Buyer's Guide for a newbie?

[tbirdsaw]

Hello all. I'm new to these forums.

I'm looking to purchase a decent 4x4 vehicle. Currently, I'm considering the these three vehicles: Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Cherokee, or a 88 Range Rover. I intend to modify it to make it a much more competent off-road vehicle.

I have roughly $4000 to spend on this, but I can go a little higher. I'd prefer to go lower though. :p

The vehicle needs to be able to move both people and stuff but it can't be too large. Sizewise, it needs to be in the Compact SUV range. This is mostly going to be a weekend type vehicle, as I have another car that I use most of the time. I also would prefer stick, but I'm flexible (it's not a dealbreaker). I also don't mind working on my own vehicles, but for tough stuff I would take it to a trusted mechanic.

I've chatted with someone who's very familiar with Cherokees, but haven't had a chance to sit down and talk with him. He's already warned me about an '89 Sport Cherokee I was looking at that had a Peugeot transmission in it.

So, with that, I have a couple of questions. If you could point me in the right directions I'd much appreciate it.
What XJ (year, trim, engine, trans) would you suggest?
What problems/features/etc. should I be looking for?
Is there a general Buyer's guide that I can go read?Thank you for reading my post.

[Menzenski]

Welcome to the forums!

You probably want to get the 4.0L engine, which narrows it down to 87-01. The Peugeot BA/10 was used into the 1989 model year, so if you want a manual, buy a 1990 or later (some 89s do have the better AX-15 though). All autos behind the 4.0 are the AW4; it's a stout transmission.

Some early XJs had a Dana 44 rear axle (mostly in the 87 model year, though a few 88s got them also). After the Chrysler redesign of the XJ (beginning in 91), the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle was available (in 27 spline into 96, then 29 spline through 01). The other rear axle option, available through all years of the Cherokee, was the Dana 35. The Dana 44 is the strongest and most desirable of the rear ends, but the 29 spline 8.25 is also strong, and may be easier to find. All 4x4 XJs have a Dana 30 front axle (high-pinion from 84-99, low pinion in 00 and 01).

There's no real buyers guide out there; my advice to you is to search the forums, and read, read, read. The question of which year XJ to buy comes up all the time.

[xjtrailrider]

I own 4 XJ's, 90', 95', 96', 00'. I like the RENIX models(87-90) for the simple reason they are easy to diagnose computer/sensor problems. But I also like the 96', its the first year of OBDII, still has the old body style, HP D-30, and some had the 29 spline 8.25, the main girddles were a little beeffier from 96-on. The main thing is to get the 4.0 inline six. It will run circles around Yota's V-6 thats in the 4runners. The Jeep shares the same auto with the 4runner. I like the Yota's rear axles but that front IFS(86-on) is junk. I've done a couple of the front axle swaps on the Yota's, and its a lot of work and expense. Buy the Jeep and you will already have a strong motor/tranny, solid front axle. Swap for a stouter rear and you have the perfect off-road vehicle.

[mrrbby]

If you were in the Northeast like me, I would suggest finding the cleanest 4.0L you can get your hands on, regardless of year. I find it easier to swap out weak components (d35) than replacing floors and rockers. Rust bucket parts cars are cheap up here,if you know where to look. Since you are out in California, finding a rust free 87 with the D44 shouldn't be too hard. 87 and up xj's are all good, you just may end up swapping out some undesirable equipment down the line. Pretty much anything with the 4.0L, without the peugeot trans. Good luck.
BTW, I wouldn't recommend the 88 Rover. Good rig, just parts are pricey. It's less expensive to wheel a cherokee in the long run.

[tbirdsaw]

Thank you for the advice! :worship:

All of you mentioned the 4.0L I6 engine, so I'll be looking for that. :)

Mambeu, I have been slowly searching and reading though the archives. There is a LOT of information here, and it's going to take me some time to get though it! You've given me some places to start. I would prefer a manual over an automatic, so I'll be looking at the newer cars from '90 on then.

xjtrailrider, The 4Runner guys didn't mention this! :roflmao:Seriously though, that is good to know. I had heard on the 4Runner forums that the older generations of the vehicles were relatively underpowered. I do like how the Jeep already has a head start on the rest.

mrrbby, Most of the XJs around here are rust-free or relatively rust free. I don't mind swapping stuff, but the neighbors may not like me having a couple of XJs for parts carts :p. I've been talked out of the '88 RR on another forum, but I may still consider a later model. I do realize it is more expensive though.

Thank you all for your advice. Now it's time to search the forums, and read, read, read. :thumbup:

[karstic]

tbirdsaw

Welcome.

If you can, swing by the OC M&G next Tuesday and check out some of the local XJs.

Details here

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=93958


Here's a nice history of the Cherokee

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=46011



A Cherokee is a great platform to start with. IMO it is one of the most capable 4x4 platforms in a stock form. If I were to do it again, I would look for a late model with the high pinion Dana 30 in the front and Chrysler 8.25 in the rear. (I'm not sure of the cut off year between the high pinion and low pinion front axles)