Hey guys,
Im new to the forum, and have yet to join the XJ world. I am currently looking at a 2001 Cherokee and I have a few questions. First, I am looking at it as a little bit of a project. It is missing the T-Case, and the drive shaft couplings. I know where I can get them, and I know how to install them so I can do that. But the car has almost 170k on the odometer, so I want to know what some common problems are when an XJ hits that many miles. I really need a car of my own for wheelin, cause ive been wheelin my dad's TJ and he is getting mad, so I need my own car. So, just tell me about some problems that are common and what is required to fix them.
Thanks

 

The number one problem with any late 99,00 and 01 XJ is the head. the casting number (found near where cyl 4,5 intake enters head) is 0331.
This head has a habit of cracking after an overheat situation.
You can usualy see the crack if you look down the oil filler hole in the valve cover. Anything green and you have a cracked head. Checking the dipstick is another clue. Anything that looks like chocolate milk on the dipstick means coolant has entered the oil pan and your now looking at a bearing replace job as well as new head.

The one thing I don't like about the 01 and the reason I haven't bought one is the extra cataylitic converters. There are 3 of them.

Last is the low pinion D30 in the front. If your going to seriously off road this, you'll want to change it to the high pinion D30 found in the earlier years.At least 99 back. Give you a little more ground clearance.
For me the amount of hard offroading I'll do is not a concern for the expense to gain 2 inches at the pinion. Now if someone gave me a HP D30 for free then I'd spend the time swapping it over.

 

The HP D30 is about 30% stronger than the LP D30 because of the reverse cut ring and pinion gears. If you're just doing some trail riding and some moderate stuff you really don't need to worry about it though.

 

How hard and expensive are the head and bearing replacement jobs? And is it something that myself and an experience mechanic friend of mine can do, or does it need to be done in a shop?

 

both those jobs can be done by you and your friend in the driveway.

Here in Canada I had a head done for about $500. I understand you csn get a head from Alabama head for a LOT less and the head you get will not have the same problem later.
The bearings if there is oil contamination can be done with the engine in the vehicle but it's a PITA. Seeing as the transfer case is already out I'd pull the engine and do it all on a stand.