Again.....what is a "REAL XJ"?

[Goatman]

Well, a few of the happenings we've had around here recently made me think of "REAL XJ's" again. XJ buggies, big tires on stock gears, etc. I posted this REAL XJ thing awhile back and it generated some good discussion, so let's have at it again. :D

"REAL XJ'S"

I've been thinking about what we might call the essence of the XJ, or what it takes to build what I'm going to call a "REAL XJ". So, let’s talk about what the Jeep Cherokee is really about. The XJ is a true sport utility vehicle and is able to do many things well. I think everyone has seen by now that the XJ is a very capable trail vehicle. It’s one of the most capable off road vehicles in stock form, and when properly modified can run all the hardest trails, except a few of the most extreme buggy trails and that’s because of all the sheet metal. Besides being a great trail vehicle, we can drive our XJs to the trail comfortably, with the stereo blasting and the heater or A/C on, and all or most of our gear stored inside. Also, when we’re on a dusty trail we can roll up the windows and turn on the A/C. No handkerchiefs around our faces and none of us wear snowmobile suits while driving to the trail in the winter. I think the XJ is both a good street vehicle AND a good trail vehicle and a REAL XJ is built to be good at both. So I think there are a few things that have to be considered when building a REAL XJ.

Now, I have friends who will disagree with me on some of this, and you know who you are, but I’m not talking about a good or bad rig here, or an ultimate trail rig, I’m talking about what makes a REAL XJ. First, a REAL XJ has doors and a roof. You can’t keep the dust out and the heat in if you don’t have doors and a roof, so if this is what you want, fine, but you don’t have a REAL XJ. I’ve seen some nicely done rigs that have removed part of the roof and rear of the vehicle, and then finished it off to look like a crew cab pick up. I think these are REAL XJs because what they did is a very utilitarian modification. A REAL XJ also has an A/C compressor that is still used to cool air, not pump it. A REAL XJ has tires that are not too big for its axles. Since we’re going to drive it home after we run those tough trails, we need to be reliable, so if you have 35" tires on a D35 you don’t have a REAL XJ.

Now, I want to clarify something here. A bone stock Cherokee is a REAL XJ. So it doesn’t matter how much your rig is modified, just how it’s modified, if you want it to be a REAL XJ. Another quality of a REAL XJ is good driving characteristics on the street, even if it’s seriously modified. The steering geometry needs to be correct for the amount of lift, and the components need to be strong enough to endure the type of wheeling you do and still get you home safely. If you have 8 inches of lift and 35" tires and you still have the stock steering, your rig is probably not a REAL XJ. Modifications that make it work better on the trail have to be done in a way that keeps it safe and still lets it work well on the street. A REAL XJ is not a trailer queen, it can be driven to any trail. I don’t mean that you can’t trailer your XJ to an event or trail, but if you have to trailer it, it may be a good trail rig, but it’s not a REAL XJ. A REAL XJ can have short arms or long arms, 30’s or 35’s, a D35 or a D60, but it won’t have 35" tires with stock gears or a track bar made in the shape of a Z.

I’ll tell you about some REAL XJs. A REAL XJ is one that’s nearly stock, is driven halfway across the country, and then runs trails all over Moab. It’s one that’s open in front with a limited slip in the rear, 32" tires and climbs out of Mickey’s Hot Tub. Another REAL XJ runs Axle Alley and Sledgehammer with 32" tires, no body damage, and doesn’t break. A seriously modified REAL XJ is driven to Johnson Valley, runs a bunch of Hammer Trails with no breakdowns, then is driven back home and to work on Monday morning, and does this often. And here’s a REAL XJ for you, it has dual ARB’s and 31’s, is driven 2000 miles to Moab pulling a tent trailer, climbs Dump Bump and other great Moab obstacles, then hauls the family and trailer back home. That’s also a REAL XJ driver.

[Eagle]

You just said it all. We're supposed to add to this? :cool: :confused: :cool:

Well, I will add one thought: a REAL XJ has an American Motors-designed I-4 or I-6 engine -- not a Chevy 350 (or any other) V-8, with the possible exception of the AMC V-8s that most of you youngsters don't even know about.

[XJguy]

Hmmm :) ;)

XJguy

[Goatman]

Originally posted by Eagle
You just said it all. We're supposed to add to this? :cool: :confused: :cool:

Well, I will add one thought: a REAL XJ has an American Motors-designed I-4 or I-6 engine -- not a Chevy 350 (or any other) V-8, with the possible exception of the AMC V-8s that most of you youngsters don't even know about.

Well now, Eagle, I have to disagree. To me, the concept of a REAL XJ is keeping it's utilitarian function, or "doing everything well" purpose. It makes no difference what motor is in there. In fact, if a V8 swap increases the drivability and doesn't hurt trail performance, or even adds towing capacity, that's a perfect REAL XJ modification......as long as the rest of the drivetrain and suspension can handle it. :)

Member RXJC ;) :D :D

[GSequoia]

After finally meeting most of you crazy guys I understand that one even more. Good repost Richard!

Sequoia - Keepin' it real in the 3-1-0 G

[Hunter-Lynchburg,Va]

Originally posted by Goatman
Well now, Eagle, I have to disagree. To me, the concept of a REAL XJ is keeping it's utilitarian function, or "doing everything well" purpose. It makes no difference what motor is in there. In fact, if a V8 swap increases the drivability and doesn't hurt trail performance, or even adds towing capacity, that's a perfect REAL XJ modification......as long as the rest of the drivetrain and suspension can handle it. :)

Member RXJC ;) :D :D

so an XJ is less XJ if it has a utilitarian function like making the ac comp. blow air for tires, but a swapped in v8 fits the mold? you guys and your CA loop holes amaze me :D

Hunter

[XJguy]

I think an additional compressor added for OBA is fine but losing a function of the XJ (AC) in order to make another is not in the scriptures. A V8 swap causes the XJ to lose nothing of its creature comforts and conveniences if done right, in fact its a win win situation, more power, smoothness and if your talking an LS1 or better yet LS4, even more efficiency and lighter weight than stock!

Never saw an XJ with no AC BTW, was it standard in all models?

XJguy

[GSequoia]

I've seen some in Bone Yards without AC, can't tell you what years they were though (they very well could have been pre '87)

[azxjman]

For the most part I say well said and I often think of something like this when I see pics of beezils rig or any other xj that is all chopped up and tubed out. I may not fit all of your catagories but IMO I drive a real xj. But to all the others who do drive a tubed out version of what used to be an xj, you drive one bad ass trail vehicle but dont you miss what it used to be.

[Hunter-Lynchburg,Va]

Originally posted by XJguy
I think an additional compressor added for OBA is fine but losing a function of the XJ (AC) in order to make another is not in the scriptures. A V8 swap causes the XJ to lose nothing of its creature comforts and conveniences if done right, in fact its a win win situation, more power, smoothness and if your talking an LS1 or better yet LS4, even more efficiency and lighter weight than stock!

Never saw an XJ with no AC BTW, was it standard in all models?

XJguy

XJ's did come from the factory w/o AC thats a fact. i just dont see how removing AC makes it less of an XJ. how about if your XJ didnt come with AC and you add a compressor for OBA does that make it more of an XJ? what if someone removed the factory air dam under the bumper along with the rubber splash guard, does that make it more or less of an xj? they did serve a function and Jeep didnt put them on there for nothing ya know. how about if the air dam had fog lights in it, and they didnt replace them? how about the ever popular remove the carpet for durabak, does that make it less of an XJ or more. how about removing sway bars front or rear, thats trading function for function? how about taking off a steering stabalizer?

Hunter

[JnJ]

How bout if ya never wheel it and it is 8" high and 4x4. Does that make it an XJ? Elitist huh?
I say run what ya brung and wheel it!

[MudDawg]

I think it's a matter of perspective and how you use yours...from the stockers to the most extreme trail rigs to the (shudder) Bling-Bling posers. Every owner has their own idea of perfection.

I know one guy who bought a XJ because there is plenty of room for mega amps and speakers...another one has every chrome accessory you can imagine, needless to say it has never even been off the pavement and the car wax folks send him Christmas cards..I chuckle at that but it's his gig not mine.

Mine is a middle of the road one...Daily driver with the ability to go to the most remote fishing ponds and lakes which is it's intended function...I know my drive train wouldn't survive a lot of the mountain trails. but we dont have mountains in florida.

The most fun thing for me is when i get a wild hair and head to the local mudhole...wait for one of those zillion foot tall zillion foot long quad cab monster motor BIG DOLLAR beasts to git stuck.... and CIRCLE EM with my lil ole 4 banger XJ...:D

[92xjsp]

Good post, and I agree with the concept. It’s basically why I swapped my YJ for an XJ 7 years ago and ain’t ever going back. Now, I do think there can be more than one perfect form for a REAL XJ – you’ve got to suit it to its environment. But, that said, for my version of the perfect form I’d like to add one thing –

MINIMAL LIFT. Compared to other vehicles you see out on serious trails, the XJ is small and can squeeze in places that monster trucks can’t go. That means you have some trails to yourself. Around here, I can take my XJ on some ATV trails. I don’t even like roof racks cuz they limit your ability to sneak under fallen trees that block some trails for taller vehicles. My ideal is a 2 inch lift and fender trimming to fit 31s or 32s. Besides adding size, lift does all sorts of bad things to its performance characteristics, especially on the road, but also on the trail with COG issues. I have to drive a half hour through the city anytime I go anywhere, so if I can corner with the sports cars and weave on the interstate to get out of town fast, I have that much more time on the trail. Also, related to this, you don’t want to make any compromises on turning radius. The XJ is an aggressively sharp turning sumbitch – why give up a couple feet turning radius to run 1-inch bigger tires?

[h.curtis]

Originally posted by Eagle
You just said it all. We're supposed to add to this? :cool: :confused: :cool:

Well, I will add one thought: a REAL XJ has an American Motors-designed I-4 or I-6 engine -- not a Chevy 350 (or any other) V-8, with the possible exception of the AMC V-8s that most of you youngsters don't even know about.

I partly agree with you eagle. If you have an I-6 in an XJ you would be making a downgrade by putting in a V-8. The I-6 is a very good light motor that if you really wanted to do mods can make over 400 hp. That is more than enough for a vehicle that only wieghs a little over 3000 lbs. Even totally stock I-6's have tons of torque. A V-8 will not last as long as the I-6 either.

Someone mentioned towing power. I towed over 6000 lbs with my stock I-6 for 1200 miles through VA, WV and PA (pretty hilly states).

Adding a V-8 would just add unnessasary weight IMHO. It is a downgrade from a V-8. If you want a pile of horsepower add a blower to the I-6.

Curt

[OILBURNER]

Goatman by your own definition a real XJ never breaks down.

"REAL XJ runs Axle Alley and Sledgehammer with 32" tires, no body damage, and doesn’t break."

"REAL XJ is driven to Johnson Valley, runs a bunch of Hammer Trails with no breakdowns"


If this is the case, I don't believe there are any 'real' XJ's ;)
If you never break anything, you are only trail-riding, not wheelin'

[TiRod]

The concept is sound - XJ's do it all, comfortably. Doing it with a lot of mods - somewhere a line needs to be drawn just so we can agree on what a XJ is, not that good mods are wrong.

A V-8 transplant is a good example - it's not stock. IIRC the AMC 304 is lighter by 25-30 pounds, just like the Ford 300 - 302 swap in F-trucks. That's alone is not bad, and it doesn't keep it from being a Jeep anymore, but it isn't a REAL XJ.

Would it still be an RX-7 if you tossed the Wankel and shoveled in a 350 Chev? No, it's now a hybrid hot rod. Doesn't make it bad, just not a Real RX-7.

[DARKFLY]

why would any one want to get rid of there I-6 or there I-4? they are more capable of producing more torque than a v-8/v-6 would. after having a 4 banger in the 4runner and a 6 banger in the xj i would not have it any other way ( well mybe a supra I-6 in the 4runner?).:D

[Jes]

Originally posted by OILBURNER
If you never break anything, you are only trail-riding, not wheelin'

I guess I've never been wheelin'.

Jes

[Weasel]

Originally posted by Goatman
so if you have 35" tires on a D35 you don’t have a REAL XJ.



That just depends on what D35 you have. The C clip then yeah I'll agree with you.

If you have the 84-90 D35 and 35's and can wheel everything without breaking you have a REAL XJ and a REAL DRIVER.

edit: I agree with everything else. I'm keeping my roof, A/C and carpet. But I am going to remove some of that annoying sheetmetal in the rear and add some tubes to make everything else stay nice looking.

[Eagle]

Originally posted by XJguy
A V8 swap causes the XJ to lose nothing of its creature comforts and conveniences if done right, in fact its a win win situation, more power, smoothness and if your talking an LS1 or better yet LS4, even more efficiency and lighter weight than stock!

But if it's a SBC or a Ford V-8 then it's not an XJ because the engine doesn't come from the same family.

Then it becomes a Cherolazer or a Chronco.

I understand where Richard is coming from, but he's ignoring the family tree aspect. I feel the same way about Chevy V-8s in CJs. They're nice "vehicles" (if done well), but they are not "Jeeps."

It's a question of how far you want to take it and still call it by a name like "Jeep" or "Cherokee." I think we went through this part of the discussion the last time, as well. If you read the 4WD and truck magazines, so of those vehicles have almost nothing original except the VIN plate, but the magazine happily promotes a thing with a reproduction MB body on a Scout frame with a Chevy engine and Ford axles as a "Jeep."

It isn't. It is a home-built vehicle.

To me, and XJ is a Jeep made by AMC/Jeep, Chrysler/Jeep/Eagle, or DaimlerChrysler. There comes a point in modifying it (and I don't claim to know just where thgat point is, but I know some of you have crossed it) that the modifications take over and what's left isn't really a Jeep XJ any longer.

[C-ROK]

Originally posted by DARKFLY
why would any one want to get rid of there I-6 or there I-4? they are more capable of producing more torque than a v-8/v-6 would. after having a 4 banger in the 4runner and a 6 banger in the xj i would not have it any other way ( well mybe a supra I-6 in the 4runner?).:D

Oh my goodness :rolleyes:

So if the XJ came with a GM (As in GENERAL MOTORS!!!) 60 degree, 2.8L V6, then it was never a real XJ to begin with???
Or would it then be Ok to swap something else in.......

So long as it's not one of those low HP and low torque, wimpy V8s that just can't compare to the 2.5L I4 and 4.0L I6?

I'm pretty happy with the 300HP and 400ft*lbs of torque my TPI 350 brings with it. Didn't know I shouldn't be.

There is one word that defines all things associated with engine power - displacement.
How ever much torque you can get from a smaller engine, with the same parameters, you'll get more from a bigger one.

Why oh why did I enter into this thread:confused:

[OILBURNER]

Originally posted by Jes
I guess I've never been wheelin'.

Jes

Not neccessarily - you just haven't broken anything YET ;)

[Weasel]

Originally posted by C-ROK

I'm pretty happy with the 300HP and 400ft*lbs of torque my TPI 350 brings with it.

Where's all that come at though. 4-5000? All V-8 I have seen on the trail have to rev the piss out of it to get the power. I barely touch my gas petal and mine lugs me up and over. I suppose yu could set up a V-8 for low torque but I havn't seen one yet. Even more so with the LS1' ect. Where to you think they make all their power? Way up top on the way to 150mph+

[rockwerks]

I love it when you show up to a run 10 Trailer queens of various types and you the only XJ, and you drove up, They ask" so where's your trail rig?"

Your answer right here and start to air down the 33x9.5's and they giggle, snicker at the end of the day on lost world, you have bypassed nothing, many of them have had issues,

they have bet on you rolling over on certain obstacles, you walk right through

at the end of the day you air up turn on the air and head for home, all the TQ's still scratching their heads.

You gota love it don't cha!

God I hate trailer queens!

Hey one question? if my new MJ still has AC, and boomin stereo, Ive instaled a new column so I can have cruise, Still highly roadable, is it a TRUE XJ?

[Crunch]

While alot of the concepts mentioned are ones I agree with for my XJ, I don't think it necessarily constitutes a REAL XJ. I think what makes it real is what makes it REAL for the owners intended purpose. That also makes it the MULTI-purpose vehicle it is. One particular tubed rigs owner has gone the extra steps to put new fenders and grill on his XJ to keeps its XJness. For me it gives that XJ the soul it takes to be a REAL XJ. For most it might not be the IDEAL XL, but its REAL for its owners intended purpose.

Some might argue that the Cheromanche chop would not keep it REAL because in a REAL XJ you can put all your gear inside the vehicle keeping it dry and safe from elements. I like the look but don't think it actually makes it any more utilitarian.

I know another guy who wheeled his for many years with 35s and a D35 rear on many very tough trails in Colorado and Utah. He and his wife would go out to remote areas, sleep on its roof for days and see sights out there that few are lucky enough to witness and that makes their XJ REAL for me and makes them real lucky. Of course this is not nearly an ideal set up for 35" tires and he now runs one ton running gear, but it doesn't negate all he has done with it.

If someone is comfortable running without A/C because they would rather have that space used for a compressor to pump up it's tires, then that is their choice and doesn't make it any less a REAL XJ. In fact its still more REAL an XJ than someone who chopped the rear half in alot of peoples eyes.

It is about perspectives. I think these XJs that are chopped and tubed are sweet. I know that's where this topic stemmed and I hope it doesn't come to a point where the club says they don't have a REAL XJ and need to do so to hang around here. These members are a big part of this whole XJ thing and just because they have outgrown their rigs usefullness in stock form doesn't make them any less "XJers".

Done rambling. Just keep your minds open and witness what people can do with their stuff and don't be threatened by it.

Peace,
Crunch

[woody]

Hmmm;

The 89 can't be real then...it's got no back 1/4 glass, it's taller than I like em, it leaks oil like the Valdez, and stuff tends to fall off it to the peril of all in the vicinity. It is fun to watch from a safe distance though.

The 88 can't be real... it's got 205-70 car-tread tires and pimp tint on the sunroof. It does have factory skid plates and a working track-lock in the 35 though, LOL and a CD player that works. The driver's door is real though...it's been places on my MJ that most folks will never drive into (or out of)

The 90 can't be real...the heat doesn't work (today's project?) and it has no skid plates at all. Plus it isn't mine, it's Momma's and she'd beat my ass if she even thought I was gonna take it off road. (Nip it in the bud LOL)

The two MJs can't be real XJs (duh) and since they haven't moved an inch since 9-01 they aren't even real MJs anymore...they are yard art/junk/storage (depending who ya ask)

I'd suppose we should look more at real Jeepers as their vehicles often tend to reflect their level of Jeepiness. I'm proud to know MANY real Jeepers...and for the most part, we met on the trail. Real Jeepers are usually lots of fun to be around...they offer to teach and are willing to learn. They share parts, labor, food, beverages, advice and always put forth a "can-do" attitude. They help others get through tough spots & times, and would never leave a trail mate behind. The Jeeper makes the Jeep, not the other way around IMHO.

[Crunch]

Originally posted by Eagle
But if it's a SBC or a Ford V-8 then it's not an XJ because the engine doesn't come from the same family.

Then it becomes a Cherolazer or a Chronco.

I understand where Richard is coming from, but he's ignoring the family tree aspect. I feel the same way about Chevy V-8s in CJs. They're nice "vehicles" (if done well), but they are not "Jeeps."

It's a question of how far you want to take it and still call it by a name like "Jeep" or "Cherokee." I think we went through this part of the discussion the last time, as well. If you read the 4WD and truck magazines, so of those vehicles have almost nothing original except the VIN plate, but the magazine happily promotes a thing with a reproduction MB body on a Scout frame with a Chevy engine and Ford axles as a "Jeep."

It isn't. It is a home-built vehicle.

To me, and XJ is a Jeep made by AMC/Jeep, Chrysler/Jeep/Eagle, or DaimlerChrysler. There comes a point in modifying it (and I don't claim to know just where thgat point is, but I know some of you have crossed it) that the modifications take over and what's left isn't really a Jeep XJ any longer.

Once again, this is just your perspective. How can you stop at only part of the drivetrain. with your thinking on this, anyone person who swaps out the axles so they can run bigger tires is no longer driving a Jeep. Many people swap Bronco 9" and HP44 in their XJs. Xj now or not?

Remember the saying "Real Jeeps are built not bought"? If you are going to be that hard-nosed about a powerplant, then why not say that its no longer a Jeep because it runs a RE suspension, an Atlas t-case, too low a gear, too big a tire, too big an axle??? How much body mods are acceptable? You can chop the back off, but you can't put tubes in its place.

I just realized how stupid this thread really is and now I've contributed twice. Stupid Jeeper??

Whatever,
Crunch

[Tucker]

Well said, Woody! I couldn't agree more.

[XJEEPER]

Originally posted by Goatman
It’s one that’s open in front with a limited slip in the rear, 32" tires and climbs out of Mickey’s Hot Tub.

Hey, I drive a REAL XJ! :D

Nice can O' worms you cracked open here G.........hahaha

[Weasel]

This is why threads like this always suck. Everyone gets pissy about it. I don't know it's more or less just good fun too me. I'm not going to rag on you can your XJ isn't "real".

[Hunter-Lynchburg,Va]

woody hit the nail on the head. its the driver that makes it real. a real xj is wheeled. you can throw as many stickers, as much lift, the biggest tires, the newest coolest mods on a truck and not wheel it, basically what you have there is fancy wrapping around a pile of sh!t in the driver seat.

Hunter

[MrShoeBoy]

Originally posted by C-ROK
Oh my goodness :rolleyes:

Why oh why did I enter into this thread:confused:

C-ROK:

Could it be because you dont have a "Real XJ":D :D :D

I see you XJ as real as they come, it has pretty much all the body lines of a Cherokee, wheels with the best of them, and it DRIVES home! Awsome Jeep C-ROK:cheers:


I see my Jeep as a real XJ just because it takes me where I want it to go with in reason and I have FUN doing it!

AARON

[Beezil]

I guess I've never been wheelin'.

hey jes, if what oilslinger says is true, the fact that you merely "trailride" in JV and other people have to resort to "wheelin" and fully getting it, i guess you can take that as a compliment.

I disagree with oil'statement however....

if "breakin it" is the definition of "gettin it", then I guess I can fully "get it" on a candy-ass trail, All i gotta do is wheel like an idiot, bounce on the rev limiter at full lock, on my candy-ass stock shafts.....that would be fully retarded, but then in oilburners philosophy, people on the internet would think I was hardcore

[Beezil]

God I hate trailer queens!

this is probably due to the fact that the trail buggies you ride with are a bunch of holier-than-thou snobs.

I would hope you'd never catch that attitude amoung naxja people.

another thought, and a quote:

It is about perspectives. I think these XJs that are chopped and tubed are sweet. I know that's where this topic stemmed and I hope it doesn't come to a point where the club says they don't have a REAL XJ and need to do so to hang around here. These members are a big part of this whole XJ thing and just because they have outgrown their rigs usefullness in stock form doesn't make them any less "XJers".

I understand the purpose of goats opening remarks and the discussion. I think you read too much into it. I'm chopped and tubed, and I would argue that my jeep IS DEFINITLY NOT A REAL XJ, I have a lot of respect for folks keeping their rigs dual-purpose. Mine is not. There is little or no REAL comfort. It cannot be driven on the highway. It is not weatherproof. It has virtually no cargo room, it is totally single-purpose.

is that a real jeep?

NOPE, not in my definition.

[4ward]

Welcome back to JU all.

In the words of the infamous bald one "This thread sucks"

Sean

[Crunch]

Originally posted by Hunter-Lynchburg,Va
woody hit the nail on the head. its the driver that makes it real. a real xj is wheeled. you can throw as many stickers, as much lift, the biggest tires, the newest coolest mods on a truck and not wheel it, basically what you have there is fancy wrapping around a pile of sh!t in the driver seat.

Hunter

I fully agree with woody as well, but I don't remember him saying anyone was a p!le of shit.

I do however think it is funny that the first three letters in poser are P.O.S.

Damn, I did it again.:(

Crunch

[OT]

Would a convertable XJ12 Jaguar be any less Jag? From what I understand, if I cut the roof off my XJ and added a soft top, much like Rev Den did, then I guess I really wouldn't have a "real" XJ. Gimme a break! Will a factory original roof keep any more dust off of me than a soft top would? I guess it would still be an XJ until I removed the top, say on a nice day or night. Do you mean to tell me that if you were to roll your XJ over and crush the roof beyond logical repair, you'd sell your now x-XJ and buy another with a straight roof. If so, all due respect, I'd say you had more money than sense.

Terry

[KarmirXJ]

Originally posted by Goatman
Another REAL XJ runs Axle Alley and Sledgehammer with 32" tires, no body damage, and doesn’t break. A seriously modified REAL XJ is driven to Johnson Valley, runs a bunch of Hammer Trails with no breakdowns, then is driven back home and to work on Monday morning, and does this often.


Can I have some of what his smoking???:smoker:

[OILBURNER]

Originally posted by Beezil
I would argue that my jeep IS DEFINITLY NOT A REAL XJ, I have a lot of respect for folks keeping their rigs dual-purpose. Mine is not. There is little or no REAL comfort. It cannot be driven on the highway. It is not weatherproof. It has virtually no cargo room, it is totally single-purpose.

is that a real jeep?

NOPE, not in my definition.

Ahh.....careful here. Since when does Jeep = comfort?
I know quite a few CJ owners who would argue this point! :D
Jeep = UTILITY.

BUT..... your definition of Real XJ = dual-purpose would seem to work.

[Beezil]

I called my rig a "jeep" since its not an xj. it just isn't...

cj's are irrelavant.

is a stock xj comfortable? sure it is.....

I think people keep tripping over the word "real".

goatman said it isn't "good" or "bad"....

he probably would have used the word "original" but that's too cut and dry for a good debate....

I'm thinking "real" means: sensible, moderate, purposeful, utilitarian, genuine, honest, authentic, natural, whole, realistic, effective.

I think some of you guys are misunderstanding goatsman intent, and trying to spin it into some kind of critiscm or declaration

[Tucker]

I think there is a point where an XJ is morphed beyond recognition as a "real" XJ, and that the purpose of the thread was to try to define that point ... hmmm ... too many variables. There's a big grey area between a moderately modified grocery-getter and a trailer-queen rock crawler. I don't think we can list a bunch of parts and state that if you keep these originals then you still have a real XJ. Nor can we say that if you keep the body outline true then you have a real XJ. I think this is one of those questions that have no "real" answer :)




edited for spelling typos

[rockwerks]

I would hope you'd never catch that attitude amoung naxja people

Actually NAXJA is a very CLIKish group and can be very hard for new guys to be accepted.

My first time in MOAB I was talking to a group, mentioned something and they turned away, Not until I helped out MIL and his broken axle did anyone really come up to talk, except for the few from AZ that I had already met.

And the holier than thou lives and breaths at NAXJA as with all groups

[YELLAHEEP]

What's a "Real XJ"?

If you've seen the abuse those stock XJ's took on Proving Grounds - you've seen a "Real XJ"! ;)

But seriously, I'm kinda on the fence on this one.

In the spirit of NAXJA, every single Cherokee owned by those that are visitors and members here is a Real XJ - because we're all here focusing our attention and efforts on our beloved vehicles.

In the spirit of four wheeling, this is where it all gets convoluted. All of us here have chosen the XJ as the core of "what gets us there". The rest of the ideas and opinions regarding what's bolted or welded to the XJ really comes from where the owner wants to take his/her XJ. "Purpose built" is the phrase that's been used here fairly frequently.

So, in order to define a "Real XJ", I tend to lean toward the rigs that fit into the "completely stock to modified with stock components" description. To me, a "Real XJ" is one that still resembles and functions as it did when originally designed. Slight modifications like lifts that use the factory mounting points, suspension design (keeping the front coil and rear leaf systems) and the factory drivetrain fall into this category.

When an XJ owner cuts it all up, installs D60's, Chevy small blocks, Atlas II's, exo-cages and the like, are simply outgrowing what their XJ was intended to do and making it "Purpose built".

If an owner takes his 5" lifted, 32" clad, D30/D35 axle'd, single locker'd rig over the Hammers, especially with out breakage, then there's no doubt in my mind that this accomplishment is ALL DRIVER - and has very little to do with the XJ and how it's built.

My rig? I hate to admit it, but it's really not to be considered a "Real XJ". I don't rely on it for daily transportation, the body is all cut up, it's far from "utilitarian", and I've changed a few factory configurations here and there. The majority of the modifications are "Purpose built" and so I come from the opinion that I'm a "Real 'Wheeler" who has chosen the XJ as the core of "what gets me there".

Those that rely on their XJ's for daily transportation and adhere to their local laws regarding modifications, lift heights, tire sizes to keep them street legal, have "Real XJ's" in my opinion.

That's my .02
Troy

Oh, and I LOVE Trailer Queens! Those that hate them just won't admit that they are simply jealous of those of us with a tow rig and trailer! :moon: :D

[Hunter-Lynchburg,Va]

Originally posted by Crunch
I fully agree with woody as well, but I don't remember him saying anyone was a p!le of shit.

I do however think it is funny that the first three letters in poser are P.O.S.

Damn, I did it again.:(

Crunch

the pile of sh!t came from me and my spinoff of woody. if only we could come up with a catchy dergoatory phrase that could be turned into the acronym POSER.

Hunter

[Beezil]

Actually is a very CLIKish group and can be very hard for new guys to be accepted

if this is how you feel, this would be a good discussion on the members board.

Moab was HUGE! I have never seen a bigger group of jeepers that i KNOW in all my life.

it was very difficult to socialize. There were TONS of people i wanted to have a beer with that I barely even SAW, let alone get to talk to, or sit down at thier camp and throw back some bubbas. We've been doing this for some time now, and a large percentage of people are good friends with each other, and you know there will be a bunch of inside things that go along with that....

if you are a new guy, you can just sit there and wait for the group to approach YOU. This is not a clique. Cliques are exclusive. Cliques aren't interested in seeking new members. naxja's GROUP is the opposite. We are fun-loving, and friendly. *YOU* have to involve yourself in the group, the group is not going to find YOU. If I ever find you standing in our campfire circle, the first beer is on me.

wanna bring this to members?

[Paul S]

I tend to agree with Richard on this, & therein lies my conundrum:confused:
Paul

[Tucker]

If I ever find you standing in our campfire circle, the first beer is on me.

That sort of exemplifies my experiences with this group. I joined with a bit of trepidation, knowing that I'm in the minority, politically speaking, but NAXJA folks, on the whole, embrace their own diversity well. Here's to us! :cheers:

Elitist? Hell, yeah, we're elitist by definition -- we're Jeep drivers, and members of an owner's club. But from what I've seen, our predjudices don't extend beyond there and we take a bit of pride in that fact.

[XJguy]

When Jeep introduced the XJ I don't think there was even a recognized motorsports area known as rock crawling (if there was it was obscure). To say an XJ is real only if it can tackle the harshest trials is barking up the wrong tree and not keeping with the original design intent. Along the same lines, how then would you catagorize a bone stock 4cyl 2wd XJ or MJ......is it real?

A champion rock-crawler can be an XJ but a REAL XJ cannot be a champion rock crawler....is what I conclude.

Personally a real XJ to me is one that is and or can be used as a daily driver...and that means the whole family not just you in a polypropylene race car bucket. In all weather conditions, searing hot, freezing cold, torrentially raining, and wonderfully dry. A real XJ in my eyes is easily recognizable as such to even the casual observer. It keeps your crap clean and dry inside and is a Jeep that you feel just as comfortable taking to a remote campsite as you are cruising down 5th Ave on the way to a fine venue wearing your best. A real XJ is revered and not called or treated like junk, and certainly not looked at as some POS that you enjoy seeing how much sheetmetal you can rip off it on every outing.

Your opinions may vary

XJguy

[Eagle]

I think Troy summed up my feelings pretty well:

Originally posted by Yellaheep
Those that rely on their XJ's for daily transportation and adhere to their local laws regarding modifications, lift heights, tire sizes to keep them street legal, have "Real XJ's" in my opinion.

The part about adhering to local lift laws is an interesting point. After all, the XJ was introduced as a multi-purpose street-legal passenger vehicle. As soon as modifications make it illegal, that virtually defines it out of being a "Real" XJ.

[Goatman]

:D :D :D

This is good.....are we having fun?

How many of you remember the "Real Men" joke books from awhile back (maybe too far back...showing my age)? That's what this REAL XJ thing came from. This is a tongue in cheek way to talk about what it is to keep an XJ true to it's original purpose. This has nothing to do with how much or how little a rig is modified, but it has everything to do with how it is modified. It has nothing to do with how much lift or what size tires, but it has everything to do with the balance that is maintained in the buildup between capability, function, and reliability. Like I already said, it has nothing to do with a good or bad rig, or what each want their own rig to do for them, or how much fun anyone has with their own rig, but it has everything to do with the concept of continuing to do "everything well" no matter what degree of build up is undertaken.

What I'm doing is coining the term REAL XJ (tongue in cheek, remember) to represent an XJ that has stayed true to it's do everything well, multi-purpose function. That can mean a totally stock XJ, or a highly modified XJ that still can be driven to the trail with the A/C on and with the family inside. I'm not saying that a purpose built trail rig isn't real, or good, or doesn't work, just that it doesn't fall under the description of a "REAL XJ". I understand that everyone doesn't even want a REAL XJ. This has nothing to do with each person making their rig whatever they want it to be, this isn't talking about the owner or driver, this is talking specifically about the rig.

This also has nothing to do with breaking or not breaking. The examples I used are real rigs and really happened, and are there as examples that a rig can be built to both perform well and be reliable, which is what having a REAL XJ is all about.

BTW, C-Rok's rig is definitely a REAL XJ. The intent was to build a rig that will do it all, run hard trails, drive on the street, and carry the family.......bingo! A REAL XJ! :D

[C-ROK]

Yeah! I made it.

:party:

[CW]

I just read the whole thread and I still don't see the point of it. Why is this even in the Tech forum? I think that if it does what you want it to do then thats all that matters.
:anon:

[Rufies97XJ]

Whats the point of this thread?
according to Dictionary.com
"real" means:
re·al1
adj.

1
A. Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verifiable existence: real objects; a real illness.
B. True and actual; not imaginary, alleged, or ideal: real people, not ghosts; a film based on real life.
C. Of or founded on practical matters and concerns: a recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time.
2. Genuine and authentic; not artificial or spurious: real mink; real humility.
3. Being no less than what is stated; worthy of the name: a real friend.
4. Free of pretense, falsehood, or affectation: tourists hoping for a real experience on the guided tour.
5. Not to be taken lightly; serious: in real trouble.
6. Philosophy. Existing objectively in the world regardless of subjectivity or conventions of thought or language.
7. Relating to, being, or having value reckoned by actual purchasing power: real income; real growth.
8. Physics. Of, relating to, or being an image formed by light rays that converge in space.
9. Mathematics. Of, relating to, or being a real number.
10. Law. Of or relating to stationary or fixed property, such as buildings or land.

adv. Informal
Very: I'm real sorry about that.

n.
A thing or whole having actual existence. Often used with the: theories beyond the realm of the real.
Mathematics. A real number.


how technical do ya people wanna get.
this thread is just people going against what each other is saying defending themselves for no "real" reason.



thats just my opinion.. HAHA.. have fun with this!:angel: :anon:

[rockwerks]

If I ever find you standing in our campfire circle, the first beer is on me.

Thanks, the second is on me!

Im cool with things now, jsut thougt Id mention it.

Now as for the MJ's where do we stand?

and as for Trailer Queens it kinda takes some of the fun out of what we do!, To me if it aint safe or easy to drive on the highway, I mean hey if you cant drive it to the event its so modified, you can't get groceries with it, what use is it, you have kinda defeated the purpose of the XJ

[Çrestfa||en]

this is a real cherokee http://digilander.libero.it/xjconnection/cherokee_pioneer_turtle_1989us_image03.jpghttp://digilander.libero.it/xjconnection/cherokee_pioneer_turtle_1989us_image03.jpg This is dan starc's cherokee he is a friend of a friend. He drives it all over the country to rock crawling competitions.

more pictures (http://digilander.libero.it/xjconnection/gallery_xj03_custom.htm)

[Beezil]

dan is also REAL cool.

we had a great time being led on a new "double-secret" trail in moab!

[XJJPR]

What makes a REAL XJ?

The person behind the wheel!

REAL XJs are used by the owner for REAL things.
They are driven to work
They are driven on the trail
They are moded big time
They are stock
They are tubed inside
They are tubed outside
They are tubed inreplace of...
They are trailer queens
They are driven to and from the trail

But

These people all have XJs, which are wheeled, are like no other owners of a vehicle. Wheeling is the major part of helping these people make their XJs REAL. They have a desire to help and prolong the use and life of the XJ in the wheeling world. They help others out as needed and are there first to lend that helping hand. The live, eat and breathe XJs 24/7. XJ people make the XJ special and it's how that owner uses and relates to others is what makes all their XJs, REAL XJs.

People/XJs/Wheeling= REAL XJs

mark

Ok, a little corny but all the years out on the trail I've never dealt with a better group of vehicle drivers/owners than XJ drivers.

[Georgia Mike]

A real XJ is just that---AN XJ! It's what it was when it left the factory,it's what it says on the title **"Jeep Cherokee"** What you do with it/to it after you get your grubby little hands on it will never-not ever,change the fact that that's what it left the factory as. Now,if you started out with an XJ and now there's nothing left of said XJ,then you can call it something else. But for now,my welded 8.25" 27 spline rear and Lock Righted front,4.5" lifted,33" Swampered,beat to sh!t,custom bumpered,cut fendered,TJ flared,skid plated-to-smithereens,quarter panel CB antenna mounted Xj is STILL an XJ. Period. :D :D :D :D


At least it is to me,and nobody else counts :moon: :D

[Jes]

Re: Again.....what is a "REAL XJ"?

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Goatman
Another REAL XJ runs Axle Alley and Sledgehammer with 32" tires, no body damage, and doesn’t break. A seriously modified REAL XJ is driven to Johnson Valley, runs a bunch of Hammer Trails with no breakdowns, then is driven back home and to work on Monday morning, and does this often.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally posted by KarmirXJ
Can I have some of what his smoking???:smoker:

So, are you saying he's lying, that that didn't(hasn't) happen(d)?

Jes

[XJguy]

If leaving the factory as an XJ is enough of a perdigree to justify it as being perpetually an XJ then what if you bought your XJ in 84 and through the years have modified it a little at a time...enter 2003 and the only thing in the vehicle left that is from the original purchase due to the cumulated mods is the VIN tag and the steering column...is it an XJ? To the owner who has been modding it up a little at a time it still feels like an XJ and he has a title that proves it.....kinda like a mother and her child, her progeny will always be her child before and after the sex change. Sure the child is now very different and started out as one thing and is now something totally different, but to her its still her baby.

XJguy

[OT]

kinda like a mother and her child, her progeny will always be her child before and after the sex change. Sure the child is now very different and started out as one thing and is now something totally different, but to her its still her baby.

Good point, but a different anal ogy would have worked better. You see Chris is now Christine. Alot of the same old parts but not quite Chris anymore.

[Georgia Mike]

Originally posted by XJguy
If leaving the factory as an XJ is enough of a perdigree to justify it as being perpetually an XJ then what if you bought your XJ in 84 and through the years have modified it a little at a time...enter 2003 and the only thing in the vehicle left that is from the original purchase due to the cumulated mods is the VIN tag and the steering column...is it an XJ? To the owner who has been modding it up a little at a time it still feels like an XJ and he has a title that proves it.....kinda like a mother and her child, her progeny will always be her child before and after the sex change. Sure the child is now very different and started out as one thing and is now something totally different, but to her its still her baby.

XJguy

Well,I don't know about your state,but in my state it's illegal to remove a VIN # from a vehicle for *any* purpose. If there's not enough of the XJ left to retain the original VIN #'s mount,hense the the term "nothing left",then it could not be considered an XJ,steering column or not.

[XJguy]

Okay well then the whole dash is still there...the VIN tag is riveted to the dash which comes out with just the removal of a few screws.

XJguy

[Georgia Mike]

Originally posted by XJguy
Okay well then the whole dash is still there...the VIN tag is riveted to the dash which comes out with just the removal of a few screws.

XJguy

well,that goes along the same lines as I mentioned earlier:
"Removal of the VIN #'s from the VEHICLE is illegal"
It's the same no matter how you look at it,whether you remove just the tag or the whole dash with the tag attached to it:D

[WHEEL'er-DLR]

this is funny stuff!! all i know, this week-end at 'paniment valley days'.....xj'ers kicked some serious butt!! i believe we turned a few heads:) and possibly converted some tj and yj'ers :D another note: i also believe that most jeep owners are some of the finest in helping others with there broken or stuck rigs! GO NAXJA !! whats a REAL XJ ? mine of course:D :D

[XJguy]

Originally posted by Georgia Mike
well,that goes along the same lines as I mentioned earlier:
"Removal of the VIN #'s from the VEHICLE is illegal"
It's the same no matter how you look at it,whether you remove just the tag or the whole dash with the tag attached to it:D

But officer I didnt remove the VIN from the vehicle I just removed all the pesky sheet metal that was around the VIN! ;)

XJguy

[Kinch]

The tag says all that needs to be said ;)
My jeep (http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=99598383&photoID=99598495&security=DbwqVZ)

[STRYKER]

Originally posted by h.curtis
I partly agree with you eagle. If you have an I-6 in an XJ you would be making a downgrade by putting in a V-8. The I-6 is a very good light motor that if you really wanted to do mods can make over 400 hp. That is more than enough for a vehicle that only wieghs a little over 3000 lbs. Even totally stock I-6's have tons of torque. A V-8 will not last as long as the I-6 either.

Someone mentioned towing power. I towed over 6000 lbs with my stock I-6 for 1200 miles through VA, WV and PA (pretty hilly states).

Adding a V-8 would just add unnessasary weight IMHO. It is a downgrade from a V-8. If you want a pile of horsepower add a blower to the I-6.

Curt

4.2L and 4.0L AMC block, devoid of all accessories...735 lbs.
small block 5.0, 5.8L, 5.7L " " ... 510 lbs.

The 4.2L/4.0L derivitives are actually quite a chunk-a-steel

[Georgia Mike]

Originally posted by XJguy
But officer I didnt remove the VIN from the vehicle I just removed all the pesky sheet metal that was around the VIN! ;)

XJguy

Somehow I don't think that excuse would fly:D

[Beezil]

So, are you saying he's lying, that that didn't(hasn't) happen(d)?

One good thing about wheeling in a group such as naxja, when you do something cool like the above (in reference to what goat was saying) AT THE VERY LEAST, YOU HAVE WITNESSES!

Karmir, if you did think that goat was bs'ing, you still have a chance to back out now.

I know both the guys he was reffering to, not only did it happen, they do it all the time.

they are some of naxjas most skilled drivers.

[MudDawg]

Dern good thread if you ask me...well worth the read...and as far as helping others out...it's obvious here that most here do...not all with the same degree of diplomacy...but advice non the less.

[Urban Redneck]

I just finished reading the whole post from page 1 to the end. I have to say, even though I haven't met any of you, you guys have helped me out tremendously. From figuring out what mods to do to what parts to buy and what sellers to stay away from. A "Real" XJ? I don't think any XJ is not a "real" XJ. The people make an XJ, or the XJ makes the person. I used to drive a 528 BMW. I was passing a dealer one night and saw an XJ and pulled in and did the sale. My XJ picked me! It took about a month reading the board before I dove into modding and now I can't get enough. My whole outlook on a lot of things changed when I got my XJ, kinda put things into perspective. Now I can't wait to get home and try out a new mod or install a new part. I used to work 60-70 hours a week and most weekends, never saw my wife and the whole 9 yards. Now, I am either home working on my rig or we are drivin it. Hope we can get something together with the Chicagoland XJ'rs.:cheers: Even if it is just a run down to Badlands to do a 1 day run. :)

[Handlebars]

You guys are ALL posers! You wouldn't know a real XJ unless you lived in it for an entire summer.

:D:D:D

[XJJPR]

Originally posted by Handlebars
You guys are ALL posers! You wouldn't know a real XJ unless you lived in it for an entire summer.

:D:D:D

No that's a REAL STINKY XJ! :D

hinkley

[Handlebars]

Originally posted by Mark Hinkley
No that's a REAL STINKY XJ! :D

hinkley
Now you are seeing why it is important for the a/c compressor to pump freon, not air! :D

[budha808]

A great email turned into a great pissing contest,

The one thing I got from the ORIGINAL posting is this: the XJ, MJ, Cherokee, Comanche, Wangy XJ or whatever the hell you call it is one hell of a vehicle, its reliable and tough, it can get you from the mountains to the mall it can have a little 4 banger or someone could have put 426 hemi in it but what makes it real is someone is uses it, preferably off-road and they are proud of it.

A door off my 91' over the weekend (at my house, not on the trail) and I have had to drive my FREE 89' to work this week. Are either of them real XJ's? I probably spend to much time working/drinking/sleeping/chasing girls/reading this forum to take them wheelin’ as much as I should, although I did spend all last Saturday bouncing around southern Oregon trails after a driving 350+ miles up from the Bay Area and then drove home.

Do you have a real XJ?

I think that should be answered with another questions (extraneous personal or mechanical circumstances aside)

- Has your Jeep been off the pavement in the last 30 days? How about 60?
- Have you put your Jeep into 4 wheel drive in the last 30/60 days? (part 2 do you have to look in the owner manual to put your Jeep into 4 wheel drive)
- Do you check out other XJ’s when you see them?
- Do you spend lost of time trying to plotting/saving for/building your XJ so its even more ‘yours’

If the answers are mostly yes you probably own a ‘real’ XJ, if the answers are mostly no you probably just drive a Jeep and you’re probably pretty happy with that too.

BTW I think EAGLE has the market cornered on XJ knowledge and if we let him have the MJ preservation thing too he's likely take over the world, I am all about mutany boys

[Fred]

Multi-Purpose Vehicle is the designation Jeep gave the XJ, and that's what I appreciate about it. My "real" XJ has to be a daily driver, a car that has to get one to work in safety and comfort, but that's only what is important for me. Mine has driven myself or my wife to work everyday that it has run for the last 10 years, it has mostly run, and I fully intend to drive it to work for another 10 years, a great excuse for driveline mods. :) And, yeah, I am a trailrider, that's what I use 4wd for, to get places I couldn't get to in a car. Just a seriously lapsed backpacker. :)

I think Yellaheap said it well, caught me by surprise:
In the spirit of Naxja, every single Cherokee owned by those that are visitors and members here is a Real XJ - because we're all here focusing our attention and efforts on our beloved vehicles.
In the spirit of four wheeling, this is where it all gets convoluted. All of us here have chosen the XJ as the core of "what gets us there". The rest of the ideas and opinions regarding what's bolted or welded to the XJ really comes from where the owner wants to take his/her XJ. "Purpose built" is the phrase that's been used here fairly frequently.

As far as NAXJA is concerned, if someone considers their beast a XJ, then that's good enough for me.

Fred

[GSequoia]

Originally posted by budha808
1- Has your Jeep been off the pavement in the last 30 days? How about 60?
2 Have you put your Jeep into 4 wheel drive in the last 30/60 days? (part 2 do you have to look in the owner manual to put your Jeep into 4 wheel drive)
3 Do you check out other XJ’s when you see them?
4 Do you spend lost of time trying to plotting/saving for/building your XJ so its even more ‘yours’

1. Yes! Sadly though, not since I left Moab.
2 (Part 1). Yes, see above.
2 (Part 2). If you have to look in an owners manual to flip an XJ into 4 you've got a problem, it's too easy!

3. Oh man, I check out XJ's that I KNOW are stock! I also check out (in this order of priorities) Any rare or old Jeep, SJ's, CJ's, TJ's, YJ's

4. I plot a lot, but I'm not so good at saving, damn maintenance keeps cutting into modify fund (most recently was that head gasket issue...)

Sequoia

[Phil]

Originally posted by budha808

- Has your Jeep been off the pavement in the last 30 days? How about 60?
- Have you put your Jeep into 4 wheel drive in the last 30/60 days? (part 2 do you have to look in the owner manual to put your Jeep into 4 wheel drive)
- Do you check out other XJ’s when you see them?
- Do you spend lost of time trying to plotting/saving for/building your XJ so its even more ‘yours’

I'll play, even though it's an MJ.
1- I think my 60 days is just barely going to lapse before the next run I go on, Saturday after next.
2- Not really, and NO.
3- XJ, MJ, CJ, Toy pickup:anon: , just about anything
4- I try. My new wheels are actually sitting in my bedroom right now, in a nice stack by my door.

[GSequoia]

Originally posted by Phil Weeks

4- I try. My new wheels are actually sitting in my bedroom right now, in a nice stack by my door.

Damn, and I thought I was bad! I've got five new black 'crawlers in my garage, I ran out of money for rubber for 'em, but at least they're not in my bedroom!

[Phil]

I'm in an apartment, so no garage. But these don't have rubber around them yet either. And it's a set of four crawlers for now.:anon:

[KarmirXJ]

Originally posted by Jes
Re: Again.....what is a "REAL XJ"?

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Goatman
Another REAL XJ runs Axle Alley and Sledgehammer with 32" tires, no body damage, and doesn’t break. A seriously modified REAL XJ is driven to Johnson Valley, runs a bunch of Hammer Trails with no breakdowns, then is driven back home and to work on Monday morning, and does this often.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



So, are you saying he's lying, that that didn't(hasn't) happen(d)?

Jes

no Im not saying his lying,
im saying running sledgehammer with 32s and getting out without a scratch is very slim:rolleyes:
you have seen how much sheetmetal the XJ has right?

[Paul S]

Originally posted by KarmirXJ
no Im not saying his lying,
im saying running sledgehammer with 32s and getting out without a scratch is very slim:rolleyes:
you have seen how much sheetmetal the XJ has right?
It's not that slim at all. I ran Sledge on 33's more times than I can count & never got a scratch.
Paul

[XJJPR]

Originally posted by Paul S
It's not that slim at all. I ran Sledge on 33's more times than I can count & never got a scratch.
Paul

But you're a wheeling GOD! :D

What did you scratch/dent this weekend? Oh Goatman can answer this also. (I only scratched a small section on the lock. So...)?????

hinkley

Oh but we don't have REAL XJs! :D

[Paul S]

Originally posted by Mark Hinkley
But you're a wheeling GOD! :D

What did you scratch/dent this weekend? Oh Goatman can answer this also. (I only scratched a small section on the lock. So...)?????

hinkley

Oh but we don't have REAL XJs! :D

Scratch, dent, what??? The Ameba is sitting in my garage ready for JV next week without a scratch or dent on it:D
That was a pretty cool run to get 3 XJ/non XJ's through.
Paul

[XJJPR]

Originally posted by Paul S
Scratch, dent, what??? The Ameba is sitting in my garage ready for JV next week without a scratch or dent on it:D
That was a pretty cool run to get 3 XJ/non XJ's through.
Paul


According to ??????? there was only one XJ on that run. :D

hinkley

[Paul S]

Originally posted by Mark Hinkley
According to ??????? there was only one XJ on that run. :D

hinkley

I must not have read the "Real XJ" requirements close enough, does the open back exclued the Ameba? I still have A/C & heat.
BTW Mark, I'm in negotiations with Leilani for a tubing bender, sure you don't want to sell me yours:)
Paul

[XJJPR]

Originally posted by Paul S
I must not have read the "Real XJ" requirements close enough, does the open back exclued the Ameba? I still have A/C & heat.
BTW Mark, I'm in negotiations with Leilani for a tubing bender, sure you don't want to sell me yours:)
Paul

Yes, IT MUST BE CLOSED!

:rolleyes:


Just make sure you don't do like that B dude. :D

hinkley

[Goatman]

Originally posted by KarmirXJ
no Im not saying his lying,
im saying running sledgehammer with 32s and getting out without a scratch is very slim:rolleyes:
you have seen how much sheetmetal the XJ has right?

Karmir, when I first built my XJ it had 32's and I ran Sledge without body damage. The rig I was refering to in the post you quoted is GRNT (Mil), and I was with him when he ran both Axle Alley and Sledge with 32's and no body damage. One of the cool things about the Johnson Valley trails is that they can be run with no body damage......you have to really drive your position constantly, which makes it more challenging and fun, and you can get unlucky at any time. On one all XJ run on Sledge a couple of years ago, there was a lot of sheet metal damage, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Regarding your previous comment about the examples I used about running JV with no breakage and then driving to work on Monday, that's me and any number of other guys over the years that we've been running there. One of the points of my post is that a rig can be built to perform AND be reliable. We want to wheel, not sit out there on the trail fixing stuff. I've been running JV trails for 8 years, and the extent of my breakage in that time is one front axle joint. Paul Sinclair runs JV as much as anyone I know and I don't remember him ever breaking anything on the trail. That's a combination of vehicle preparation and driving skills.

[Goatman]

Originally posted by Mark Hinkley
But you're a wheeling GOD! :D

What did you scratch/dent this weekend? Oh Goatman can answer this also. (I only scratched a small section on the lock. So...)?????

hinkley

Oh but we don't have REAL XJs! :D

I never saw what Paul hit, but I got a small spot on the rear, mostly just scraped the paint. I sure like having that cage back there. :D

Paul is borderline on having a REAL XJ, he sort of closed off the back and he still drives it everywhere, including to CO this year, but you are definitely over the line! :D

[Beezil]

Paul, I wanna see pics of "ameoba" or whatever its called.

with a name like that, it must be groovey.

[rockwerks]

Karmir, when I first built my XJ it had 32's and I ran Sledge without body damage. The rig I was refering to in the post you quoted is GRNT (Mil), and I was with him when he ran both Axle Alley and Sledge with 32's and no body damage.

The secret is to not let the G'man spot for ya!:D
.
http://fototime.com/{E1093F1C-9029-42BE-91E4-F7CB6E1DA3A6}/picture.JPG

actually he had me on the right line and stuff shifted under me but see, even the g'man helps push you off the rocks

[Çrestfa||en]

- Has your Jeep been off the pavement in the last 30 days? How about 60?
- Have you put your Jeep into 4 wheel drive in the last 30/60 days? (part 2 do you have to look in the owner manual to put your Jeep into 4 wheel drive)
- Do you check out other XJ’s when you see them?
- Do you spend lost of time trying to plotting/saving for/building your XJ so its even more ‘yours’


1: Every damn weekend it's my only relaxation from working on the line.
2: Of course, can't make fun of the TJs without 4lo
3: All the time, sometimes it makes me feel like I am cheating on my xj I swear she knows when I look at other xjs and am thinking "oh baby that is a big axle mmm...hot"
4: praise jebus one day I will have 2 lockrites new tires and an inch and a half more lift...And a beefier crossmember/ tranny/T-case skidplate, and lower gears and a stroker conversion kit and a tube bender and some...tube?

[Weasel]

Originally posted by KarmirXJ
running sledgehammer with 32s and getting out without a scratch is very slim

Well thats cause Sledge and JV are all easy trails...

stir, stir, stir..

[XJJPR]

Originally posted by Goatman
but you are definitely over the line! :D

Well we already know that.

Your just upset that I drove most the trail with my lights off and didn't worry about hitting ANY rocks. :D

hinkley

[Paul S]

Originally posted by Beezil
Paul, I wanna see pics of "ameoba" or whatever its called.

with a name like that, it must be groovey.

Don't think I've ever been called groovey, but I think I like it.
I can thank Hinkley for dubing my ride the Ameba.
Paul
hope this works
<img src="http://www.fototime.com/9189DE65284DFB2/standard.jpg" border=0>

[GSequoia]

http://www.fototime.com/9189DE65284DFB2/standard.jpg

:D

[Paul S]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GSequoia
http://www.fototime.com/9189DE65284DFB2/standard.jpg

:D [/QUOTE

How'd you do that:)
Can you see why it worked in my test post & not this one? I have no idea what I did different.
Paul

[Beezil]

i see......

just what i thought......the ameba isn't "REAL"

:D

[XJJPR]

Originally posted by Beezil
i see......

just what i thought......the ameba isn't "REAL"

:D

That pic is pre-boat canvas back section.

ameba=amigo looking XJ with out a spine (frame)

hinkley

[Weasel]

Paul, your image was encoded in two source codes.

<img src="http://www.fototime.com/9189DE65284DFB2/standard.jpg" border=0>

The and are the VBB codes for a image and <img src=xxxxxx> is HTML. you can have both in the same image codex.

And I belive Naxja on reconizes the VBB code so you image code should have looked like:

xhttp://www.fototime.com/9189DE65284DFB2/standard.jpgx

without the x's.

[Paul S]

Originally posted by Weasel
Paul, your image was encoded in two source codes.

<img src="http://www.fototime.com/9189DE65284DFB2/standard.jpg" border=0>

The and are the VBB codes for a image and <img src=xxxxxx> is HTML. you can have both in the same image codex.

And I belive Naxja on reconizes the VBB code so you image code should have looked like:

xhttp://www.fototime.com/9189DE65284DFB2/standard.jpgx

without the x's.
Thanks for your help, but that's over my head. I'll have to go play on the test forum.
Paul

[XJJPR]

So Paul, if it's already are you running shreader on Sunday?

hinkley

[Paul S]

Originally posted by Mark Hinkley
So Paul, if it's already are you running shreader on Sunday?

hinkley

I had an easier time talking Leilani into buying a bender than I'll have talking her into letting me go play Sunday, but yeah, I'll probably be there.
Paul

[Jes]

More of the Ameba...
http://www.fototime.com/{AD3CB486-FBCB-4416-BB07-98D732F7163F}/picture.JPG
http://www.fototime.com/{E634361F-85E1-473F-92BF-54E78ACBDA02}/picture.JPG

Speaking of Sledgehammer, I ran it for the first time in April, at night, with Goatman and CRASH, and we ran it in an hour and a half. Not a scratch on my rig and I'm on 33s. And then I drove it home and to work on Monday. :D

Jes

[Goatman]

[i]Originally posted by Jes
Speaking of Sledgehammer, I ran it for the first time in April, at night, with Goatman and CRASH, and we ran it in an hour and a half. Not a scratch on my rig and I'm on 33s. And then I drove it home and to work on Monday. :D

Jes [/B]

Just for the record, we didn't run the last section, but took the sand hill out. Quickest I've run the whole trail is 2 hrs, which we probably would have done had we continued, if we didn't have too much trouble on that first obstacle after the sand hill. I've never done that obstacle without winching, seem to always get hung up. We need to run Sledge weekend after next, cause I think I have the line figured out for that spot.

[OT]

What was the original question?

This is one of my favorite threads.

Enjoy it again.

[BillR]

I hadn't seen this before.
Thanks Terry.

[Goatman]

Oh my gawd, here we go again. :D

Some people didn't get how tongue in cheek the whole thing is.........plus, if you've never seen the Real Men joke book that was funny as hell way back when, you don't quite get the whole drift. Of course, any humor has truth in it, so there is a point to it.

There must have been a little lull going on when I posted that again......it's definitely a discussion provoker.


:cheers:

[mission-inc]

A real XJ is never "done". It's built to crawl over rocks and plow through mud and take our womens out the next night. Considered "ugly" by most, beautiful to us. Every real XJ has bad modifications, but the good ones should definetly out weigh the bad ones. And a real XJ spends most of it's life unwashed and dirty, the way it was meant to be. :wave:

[egon]

I've read thru a bunch of the post and I see a common theme.

Capable, reliable, comfortable, utility. That's what I liked about the XJ before, and the reason I bought mine.

Here's my take on a "Real XJ".

Mildly moded (with factory parts) 4.0; RE lift; XJ D44; 4.56s & TrueTracs; 33s; Select Trac; class 3 hitch; ZJ power buckets; and a nice stereo.

I drive it all over the northeast with no worries, I can run black trails at Paragon, and it gets me to work every day.

It's capable, reliable, comfortable, and very utilitarian.

--Matt

PS. Damn, this thread is an oldie. I need to be more observant.

[Brian Felts]

A real xj is a rig that can drop off the kids at school,pull atrailer to haul whatever where ever,get me to work even if tis a 1.5 hour drive up the interstate,and on friday night when the kids say Dad im bored ,go tackle some of the most rutted out muddy grown up abandoned logging roads and dryed up creelk beds in the hills of Tennessee.The Keyless entry,the Cd player and the air all still work but the body is trimmed ,scratched ,dinged and dented.Its seldom clean but still cleans up fairly nice when the need arises and with the trailer its a pretty nice riding log truck.

[Darky]

A real XJ is mine :D
Works for what it was designed: capable off-road, capable on-road, comfortable, well-loved by its owner (I mean come on we wouldn't be on this site if we didn't love these things), able to carry family and/or friends + cargo to school/work/from the store/to the trail/etc. I won't go into mods because that all depends on the owner. If you're comfortable still with the top cut off then so be it. I know that's in my future plans, along with a Cann-back soft top.

[XJawgi]

a real xj is the one your gf gets pist at everytime she has to step into or out of because its to high or its too dirty and "i'll get dirt on my pants and mudd on my shoes"

[quivvy]

^haha :) Amen!

[Fergie]

a real xj is the one your gf gets pist at everytime she has to step into or out of because its to high or its too dirty and "i'll get dirt on my pants and mudd on my shoes"
I thought a real one was slammed on 20s?

Fergie

[XJawgi]

ah shit, thats right i forgot..

[Brian Felts]

a real xj is the one your gf gets pist at everytime she has to step into or out of because its to high or its too dirty and "i'll get dirt on my pants and mudd on my shoes"
wife and daughter .Its amazing how much mud you can sling w 3.75"B.S.Does any one else have a problem with mud coating the door sill plates and jams?LOL

[DrMoab]

a real xj is the one your gf gets pist at everytime she has to step into or out of because its to high or its too dirty and "i'll get dirt on my pants and mudd on my shoes"
Ha...I made my wife drive mine to work one day. Sits on 9 inches and 35s. Had some mud on it from the previous weekends adventures. She was so pissed when she got home with mud all over her skirt...HAHA had to work that way all day.
Don't think she has driven it to work since.

I couldn't tell you what a real XJ is....Haven't had one in years.

[chassellbandit]

forgive me, i didn't read all the thread, but i disagree with the comment of having an AC compressor that pumps cool air, but only cause mine didn't come with ac. hell, or even a passenger side view mirror. but after ripping the rear seats out, i can carry all my tools for work, drive to any trail ride, fix almost anyhting i break on the trail, and drive home. its the perfect DD/trail rig.

[XJawgi]

Ha...I made my wife drive mine to work one day. Sits on 9 inches and 35s. Had some mud on it from the previous weekends adventures. She was so pissed when she got home with mud all over her skirt...HAHA had to work that way all day.
Don't think she has driven it to work since.

I couldn't tell you what a real XJ is....Haven't had one in years.

yeop had my gf drive it one day, and my steering box had a broken bolt so the steerin was off by like 90 degrees plus it was muddy ....well she hasnt drove it since, even though the steerin box is fixed.

[karstic]

Cough...Cough

classic thread

[OT]

I love this thread!!!
Man, there's a lot of old names in this one.

I don't think my XJ's an XJ anymore, BTW.
I don't think it's anything, anymore.
It's just a hulk with tires.

[ROBZ95Xj]

So if I drop a Mopar 360c.i. V8 in my XJ it will no longer be a XJ? Bummer

[CMNCHE]

What is a REAL MJ?

[OT]

What is a REAL MJ?
Start your own thread.

[JJacobs]

They're all "real"... Buggied, hot-rodded, trailer queens- at least they're keeping it Jeep. Aren't you CA guys tired of cloned rigs yet? :)

[Kejtar]

A seriously modified REAL XJ is driven to Johnson Valley, runs a bunch of Hammer Trails with no breakdowns, then is driven back home and to work on Monday morning, and does this often. And here’s a REAL XJ for you, it has dual ARB’s and 31’s, is driven 2000 miles to Moab pulling a tent trailer, climbs Dump Bump and other great Moab obstacles, then hauls the family and trailer back home. That’s also a REAL XJ driver.
:D :D :D :D :D :D

[Infidel_XJ]

What does XJ stand for?

[Kejtar]

What does XJ stand for?
Xtra Jeep :D

[GSequoia]

I have two Real XJ's does that make one fuctional vehicle?

[IcedXJ]

I guess I have a part real-XJ...damn V8, and I thought mine was real...I think any cherokee (XJ) is a real XJ, as long as it came from Jeep with the branded on the sheetmetal. You havea real XJ.

[Kejtar]

I have two Real XJ's does that make one fuctional vehicle?
In your case? Doubt it ;)

[GSequoia]

Oh well. I guess I'll just hve to be satisifed that no matter what happens there will always be an XJ uglier than either of mine could ever be.

[XJSpencer]

Just finished reading it all. This thread makes me smile. I think mine is a RealXJ. I think I almost got emotional there for a minute.

[Crewzzzer]

If I had stock everything, but lower it, put a few lights on it, and then add spinners is that a REAL XJ.

[jwtrapper]

A REAL XJ will fit 3 car seats!!

[climbon]

Excellent thread. To me there are two catagories of Jeep use, for this thread lets call it XJ use. There is reality use and playground use, it just depends on where you drive. For me, I do alot of back country photography and do my seasonal hunt and fish. I would place myself in Reality use, but use the playground from time to time ( Moab ). For those who attended the 20 year event in Moab I proudly won second place in the show and shine for the Best Equipped rig; only being beat out by the famouse George Forman Grill welded on the back bumper, I am still recovering from that tearful moment. With that said, I felt I needed a rig that would be able to cover thousands of miles of FSR and it has 100,000 miles worth and that's not counting street use. But I also needed a rig that could get me out of the worst thing mother nature could throw at me and it has. So dependability and Off Road use I tried to combined in an even way. My rig inside looks the way I bought it off the lot in 1999 and still rides comfertable. The outside looks pretty stock except for the front and rear Warn bumpers, Warn 9.5ti thermometric winch, Super Nerfs, Wilderness rack, and extra lights. Everything else that is critical for off road use is hidden, Tera-low, axles, armor, lockers, steering etc.. I would have to say I am pretty proud of my rig, it took me 5 years to build it. I don't have the 8" lift or run 35's but I do have a clean modified XJ that still runs and feels like the day I bought it.

[lost1]

This thread rocks! :D

really, waht can you say though that hasn't already been said? Mine's still well within the 'real' zone; small lift, near stock tires, stocker engine...open diffs front and rear. :twak:

One day I remember dropping the kids off at daycare and getting to work, then towing a friend's car to his mechanic's across town during lunch. it was a Friday, so after work I got the kids, went to a bonfire/BBQ out inthe desert at least a mile off of anythign resembling a dirt road, even. I regularly take my XJ on the trails, hills, and tracks the quads use; I've driven it on sand roads that run along target ranges out here near the border at 35-40mph, top speeds of 60mph in some places, and taken it through water deep enough to make me grateful for a snorkle. I've managed to find enough mud to make it look like I got a new paint job (then spent hours getting it all out of the engine compartment and underbody) Then once I'm done abusing it, I hop back on the highway and come home.

I'm not saying I'm some great driver, but I go out and have fun in comfort. If I need to make a trip the interstate is no obstacle, and of primary concern to me my kids are safe as hell in that steel unibody. The kids love wheelin' too, they love 'going to the river.' I think the only type of wheelin' I haven't done is rock crawling, and that's just because I'm still learning the area around me. There's a pretty big world in my backyard and my XJ's helping me discover it.

I plan to have a lot of stuff done to this rig by the time I'm done (yeah I know you're never done, shut up) but I hope I never lose sight of what it was designed for.

[490Chaser]

There's a pretty big world in my backyard and my XJ's helping me discover it.




Amen

[NXJ]

The minimum requirement of a "real XJ" is differential locker(s) and a couple of dents, or atleast some scratches. Well, something that reveals that the vehicle have been off road. :D

[climbon]

If I had stock everything, but lower it, put a few lights on it, and then add spinners is that a REAL XJ.
I think this is an interesting reply, let's explore this one. So what do you guys and gals think, is it a real XJ ?

[ladywolf]

I think an additional compressor added for OBA is fine but losing a function of the XJ (AC) in order to make another is not in the scriptures. A V8 swap causes the XJ to lose nothing of its creature comforts and conveniences if done right, in fact its a win win situation, more power, smoothness and if your talking an LS1 or better yet LS4, even more efficiency and lighter weight than stock!

Never saw an XJ with no AC BTW, was it standard in all models?

XJguy

nope, my sisters 90' XJ bone stock, no power locks windows, no A/C. mine's almost loaded, but i gotta fix the power windows lol.

[GSequoia]

You know I was wondering why Goatman hasn't checked back in at all on this thread then it hit me...

He's hanging his head in shame since he no longer has a REAL XJ.

Trailer queen. :looser:

:cheers:

[PAPXJ]

A REAL XJ also has an A/C compressor that is still used to cool air, not pump it.

It's so weird to me to think of A/C as a necessity. Up here in the Northwest we rarely have a use for it. Mine didn't come with it, but I added it for OBA. I don't see how that could disqualify me from owning a REAL XJ.

Cool thread by the way...

[Goatman]

You know I was wondering why Goatman hasn't checked back in at all on this thread then it hit me...

He's hanging his head in shame since he no longer has a REAL XJ.

Trailer queen. :looser:

:cheers:

I'm just sitting back and enjoying. :)

BTW, I just drove my XJ all around the desert near San Felipe last week, and I drove it to a snow run last month. I also still drive it to work occasionally, and love to drive it around town running errands and stuff.

Hmmm.......you're a funny one to comment about driving their XJ around. :looser:


:D

[Kejtar]

Hmmm.......you're a funny one to comment about driving their XJ around. :looser:


ROTFLMAO Goatman, you now owe me a beer for the one that I'm cleaning of my monitor ;)

[ladywolf]

i've gotten to drive that jeep with the george foreman grill welded into the back:D

[ladywolf]

It's so weird to me to think of A/C as a necessity. Up here in the Northwest we rarely have a use for it. Mine didn't come with it, but I added it for OBA. I don't see how that could disqualify me from owning a REAL XJ.

Cool thread by the way...


LOL after 2 trips to iraq i dont need A/C anywhere, cept in the house. of course my dad hates me for it too when its 90 degrees out and i'm running around with the windows down enjoying the day, and he's sittin in the passenger seat of his truck sweating buckets:D

however i do need to check to see if the A/C in the jeep works...not entirely sure of that yet......

p.s. papxj...i dont think that disqualifies you, because you added a compressor to yours, you didnt modify it from what its original intention was as coming stock from the factory (did that make sense?)

[Goatman]

ROTFLMAO Goatman, you now owe me a beer for the one that I'm cleaning of my monitor ;)

Glad to be of service. :cheers:

[88rockxj]

darn i dont have a "REAL XJ" hahahahaha


this thread rocks thank you so much

[4WDXPRT]

Sweet thread...Reminds me of my BOTW trip to JV in 2003.
Denver to Barstow; two days of fun in the rocks; Drive in to LA to pickup the wife and kid @ LAX; Visit Disneyland; Visit Family in SoCal; 1000 miles back to Denver.

That was also the last time I remember gas under $2/gallon :(

Tomorrow I'll clear 320,000 miles on my drive into work on 37s...

[Matt S.]

BTT for all of our HARDCORE newbies.

[Ewenm]

i think the difference between a real XJ and a totally modifyed is if you can still take it to your jeep service centre and they can still basically work on it--then its a realxj---meaning that if it is lifted and big wheels maybe lockers and quick disconects it is still servicable my a mainstream dealer ( not that you would want to)as opposed to something lurking is a shed or backyard

Ewen

[XJSpencer]

BTT for all of our HARDCORE newbies.

x2 I hope they read at least the first couple pages.

[GSequoia]

BTT for all of our HARDCORE newbies.

From the guy who's TJ8 is more of a real XJ than his XJ. :twak:

[Matt S.]

From the guy who's TJ8 is more of a real XJ than his XJ. :twak:


STFU G.... I never claimed a real XJ... though if you think the TJ8 will suffice, I have more of a reason to maintain my membership. Other than having Phillius making drunken phone calls.

[Panthers65]

why not just say a real xj does what is was designed to do? obvously a 2wd xj isn't going to see a lot of trail time, but if it's built to get great gas millage and be fast and tote the kids around I'd say it's a real xj.

if an xj is built to climb rock faces it can't do that to the best of its ability without sacrificing most if not all of its road manners. Still a real XJ because it's doing what it was built to do. Hate to use the tired old phrase, but real xj's are built, not bought.

as for the mall crawlers lift kits were built to go off road. If you lift you xj up 15" with a set of 40" tires and are still runnin your stock axles so you xj looks good, but is not off roaded and therefor is a real accident waiting to happen, not a real xj.

[GSequoia]

STFU G

Now why would I go and do that? I'd be sooo out of character.

:illegalflipoffsmilie:

[karstic]

:gee:

[vetteboy]

First time seeing this thread for me...

I really like what Goatman wrote in the first post, and I think that's exactly the reason why I'm continuing to build my XJ. I think most of us know here that to do a big XJ build it's a lot more challenging in some respects than something with a frame, or a tube buggy. I've definitely learned that through the course of my build.

So it's getting 39.5s, 1-ton axles, full interior cage, chopped back. Keeping the roof, windshield, and doors (though they are optional, weather permitting). A/C blows colder than my daily driver ZJ does, and the stereo is pretty nice. While I haven't driven it on the road since I started this build, I've taken great pains to ensure that it'll do fine on the road, and I fully plan on driving it around quite a bit once it's done. Including doing a LEGIT state inspection and proper insurance and all that.

So yeah, it's more work, but I love the stupid thing. When it was fully locked on 33's I would regularly make 300-mile round trips on the weekends and run black-rated trails with no problems, and drive it 80 miles a day for work during the week. I miss driving it, I miss wheeling it, and I just want to be done with the stupid build already, but it'll be worth it in the end.

Thanks for the thread concept, Goatman - definitely what I sorta needed to hear as I'm approaching the buildup-burnout stage. :)

[johnlv6]

I can look out of my apartment window and see my XJ, therefore it is real.

[Berserker]

4.2L and 4.0L AMC block, devoid of all accessories...735 lbs.
small block 5.0, 5.8L, 5.7L " " ... 510 lbs.

The 4.2L/4.0L derivitives are actually quite a chunk-a-steel

Uhh.. Come again? do not put the 4.2 in the same weight class as the 4.0.
The 4.0 is no way near 735 lbs.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40732

[karstic]

*cough*

[IslanderOffRoad]

A REAL XJ also has an A/C compressor that is still used to cool air, not pump it.

Mine seems to qualify as a Real XJ except for this part.

My A/C compressor is siezed. In my opinion, that makes mine an extra-real XJ, broken auxillary components. :D

[oo7ravisXJ]

I can look out of my apartment window and see my XJ, therefore it is real.
I'm gona have to agree with this. I have a scar on my finger from my XJ therefore I wasn't dreaming i had an XJ.

[fubar XJ]

Goatman's original post is the reason I chose to build an XJ. After years of flat towing a highly modded CJ around, I wanted something that would be a safe, reliable daily driver, retained it's utility to haul cargo of various types, has climate control including hot, cold, and dry, could haul the wife and kids up in the mountains for some snow wheeling and inner tubing, and would still fit the bill for a demanding day of wheeling in the woods among the mud, roots, and rocks that fill the gaps between the trees. My XJ does all of that. It's a real XJ, and it's a nice break from the CJ.

[sidriptide]

HOLY BLAST-FROM-THE-PAST, BATMAN!!!!!!

[Goatman]

Oh my gawd!!!!

:gee:

[trippled]

wow thats one of the best things ive heard in while! amen to that!!!

[clunk]

The versatility of the XJ is why I have fallen in love with mine. I just did a 500 mile highway trip with alot of mountain passes, passed a few civics on the way and still pulled in slightly over 25MPG on the trip loaded down with 200lb's of gear in the back.
My setup has allowed me to keep the jeep an economical and stylish (I like to think so anyways) daily driver while still getting me just that much further into the bush than alot of other SUV's on the market could. For the light wheeling I do the LT235 all terrains and small lift are a perfect balance of on/off road ability.

[5.2poweredxj]

I guess since mine isn't a real Xj since I got my drivetrain from an Zj with a 318 I thought the jeep on the hood was the same jeep on my front end of my 88.

[99xj4x4]

Far as im concerend to be a real xj all you have to have is the original XJ dash, or atleast most of it LOL. Srry Rich. I was raised by Steve LOL

[terryd]

I enjoy my XJ very much because of its driveability. I've lifted it 3", put on a good track bar and long shackles to add flex. I've held off re-gearing (although 3.08's suck on 31's, its still a good driver and 20+ MPG) till I decided if I want to do the 8.8 swap or just re-gear and lock the 8.25. (re-gearing is about $200 and the 8.8 w/ discs is $200) I think its a real XJ, its not as cool as Randy's on 6" with 35's, D44 front, locked F/R and caged, but I like it!

[cal]

*looks into wallet*
*empty*


Yup. My xj is real.

[fubar XJ]

*looks into wallet*
*empty*


Yup. My xj is real.

Just
Empty
Every
Pocket

[Thumpersdriver]

A real XJ is one that looks like it came from the factory that way.

[terryd]

well, it looks like an XJ should have come.....
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r37/terryd_photo/cherokee/DSCN1149JPGplatesmuge.jpg

[Comanchedude]

Well now, Eagle, I have to disagree. To me, the concept of a REAL XJ is keeping it's utilitarian function, or "doing everything well" purpose. It makes no difference what motor is in there. In fact, if a V8 swap increases the drivability and doesn't hurt trail performance, or even adds towing capacity, that's a perfect REAL XJ modification......as long as the rest of the drivetrain and suspension can handle it. :)

Member RXJC ;) :D :D


No..it must have a AMC/Jeep Engine. :)
keep your jeep running on a Jeep engine

[CJ's98XJ]

OK. I just couldn't leave this one alone.:scottm:

Long story short. In 1941 Willys Overland answered the military's call for a small general purpose vehicle. A few changes and.......the Jeep was born. To this day these vehicles are the escense (spelling?) of "Jeep"

All things Jeep seemed to branch into two succesful directions, the CJ's into Wranglers and the full size Wagoneer / Cherokee into the smaller Wagoneer / Cherokee. The XJ model ran production for almost 20 years, making it the longets produced Jeep vehicle with the fewest overall design changes.

The XJ, the "omnijeep". Although it was just about never the best vehicle at any one particular function, it is real good at just about all of them. Mall or ccrawl the XJ is tearin it up.

A "real" XJ has to be able to do everything you need it to, depending on what your "adventure" is. Surf fishing on the Outer Banks, swimmin the mud in the Everglades or dragging it self over the rocks of Moab. It can almost be defined regionaly. But when it is all done and over that same XJ has to have gotten there and back under its own power and still be practical enough to get you to work and the kids to school on time on Monday.

Keep the lift as small as you can for your intended purpose. make up for it with good armor and axles. Drive smarter rather rather than harder and you may even score us some converts.

Just remember it is all about what YOU need YOUR XJ to do. Where is YOUR adventure?

One more thing....... It's an off-road thing. Sometimes us "Jeep" people need to understand.

[89xj]

bought my 89xj in 1990, its still my DD although it has 4.5" lift. money spent on the lift, 4.10 gears, wheels/tires and other maintenance is still cheaper than 1 year of car payments on a new vehicle. havent had a car/bank payment on my jeep in 13 years.

[IslanderOffRoad]

Emissions equipment.

[mk153smaw]

I love new trucks, new gadets, new blinking things, and the smell of something made recently. Which is why I sold my new truck in favor of saving money so I can spend it on my battlewagon ;)
I love my '88, I love it so much I am giving it a new motor and a brand new suspension to go with it's "bling-bling" black knock-out rims! There is nothing more fun than having an XJ that is infinitely modifiable (did I spell that right?) Heck even the love nudges in the sheet metal make it more sexy than an Hummer stuck in the mud. Anyone notice how the H3 really looks like an XJ?
I firmly belive the "real" XJ has to be matched with its ultimate add on... the crazy, junkyard dreaming, weld-o-matic, Jeep fanatic driver. Who else dreamed up the 4.7 to 5.0 I6 motors some of us get crazy and build.
I will tell you how the 5.0 turns out after christmas wen I install it!! I want all the V8's feel sick when they hear that baby roar!


'88, 180k miles, 3.5" lift, junkyard special 33's, removable doors (thanks to a post from this site on how to do it!), AW4, NP 242, D30 and D44, and a custom inflateable mattress for inside when I go camping! Along with a Sat Tv system, DVD player, Garmin....... The things you buy when your not spending 1000 bucks on the new vehicle/insurance/gas every month!

[mjdavis31]

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj248/mjdavis31/Mikes012.jpgHere's a real XJ for ya hits every hole and takes me to work every day

[88manche]

Bet your neighbors hate you when you wash that mud off.

I have what I call a "real XJ."

Its a 1985, has the I-4, dana 30/35, and is mostly stock. The only thing I've modded on it is that I put a 3 inch lift and some 28'' all terrain tires on Crager Soft 8's. It does good on the trails, and it gets me from my house to my school and back, and places inbetween every week, monday through friday. On the weekends, its my toy. I go have fun with it, and come back and it takes me where I need to go.

[brianglawson]

i believe mine is a "Real" one... stock with 30x9.50's
180,000 miles from The beaches of Cape Hatteras, to the snow covered, mud saturated mountains here at home, to the depths of the New River with water running in the door sills and wahing WAY over the hood!!!

GOD I LOVE MY JEEP

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a218/brianglawson/Photography014.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a218/brianglawson/IMG_1611edit.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a218/brianglawson/CapeHatterasSpring2008113.jpg

[92DripCherokee]

- A "real XJ" contains no more than 10% Chinese manufactured parts...hehe.

that's a joke by the way...

[Kejtar]

Real XJ is an XJ that can be driven 400 miles each way on a moments notice at any speed and be taken offroad at a moments notice :D Oh yeah... and the AC works in it too :) (if originaly equipped with it that is)

[poorboy_616]

I guess I own a real XJ...(albiet stock and short)
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/3024000-3024999/3024245_29_full.jpg
Mine goes from on to offroad in the blink of an eye, and looks good doin' it (AND the A/C works!!).

The Borla exhaust turns heads as well. I had one of the guys at a local shops ask me if I had put a V8 in it. I popped the hood and proved that it's just the lowly RENIX 4.0L Stand up six......
DivShare File - MIC-2008-03-16_13h56m43s.wav (http://www.divshare.com/download/4041297-c2c)

Oh, and BTW, it is really that loud inside (I have no carpet or sound proofing on the floor, so ALL the noise comes through), it's not feedback...

[Deadman 94 xj]

Nice two door there buddy.

[poorboy_616]

Thank you!!

It's unique among XJ's seeing as the 4dr out sold the 2dr 3 to 1.....

It's still got some of the Forest service junk too. No radios, but the holes are there, as well as the wiring for the spot light.....

[Cipey]

You just said it all. We're supposed to add to this? :cool: :confused: :cool:

Well, I will add one thought: a REAL XJ has an American Motors-designed I-4 or I-6 engine -- not a Chevy 350 (or any other) V-8, with the possible exception of the AMC V-8s that most of you youngsters don't even know about.

right on! Us old Bastards remember!

Cipey

[ChevelleSSLS6]

You just said it all. We're supposed to add to this? :cool: :confused: :cool:

Well, I will add one thought: a REAL XJ has an American Motors-designed I-4 or I-6 engine -- not a Chevy 350 (or any other) V-8, with the possible exception of the AMC V-8s that most of you youngsters don't even know about.


Supposedly the 4.7 mopar v8 is the "AMC gen-III" engine they were developing. Also the Mopar 318 (5.2) and 360 (5.9) 'magnum' heads in the 90s used a lot of design features of the AMC 'dogleg' heads.

not bad for a 'youngster' who came around in 1985, huh?:yap:
-Matt

[Darky]

Supposedly the 4.7 mopar v8 is the "AMC gen-III" engine they were developing. Also the Mopar 318 (5.2) and 360 (5.9) 'magnum' heads in the 90s used a lot of design features of the AMC 'dogleg' heads.

not bad for a 'youngster' who came around in 1985, huh?:yap:
-Matt
Even if he is almost 6 yrs late with his reply...;)

[ChevelleSSLS6]

Thank you!!

It's unique among XJ's seeing as the 4dr out sold the 2dr 3 to 1.....

It's still got some of the Forest service junk too. No radios, but the holes are there, as well as the wiring for the spot light.....

I wonder about the current JKs...

Even if he is almost 6 yrs late with his reply...;)

lol.

[Trail Blazer]

does my Jeep qualify as a REAL XJ? Taking an 86XJ and swaping all the guts from a 93XJ into it?

[beakie]

does my Jeep qualify as a REAL XJ? Taking an 86XJ and swaping all the guts from a 93XJ into it?


finish the swap... stand across the yard... call its name... and if comes to you... its still a Real XJ

[jeeperjohn]

does my Jeep qualify as a REAL XJ? Taking an 86XJ and swaping all the guts from a 93XJ into it?
I think the more you swap JY parts into your XJ the more it is a real XJ. The majority of XJ's actually used for wheeling have some or alot of swapped parts in them to improve their capabilities. I think any XJ that has the majority of the original sheetmetal and can drive to the trail, wheel all day then get you home is a real XJ regardless of what parts it runs.

[ChevelleSSLS6]

I think the more you swap JY parts into your XJ the more it is a real XJ. The majority of XJ's actually used for wheeling have some or alot of swapped parts in them to improve their capabilities. I think any XJ that has the majority of the original sheetmetal and can drive to the trail, wheel all day then get you home is a real XJ regardless of what parts it runs.


agreed... it's the more 'practical' Jeep that's still fun to wheel!

Would a hole cut in the roof and a canvas roof (kinda like some new libertys) qualify for a 'real xj'? I plan on keeping the stock roof reinforcements, or possibly reinforcing them and the 'frame' to avoid needing a cage- which would not be good for DD-ability.

[jeeperjohn]

Would a hole cut in the roof and a canvas roof (kinda like some new libertys) qualify for a 'real xj'?
Sure, you're not altering the appearance of the vehicle hardly at all.

[hdcorxj]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HUkWDJF4PVw/STX5ZZBAaRI/AAAAAAAAAlY/02nQx6-SGKI/s400/cherokees-2.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HUkWDJF4PVw/STX5ZZBAaRI/AAAAAAAAAlY/02nQx6-SGKI/s400/cherokees-2.jpg)
+
http://www.freemania.net/images/taco.png
=
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f48/GotRocks4x4/P1030935.jpg

sorry....the temptation was too great:yelclap:
To me a real xj is something that can be easily daily driven but can still be abused on the weekend and can overcome any trail you dare to attempt.

[Gonepostal]

My real XJ will taking form soon. Right now it is a bone stock Forest Service surplused 98 green goober. Great shape and factory tight for its 80000+ miles. I will be adding 31's and a 3.5 inch lift, swapping to a quality front and rear bumper set. Then probably doing some engine mods and maybe getting rid of the d35 later. Who knows from there, the sky is the limit with an XJ. It will eventually be taking me and fandamily to play in Utah and will be rquired to haul all of the gear needed for camping a trip in the desert. Mods or not I figure it is an XJ and a real one at that.

[JRW7072009]

This thread has got to be in the top 5 threads for getting brought back from the dead the most.

[BenDiesel]

This thread has got to be in the top 5 threads for getting brought back from the dead the most.
you assume it ever died. i think it more likely went to sleep:spin3::party: