Any advice input to help me decide on car purchase...

[transmaro93]

Ok been a GM guy my entire life. Now finding this new enfatuation with jeeps. Wanted a wrangler but i also like the old style cherokees (xj). want somthing lifted small with 33's. found one at a decent deal. Has about 128k on it. Needs new shocks/steering stabalizer and new tires. couple small things here and there but not in bad shape at all. Truck has no rot at all. Its a 2000. Its a little weird driving but i think its cause its lifted and the tires are shot. Anything anyone can tell me to stay away from or look out for if i go look at it again. Again not familiar with jeeps but i know alot of guys on here have them. Thanks for any help!

[LTb1ow]

Oh no. Oh nooooo

what has been read, cannot be un read.

[greenformula92]

as long as the jeep you buy is a straight 6 i don't see a problem....do NOT buy a V6 Jeep....the V6 is garbage

[BonzoHansen]

Njjoa grows larger.......

[sweetbmxrider]

Don't

[BullittSVT]

My brothers into Jeeping and he has an 02 Wrangler lifted with 33's, was out wheeling last night. It's a cool thing but way more destructive then performance cars, it can be an expensive hobby. I'd go around more to the Jeepforum and ask questions, us F-Body owners are confused on why one lifts and not drops :P

[transmaro93]

well im not gonna wheel it all the time... probbly once in a while. Im pretty familiar wih lifted trucks and wheeling cause my brother used to have a bunch but just not jeeps...

[sweetbmxrider]

Just wait for teh jeep fanboi....

[transmaro93]

i know im waiting for his input... haha

[BigAls87Z28]

1) Buy Jeep
2) Go Mudding
3) Make it brown
4) Forever Happy

[The Fixer]

I had an '01 XJ for 6 years as a daily driver. It was a great truck and never left me stranded (except when the stupid Optima Redtop died). They're easy to work on, cheap to maintain, and basically bulletproof if you buy one with the right options. Make sure you get one without ABS since that will have the stronger 8.25 rear, and also has the AW4 auto trans and 4.0 inline 6. Honestly, I would buy one UN-lifted and then lift it yourself when you are ready - buying a previously lifted and wheeled Jeep can be asking for trouble (IMO).

[Tru2Chevy]

XJs are fun....we all know that haters are gonna hate. :mrgreen:

Anyway, I know you said it's clean, but get under and look carefully for rust. Bang on the rockers (especially the area under the rear doors) hard to see if there are any weak spots that have started to rust from the inside. The rear upper shock mounts are notorious for being a royal PITA to change (cheap studs rust / break easily), so plan on that not being a completely simple swap.

What lift is on it (brand and size)? Some of the cheap lifts cut corners on things that aren't needed 100%, but will definitely compromise ride / handling / reliability (such as trackbar relocation brackets or poorly made adjustable trackbars).

Being that it's a 2000 it has distributorless ignition (only on 00 and 01 XJs) as well as a greatly complicated exhaust emissions setup (same 2 years). I don't remember all the specs, but I think it runs 2 pre-cats, one reg. cat, and either 3 or 4 O2 sensors (compared to the 96-99's 1 cat, 2 O2 setup). These replacement parts for the 00-01 setup are far more costly. Personally, I would look for a 98 or 99 if you like the later body style, or a 96 if you like the earlier body style. Going that route, you have more parts in common with other cherokees, and likely less headaches with replacement parts.

- Justin

[transmaro93]

not sure on brand of lift. buts its 4 inches.. only brand name i can spot os the steering stabilizer that is skyjacker. but that might just be that part. i checked for rot this truck hs none and i know it was wheeled before but it was pretty decently taken car of for being a wheeled truck. as for the emmissions and stuff. this i did not know about and this is the kind of info i was looking for so now im going to give it some more thought. If some of those cats are deleted will the truck pass emmissions you think? truck is sorta loud outa the tail pipe to have 3 cats... i didnt notice how many it had though and exhaust was fairly rusty. thanks guys for the info this really helps alot.

[greenformula92]

the only one you might be able to get away with deleting is the pre cat, and that might require a header...anything else should most definatly trip a check engine light....the straight 6, while it is a great motor, i guess it would be considered a "dirty"motor

[The Fixer]

the only one you might be able to get away with deleting is the pre cat, and that might require a header...anything else should most definatly trip a check engine light....the straight 6, while it is a great motor, i guess it would be considered a "dirty"motor

You can't delete the pre-cats on the '00-'01 XJ unless you also get some sort of tune (not even sure if there's something available). Reason being is that there are 4 O2 sensors as Justin mentioned, but the layout is - upstream O2 before the pre-cat for cylinders 1,2,3, and a downstream O2, and an upstream O2 before the pre-cat for cylinders 4,5,6 and a downstream O2 as well. They are built right into the header, and a royal PITA. I had to have one of mine replaced under the federal warranty (truck had 79K miles when one went bad). The downstream cat is the only one you could probably delete but the guys at the inspection station would notice that.

[Tru2Chevy]

If you are just looking for something to cruise in and use as a woods truck I would just pick up something cheap off of craigslist and have some fun with it. If you find that you are really into it and want more / better, then set out to look for a nicer one. Obviously this won't work as well if you are looking for this to be your new DD as well.

Something like this would be a good way to get you started: http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/2471476338.html

- Justin

[transmaro93]

yea what ever i get is gona be DD... im looking to replace my current saturn sl2 that needs some work and i dont wanna put money into it. I want somthing that will be decently reliable but i can still have some fun in the woods with and in the snow with every once and a while. I already have the firebird as my toy and i cant have a DD and a woods truck too. So id like eto combine the two hah... Im still seriously considering this 2000 only cause it seems like a decent deal and it does run pretty good. gonna think about it though for a day or two might take it to the shop i work at to check it out really good if the guy will let me.

[sweetbmxrider]

If you want to swing by me, I'll take a look at it with you.

[transmaro93]

possible guy lives off midstreams... i gotta see i might just say **** looking at it more and buy it or find somthing stocker i dont know. now im thinking how much am i really gonna wheel to drive somthing on 33s everyday. Im just thinking the gas miliage. I have no one to wheel with either id prob be going alone most of the time.

[sweetbmxrider]

Yeah you are going to two extremes of gas mileage with an sl2 and a lifted jeep with big tires.

[transmaro93]

sl2 sucks on gass for 4cyl... it gets at best 22mpg... its old and tired which doesnt help but my old corrolla with 150k on it got 33mpg consistantly.any truck i get isnt gonna get great miliage so if i want a truck iv come to terms with it and ill make it work into my budget.

[sweetbmxrider]

You will be in the low teens with that jeep. Its nearly half the gas mileage you are currently getting. See what I'm sayinnnnnnnnnnn?

[Tru2Chevy]

I am currently cruising around in a '92 XJ with about 245k on the original drivetrain, and I have been averaging about 17mpg in mixed driving. Still working on the tuneup - no idea how old plugs and wires are, and there is a decent sized crack in the exhaust manifold, so plenty of room for improvement there. In a 95% highway trip I took last month to upstate NY I got about 21.5mpg.

My '96 with 1/2 the miles that has 3.5" lift, 31s, 4.10s, aftermarket bumper, etc typically averaged 15-16, and got a best of 19.8mpg.

Maybe you should look into getting a stocker, just doing a budget boost (2"-2.5") and going with a 30x9.5 tire. Still has a nice look, plenty capable off road, no need to regear axles, and should still net you decent mileage (especially on the highway with the taller tires).

- Justin

[LTb1ow]

sl2 sucks on gass for 4cyl... it gets at best 22mpg... its old and tired which doesnt help but my old corrolla with 150k on it got 33mpg consistantly.any truck i get isnt gonna get great miliage so if i want a truck iv come to terms with it and ill make it work into my budget.

Bahahahah DOHC pwnz you.

My SOHC SL1 gets ~30mpg. :lol:

[transmaro93]

hows the miliage in your lifted xj on 31's? this truck is on 33x12.5 so its a meaty tire its gonna kill miliage i know but its that or putts around in a car i hate forever...

[transmaro93]

mines also got double the miliage yours does matt... all that carbon buildup inthe motor doesnt help the situation

[LTb1ow]

110k on it pal.

[Tru2Chevy]

hows the miliage in your lifted xj on 31's? this truck is on 33x12.5 so its a meaty tire its gonna kill miliage i know but its that or putts around in a car i hate forever...

I updated my post with more info / thoughts....

Also, is this 2000 regeared, or still on stock 3.55s? If it is, you really gonna want to regear to 4.10s or 4.30s to get back to stockish gearing.

- Justin

[transmaro93]

yea only think about buying a stocker and then putting that much work into is i dont really have the money to do that... and probably wouldnt for a while. thats why i was looking for somthing lifted already. as for the rear gears i dont know. guy didnt say they were changed but it also wasnt a dog. you stepped onthe gas and it goes... so im not really sure. this guy hasnt owned it for very long so he wasnt the one that did all the work. thanks for all thehelp though justin. its really got me thinking. if i did get it i could go with a 10.5 wide tire instead of a 12.5 tire and that would cut some weight out and probably improve drivability...

[Tru2Chevy]

Yea, there is a trend of "pizza cutter" wheel and tire setups coming back into popularity. Several companies are starting to offer 33x10.5s and 34x10.5 as well as other similar sizes.

Also, the budget boost setup that I mentioned can be used with stock shocks and is only a few hundred bucks.

- Justin

[Iroc-z86]

i agree with justin. i have a 96 xj with 190k, when i bought it, it was completely stock. i put on a 3in rough country lift with no problems. i had a 2002 wrangler with that same 6cyl with all that emissions bs. it never ran right. nothing but problems. My 96 is the first year for OBDII and it is awesome. no problems ever. I had it covered in mud to where no color was showing and it ran like a champ then drove 2 hours home the same day.

the earlier cherokees like 88-90 are good too because of the renix fuel systems. they easily get 20mpg+ on the highway.

look for rot on the rockers, rear 'trunk' deck and especially near any leaf spring mounts. (mine is rotting on the front leaf mounts and there is no way to stop it :( )

everyone says they are expensive but not really if you know what your doing. i dd mine and when i can i beat the crap out of it off road, BUT i also change the oil, diff and trans fluids every time i get in high water. straight 6's eat spark plugs about every 30k for some reason.

also watch for 'death wobble', with a lift you need a really good alignment and make sure the worn parts are replaced asap.

other than that its the best suv/truck i have ever owned and i am not going to sell it. just run it until the body breaks in half.

[transmaro93]

you have any pics of yours with the 3 inch kit with the 31s... i really like this truck but the emmisions stuff is scaring me cause its a 2000... other than that i think i wanna pick it up. im gonna look again to see what i can find. I kind of like the newer body but the older one looks cool if done right...

[Tru2Chevy]

http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Jeep/Courser_CT_Jeep.jpg

That's my '96 right after I put my current tires on it. You can see the rocker rust, and most of that rocker is gone now.

Here's a few from a trip I took with B64C a few months after I bought the '96:

His 2500 Ram with a 3" lift and 35s:
http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/CMSP/IMG_0001.jpg

http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/CMSP/IMG_0004.jpg

http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/CMSP/IMG_0026.jpg

http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/CMSP/IMG_0045.jpg

- Justin

[transmaro93]

that thing is pretty sweet!... you go wheeling ever? and where you go?

[Tru2Chevy]

The '96 is parked now, only driven to work once every few weeks to keep the fluids moving. Too much rust, broken shocks, inspection was due May of '09. Soon it will be stripped of all useable parts and sent to the crusher, most of the main parts will find their way onto my new-to-me '92.

The pics in the above post were taken at Collier's Mills State Park, which is right next to New Egypt Speedway on Rt. 539. I have also gone wheeling in Wharton State Forest, the entrance we go in is a few miles from Atco on Rt. 206.

Here's a shot ar0ck got of it the first trip I took to Wharton:
http://www.njfboa.org/JustinImages/Jeep/Jeep-Wharton-4x4s.jpg

- Justin

[transmaro93]

atco and new egypt arent far at all... any chance youll be taking the 92 wheeling inthe future. like i said none of my freinds really have trucks and i dont have anyone to go with. im sure a few of the jsfboa would tag along with me. its always more fun in groups

[Tru2Chevy]

Yea, the stock '92 has been to Colliers Mills already too:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197905_10150122348231773_506711772_6788582_1551005 _n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190729_10150122348466773_506711772_6788586_3003788 _n.jpg

And yes, I don't ever shy away from getting 'em dirty, always down to make a trip into the woods.

- Justin

[transmaro93]

right on justin... if i do end up pick this truck up or a different one we'll deff have to make a boa trip...

[sweetbmxrider]

Tru2Jeep

[Iroc-z86]

lifted- zero miles on lift. yes it still sits the same height, no sagging or settling.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/nascar2496/cherokee/IMG_2459.jpg

With lift, after the mud pit :)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/nascar2496/cherokee/IMG_0128.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/nascar2496/cherokee/IMG_0125.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/nascar2496/cherokee/IMG_0124.jpg

without lift

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/nascar2496/cherokee/IMG_2198.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/nascar2496/cherokee/IMG_2212.jpg

overall im very happy with the lift. it still has great road manners (minus the road noise from the insane mud tires) but it gets through a lot.

[Iroc-z86]

oh and count me in for the trip into the woods :) i have my share of dents/scratches from trees..

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

I didn't realize there was Collier's Mills right near Forked River...hmmm.

[Adam1978]

If you're going Jeep, you totally want the classic AMC Wagoneer. Probably best suv i've ever driven lol and i loved my suburban and my Isuzu Trooper was a BEAST off road. But the 360 v8 and all the luxuries the 80's could throw at you just cannot be beat haha

[maroman88]

ppppssssssssssshhhhhhhhh these jeep people

blazer ZR2 package, factory 3in lift with 31in tires, full skid plates underneath, its a beast

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/42760/2953784130074167970S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2953784130074167970qIqIqA)

http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/46439/2231379610074167970S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2231379610074167970FQuMoj)

http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/48353/2837841370074167970S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2837841370074167970qPacQC)

[transmaro93]

yea i was looking for a zr2 s-10 but people want to much for them and they dont last as long as the cherokees... sorry i see i alot of those cherokees with 250k+ mi on stock drivetrain... those 4.3 blazers usually dondt make it that long and the rest of the truck falls apart around them.. they need ball joints ever 30k and so on. if they were less money id consider them but they want to much for what they are

[Tru2Chevy]

If you're going Jeep, you totally want the classic AMC Wagoneer. Probably best suv i've ever driven lol and i loved my suburban and my Isuzu Trooper was a BEAST off road. But the 360 v8 and all the luxuries the 80's could throw at you just cannot be beat haha

I love Grand Waggys, everyone wants an arm and leg for ones in decent shape though. I would love to get my hands on a 90 or 91.

- Justin

[Iroc-z86]

ppppssssssssssshhhhhhhhh these jeep people

blazer ZR2 package, factory 3in lift with 31in tires, full skid plates underneath, its a beast




yeah they are beasts, my dad has the s-10 zr2 pickup. it doesnt know the meaning of the word 'stuck'.

yea i was looking for a zr2 s-10 but people want to much for them and they dont last as long as the cherokees... sorry i see i alot of those cherokees with 250k+ mi on stock drivetrain... those 4.3 blazers usually dondt make it that long and the rest of the truck falls apart around them.. they need ball joints ever 30k and so on. if they were less money id consider them but they want to much for what they are

true but not true. depends on how well it was kept up with maintenance, my moms jimmy has 180k and runs like a champ and there is no rust anywhere. (never garage kept either) we are on the 3rd set of ball joints tho so in that aspect you are correct.

[maroman88]

bahhh i blew the engine in mine driving like a dick on a really hot day, not when off roading suprisingly but it had 143k on it, other then that... no rust, very solid. i replaced the ball joints and upper control arms and bushing myself, very simple job. and i only paid like 2k for the truck. i put a 60k mile engine and trans in it and its back in business!

[transmaro93]

yea i mean they are deff pretty cool trucks... and i would consider it. i just think for the money a XJ jeep will suit me better. you seem like you got a good buy on one and 140k seems around right for those to blow up. we have one in the shop right now getting an engine replaced has about 140 on the clock... its just a reg jimmy though not zr2. maroman you down for offroading trip too if we set something up someday? maybe you can stick my foot in my mouth with what ever jeep i end up with hahaha

[transmaro93]

well...its official im jeep owner!... picked my first one up today. i bought the 2000 on 33s. Need to do a few things to it before i put it on the road. probably be on the road by next week. So if you guys are ever going on any offroad adventures please post up and ill tag along. I dont have alot of experience offroad so ill prob take it easy the first few times and hang in the back but im always open ears to tips and what not. ill post some pics if i can after i get it on the road, seeing i left it at my job for now.

[sweetbmxrider]

It looks good man, I like it. I'm down for passenger seat shenanigans.

[LTb1ow]

This saddens me greatly. However, you now own a running jeep, a non running f body... next admin?

[sweetbmxrider]

http://files.redux.com/images/5ae3053244cc5141459c321e39c9b584/avatar75

[Tru2Chevy]

This saddens me greatly. However, you now own a running jeep, a non running f body... next admin?

:shifty:

- Justin

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

This saddens me greatly. However, you now own a running jeep, a non running f body... next admin?

Pretty sure it runs fine it just had issues moving :lol:

[LTb1ow]

Pretty sure it runs fine it just had issues moving :lol:

Don't you have a family thing to go to?

[transmaro93]

yes nick was right. but f-body is on its way back to life... and now jeep shenanigans... things are looking up. just gonna be really broke now with two toys in the mix. haha adam that angry dad face kills me...

[sweetbmxrider]

Hahaha so good. I didn't hear your car run?????

[BigAls87Z28]

You did it anyway...

[transmaro93]

yea of coarse... you dont know me by now... im a terrible descision maker somtimes. No support on jeep adventures from BiGpal....

[Tru2Chevy]

No support on jeep adventures from BiGpal....

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/20440666/ocukhaters.jpg

:rofl:

- Justin

[sweetbmxrider]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs740.ash1/163214_10150136893667905_518452904_7611041_4702805 _n.jpg