2000 XJ's - Pro's and Con's

[TX90XJ]

I'm looking at buying a 2000 XJ Classic 4x4 with approximately 75000 miles on it. I'd love some feedback as to what I should look at closely in it. I built up a 90 XJ and drive a built TJ but want a DD and would love another XJ.

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[casm]

I'm looking at buying a 2000 XJ Classic 4x4 with approximately 75000 miles on it. I'd love some feedback as to what I should look at closely in it. I built up a 90 XJ and drive a built TJ but want a DD and would love another XJ.

If you're already familiar with the '90, there aren't many huge differences. A few of the more notable ones:

- Distributorless ignition. Love it.

- A little more grunt than earlier models.

- Low-pinion Dana 30. Kinda sucks that it's not the high-pinion, but works fine for me at around 3.5" of lift.

- Interior fit is a little better, IMHO. Dashboard's a lot easier to take apart than on pre-'97 models.

- Stiffer bodyshell than pre-'97.

- The child lock on the driver's power window switch panel tends to get dirty and flake out at times, resulting in power windows that are reluctant to go up and down on their own switches. They'll still work from the driver's control panel, though.

- Heat soak on the #3 injector can cause stumbling on warm starts, but it's a cheap and easy fix.

Before anyone starts screaming about it having the 0331 head, my 2000 has 117,000 miles on an 0331 with no problems whatsoever. While there's been a higher incidence of 0331 head failure compared to other models, there's strong evidence (namely the thousands of 0331-equipped XJs still running around with non-blown heads) to suggest that this is relegated to a batch or two of heads, not all 0331s across the board by any means.

Other than that, it's an XJ... And it sounds like you already know what else to watch out for.

 

[kloker]

I'd run a Carfax report to make sure it hasn't been seriously damaged in a wreck. Then I'd look for a minimum amount of rust. The less rust you have to deal with when doing any work underneath, the better off you'll be. The serious rust under my New Hampshire '97 is causing me a lot of grief, with the brakes, suspension, exhaust, etc. Doesn't necessarily cost more, but takes a lot more work to do repairs and mods. It's teaching me a lesson. Oh, well, I always seem to have to learn things the hard way. I snagged this one quickly because it was a 2-door 4.0L 5-speed 4x4, a rare combination, but if I could back up a few months I'd have kept looking a little longer. Luckily, the body was undercoated new and there's no rust there, and the engine is in great shape, so it'll work out and still be a good XJ when I'm done.