Thinking of buying an XJ, any suggestions?

[TwistedCopper]

I want to get a second Jeep (XJ) for a commuter. I'm probably not going to get into modifying it too much, because I'm going to keep my YJ for trail riding, etc.
Any suggestions as to what year to look for? I want a 4.0L, and probably an auto if I can get it in a 4sp, I would get a 5sp manual over a 3sp auto.

TC

[Bounty__Hunter]

The autos are mostly all 4speeds with an overdrive, so you're in luck. If you ever think you'll lift it, stick with a pre-'97 due to fewer driveline vibe issues. Stick with '94+ for the external clutch slave, a lot less problematic if you decide to get the stick. So I'd recommend '94 to '96.

[mingez]

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

I want to get a second Jeep (XJ) for a commuter. I'm probably not going to get into modifying it too much, because I'm going to keep my YJ for trail riding, etc.
Any suggestions as to what year to look for? I want a 4.0L, and probably an auto if I can get it in a 4sp, I would get a 5sp manual over a 3sp auto.

TC

Holy moly TC, welcome to the dark side!
XJ's are great. I bet you'll end up modifying it more than you expect.

[graewulf]

if you're looking for the commuter... get the ZJ, not the XJ... you'll thank yourself.. the ride is 5x smoother on the highway and the price is not that much higher. you can still lift it some and there is quite a bit of accessories available.... just my .02 worth

[bchcky]

Originally Posted by graewulf

if you're looking for the commuter... get the ZJ, not the XJ... you'll thank yourself.. the ride is 5x smoother on the highway and the price is not that much higher. you can still lift it some and there is quite a bit of accessories available.... just my .02 worth

/

i'd have to say i agree with graewulf on this. i have a zj, and i commute to work every day about an hour each way. the ride is about as smooth as an suv in that class can be, and i have the leather seats, and they're quite comfortable. i bought mine used (a 96) a little over a month ago and have had no problems with it minus the o2 sensor i'm going to replace this weekend. i got it for just over 5k. so the price was right, and i jumped on it. at least look around for a while, see if you can find a good deal on a zj because i assume you've been using your wrangler for commuting now up until this point, so another couple weeks in that will be nothing new to you.

[jay79cj7]

I love my XJ (2000 auto, bone stock). I have not had a single problem with it in 72,000 miles. The only things I have had to do are brakes, fluids, plugs, filters, etc.

If you are used to a YJ, the comfort of a ZJ might send you into shock.

[bchcky]

Originally Posted by jay79cj7

If you are used to a YJ, the comfort of a ZJ might send you into shock.

haha, but if you're commute is long enough that you dont want to use your yj everyday, then its a good kind of shock.

[bchcky]

ps - if you get the 6cylinder zj, your gas wouldnt be that much different than a 4.0 xj.

[bchcky]

well i just noticed in the general forum that you already bought an xj, so congratulations and i wont bore you with zj selling points anymore. my last $.02 before you bought the xj were going to be to buy a honda. i know i know i'm on the jeepz forum, but the way it sounded was like you were going to just use it to commute, and keep your yj as a project. i had a 95 accord (bone stock, no ricer) before my jeep, and the gas economy was phenomenal. never a problem with it, only complaint i ever had about my honda was that i couldnt find a lift or grille guard to mount a winch for it :wink:

[TwistedCopper]

I thought about the ZJ, but I know a mechanic@ a Jeep dealer (same guy who bought my YJ) and he said for the savings, reliability, and cheaper repair costs to go with the XJ. The main reason though is I like the boxy look and I always wanted one. I know the ride is softer in the ZJ, but I tell ya the XJ feels like a Lincoln Town Car compared to what I'm used to! I'll say one thing, that 4.0 sure has some stones!!!

[bchcky]

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

I'll say one thing, that 4.0 sure has some stones!!!

heh....so does my 5.2 :wink: