Hello all.
Not an XJ owner yet but looking for some guidance on a purchase.
I've been doing some research and have found some info, but I have questions that I thought could best be answered by owners. Some of my findings may be folklore or just one opinion so I'd like to get a better foundation before I go shopping.
First, my purpose for the XJ is a 90% DD and 10% light/medium trails (I have a CJ7 for tougher trails). I will likely immediately lift it and run 31" AT tires on 15x8 wheels.
I don't really want to spend over 5k for the truck itself.
Which would be the best year model to start with? The XJ will start out as mostly DD but depending on my satisfaction with it I may end up selling the CJ and making the XJ more serious, so I need to know which is the best starting point.
From my research, I know the Chrysler 8.75 is the stronger rear axle. What year is it most likely to be found under? Is there a VIN digit that will determine whether the D35 or Chrysler is installed? Is it best to not even worry about this and just swap in the Explorer 8.8 when/if I decide to get serious?
I have also seen where some say the 4.0 intake was greatly improved in the '97 and later years. Is it worth it to look for a later model performancewise?
Are the auto transmissions problematic? Any particular transmissions to avoid?
Are the '95 model wiring gremlins significant enough to totally avoid that year?
I kind of prefer the looks of the pre-'97 model, but much prefer the interior of the '97 and later. Is it possible to use >'97 interior items in an earlier model?
Sorry for all the newb questions but I want to start out on the right foot.
Thanks in advance!
Not an XJ owner yet but looking for some guidance on a purchase.
I've been doing some research and have found some info, but I have questions that I thought could best be answered by owners. Some of my findings may be folklore or just one opinion so I'd like to get a better foundation before I go shopping.
First, my purpose for the XJ is a 90% DD and 10% light/medium trails (I have a CJ7 for tougher trails). I will likely immediately lift it and run 31" AT tires on 15x8 wheels.
I don't really want to spend over 5k for the truck itself.
Which would be the best year model to start with? The XJ will start out as mostly DD but depending on my satisfaction with it I may end up selling the CJ and making the XJ more serious, so I need to know which is the best starting point.
From my research, I know the Chrysler 8.75 is the stronger rear axle. What year is it most likely to be found under? Is there a VIN digit that will determine whether the D35 or Chrysler is installed? Is it best to not even worry about this and just swap in the Explorer 8.8 when/if I decide to get serious?
I have also seen where some say the 4.0 intake was greatly improved in the '97 and later years. Is it worth it to look for a later model performancewise?
Are the auto transmissions problematic? Any particular transmissions to avoid?
Are the '95 model wiring gremlins significant enough to totally avoid that year?
I kind of prefer the looks of the pre-'97 model, but much prefer the interior of the '97 and later. Is it possible to use >'97 interior items in an earlier model?
Sorry for all the newb questions but I want to start out on the right foot.
Thanks in advance!