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I just picked up a 98 XJ Classic with 144000 miles on it yesterday (4.0L 6cyl 4x4 automatic). I am excited to work on it and make it a capable off-road and on-road rig. I have looked through this forum quite a bit before buying one and hopefully I got one that is good. When I ran a carfax on it I noticed that it came up as a 98 Jeep Cherokee SPT/Classic/LTD. What does the SPT and LTD stand for? The jeep I got looks like it has a few additional features that I have not seen in other classics such as leather seats, power doors, windows, seat, mirrors and OEM running boards. Were these features that came with the classic? It looks like it may have a dana 35 in the rear and an np242 transfer case (2WD, Part time 4WD, Full time 4WD HI and 4WD Low). I am new to the Jeep world so I am still learning so go easy on me. Pictures below. Let me know what you think.
For starters welcome.
If I had to guess the SPT means Sport and the LTD means Limited.
With '97 to '01 XJ's they could with different packages.
No expert but my understanding is that they could a SE, Sport, Country, Classic, and Limited.
But they did not offer all those packages in all those years. For instance pretty sure there is no such thing as a '97 Limited.
Anyway my guess is that yours is a Classic.
So go here and run the VIN.
Might clear up a few things.
And keep an eye out to see if you have the Up Country suspension.
Might actually say that. Look for the words rear sway delete and heavy duty shocks.
Give this a read cause it might help down the line.
Guessing your mirrors are heated. Do you have an overhead console? Wood grain trim? Map pockets in the doors? Power seat(s)? Infinity Sound System?
It is a pretty standard upper end XJ.
With the exception of the running boards that is.
Don't see a lot of them.
I like them so much that I sourced some for my '00. But then again she is just a DD.
Which based on your description of what you want the Jeep for you might want to loose.
If the metal supports underneath are not rotted and you find the right person you might be able to make a few bucks on those.
To bad about the D35 and I can't even begin to tell you how much I hate ABS but not a deal breaker.
Just don't sink any big bucks into the D35. An 8.25 swap would be more in order if that is the case.
All in all looks like a very nice Jeep and I am a little envious. LOL.
For starters welcome.
If I had to guess the SPT means Sport and the LTD means Limited.
With '97 to '01 XJ's they could with different packages.
No expert but my understanding is that they could a SE, Sport, Country, Classic, and Limited.
But they did not offer all those packages in all those years. For instance pretty sure there is no such thing as a '97 Limited.
Anyway my guess is that yours is a Classic.
So go here and run the VIN.
Might clear up a few things.
And keep an eye out to see if you have the Up Country suspension.
Might actually say that. Look for the words rear sway delete and heavy duty shocks.
Give this a read cause it might help down the line.
Guessing your mirrors are heated. Do you have an overhead console? Wood grain trim? Map pockets in the doors? Power seat(s)? Infinity Sound System?
It is a pretty standard upper end XJ.
With the exception of the running boards that is.
Don't see a lot of them.
I like them so much that I sourced some for my '00. But then again she is just a DD.
Which based on your description of what you want the Jeep for you might want to loose.
If the metal supports underneath are not rotted and you find the right person you might be able to make a few bucks on those.
To bad about the D35 and I can't even begin to tell you how much I hate ABS but not a deal breaker.
Just don't sink any big bucks into the D35. An 8.25 swap would be more in order if that is the case.
All in all looks like a very nice Jeep and I am a little envious. LOL.
Thank you for the reply. Yes to power seats, overhead console, map pockets and wood grain. So it looks like it would be a Classic with additional package options added.
I was bummed about the Dana 35, I was hoping for the 8.25, but like you said, I can do the swap later on and do the disk brake conversion.
Yes I will plan on taking the OEM running boards off. They will definitely get damaged when I go off-roading. They are in good condition, so I will take your advice and sell it somewhere.
So I have heard about ppl not liking the ABS. Is that a huge issue with the XJ's? I am assuming that if it is, there is an ABS delete write up somewhere.
Thank you for the reply. Yes to power seats, overhead console, map pockets and wood grain. So it looks like it would be a Classic with additional package options added.
I was bummed about the Dana 35, I was hoping for the 8.25, but like you said, I can do the swap later on and do the disk brake conversion.
Yes I will plan on taking the OEM running boards off. They will definitely get damaged when I go off-roading. They are in good condition, so I will take your advice and sell it somewhere.
So I have heard about ppl not liking the ABS. Is that a huge issue with the XJ's? I am assuming that if it is, there is an ABS delete write up somewhere.
Thank you for the links they were very helpful.
Never owned a XJ with ABS, luckily, but I driven a few cars that have had it.
I just don't like it.
You're pressing on the brakes, a tire gets a little air cause of a bump, and you get the stupid chattering.
It annoys me. LOL.
And I almost positive I have read stuff about deleting the ABS for when you make the swap.
And it would be a good time to do the disc brake mod.
I want to say an '02 to '06 Liberty is what you want the parts to do this from.
Plenty of write ups on that too.
Just joined the XJ club
