Switching to a XJ

[pa2phx]

I have been thinking of unloading the TJ for a XJ. I need the room and it seems after market parts are cheaper and easier to find for the XJ. I however know nothing about the XJ. Any suggestions on year or model i should shoot for?

[hillbilly]

in all honesty your best bets are the 96 - 99 four door automatics. easier to fix ,parts availability, and they are the tougher of the bunch. i excluded the 2000 and 2001 because they both have a distributorless ignition which is gremlin prone and the fact they are both low pinion front axles which are rock prone. also to be avoided if you want to go that old is anything pre 91. the late 91 to 95 are decent but have weaker axle motor transfercases. they do ride differently than a tj will, they have rear leafsprings which makes for a rougher ride. just my 2 cents

[(Tattoo) Jack]

    Parts cheaper and easier to get for an XJ    Obviously you haven't seen QuadraTec's Catalogs. The one for the TJ is at least 3x thicker. If you want to learn something about XJ's then get Eric's book http://ericsxj.com/book.htm

   Good Luck...

[hillbilly]

barbie always did have more accessories.

[Death Wobble]

I have a '88.  I put a Zone kit and shocks on it and have no issues about the ride comfort level.  Whatever parts that I didn't find in a catalog were ordered from a garage or a parts store with little difficulty.

Are you planning on doing hardcore wheeling with it, or just casual off-roading?

[pa2phx]

I have a '88.  I put a Zone kit and shocks on it and have no issues about the ride comfort level.  Whatever parts that I didn't find in a catalog were ordered from a garage or a parts store with little difficulty.

Are you planning on doing hardcore wheeling with it, or just casual off-roading?

Most definitely casual offloading, trail riding. I am all for hardcore but don't have the time to commit to it. And I low quadratec's catalogue is thicker for the TJ but most of that stuff has less to do with offloading and more to do with accessorizing.

[Death Wobble]

Did you decide to keep the TJ, or are you still going XJ in the future?

[pa2phx]

Still up in the air. Right now I am putting some money into the TJ since it has been neglected for a while. Just little stuff. I am still window shopping for an XJ. 

[Jeepnharleymomma]

John - Hillbilly and Tattoo Jack both drive and wheel their XJ's I would ask them any questions you have .

[pa2phx]

Thanks Jenn. I will definitely defer to them when the time comes. First I have to over come my fear of letting go of the wrangler.  I am afraid I will miss it.. 

[Death Wobble]

I drive, wheel, and work on my XJ, too.  I also have a very knowledgable father who managed his own service stations, so don't be afraid to ask me anything. 

Letting go...if you didn't mention needing the room, I'd just say keep it and add an XJ to the stable!  Both are great off road, but you can haul more stuff in/on an XJ, if that matters.  Not to mention the coolness factor of driving the same rig as me. 

[pa2phx]

i am sure that would increase my local status. i would love to keep it and add the xj but i think my wife might get overwhelmed if there was a third jeep in the drive way. maybe i could convince her it gets the same mileage as the Camry.