Hey guys I'm Jordon. I'm lookin around for an xj now on Craigslist. Have been for about a month and half looking for the right one too come along. Gonna throw together a little hunting/fishing/trail rig. Looking at a 1990 and a 1996 currently. Is there a better year? I read the tread for best year but everyone had a different opinion. I'm on a low budget so I'm just lookin for anything and will do any work on my own and like I said, on budget. Good looking forum here. Learned a quite a bit already. What do you guys have to say about turbos on the 4.0s? They handle boost ok or no?

 

Why even bother with a turbo if budget is the concern? I'm biased to buying a 90 over a 96 because I own a 90 and love it. But to give advice we need to know mileage, engine, transmission, transfer, 2 door or 4 door, stock or lifted, rust. Probably some more things than that. Oh and 96 was the transition year for the cherokee. So some parts from before 97 will work, some will not.

 

Not planning on boosting. Just wondering if anyone has. The engine on the 96 is a 4.0 and an auto trans. Not sure what one. 4 door, some basic rust like a Wisconsin vehicle would have, and it's stock but I plan on doing a budget lift.

 

I agree 100%.

 

If its an auto transmission, it's an AW4. It's an awesome transmission that is known to live forever and is built by Toyota if I remember right. If you post the links from Craigslist I'm sure you'll get some more input. I've only had my Jeep for like 6 months and still got a lot to learn. I also wouldn't worry about a budget lift until all the bugs are worked out. Plus with a lift, then you need bigger tires. And maintenance is more important.

 

Skip the turbo. Not needed. XJs are NOT about speed. If you want speed, go elsewhere unless you want to dump serious money.

If looking for newer and cleaner XJs, 1997 to 1999 are the best. I love the 2000 & 2001s, but you have to accept with those that the 0331 heads are risky, and you may have to replace it at some point, though once replaced...effing awesome rig.

 

Not looking for anything too fancy. Will just end up with dents and rust anyway. The one I'm looking at isn't on Craigslist right now, someone just responded to my wanted add. I'll give info as I get it. She is asking 700 so I'll offer $500 and see if she accepts. Im thinking a simple tune up will be my first buy. Then probably 31s if i can find a deal. Then a 3 inch budget boost. Maybe 4 if I can get it. I've went wheeling with friends in a stock Toyota, a Chevy tracker, and a big panel wagon mud truck. Was a blast. What do you guys do to make them flex on things like all the pictures on here? Or do they just do that stock?

 

I wish I could get one for $500-700 near me. I guess you had good luck with your wanted ad.

 

Yea they aren't too bad around here.

 

Pics of the one I'm pretty sure I will be buying. This is a 1996






Lady said she bought a Cadillac and no longer needs the jeep. She asked me $700. I'll offer $500 and work my way up. See what I get it for. It doesn't look too bad from my judgement but what do you guys think?

 

I'd buy it for that price. I don't see any rust, remember to check underneath and poke the floor for soft spots. Good luck.

 

So some lady put a monster energy sticker on it?

 

Sure thing I'll check it out. And who knows. It's got 270,000 miles on it so I'm sure it's had different owners?

 

Just got an email about another jeep. He's asking $1300 and is already lifted and has a winch. And has 190,xxx miles. Here's some pics.




This one leaks power stearing fluid and could use u joints up front I guess. Here's the Craigslist add. Talking to the guy now about trading my banshee roller.

http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/cto/3594865468.html

 

I personally would not get this one. 1. It's lifted, not always done the right way. 2. You'd get small stock tires which looks horrible and will cost $$ for the right tires. 3. That's a lot of rust, imagine how underneath looks. 4. It's leaking power steering fluid, from where though??

It comes down to what you want to get. Maybe the lift and winch are selling points to you. Also depends on how much work you want to do on it. Finally, how much do you like/use your banshee roller?