Jallen9

So I bought a toyota pickup, and it turned out to be a total piece of junk. My wife hates the suburban, it gets bad gas mileage, and it would cost too much to make it anything close to decent off road. I've done some research and I think my best choice is an XJ.

So I'm looking for a 00-01 XJ with a 5 speed, preferalby in black (or maybe dark blue), mostly so I can put something darth vader or decepticon related on it. Something tasteful, obviously

Any suggestions? Anything else that I should look for?

And in the way of introductions: My name is John and I'm from texas, around the austin area. I'm living in Utah now for graduate school. I'm working on a PhD in physiology and developmental biology. I love Utah because there's some much public land it's not even funny. some good off-road trails are a 3 minute drive from my apartment. Shooting is a 30 minute drive away from where I live. EXCELLENT shooting and off-roading is a 45 min drive away, on the west side of utah lake. Not to mention Moab, which is a 3 hour drive away. My dad and I are planning on meeting there at the end of the summer so I'd like to have an XJ by then.

Also, my toyota, a 94 pickup SR5, has nearly new 31x10.5 A/Ts. I want to put those on the XJ that I get. The rough country website recommends those tires for their 3" series II suspension lift. Is that a good lift to get? That will be my first mod, randomly, one that my wife suggested, so that we could keep those tires. I hadn't even thought of it...

Well, thanks for your suggestions! I'm pretty pumped about getting a good off-road vehicle! Since I started doing my research I've been very impressed with XJs. They get fairly good gas mileage, especially compared with other similar trucks, that 4.0 lasts forever, and other stuff that I don't remember now. Also, it's the first car that I haven't wanted to swap engines on.

The Rooster

Welcome to the site.... 1st I would say stay away from 00-01 they have the 0331 cracked head problem... if you want the newer body style get one 97-98 they do not have the cracked head problmes from what I know 99 is a split year from what I have read.... may I ask why you do not want a 90-96 xj they are just as good as the newer body style..

ol"blue

Jallen9

i think the 97 up ones had an updated interior that I liked better. That's good to know about the 00-01 years. I'll look for an older one then. I was having a hard time finding a newer one anyways.

The Rooster

correct 97 and up do have the new interior... so you can get a 97-98 and not have the head problem... and it will look exactly like a 00-01 hope this has helped you out

Jallen9

thanks for all the comments, I appreciate the feedback. I'm fairly familiar to the GM world, but not Jeep. I actually used to have a camaro with a 3.4 v6 that was just a bored and stroked version of the 2.8 v6 that was in the XJ in the 80's (and the s10, and the 80's camaros, I think even some isuzus). It's a decent little engine but this 4.0L seems way better.

Another questions - what if i got the 00-01 with the head problem, but got a head from a 97-98, had it worked a bit, a port and polish, added a different cam, and put that on there? Are there any shops that could help me with that? What causes the head to crack? just overheating, or does it just break after a while?

XJJeff

Its not also the head has the problem, this is only the 00-01 models. The fuel rail is to close to the exhaust manifold so it boils the fuel in the rail causing bubbles, which cause cylinder 3 to misfire heat soak/vapor lock. What causes the crack just not made correctly. Solutions are hood vents, wrapping fuel-rail/injectors in heat resistant foil, change clutch fan swap to secondary electric fan with remote switch or last a Gale Banks header only header for 00-01 450$. The best mechanical year is a 1999 with a Powertech motor but that has a distributor if you don't mind compared to a coil over plug. If the head in my Jeep ever brakes I am getting a new port and polished one might get a cam while I am down there. The newer body styles are 1997 and up I am an obd2 guy nothing older then 1996 lol.

Jallen9

That's good info. I'll have to get one of those headers if it solves the head problem.

XJJeff

If you got a Gale Banks I would be jealous. I am just going with Chrysler Lebaron hood vents due to money issues.

Jallen9

well, all of my fun money comes from donating plasma. it sucks being a poor student. that $250 a month adds up fairly quickly

man i tell you what, i am having a hard time finding the one that I want....

Jallen9

Ok guys, 4 months later, I found one. It took me forever to sell that suburban.



It's got a few issues, but that's no big deal considering how much i paid for it. I couldn't find one with a manual tranny, but, hey, I may swap one in one day. Also, we put some 31's on my pickup a while back and they look brand new. So, my wife wants to keep those tires. I tell her that in order to do that, it's going to need a lift. She says, "what's cheaper, new tires or a lift?"

awesome... I get to put a lift on it as soon as I get it, and I don't have to use my blood money.

forgot the details - 2000 XJ sport, totally stock. it needs a U joint, hood latch, and some body work. you can see the hood where someone left wax on for too long and it wrecked the paint. There's also a large-ish dent on the back hatch. it still works, though, so it'll stay on for now. After I get the lift on, new tires, and those repairs, then I'm going to swap in cruise control and the overhead console. It also needs a new rear taillight and i think there's a short because the front passenger window won't roll down.

Man i'm freakin' pumped, i've been drinking green tea ALL day.

XJJeff

Very nice mine started in the same as you 2000 Stock you have the faded hood as well lol. Now the next question is do you have a Dana 35 or a Chrysler 8.25 for the lift. Let us know what lift you are choosing go with. First thing I did was drain all the fluids Oil, T-case, Front and Rear diffs, Coolant. I like the blue there hard to find just like two doors.

ClimbTheBest

Nice Jeep I got the same exact one just a different color about 2 weeks ago but i have 5.5 inch lift and 32's.
It will look awesome once your done

Jallen9

i'm getting a rough country 3 in lift with rear leaf springs. it's the series II lift. i didn't know the difference between that and the cheaper lift other than the control arms but it seemed like a good idea. i got a steering stabilizer, too just in case i ever go with bigger tires.

1ATony

welcome to the site