Finally got an XJ!

[noChrome71]

Well after stalking the forums for almost a year, I finally found the perfect Cherokee:

98' 4 door 4x4 sport, 4.0L, 5 speed, almost power everything, and super clean condition!

http://photos-h-0.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs139.snc1/5930_1110386960691_1257360240_30359463_8086947_n.j pg

So now come the mods (as money allows): First plan is a safari roof rack as I already have the steel and aux lights! Then enough lift for 31X10.5 AT's to stuff good, steel bumpers (already have the steel for that too), 4.10 gears and a Truetrac for the front, Liberty rear discs.

Yes, flame me for the 5 speed trans:laugh:, but I HATE auto's, and of the 9 car's I've owned only one of them has been an auto, I won't make that mistake again! haha

So hopefully I can make this a clean looking build, still capable of meeting a girl without scaring her father, but nasty on the trail. Thanks for all of the help you guys/gals have given me, I'm sure I'll be asking even more now!

[camarors8992]

I've been looking for months for a clean 5 speed 97+ 4 door cherokee. Nice Jeep!

[FlexdXJ]

5 speeds suck on the trail though IMO. That said i have never driven a stick due to Muscular dystrophy. Pumping the clutch while trying to crawl does not sound fun at all though.

[Ralph]

To each his own as far as the tranny is concerned. Good find and welcome to the asylum.

[FlexdXJ]

welcome to the asylum.

You hit the nail on the head there. Welcome to NAXJA noChrome!

[ehall]

I'd be bragging about that find too

[noChrome71]

Thanks! I've had a silverado and k5 blazer, both sticks. I find it stinks when your in mud, but if your trail riding I find it easier to just 4-lo it and let the torque do the work :)

I'm taking off work Friday and driving 9 hours to get this thing! hah, I'm a looney I know!:confused1

[RoyalXJ]

have fun with that 5 speed on the trail. very clean though

[tbburg]

Oh! Dude! Yer screwed! Look at that front flare. The white crap will NEVER come off. It's ruined! Tell you what,...
I'll come take it off your hands.


:D


Nice find! For trail use, get a hand throttle(or fab one from a 10-spd shifter) and mount it on the shifter. Makes life much easier.

[IslanderOffRoad]

Don't worry about the anti 5-speed crowd. I sought out a stick too.

Yes its one more thing to think about on the trail but I enjoy it.

[CherBear]

Sticks are fun DD, but on the trail, i love my auto.
Why dont you like autos? the AW4 is a very capable trans...

[cjsxj87]

Nice find. 5spd FTW! Just gear it low and theres no problems.

[MoparManiac]

I would kill for that XJ...

[dudeinanxj]

I'm tired of my auto and been causally looking for a 5spd. Whenever things pick up to wheel again, I plan on a 5spd as a DD and an auto for the trails. That way it's the best of both worlds.

Very nice find. All the 97+ 5spd XJs I find are 2wd or 96 and older.

[Jays siik xj]

Good now get out there and break it!!!:gee:

[muduck18]

Just last night I helped MuddyGP install an AX-15 into his new 2000. The 5speed in the newer style is rare...

[noChrome71]

Thanks guys! That's why I'm making a two day vacation to go get it, it was crazy difficult to find, and a new generation one too.

I would for sure get an auto if it was a trail rig, but given time and money reasons, it will have to stay my mall crawler/weekend warrior for the mean time, and sticks are more fun on the street!

Luckily I saw a boulder in Michigan.... once .... and that was the extent to my rock/hill climbing:D so I should be OK offroad.

The only problem with too low of gears is that I have to drive 30 minutes on the way to work, going at least 75mph, so bad gas mileage is not an option. And with almost no hills were I live, it won't be an issue if I go the 3.73 or 3.55 route.