The '00 and '01 4.0L engines had a flawed 0331 head casting that is prone to cracking between the #3 and #4 cylinders under normal use without any significant overheating. Some never crack, but this site is littered with stories about them cracking. Mine cracked, but I replaced the whole thing with a new long block.

I wouldn't let that dissuade me from buying a 2000 XJ, but it's better to be aware of the potential problem so that you know to look for signs of a cracked head and can plan ahead for if (when) the head cracks. I personally would just plan/budget to replace the head so that I wouldn't always be wondering when the 0331 was going to crap on my day.

2000 also had multiple versions of the exhaust, and the way it's set up with two exhaust manifold outlets instead of a single collector pipe limits your options when selecting a header. The cheap APN headers will not fit. Some of the 2000s (and all of the 2001s) have CA emissions with three catalytic converters and four O2 sensors, so the EPA emissions trucks with only a single cat are preferable.

Also be aware that the 2000 XJs had a low pinion front axle that can give you issues with vibration if you lift it and can affect ground clearance. The axle itself is fine, but it's better to know about its limitations before buying.

I love my 2000, but it definitely has its own weirdness.

 

I have an xj lifted 4.5 with 33s. And my wheeling buddy has a v8 98 grand on 4.5 with 33s. So I wheel both. Xj gets through obstcles easier with less problems. The zj however plows through deeper mud, and basically has more ***** to climb steeper trails covered in mud. So they both wheel , just differently. You need to throw the zj at obstacles with more force. But then it does have enough power to do so. The xj lacks power in some situations. For on road though, zj all the way. Its comfy. But then again its got more gadgets to go wrong with. And although it works fine now it does have weeker axles .it also doesn't fit everywhere I do and on technical sections it struggles compared to the xj.

 

The Limited XJs came with a lot of those creature comforts.

 

Shoot, man. That's a lot of big words for a newbie :/ Seriously though, thanks for all the info. The main ones I have been looking at are 2000 or 2001 with right around 100k miles, if not less. If the head does crack, how much is that repair on average? Would a good mechanic be able to see if there was an issue there before it happened? A better question - If you could do it all again, and buy one XJ that would be your daily driver, get decent mpg (prob not be lifted), be comfortable, be reliable on mild dirt, etc etc... what year and trim would you look for?

The good news is, I'm in no rush to buy. I'm only in a rush to find out what vehicle I'm looking for so that I can start looking for it. I don't mind scouring craigslist for 6 months as long as I can find what I want.

 

I like 4runners. If built right, they can be capable rigs. Straight axle swaps to replace the crappy ifs (if you don't get a 1st gen, they have straight axle fronts) are plentiful if you want to go that way.

The main "advantage" of the 'yota is the fact that it has a frame. They also have roll down back windows, which is kinda cool.

The XJ/ZJ however greatly outclasses the 'yotas in the motor department. 4.0's last forever, and are reasonably torquey. 5.2's aren't bad little v8's either. They also have more aftermarket support, and solid front axles.

 

To me i would go xj 87-99 anything else i would look at a k5 blazer or full size bronco or a 80s short bed pickup gm or ford.Just depends your budget your needs and what you like really.

 

I bought my 2000 new. If I had to do that all over again, I would probably have bought that same truck, but now I would know what to look for as it aged.

If I were buying a used one now, I would look for a '97-99 and plan to get a 2001 intake manifold out of the junkyard and upgrade it. The 2000 and 2001 had the best intake of any of them. '97 is after OBDII came into use, and '99 and earlier had high pinion front axles and can accept a much wider variety of headers.

If I were looking for a daily driver that I didn't intend to modify, I would probably look for a '99 Limited, so I would have the leather seats, overhead console and extra accessory wiring harnesses already in the truck. If I were planning to use it as a weekend vehicle or trail rig, my search parameters would be pretty much wide open, since you can build pretty much any of them into what you want.

Oh, and I would make sure I bought a 4WD. I would rather have 4WD and never need it than have 2WD and wish the front wheels had power.

 

So, you mean something like this?
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/4808260583.html
I think this thing is so sexy, but I know it is impractical for my daily driver with mild weekend use. Anybody have any idea what mpg on something with these components would be?
Or, if I decide OBDII isn't a big deal, I can go this route:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/4770670534.html
There is also a guy by me who buys 2000 and 2001 models from all over the states, goes through them with a fine tooth comb, and resells them. The jeeps he has are immaculate, but he wants $10k

 

It's impossible to tell gas mileage, there are so many factors in gas mileage. If I had to give it a number, if its geared right it could probably do 15 but that's best case scenario on the highway. (This better not turn into a "well im at 5" on 35's and I get 17 mpg" thread)

96 is a bastard year, some of them are old school body new school tech. Finding the right parts to buy can be confusing. There's nothing wrong with obd II as long as its working properly

Edit: is that a block of wood for a center console lid in that second link?