Moving to the western slope!

[fsmtnbiker]

+1 on all the Jeep knowledge. The 4.0 is as bulletproof as they come.

[87-325ic]

Big jeep guy here.

Your best bet is to find a 1996 with selec-trac. Selec-trac is full time 4WD so you can drive like a moron in winter and be just fine. The rest are command-trac, which technically is stronger but it is part-time. I have command-trac and it can be annoying when going up I-70 in 2wd but I have never got stuck and doubt I ever will. You can just throw it in 4wd below 45mph (can be driven in 4wd at any speed) and you will be fine. You just can't drive on dry pavement in part-time.

Most of the older ones have the dana 35 axles which are a little weak, but they won't break under normal driving. Just heavy rock crawling. I have the later model with the chrysler 8.25 which is much stronger. If you find a Dana 44 you hit the jackpot and can pull houses from their foundation if you want.

The 96 was the start of the high output engine with more power. The 2000 changed the intake manifold and you get another 10-15hp or so.

They are very well built. Parts are dirt cheap, you will laugh and some of the prices. Everything, and I mean everything, is easy to replace unless it is all rusted. The 4.0's require almost no regular maintenance besides spark plugs and oil. We still offroad my friends 96 with way over 200k miles.

Get the auto, it is a toyota box that is proven to be very good.

I honestly would go for a close to stock one over the modded ones that are everywhere. There are a lot of cheap lift kits people put on that really just suck. I can answer a ton of questions about them. Just post the link to the one you are looking at.

/rant

Sweet!!! thanks for this. in looking, i have found tons of cherokees. so i think im going with that. plus, it means more room inside, no worries of beating on it( cuase its cheaper), and more ground clearance, meaniing i can go more places.

acan i trust a jeep to make it? or should i just buy one out there?

[blefevre]

The selection out here is greater and there are a lot of knowledgeable owners too. Just find the right one and get it wherever it's at.

[A Sucked Orange]

Big Jeep guy here as well.

Been riding/driving in XJ's for 23 years now.

Huge fan. Great bang for the buck. 4L is bulletproof. Snow performance is phenomenal. Offroad performance as well. Parts are easy to find.

[87-325ic]

what years XJ do i want to look for/ avoid..?

i hear late99- 2001 had bad heads. so it seems ideal is 98-earlier 99 for the HO motor..?

do i want to search out a 5 speed, i would prefer that, how are the auto trans?

Also, whats a decent price range? should i jump on something around 1500-2000? or should i spend a little more and get a nicer one, around 3-4500?

[blefevre]

96+ has the HO engine. 2000+ has intake change for a bit more HP. I have never heard of any cylinder head problems and am pretty sure they are all the same.

The auto transmission + 4.0 is the entire reason you buy a Jeep.