School me on Jeep XJs

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[pELYgroso]

Steve, just throwing this out there... have you thought of a subaru wagon-ish something for your wife? They may not have the ground clearance of an XJ but they're great in the snow, comfy, get good mileage, and you can get a lot of miles out of them if you maintain them! WRX wagons are pretty sweet IMO. If I was buying a DD for my wife, and I didn't necessarily need much off-road capability beyond cruising dirt roads, I'd shoot for something that gets better than 13-20 mpg's.

Think: Kids (I'm guessing within you driving your new vehicle 60,000 miles) and road trips. Like people have said, an XJ isn't the most comfy to drive long distances, and loud, etc. a car-ish vehicle with a back seat and decent mileage is a must with a kid, IMO.

Just thinking out loud...

 

[lewis]

If your a toyota guy then your wasting money and time. You will sell it for a toyota not long after. I have had an xj,yj,zj,wj. Guess what I drive now? Some people just have to learn the hard way on their own I guess. I enjoyed them while I had them but still always look forward to the day I had a toyota again.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I think you're right Lewis, I'll just have to look for the right yota. maybe an 80 series this time. I wish the 80 series engine was as bullet proof as the 3.4's

 

[Greg]

I think you're right Lewis, I'll just have to look for the right yota. maybe an 80 series this time. I wish the 80 series engine was as bullet proof as the 3.4's

The newer FZJ's 1FZ-FE is one hell of an engine, surely better built and longer lasting than the 3.4l. What have you found to not be bullet proof about the 1FZ? Head gaskets are the only issue I'm aware of, and HG's only go due to a lack of cooling system maintenance.

 

[lewis]

I think you're right Lewis, I'll just have to look for the right yota. maybe an 80 series this time. I wish the 80 series engine was as bullet proof as the 3.4's

One of my buddies is just about to hit 300k on his 80. Only had to do maintenance on it.

 

[XJEEPER]

Poor maintenance habits and thrashing on any rig, regardless of the make, will shorten it's life and increase the potential for major component failure.

I've owned 3 XJ's, my 89 logged over 200k miles and is still on the road with a new owner....somewhere in the 240K mi range, on the original motor. I know several XJ owners with 250k plus miles on their rigs.
My 2000 DD has 167K on the motor, trans, t-case, I swapped in new axles when I lifted it 3 years ago. I drive it 60mi a day and average 16 mpg, with 6" lift and 285's/4:88 gearing. Stock XJ's with stock tires will get better mileage.

XJ's haven't been built for 10 yrs, so low-milers are becoming scarce.

That being said, a ZJ or WJ has more interior space and is easier to load kids into. If you need to tow, a ZJ or WJ with a V-8 would be a better option.

Good luck in your search.

 

[sixstringsteve]

thanks for the suggestions guys. I continued the conversation over here:

http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?t=80223

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm not set on an xj, I just thought it was a viable option. She needs something with 4 doors, 4x4 or awd, decent mileage, and sits a little higher so she's safe. She drives through a lot of snow. I just thought it was worth looking at an xj.

Find a 3-5 year old Outback or Forester and call it good. No Jeep can touch a Subaru in reliability, winter driving ability, fuel economy, or safety. Plus they offer great cargo space, a perfect ride height, and can easily handle the dirt roads and mild camping trails in comfort.

 

[SUPERFLY]

hell, ill sell you my 97 fzj80 for 10! it only has 160xxx but it neeads a valve job, new exhaust and a few other things..

 

[snowboard3r411]

uh this toyota jeep stuff never gets old lol your on a 80%+ toyota based forum probably the jeep is not going to win. anyway i only buy and build cherokees nothing more nothing less and i have never had one not hit 200,xxx i dont keep any of them around long enough to get more. that also being said any truck well break down it depends on how its taken care of. all my buddies are toyota guys and guess who they call to come recover them or tow them home, the jeep lol only time i have had a cherokee go down is breaking axle parts. the 4.0 has more power then a yota i can beat my buddies 88 turck 22re with a turbo and my buddies 03 taco that is almost not lifted in my crawler. i love yotas but i love jeeps more