Less than $500 for a good 3" lift. At that point, some need a slip yoke eliminator or shims, some don't. Knowing my Jeep, I will.
Count on doing tires at the same time as your lift.
So, are XJs the GRM SUV automatic recommendation? Seems like as many have XJs as have Miatas.
I have an '01 XJ that I picked up last year and 20k miles later, I've only had to change the oil.
What goes wrong with them (or mine at least) is stupid little crap. None of the window switches work except the drivers master switch. It has this rumble at idle that I can't diagnose (and refuse to buy coil-packs to see if that works...), valve cover gasket seeps, and seeping differential pinion seals.
Other than that, it's wonderful for what it is. Interior sucks, but the drivetrain is bullet proof.
SYE is cheap, nice to have, and not a bad install. Over the counter double carden shafts are pricey, but junkyard options abound.
Derick Freese wrote: So, are XJs the GRM SUV automatic recommendation? Seems like as many have XJs as have Miatas.
I'm thinking the XJ might be the SUV equivalent of the Miata. Cheap, plentiful, capable, last forever. I don't do much off roading, so I'm looking for a 2WD; should be rallycross capable that way, too.
I'm still shopping, but need to sell the Benz first.
Tom Heath wrote:Derick Freese wrote: So, are XJs the GRM SUV automatic recommendation? Seems like as many have XJs as have Miatas.I'm thinking the XJ might be the SUV equivalent of the Miata. Cheap, plentiful, capable, last forever. I don't do much off roading, so I'm looking for a 2WD; should be rallycross capable that way, too. I'm still shopping, but need to sell the Benz first.
Can we just go ahead and make that official? 
It seems like the other trucks available in that price range can't even compare. $2k can get you a decent Cherokee, or an utterly rusted out 4runner, a beat up Pathfinder, a crusty full-size Bronco, etc etc etc.
It even LOOKS better than the others. (Though honestly, i REALLY dig the Pathfinder and the huge tires you can put on one even at stock height.)
Early next year we will be looking for another beach/camping vehicle.
I've been thinking about another Outback or an awd/4x4 van of some sort. I had an ex-lady friend with a 2.5 Cherokee. I hated driving it.
m4ff3w wrote: Early next year we will be looking for another beach/camping vehicle. I've been thinking about another Outback or an awd/4x4 van of some sort. I had an ex-lady friend with a 2.5 Cherokee. I hated driving it.
Yeah, i'm only looking at the 4.0 HO Cherokees.
What do you guise think about this:
http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/2005832534.html
I'm thinking it would be a good winter beater. I don't care if the windows don't go down. If it runs, has heat, and a radio, it's good enough. Looks to have been owned by an older guy.
Bababooey wrote: What do you guise think about this: http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/2005832534.html I'm thinking it would be a good winter beater. I don't care if the windows don't go down. If it runs, has heat, and a radio, it's good enough. Looks to have been owned by an older guy.
Uhhhhh "My wife said she wanted to get at least $2500 for this (It's her Deceased Father-In-Law's truck and he took great care of it)"
Doesn't that make it HIS father's truck?
Anyway, that seems a bit high priced. If it has any rocker panel rust it is going to get bad fast. The only way to fix it is to cut it out. They make replacement rocker panels now though so it doesn't have to be a deal breaker.
FWIW I stole my '99 XJ Classic off eBay a few years ago for $2,800. It had '94k miles and only needed wheel bearings and steering tie rod ball joints.
Derick Freese wrote: I've got to say, if my Jeep is running well, I'm not going to take it to the junk yard. I just think that motor is too good. I'd make an awesome dune buggy.
Floorboards were badly rusted due to the midwest winters and did not want to sell to another person. I should have held onto it for couple more years when I finally got a welder and could have repaired it myself.
I did get a couple hundred bucks for it and was able to keep the wheels and battery though.
and btw forgot to mention.....Every XJ ever owned by myself, friends, or family drips oil like a British sports car. Park over cardboard, lol.
And also.....get 5MT!
I will also add that parts are cheap and easy to find if they can't be bought new. There are also dedicated websites to the Cherokee.
I've used these guys a few times. They have a lot of oddball NOS parts that you may not be able to find. They had the hood latches and release cable I needed. I couldn't find them anywhere else.
another cherokee forum that I used to hang out at. Some good info there.
www.naxja.org/forum
www.cherokeeforum.com isn't too bad, either.
irish44j wrote: and btw forgot to mention.....Every XJ ever owned by myself, friends, or family drips oil like a British sports car. Park over cardboard, lol. And also.....get 5MT!
You need to address the rear main seal which tends to go in the 90-100k mile range and the front and rear diffs. Both very simple jobs. Change out the fluids, seal 'em up good and the problem is solved. Mine hasn't dripped a drop since doing that.
irish44j wrote: and btw forgot to mention.....Every XJ ever owned by myself, friends, or family drips oil like a British sports car. Park over cardboard, lol. And also.....get 5MT!
Depending on the year the PCV system either sucks, turns to dust, or both. Keep on top of the hard lines and hoses and you should be fine.
And also.....get 5MT!
I've already sold 3 auto cherokees thinking "ehh.. ill just buy a manual"..
But honestly, after spending more time in 5spd cherokees.. i changed my mind. The 5spd is less fun to drive than the auto. I wish i had realized that 2 cherokees ago.
I'll add my experience. The last company I worked for gave us Jeep Cherokees as company cars. I had a 2001 Cherokee, the last year for it. Picked it up from the showroom with 3 miles on the odometer. It was a 2WD Limited with auto trans. Yes...evidentally they did make 2WD versions. This was a company car, so it was treated like any other company car/rental car that someone doesn't own. 
I put 80,000+ miles on it in about 2 1/2 years and it never left me stranded. I wasn't a fan of Jeep prior to getting this thing, but I grew into a fan quickly. The 4.0L is a torque monster and I just liked driving it. Even with 2WD, I was amazed how well it got through snow. One winter, they let me get snow tires for it, and it was awesome. Only downside I noted was....
It was a gas hog. But I didn't pay for gas, so I had a heavy right foot.
It went through brakes very quickly. But I didn't pay for brakes, so I had a heavy right foot.
They replaced my Cherokee with a 4WD Jeep Liberty and within a month, I was wishing for my Cherokee again. Liberty was much more refined, but it was dog slow and nowhere near as fun as the Cherokee.
I thinknice wrangler is mire like a Miata than the Cherokee... Cherokees always seem nicer and more refined, more like a, I dunno, some nicer and more refined than a Miata. The wrangler is a little more compromised, just like a Miata. It's fatty around town, no good on the highway, and does the dun stuff very well, just like a Miata. Plus, everyone waves, just like a Miata.
Joey
Oh, the other problem I forgot to mention is that the windshield seals are notoriously crappy. I replaced mine within a week of buying it, and that was pretty upsetting. I had to tear our the interior to let it dry and fix the rust on the floor (only surface, but that's only temporary if not addressed). So, if you're looking at one, see if you can peel up the carpet and check out the floors on the inside. It's good bargaining ammo.
Vigo wrote:And also.....get 5MT!I've already sold 3 auto cherokees thinking "ehh.. ill just buy a manual".. But honestly, after spending more time in 5spd cherokees.. i changed my mind. The 5spd is less fun to drive than the auto. I wish i had realized that 2 cherokees ago.
That's because for some mysterious reason, Jeep endowed the 5spd with 3.07 gears vs. the auto's 3.55. Go figure. Typically, the auto versions of any car get the higher (numerically lower) gears cause they have the torque multiplication of the torque converter. Jeep did it backwards. Any auto XJ will leave my 5sp XJ for dead at a stop light. 4.10s on the way though...
Alright, so, let's up the budget.
$5-$7k.
What is the best year Cherokee to get within that price range? 4x4, automatic.
Two things to concentrate on: Reliability, and nicest interior to spend a lot of time in.
I've heard that the 1999s are the sweet spot. Any truth in that?
The reason for the budget jump is that i decided that it would probably be a good idea to just finance one and make damn sure that i'll get one that won't need any attention for as long as possible other than routine maintainence. The $2k Cherokees would undoubtably need something in the somewhat near future, and this needs to be a 100% rock solid reliable problem free DD with little to no down time at all times possible.
i'd agree with the late 97s (29-spline rear axle, though i didnt have any issue with my stroker on a locked 27 spline), 98s and 99s being the sweet spot. just get the least rusty one you can find and enjoy.
http://www.southernjeeps.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=35246&highlight=
DILYSI Dave wrote: http://www.southernjeeps.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=35246&highlight=
WANT!
But i'm looking to get one from a dealer for a 90 day warranty and financing and such.
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