Tug Thinking XJ for a change!

[Tug-n-pull]

Well I have been the CJ and the YJ Route Do not see myself going TJ as of yet but need to learn the do and the donts of the XJ I think. Tug in a long wheel base just dont seem natural but what the heck still may go that route.

Never up to this point gave it an real thought but seems you can pick one up really cheap here if you look around. Need some advice on what XJ's I want and what XJ's I do not want.

4.0 seems to be a given 5 speed for sure but what years are better than the others and is there any that is cheaper to modifie than others. I am looking to do it up right if I am going to do it.

Would like to run at least 31's and 33's if possible. Killer hard core bumpers and what ever else be needed to make it right. Any info for a virgin XJer let me know Thanks in advance for any help. tug

 

[graewulf]

Wow, tug.. that's a switch.. I'd avoid any of the newer XJ's only because of all the newer emissions on them, harder to repair, though the fuel injection is real nice. otherwise I haven't seen anything on them that is too tough to work with.. I've had experience with a 99 XJ (installing a 2" lift possibly this afternoon if it shows) and a 92 XJ.. both are good.. the 2 door is a little shorter, but its a pain in the a$$ to get to the back seat if you need to. just watch out for that rear main seal... i've seen them leak like a sieve on the XJs when they get around 200k on them. My friend is getting his 92 back soon and we're planning on a 4" lift or such, it'l be a play toy

 

[avyoung]

91 or newer has the high output 4.0L. They are unibody not frame so watch out for saggy doors that could meen real trouble. I have been thinking of getting rid of my blazer in favor of an XJ for a while. They do amazing off road and ride real nice too. I still don't think I would trade it for my SWB Jeep though. It is a little harder to find a 5-speed, people are getting lazy about shifting.

I have an Idea get Moma Tug and XJ and you can get a YJ. Wouldn't you love to be a 2 Jeep Family?

 

[dingus]

...i thought the HO 4.0's didn't come out till the '92 line...

 

[L33TJ33P]

couldn't trade the Square for a round but now taking a XJ WOW Tug you are a guy of many talents. EEK keep the SWB.

 

[Snitty]

...i thought the HO 4.0's didn't come out till the '92 line...

nope... 91

 

[MudderChuck]

The 87-90 have the Renix computer, that requires an expensive machine to read. But most of the parts are cheaper and the sensor setup a bit easier to understand and home repair. The computer and sensors are pretty old and simple technology. The pre 91´s are prone to overheating.
The 91-95 have the OBD-I computer that is nice, because you can very easily retrieve the trouble codes yourself and many of the problems with the earlier models of XJ were corrected.
The 96-00 and newer. Seemed to have some changes that didn´t do much for dependability, or the home mechanic and some changes, even seemed, to be less dependable, than the pre 96 models. The recall list seemed to grow after 95. They have the OBD II computer that again takes a machine to read. Have heard some quality control and material issues. The frame is supposed to be stronger.
Personally I prefer the XJ, the longer wheel base, makes it more stable, for high speed dirt roading and often in the mud. Though you do loose a little manuverabilty, the comfort factor makes up for it.
Most of my driving is high speed dirt roading, snow, ice and an occasional mud pit. Very tall tires, don´t interest me much. 30 X 9.50 (29.5 inches new) or (235X75R15-29 inches) can be fitted with no lift. 31's usually need a 3-31/2 inch lift, the extra 1/2 inch of axle clearance, isn´t worth the effort for me. I just added a couple of skid pans and put my money into other things, like a limited slip rear axle, shocks etc. Anything over 31 inch tires, usually requires a gear change.
Personally, the AX transmission is pretty marginal and often doesn´t hold up well, the same as the YJ. The AW 4 auto is fairly bullet proof, the 242 transfer part time/full time is nice on icy roads. The AW 4 is a Toyota transmission, that seems to be well made and doesn´t often break.
The 4.0 has plenty of power, will push the XJ down the highway at triple digits. The engine compartment is kind of cramped and takes some getting used to. Under the dash work is for very small people with very small hands.
The XJ frame is uni-body, supension works well. The strength of the frame is a limiting factor, when installing HD bumpers and such. The frame in stock form holds up well, add ons are often stronger than the frame. Rock rails and skid pans, that add to the strength of the frame are often added. HD bumpers with frame brackets and body trimming are also common mod.s.

 

[jay79cj7]

thottle body ?

Go for it Tug! You never took the top off your CJ anyway.

 

[TwistedCU]

Hey Tug I think that's cool. Sounds like you like a good challenge! I bought mine mainly for a commuter, but if I was getting one to make a trail rig out of, I would look for anything 91 or after. The pre 94 issue of the clutch slave being inside the transmission isn't a big factor to me, and the vibration issues of the post 96's can be easily corrected from all I've read. There are so many XJ's for sale out there, I'm sure the right one is sitting somewhere just waiting to hit those Tennessee hills.

 

[Tug-n-pull]

Thanks for all the feed back! It is not set in stone but was thinking this morning and thought I never seem to keep a Jeep long enough for it to get old any way and I have learned a bunch about my previous jeeps so why not go for a new thing. Still a YJ man at heart and love the short wheel base but I will never know if a long wheel base is for me till I have driven one for awhile. Mudder Chuck rote along time ago that the LWB modles were the way to go in the mud as they seem to track straighter and ect... So what the heck we will just see what come along first at a great deal YJ or XJ but either way the one thing for sure it will be a Jeep. tug

 

[XJNick]

Hi,

I think you guys have covered things well. Here are my opinions on some things:

> The Bendix/Renix Fenix II model computer system in the early ('87-91?) XJs IS very proprietary and takes a very specialized scanner to read during operation. A big NOTE is that the Fenix II does NOT store any trouble codes. My personal experience with it has been that you don't really need codes on this system due to the simplicity of it's design. None the less, it is probably something to try and avoid.

> If your looking at '87 or '88 XJs with a 4.0L engine, immidiately ask what transmission it has. Most come with the infamously badly designed Peugeot BA-10/5 standard transmission. It was only used for some XJs during this two year span before it was quickly thrown out for the AX-15. Once again, with the exception of a rather $hitty transmission mount, I have a Peugeot BA/10 with 400,000 miles on that I think was only minorly rebuilt once.

> OBD-II. I disagree that OBD-II is in any way a bad thing. Yes, you may need a scanner for certain XJs that lack an onboard OBD-II reader, BUT you can always have autozone or others scan it for free and there are inexpensive scanners availiable. Also, OBD-II is good because it monitors many more apects of the vehicle to be able to alert you to problems/issues.

> If it was me looking for another XJ, I'd probably aim for anything between the '91-'94 model years. :mrgreen:

-Nick :!:

 

[Cherokee_MZ]

anything from '96 and before is good... in '97 they changed shit and it causes all sorts of vibrations with lifts, and it requires a t-case drop usually....im if u do raise your XJ, then definitely trim the wheel well, (XJ's have the smallest wheel wells of the jeeps)