dougy_fresh

names doug. i am picking up my first XJ (first offroad rig actually) in a couple weeks. i am buying it from a junkyard, so no title, thus offroad only. $250 and it started right up when i put a good battery on it to check everything. didn't even think to see what year it is. it's a 2 door with a 2.8 and a 5 speed.

i set myself a budget of $1500 max including purchase price. most upgrades will be coming from the same junkyard as the jeep is coming from because i do a lot of business with him and get stuff fairly cheap.

so far my plans are:
-explorer 8.8, welded
-3.4 camaro engine when the 2.8 lets go
-either 265/75-16 Maxxis Mudders (like brand new) or 33x12.5-15 TSL's (25% tread)....i have both, still debating....
-2x4 .125 wall rockers
-3" budget liftand as much trimming as needed to clear the tires

ol"blue

winston427

Welcome from Winston in TN. If it has a 2.8 V6, then it is a 84-86. The XJ Cherokee was introduced in 84 and 86 was the last year for the 2.8. In 87, the 4.0 was put in and the rest is history. Here is a good link to some helpful info on your new purchase.

http://jeephorizons.com/tech/xjstockspecs.html

dougy_fresh

i knew it was 84-86 on the 2.8 but i didnt know exactly what year it is so i just said i didnt know the year

winston427

Check this site as well to decode the VIN and find out what the exact year is.

http://www.jeepfan.com/tech/tech_vinxj.htm

dougy_fresh

that page says the trans could be a t5 or an ax5. which is the better one to have? i know in the mustang world (where i'm coming from basically, figure going slower is a little safer) t5's are basically junk....does the same thing apply here?

dougy_fresh

also says it could be a 207 or 228/229 t-case. i'm not sure if it's a fulltime or parttime t-case, but i do know that the "gate" on the shifter is shaped kinda like a lightning bolt...it's missing the bezel around the shifters so that kept me from knowing for sure..

i assume the fulltime shifter would just go straight forward and back with nuetral in the middle, but i could be wrong..

either way, a 231 is a direct bolt in, right?

dougy_fresh

what

OnlyInMyXJ22

Welcome