i like my '95 4.0L AX-15 NP231 d30/c8.25.

OBD-I for the win!

'99 is the best OBD-II year IMO.

 

agreed.

while the '95 has a special place in my heart (i sold it), i would still go '94 for no airbag (mine went off while wheeling - no fuse to disable), or the '99 for the newer interior, old head, and hp.

 

cracked heads which are no fun

 

97-99 IMO (and I have a 96 so its not bias) with the 8.25. Stronger axle, cup holders, no head problems, I dont really care about the appearance difference as new bumpers should be put on all the years anyway. other than those, the rest are minor differences

 

Sorry I've condenced your quote, but everything you say is true.....The only reseason that the late model heads crack is hot coolant temps(usually coz the radiator needs a clean, damaged hose or radiator is totally stuffed).....High pinion reverse rotation Dana30's from pre-99's have stronger gear set's, I've have & several of my Mates also exploded spider gears & axle uni's in both High & Low pinion Dana30's & these parts are identical to both models....

The only advise that I can offer is:
Only buy what you can afford to pay for, don't buy the highly modified truck coz it will drive you crazy fixing thinks that keep breaking coz it wasn't done properly the first time & don't buy pre-95

Remember, what ever you pay for the XJ, thats the cheapest part of what your going to spend, it just goes down hill from then.......The XJ's were probably the most capable 4WD straight out of the box & will out perform a Stock TJ anytime.....Buy something & have fun

 

I say 99! I am biased and proud of it. BTW the 99 does NOT have a LP D30. That started in 2000 along with the annoying coil on plug.

Really though... I liked my 87 and didn't really like my old 96. The rot on the 96 is/was insane! The 87 was almost rot free. Sometime in the early 90s chryco started using low quality steel in the floors. Down south, not much of an issue. Up here, you're screwed. Any 92-96 I've in the JY has had crunchy floors.

 

coil on plug >>>>>>>>> distributor ignition

 

I have a 2000 XJ 4.0 that was basically well taken care of BUT still has all the Jeep quirks that can drive anyone crazy.Plus the 0331 head but I have never overheated and watch my guages all the time.

I think whatever you get as long as you like it and get it for the right price (thats important) since you will be pumping money into it like it or not. Also depending on what you can do yourself mechanically . I have basically resigned to the fact that its a Jeep and will do whatever I feel to it. Unlike my other cars -this one is my play-toy. If I bust it I may fix it-change it- or live without it depending. Add something stronger, bigger, more obscene.

Since many parts are interchangeable with some work -many yrs can help many others.

 

91

/thread

 

edited

 

Just keep your options open, take a good deal of time looking around. There will end up being something that you find that you really can't live without. I had been looking at XJ's with D44's, I had looked at some of the newer Cherokees... and then I fell in love with my 1977 Full Size Cherokee Chief Sport.

If you decide on whatever you decide on and have questions or want to put up pics... that is exactly what forums like these are for.

 

iirc you are talking about the 0331 head problem... I think that was late 99+ only

 

lol... my 96 IS rust free

 

Least amount of rust, IMO that's about it. Everything else is easy.

 

96 is the best year IMO i have a 96 with c8.25 and the NP231 t case and its has yet to let me down and they look really good

they still have the older 95 look but slightly updated and dosent look to fancy goin down the trail like all 97 and up trucks do. and like its been said before on here there pretty cheap for parts and easy to find