New here, not an XJ owner yet but want to be...

[madmike283]

Hey guys and gals. I've lived here in CO for about 3.5 years now. I initially bought an '01 Pathfinder for a general snow/ski vehicle, not knowing that I would fall victim to the offroad bug here in CO. Needless to say, the unibody Pathfinder is NOT the tool for this activity if you want to get out and have some real fun. Although I must say it's held it's own at times. It's stock with some 31" BFG ATs and I've had it to Bill Moore Lake, Slaughterhouse, even over Red Cone and Radical Hill along with many other easier trails. We've had our fun in it, but it's time to start thinking about something a bit more capable.

I want to stick with the SUV style with room inside for skis, etc. and room for passengers so I am looking at XJs. I plan to put the Pathfinder up for sale and try to get into a decent XJ and mod it a bit to tackle some tougher trails. I'm not looking for a trailer rig, something mild with a moderate lift, some 33s, and some sliders to start with.

I'm dumb on Jeeps all around, so I thought I'd ask here about what to look for or avoid in the XJ world. Any years/models to avoid? I want something that's going to be reliable and will be driven on the street although not a DD(I have a logo'd company vehicle I drive to/from work). My Pathfinder isn't in super condition, has some hail damage from last year's wrath in Lakewood, so I hope to get around $6k for it. I see that XJ prices can vary widely on CL, but it seems that I could get into something reasonable and mod it a fair amount for the same money.

So, any words of advice from the wise collective here? Thanks for having me, and I hope to be an XJ owning member here in the near future. Take care.

Mike

 

[Frank Z]

Welcome!
I'm partial to the later models (97+) due in part to the fact that they are ODB2, metal rear hatch, and cup holders!!

Be carefull when looking at 00 & 01 rigs. They used a redesigned cylinder head (casting number 0331) that allow for faster warm-up but as a result are prone to cracking if they get too hot (repeated overheating that is). They also where equiped with the less desireable low pinion D30 front axle.

If at all possible avoid getting an XJ with a D35 rear axle, it's a turd waiting to break.

 

[mcantar18c]

Welcome to :thumbup:
I prefer 93-96 (IIRC)... I like the old body style better, no washer bottle to worry about when you cut your fenders like with the late models, much cheaper than a late model, and its not Renix (early-XJ engine management system).

PS... you know XJs are unibody vehicles too, right?

 

[madmike283]

Thanks for the input so far. I've got tons of reading to do on these things.

I see that going with 33s could necessitate some significant trimming of the wheel wells and even re-gearing. If that's the case I would maybe rather just stick with 31s to minimize some cost related to drivetrain upgrades. The XJ will already have much more clearance than my Pathfinder, larger tires aren't really something I'm dead set on.

EDIT: What do you guys think of this rig? How is the build? I don't have any idea about prices on these things, so is that price in line with what you could find elsewhere for something that's been built up a bit?

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1987161215.html

 

[in4aride]

for 5500 you can find a better built rig. or are you looking for super clean?

 

[mcantar18c]

for 5500 you can find a better built rig. or are you looking for super clean?

I dunno Mike, that one's got the super rare 4.0 inline V6




He's right, that ain't worth the price. The red XJ in my pic was my first XJ, I paid $2200 for it and it came on new 31's on alloy wheels, with IIRC around 130k miles... and I think I paid a little much for it.

 

[jeepfreak1020]

Thats a nice lookin rig though!

 

[XJNOOB93]

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/1987388899.html

 

[navyblue123]

agreed nice rig but u can find better i have a 97 new motor with 35,000 miles 4.56 gears 4.5 inch lift 33s and ARB rear locker and picked it up for 3800 i would keep looking.

 

[navyblue123]

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1921138174.html not to bad looking i would call and ask him some more info on it though.

 

[navyblue123]

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1986498760.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1967825887.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1939346115.html the 3rd one is my favorite.

 

[mcantar18c]

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1973402281.html
3 link, 4.56s, front 44 w/molly shafts, locked 29spl 8.25 in back... pretty cool rig.

 

[madmike283]

Thanks a ton for the info/links guys. I'm in somewhat of a unique situation as I don't want something too built up that may not be reliable or where I may get myself in trouble broken on the trail. I understand that's the nature of the beast sometimes, but I'm not fully equipped (both tool-wise and knowledge-wise) to get myself out of serious breakage trouble on the trail like you guys are.

So, I'd be looking for something not super clean, but not a beat up trail runner only. Most of those you guys linked me too are pretty sweet and seem to fit the bill pretty well. I'll have to take a few pics of my Pathfinder this afternoon and post up an ad to see what the interest looks like.

for 5500 you can find a better built rig. or are you looking for super clean?

 

[madmike283]

I dunno Mike, that one's got the super rare 4.0 inline V6

Yeah, I noticed that too! Maybe I should jump on it just due to it's sheer rarity? :dunce:

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

Thanks a ton for the info/links guys. I'm in somewhat of a unique situation as I don't want something too built up that may not be reliable or where I may get myself in trouble broken on the trail. I understand that's the nature of the beast sometimes, but I'm not fully equipped (both tool-wise and knowledge-wise) to get myself out of serious breakage trouble on the trail like you guys are.

So, I'd be looking for something not super clean, but not a beat up trail runner only. Most of those you guys linked me too are pretty sweet and seem to fit the bill pretty well. I'll have to take a few pics of my Pathfinder this afternoon and post up an ad to see what the interest looks like.

No worries on the experience or tools, as most of us have some experience and tools. So, if you join us on some trail runs you can gain experience and have some tools handy. You also have a wealth of information and help here if needed. :wave:

 

[madmike283]

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1939346115.html

navyblue123 linked to this one above. It looks nice, but is it a bit much $ for what it is? I emailed the seller today and he says that rear axle is the Chrysler 8.25 and it's got stock diffs and gears front and rear. How happy would the stock gears and 35s be? I wonder if it's a bit sluggish merging onto the hwy, etc. Maybe it's not so bad offroad in 4Lo? Seems like a nice ride from the pics, but maybe too $$$?

 

[XJNOOB93]

I have the same axles and gears... and 35's... its a pain to merge on the freeway.

 

[loren mcclellan]

in trying to sell your pathy... check out RONIN WHEELERS... somebody on there would probably want it and they're a good bunch of guys there too, but they'll probably try to talk ya out of selling it and beefing it up instead.LOL

 

[Apostle]

I know of a white 4dr, 97. has a 3.5" lift and minor customizations. think owner is looking at 4k for it.

 

[madmike283]

I'd be interested in hearing more about it. Any contact info or pics?