Advice needed

Possumb84

Possumb84

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2013
Location
Greensboro
I'm looking to trade my truck for a XJ, possibly sell, starting to lean more towards selling it now I see what they're going for. I want to be able to dd it and do some wheeling also. Question is should I try and trade for something already built or get something stock and start from scratch? If I trade straight up I won't have much if any budget to go into it. If I sell the truck for what I think I can get for it I should have a couple grand after buying something to put back into it. I can do most of the work to it myself and have, or have access to pretty much anything I need to build it. Also if you had 2 grand to put in a stock XJ what are the first things you'd do? And how far do think 2 grand would get me? What year model XJ would you stay away from. I've done quite a bit of research on all this but wanted some of ya'lls personal opinions.
Thanks
 
Thanks for the input @drkelly. I've owned a 97, 96, 89, and a 84 XJ in the past. All were stock and never wheeled. The 97 is the only one I ever had any real issues from, trans went out at around 150,000. Is that a common problem in the 97 and ups?
 
It's cheaper to buy built, especially if you don't do a lot of the work yourself. but, you never know what you're getting when you buy someone else's project. I prefer to buy unmolested and make it my own...
 
Yeah I can do most of the work myself, and the not knowing what your getting part of buying something already built kinda scares me. What's the common things to go out on one that's been wheeled pretty hard?
 
Sorry for all the newbie questions. I don't really have any experience in the off road world but I'm pretty good with a wrench. I worked as an automotive mechanic for a couple years and now run a Carrier Transicold shop, repairing and installing reefer trailers and trucks. So I "think" I should be able to do most of the work myself if that's the route I go.
 
Best advice I can give is don't sell a truck that's a DD to get a jeep to build to wheel that will also be a DD. Otherwise if your new to wheeling find one built "lightly" small lift and tires then build it as your ability grows

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@Loganwayne I have a Honda accord to dd so that part is not a big issue. But the built "lightly” is definitely looking like the best route for me. Thanks for the advice! Still looking on some input on what year models are better than others etc.
 
As for the wheeling I'll be doing. To start it'll be a few trips here and there to URE, nothing crazy and don't plan on beating the piss out of it, for now anyway. The reason I want be able to dd it is I take fishing trips to Ashe county quit often (2.5 hrs one way) and I want to take it.
 
@Bhudgins Did a quick search on here and the head does seem to be a common issue on the 00-01 model

@drkelly Yeah looks like they fazed the high pinions out in 00. The low pinion should be fine for now with 31's though right? Swapping to a high pinion later on not to big if a deal?
 
Look over everything like you would any vehicle. On an XJ especially, look for cracks around the steering box, control arm mounts, rear spring mounts. Make sure the door gaps are straight a uniform (the unibody could be tweaked if wheeled much). Then there's the things you can't see, condition of drivetrain, fluids, axle internals...

Make sure you get one with an 8.25 rear axle, not a D35. I'd look for a 99 or back for HP30 front.
 
Possumb84 said:
So if it does have the d35 swapping it out later down the road shouldn't be a big deal right?
Click to expand...
Correct. My wife wheeled a mildly built 96 xj with a d30/8.25 for years on 33-10.5 km1s.
Damn thing crawled like a goat and would follow me in a rig on 42" tires and tons.
'Dre is a HUGE fan of xj's.
 
Steering box is common like mentioned. 00' and early 01' had crappy heads.

I have a 00 that I swapped a 97 motor into. It does have a LP front, but I'm locked f/r on 31s so it don't really work hard and only wheel URE. Been considering getting rid of it.

I love the newer interior on the 97+ but I had two 94s in the past and they seemed to have a little more room up front? Not sure.

Must have mod is rock sliders for me, I've had them on everything very early on to prevent banging the rockers and doors up. Having them allows you to try some lines you wouldn't normally do cause you can use the sliders if you don't quite have the clearance. Bumpers are great to get ASAP too for recovery. Sucks to need a pull and not have anywhere to hook to.

Get a good front bumper, the mounts will come back far enough to brace up the steering box mounts which is a must do when adding larger tires and wheeling. It prevents the cracking mentioned before. Which can leave you stranded.




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For reference, this is how mine sits with 4" lifts, trimmed fenders and 31's.
It does all I need it to do and also is reliable and road worthy to serve as a 3rd vehicle for us. I have driven it 150+ miles for work several times and it does great with cruise control and all.
So don't think you have to have 35s and a huge lift to have a capable jeep. I had a much bigger jeep, been happier with the multi-use I get with this setup.
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I do want a truck very bad. But you probably wouldn't like my jeep. It was gently laid on the passenger side a few weeks ago. Got a few dents now.
The wife is very against me getting rid of it. I'm sure I'd regret it in a few short months anyhow.


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My old '94. 4" springs with assortment of mix match used arms, trackbar, rear springs on 31s. it worked very well. better than my wrangler before lockers.
 
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