Which year xj?

[azshtr]

I am considering getting an xj for a build. What years are the best to consider? What are the differences in the years? I don't know the suspesion changes, engine, axles etc from year to year and model to model.

I want to do something along the lines of 4" lift, lockers and gears, 32 or 33 tires, disconects, skids, yada yada... Haven't decided yet. I want a vehicle that could be a DD but very capable offroad.

[tyota]

the newer the better, make sure you get atleast a 8.25 axle instead of a d35 in the back

[Jeepindude]

no suspension changes...but the 97+ XJs have a stiffer unibody and a metal hatch...nice features when youre gettin twisted on the rocks. I agree w/Nick...8.25 all the way(at least over the D35)

[XJ Un-Limited]

I kinda like the 90-96 model years myself. You can generally put a nice lift, at least 4" and sometimes up to 6" on without the extra expense of a SYE. A TC drop and axle angle is all you need. Each XJ is different when it comes to that though. The wheel wells are bigger, meaning you can run larger tires (if your not afraid of some trimming). I think it was in 96 they put OBD II in them, so if that's a concern, somthing to think about. I just don't care for the softer lines of the 97's and newer. A real score would be finding an early model XJ with a factory D44, hard to come by there though.

The way I see it though, XJ's are almost a dime a dozen these days, so finding a cheap one and doing what you want isn't really a bad start no matter what year you get.

[Triple-XJ]

DONT GET A 4 pooper or V-6, and DONT get a manual trans. The early ones SUCK ARSE!

Start at 87 and up, b/c thats when the 4.0 was brought into play :)

87 to mid. 90ish are CHEEP! They have lots of miles and most still run. GREAT CHEAP BUILDERS. Kinda depends on your budget. ;)

87-90 had the 4.0L "Power Tech" - 177 hp @ 4750 rpm, 220 ft lb @ 4000 rpm

91-95 up-ed it to the "High Output" - 190 hp @ 4750 rpm, 220 ft lb @ 4,000 rpm

96-01 ran around 225 ft lb torque @ 3000 rpm.

Not sure on the date but around 99 or 00, they raised the bar a little more but also added more SMOG STUFF. :( . Swap the larger intake from the newers onto the olders and make a few more pony's..

For the BODY, in 94 side-impact beams were added in the doors and roof was strengthened.

In 96 the body structure was strengthened some.

In 97 the body (and interior) was redesigned. The liftgate was also changed from fiberglass to sheet metal in this year. The windshield washer bottle was also moved to the inside of the drivers side front fender. ALSO, they have the 29 spline 8.25 , colder A/C. Add ABS and you get the larger 297 front U-Joints.

The AW-4 trans and 231 or 242 T/Case were used in 87-01. GREAT COMBO.


OH, 92 and up had the GOOD "Closed Cooling System".


Goot luck ;) :D

[AZXJ]

92-96 are the best years for the XJ on the Cheap... Stay away from Low pinion D30's up front on the Newer XJ's and stay away from the D35...

[tyota]

ya and stay away from happy dave scissor hands, always wanting to cut something up:D:D:D:D:D:D








j/k

[Triple-XJ]

Ya, what he said, and the oldies are getting cheeper by the mile.

And if your lookin for something a little newer go 97-99. I think it was in 00 when the XJ went Low Pinion.

Oh and on the 297 front Dana-30 U-Joints, ALL ABS had a D-30 w/ 297 up front and a D-35 out back.
Every ABS XJ I have seen had a factory D-35 rear.

95ish and up "non ABS" jeeps also came with a D-30 and 297 front joints and either a 8.25 or a D-35 rear. Its hit and miss on the rear.





If it was me and I wanted a newer lower milage XJ,
I would have to go with a Black 97-99 Non-ABS with a 8.25 (29 spline) rear.

And Simply Offroad's XJ Steel Door Protection :D

http://members.cox.net/triple-xj/SO%20Door%20Guards/100_1760.jpg


Or a Green 92-96 XJ with upgraded front shafs and 8.25..

http://i1.tinypic.com/npqvm9.jpg

[baldwinwb11]

I prefer the 97s, more than anything for the 29 spline 8.25, but they're still pretty cheap, I picked mine up with about 100k miles, no scratches, and upcountry suspension for only 3700 bucks.

[cw50must]

I prefer the '98 and in white. ;)

[GLEN REAMS]

if you figure out what your looking for in years and what not i have a 94 xj for sale with the high output and it has a 2inch lift bfg blah blah and i have it up for sale im looking for a tj im asking 4g obo dont know if thats out of the price range you are looking for but just an fyi

[tyota]

Ya, what he said, and the oldies are getting cheeper by the mile.

And if your lookin for something a little newer go 97-99. I think it was in 00 when the XJ went Low Pinion.

Oh and on the 297 front Dana-30 U-Joints, ALL ABS had a D-30 w/ 297 up front and a D-35 out back.
Every ABS XJ I have seen had a factory D-35 rear.

95ish and up "non ABS" jeeps also came with a D-30 and 297 front joints and either a 8.25 or a D-35 rear. Its hit and miss on the rear.





If it was me and I wanted a newer lower milage XJ,
I would have to go with a Black 97-99 Non-ABS with a 8.25 (29 spline) rear.

And Simply Offroad's XJ Steel Door Protection :D

http://members.cox.net/triple-xj/SO%20Door%20Guards/100_1760.jpg


Or a Green 92-96 XJ with upgraded front shafs and 8.25..

http://i1.tinypic.com/npqvm9.jpg


or you could do alittle something like this, $500.00 bucks stockaroo and tear the living hell out of hit:D
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j29/sikazxj/SizedSunp0002.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j29/sikazxj/pic2.jpg

[FrenchChili]

or you could get a sami with flower seat covers:D

[azshtr]

Great info. Thanks.

[Triple-XJ]

or you could get a sami with flower seat covers:D

LMAO :D

[AZXJ]

ya and stay away from happy dave scissor hands, always wanting to cut something up:D:D:D:D:D:D



I resemble that remark... :D :D :D :D