Hey all,

Looking to get back into owning a jeep this spring. I had a 98 ZJ on 33s, which was fun, but was a total piece of garbage. The 5.2 burned a quart of oil per day, the NP249 was junk, and it had a crappy rough country lift on it, which death wobbled to hell. I currently drive a first gen Tacoma but I'd like to buy something with a solid front axle to have fun with.

I know the basics of what to look for, and I won't be buying anything that isn't a 4.0.

I need some advice on the specifics. How do the NP242s compare to the 231s? Also, I've read a bit about the 0331 head crack issue. What years did this effect? Anything else I should look out for?

I'm not planning on buying something to daily, so it doesn't have to be perfect.

Thanks,
Zach

My old ZJ

 

Welcome.

 

I have read that the 231 is a little better then the 242.
But could not say one way or the other.
Now I would rather have a 242 over my 231.
Just for the Fulltime 4X4 in the snow cause my Jeep is a DD so....
My thinking is lean towards the 231 cause of what you want to do with the Jeep.
But don't blow off a decent deal cause of that.
As far the 0331 head goes that is a '00 and '01 thing.
Again depending on the price and how mechanical you are I wouldn't not at least consider one.
Out of the 2 with the 0331 head if you were to I would try to stick with '00 and a Federal Emissions one.
Some '00's are CA Emissions. Some are Federal Emissions. All '01's are CA Emissions.
As far as the newer body style goes a '99 is the sweet spot for an XJ.

 

I have had three Xj's , and when looking to buy another I would buy one that would take less work from the get go to make trail worthy. The best year will be hands down a 98' or early 99 with a 231 t-case (stock from ready to wheel) my current rig is a 91' 2-door manual tranny 231 t-case. The 94's and earlier came with a single diaphragm of brake booster that is inadequate for modified rigs and down right dangers in stock rigs once the diaphragm has aged. That was the first modification I had to do on my 94 and 91. (which from 95 on the manufacturer used dual diaphragm boosters) from late 91 to 1999 they used the high Pinion Danna 30 which is better when lifting your rig for drive shaft angles. 2000 and 2001 they were phasing out the Xj and put low pinion Danna 30's. Also the 4.0 in those years came with a problematic head. That can be replaced with a tupy head but not nessasary if you stay away from that year. That is way the most sought after model Xj is the 98-99 you avoid all three issues and are more likely to find a lower mileage nice interior platform to start with. The 95 and 96 models are also good candidates also. The only other thing I would pay attention to is the rear axle try to land an Xj with the Chrysler 8.25 instead of the Danna 35. The Chrysler will hold up to most things you throw at it.

Hands down the 231 t-case is the way to go. Unless you go hog wild building your rig and then it does matter, you can toss any t-case aside in favor of a Rubicon t-case or Atlas t-case, b u t that is throwing lot of $$$$$ and work into a disposable hero. I'm very happy with where my rig sits and the only mod left for me is swapping in the ARB lockers and 4.56 gears. Hopefully soon but in the meantime rolling with 4.10 s and open diffs I go all over Colorado.

 

i agree with ralph, 99 is the best year for the newer body style. but if you could find a renix, (87-90), i think those were the best years but are getting much harder to find in decent shape.
97-99 pluses include the newer updated body style, 29 spline 8.25, but also available with d35, so you will have to check on that, also 99 was last year for the distributor and high pinion d30. also 99 had a nicer looking steering wheel than the 97, if that matters. and also raised letter badging, and not just stickers.
00-01 had low pinion d30 and coil packs, along with the 0331 head that was prone to cracking.

also, 231 over the 242, in my opinion.

 

The best year of Cherokee is every year from 84 to 01

I'll take a 99 manifold with EV6 injectors controlled by pre 91 RENIX on a 95 head on a 97 block under the hood of a 96 body with a 95 AX15 MT and a 86-90 Dana 30 disco front axle please and thank you.