting, street racing/drifting...a little bit of everything?

Will it be a daily driver (do you need to keep it street legal)?

Just how harcore of an offroader do you want to make it?

How much of a budget do you have?

Do you want more HP, MPG or a happy level of both?

These are all questions you must answer. Then, I and others here on the forum can recommend things to do to your jeep as far as, engine improvements, lift, tires, armor, gears, lockers, recovery, etc.

 

as far as things to look for when buying an XJ:

1.) Leaks
2.) Rust
3.) Cracks
4.) How well the motor runs
5.) Does the 4WD work and not make any wierd noises?
6.) Does the oil and antifreeze look clean?
7.) Do the doors, hood and hatch close easily and solid (check for tweaked frame).
8.) Sqeaks, clicks, thuds, grinding noises in the suspension and drivetrain.
9.) Basics like good tires, brakes, belts, hoses.
10.) Look for wiring to not be hacked up....inside cab and under hood.

There is more but that's all I can think of for now.

 

Allright, lets do this.

I'd have to say a snow blaster, a mud wheeler, a beach truck...
It DOES need to be street legal, a little note to that, in Quebec i think i need to keep my fenders or fenderflares on, one of the two, i just cant remember.

It will be a daily driver as well !

Lets say i don't want a tonka truck.
Budget is a non-issue really...

But, i would LOVE more MPG than better HP... i can't go faster than 60 mph on the freeway... and i do not tow anything... maybe there are other advantages, but i'm more into having a better MPG rating than better HP.

Thanks for the help !!

 

So, a leaky XJ is to be put asside if it has major leaking problems ? (trany, etc)
A rusty one is a nono.
A cracked frame is never good.
A good motor is a must, not too high miles i guess.
A stable 4WD.
Clean fluids.
A clean body, no accident marks.
A healthy powertrain.
Good "safety" components.
No DIY work done on the jeep.

Allright, everything is jotted down.

 

Good to know...

It's kind off ironic how they transformed it into a city truck in 2000.

 

Actually from my understanding, jeep ran out of the 8.25 axles so they just started throwing the danas in. But I could be wrong.

 

make sure you buy one with a chrystler 8.25 a very good axle. They have a flat spot on the bottom of the axle.

 

They may have gone back to Danas, but I have an 8.25 in my 2000. I think the models with abs got the 35s.

 

A HUGE "Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Champions 2011" sticker for the back window. Ill even supply it.

 

I've got one myself, I'm about 45 minutes from Boston.

 

Ahahhahhahah I might be from Montreal but I'd love to put a bruins sticker on my window, I'd get trashed but thats what insurance is for