Is it possible? Yes I have my red 86 xj bought in San Diego in late 85. 2nd 2.8 first egine made it 230k with minor issues, second has 110k no issues (well sm oil leak from vlv cover). Still stock but needs paint, no rust! My secret to keeping it on the road, oil change at 6mos and little items like new tie rods, seals or something at each oil change ( just changed fron and read diff fluid at last service). Next pull and rebuild auto tranny, A904 3spd this tranny is orig and no issues for 36yrs! I changed fluid at 60k services. So I know the early 84 to 86 units are not well recieved, but they can last a long time with care. To be honest, I never hard wheeled it but it has been a daily driver its entire life. Anyone else have one of these? I posted pics awhile back somewhere in the gallery.

 

My V6 was an 85 Pioneer.

 

We had an '86 Pioneer with the 2.8 v6 brand new and it was my first vehicle at 17. It had factory 4.10s which was hard on the 3sp transmission, 3300rpms at 65 iirc. I went through 3-4 transmissions before buying a new XJ in 1996. Wish I knew where it was, I'd buy it back in a second.

 

that 2.8 isn't the terrible engine people make it out to be. we bought my youngest son an s10 with a five speed and the 2.8 in it that had a knock for really cheap. we threw a 2.8 from an s10 blazer in it and he hot rodded the heck out of it till we bought him a grand Cherokee. that s10 is still running the highways of san Antonio, last i heard.

they are just not high power motors. they are great for a daily if you want gas mileage though, behind a five speed

 

 

Nice unit! I do like the looks of the pre-96 years. The 2 doors look the best in the older XJs. Just keep changing the oil on the 2.8 (every 6mos or so regardless of miles) and it will last. I think the best thing to do with the 84-86 Jeeps is to keep them stock, many upgrades required to bring them up to par with the 4.0 units. Best to keep the early ones as 'Sunday going to meeting' use and mod a 4.0 car if ya want a crawler/mudder or overland Jeep.

 

Mine was a 2.8L. Changed it to a 4.3L after the smog police was hot to have me crush it because I couldn't get the special CA carburetor parts.