i have been looking all over to try and find a good year of the xj for me and i have desided to come here. what i'm looking for is someone to tell me what is a good year of the xj to become a beast of a machine. it has to be between the years 1984 - 2001 for lift reasons. also i'm not that rich so i dont think i can afford anything over 1996. if you can help i thank you and if you can't thanks for your time: confused:

Originally posted by theforsakenone
what is a good year of the xj to become a beast of a machine. it has to be between the years 1984 - 2001 for lift reasons.

I can think of another reason an XJ has to be between those years.

Here's the place to ask (http://www.jeepsunlimited.com)

JU is the *WRONG* gd place to ask...... more damned misinformation and "will this chrome make me go faster" nonsense.

http://www.naxja.org is a better place to go.

Some high points.

1984-1987 (may be 1988) got a 4cyl and GM's 2.8l V6. Probably a good thing to stay away from.

The V6 was replaced by the 4.0l I6, and in the early 90's got the HO 4.0l.

Both CommandTrac and SelecTrac style transfer cases were offered on all years, although the specific model have been updated.

XJs got driver's side airbags in 95, along with a much needed vacuum booster and master cylinder upgrade.

You may find some early XJs with D44 rear ends. Somewhat rare, but very desirable. Most got either a D35C or Chrysler 8.25 rear end (both C-clip types), ABS gets the D35C. A Ford 8.8 out of an Exploder is supposed to be an easy swap.

The 97+ models have a redesigned tailcone on the transfer case that pretty requires an SYE for anything over a budget boost.

This has been hashed over pretty well in the past, learning how to do a search here will serve you well, Grasshopper.

ChiXJeff

Another Great Source of Info (http://www.naxja.org)

I would say 93 and the reasons are:
You can lift without a SYE(depending on how high but look to get a SYE anyhow) Newer ones needed a SYE with BB
You get the HO engine
You get an open cooling system
Depending how you want to go and how much you want to spend on mods.
The D44 package is a hard find easier to just find a 44 in the junkyard and replace your 8.25

This is all my opinion I have a 93 and am very happy.

see thats what i thinking about. a 93 would be good for me. thanks guys :)

i got an 84 you can have for cheap.

84 XJ - $400 in RI, spend the rest of the money to build it :flipoff2:
http://forum.neow.net/viewtopic.php?t=4028

I'll sell you mine: 89 With a brand new 91 crate motor. RE 5.5" lift with spacers, 35" tires. Brand new lift, TJ flares etc. :D

$4000

Originally posted by Jason R
I'll sell you mine: 89 With a brand new 91 crate motor. RE 5.5" lift with spacers, 35" tires. Brand new lift, TJ flares etc. :D

$4000

Jason, did you know that Iowa has the highest SAT scores in the nation? We're not the bumpkins you think we are!

ahem"With a brand new 91 crate motor"ahem

Originally posted by SeanP


Jason, did you know that Iowa has the highest SAT scores in the nation? We're not the bumpkins you think we are!

ahem"With a brand new 91 crate motor"ahem

Ahem let me rephrase it for Mr. P here. A brand new crate that is High Output (which came in '91 and up models). I assure you it is brand new. :flipoff2:

i'm sorry but your xj is i little bit much for me. i was looking to spend around $2000 on a stock xj... and besides that you live in califoria. it would be a long drive out there. hey but thanks anyways.

The search button is your friend... :flipoff2:

Topic address pretty well here:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60188

Originally posted by ChiXJeff
JU is the *WRONG* gd place to ask...... more damned misinformation and "will this chrome make me go faster" nonsense.

http://www.naxja.org is a better place to go.

Some high points.

1984-1987 (may be 1988) got a 4cyl and GM's 2.8l V6. Probably a good thing to stay away from.

The V6 was replaced by the 4.0l I6, and in the early 90's got the HO 4.0l.


the 4.0L debuted in the 1987 model year. 87-88 4.0s had a bulkhead connector (C101) which connected the engine harness with the ECU and is known for being tempermental and causing problems. 89-90 saw the elimination of this connector.

HO/non-ho (renix)... who fawkin' cares as long as it's a 4.0L (i like the renix better. more low end grunt)

84-86 is fine with the 4-banger, but the v6 is trash (went through 5 of them before I got smart and got one with a 4.0L)

Ok, you said you want to build a "beast of a machine". I really need to know what your definition is of a beast.

But here are a few thoughts:

If you are going to rip everything out and do a V-8 implant then any year is good.

If you are going to stick with 4.0 liter power, the HOs are desirable but anything 87 and newer is a good bet.

If you are going to remove a large portion of sheetmetal find a wreck with light damage. I picked up a wrecked 89 Limited with a fresh rebuild for $500. All that was damaged was the header panel, corner lights, and driver's side fender. Since it is a trail rig (and I was cutting most of it out anyway) I just beat the fender straight and replaced the header panel with a boneyard find. Total cost for a drivable "premod" XJ: $550.

Originally posted by SeanP


Jason, did you know that Iowa has the highest SAT scores in the nation?

He has sum dificultie speling. That mite xplane a few tings...

Deciding:

D E C I D I N G

Deciding.



;)

If you are on a $2000.00 budget I don't think you are going to find a 1991(4.0 H-O) or newer in that price range.Unless it's hammered or real high mileage.

This really has been hashed too many times. So here's my quick .02
1) Who cares about any of the drivetrain or suspension. It will eventually all get swapped out in favor of whatever fits your own personal tastes.
2) So that narrows it down pretty quick to what body style you want, 2 door or 4 door. Everyting else is a moot point. Out of all the things I specified I wanted when I bought mine, the only thing I regret is not getting the 2 door. Now I gotta move the gas tank to slide the rear axle back about 10". Damn 44's just don't fit on a 4 door. :flipoff2:
Travis