Lookin for XJ

[NoCoastFocus]

Hello all. I am looking for a used xj to mildly build for a weekend wheeler. I have done my fair amount of research regarding axles, lifts, tires size, ect. I just want to know all of your opinions on the 'good' years, if there are better years than others. What exactly should I look for? Right now I am looking to pick up something used between 2-4k. Thanks for any helpfull info given.
-Shannon

 

[RockyCodeHead]

Hello all. I am looking for a used xj to mildly build for a weekend wheeler. I have done my fair amount of research regarding axles, lifts, tires size, ect. I just want to know all of your opinions on the 'good' years, if there are better years than others. What exactly should I look for? Right now I am looking to pick up something used between 2-4k. Thanks for any helpfull info given.
-Shannon

From what I've read and my personal experience, you'd be best off starting with a '95 or newer with the High Output engine. I believe they also had the 'open' type cooling systems instead of the trouble plagued 'closed' systems in use on the '87 - '90 XJs (like mine...). Most everything else is identical except the creature comforts inside the cab.

That's my $.02

 

[NoCoastFocus]

Thanks! Any more info/opinions would be greatly appreciated...

 

[Kittrell]

'95-'96 got driver's side airbags, and the newer seats ('97-'01 seats will bolt right in). Other then that, the interiors are identical from '91-'96. '97 was the first year for the newer body style. Completely renovated interior, will dual air bags. New front valence and fenders, and a redesigned steel hatch (prior years are fiberglass). Horse power is the same from '91 - '99, got 3 more horse in '00 ('00-'01 also have alot more emissions crap, as well as a distributorless igniton which is very expensive to replace). All XJs have a high pinion dana 30 in the front, except '00-'01 which is LP. These are just some basic's to help you along.

Personally, I find '99 to be the best year for the XJ. It's the newer body style, so you get all of the creature comforts of a '97+, steel hatch, and the newer front fascia. It is also the last year for a high pinion front axle and a distributed ignition. And if you are patient and just keep your eyes open, you can find one in your price range. I paid 5k for my '99, 2 door, 4.0, Auto, power everything, with 100k on the ticker. And that was from a dealer. You can see it next to my old '94 here. I've had a '91 Sport, a '94 Country, and a '99 Sport. And I wouldn't give this one up for nothin'.

 

[NoCoastFocus]

It would have taken me a week to find all that info from searching naxja. I really appreciate it....thanks!

 

[jragan]

I have also been told the 97-01 has a stronger Uni-body.

 

[Frank Z]

97 & up also have a 29 spline 8.25 vs. the 27 spline found in 96 and older XJ's. The switch was made sometime during 96.

If it's got ABS, then it's got a Dana35.

 

[riverfever]

DJ....that thing has really come a LOOOOOOONG way since then. Good work man.


FrankZ likes to actually take the cover off the diff. and count splines to ascertain whether it's 27 or 29 spline axle shafts. I prefer to eyeball it from about 23 feet away in the driveway. Mine appears to be a 28 spline hybrid. :laugh3:

 

[Kittrell]

DJ....that thing has really come a LOOOOOOONG way since then. Good work man.

Thanks, I like it. Just finished my 'two month' steering upgrade a few days ago.............:laugh2:

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Wow DJ, looks great! Who did your fab work?

Next thing you need to have done is heat that upper TRE on the right knuckle and put a bend in it to get that nasty angle out of it - the draglink would then be at nearly the same angle as the track bar.

I see you were able to get the sway bar links figured out. Turning ok?

 

[Kittrell]

Wow DJ, looks great! Who did your fab work?

A local gimp.............

The angles are actually about dead on. I used WJ TREs and a JKS Drag Link (thread 24mm for the WJ ends, so that was convienent), to clear the sway bar bracket horizontally. So no clearance issues there, it's tight, but clears. It actually turns well. I know alot of people seem to lose turning radius with the knuckle. But as far as I can tell, I haven't lost any. Already made a few U-turns and did just fine. I know there is a older knuckle, and a newer slightly redesigned one. So maybe they figured it out, who knows. Just glad to be driving it again.

 

[tonesxj]

Looks good DJ..... Those angles are damn near perfect.

 

[NoCoastFocus]

Well, thanks for all the info. I bought an XJ. $3900 for a '98 with 119,000 miles. It needs a few things, but I think I got a great deal! Thanks for the help. I wanna try and make a meet and greet so I can meet some of you and hopefully sooner than later it will be locked and lifted...

 

[Frank Z]

party1: Sounds like a great platform to build on.



Now where are the damn pics...sucka!:laugh3: