JT4x4

The Mud Pit => General => Topic started by: kirksjeep on June 29, 2009, 11:44:24 PM

Title: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on June 29, 2009, 11:44:24 PM
I did some searching around on differnt Jeep forums and for a DD, the concensus seems to be the 97-99 XJ preferable w/o abs.  With this criteria I searched the area and found this Jeep on craigslist. 
The Good: 99 Sport, 4.0L, 5 speed, 141K miles, tow package, power everything,  "no rust" , 2 door
The Bad: 2wd, faded plastic, it's all the way out in Somers

I called the guy and I'm going to look at it tomorrw.  He has listed it on cragslist twice, it has no plates, and it has went from $2K to $2K o.bo., so I am thinking he is a failry motivated seller.  If I like it I am going to offer $1700, and go no higher then $1800. 

Here are the links to the craigslist postings:
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1240201055.html
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1244209935.html

What do you guys think??
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 29, 2009, 11:46:46 PM
wouldn't be bad for a DD. Prob much better gas mileage than mine, cuz of the 2wd.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on June 29, 2009, 11:47:54 PM
perfect for a desert racer build up 8)
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on June 29, 2009, 11:50:30 PM
I don't think Oakdale to Groton will ever be desert ;D. 

I just checked kbb and in Good Condtion, private seller is $3,150 and fair is $2,760 so I should be getting a pretty good deal.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: rocket on June 29, 2009, 11:53:13 PM
offer $1500!
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on June 30, 2009, 12:02:24 AM
wouldn't be bad for a DD. Prob much better gas mileage than mine, cuz of the 2wd.

From what I found the 2wd w/ 5 speed gets 18 city/ 24 Hwy, not bad!!!
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: Axle on June 30, 2009, 12:22:19 AM
What about the winter?  Especially if you end up staying here???
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on June 30, 2009, 12:36:56 AM
What about the winter?  Especially if you end up staying here???

Since my Jetta didn't have 4wd either, I used my YJ to get to work a few times, and when school was cancelled I took the Liberty.  I may end up putting some BFG AT's on it and that should be ok for once the roads are plowed. 
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on June 30, 2009, 01:11:16 AM
What about the winter?  Especially if you end up staying here???

Since my Jetta didn't have 4wd either, I used my YJ to get to work a few times, and when school was cancelled I took the Liberty.  I may end up putting some BFG AT's on it and that should be ok for once the roads are plowed. 

as long as there's no hills, or corners you should be ok.  the xj's are very light and break loose very easily around corners.  hills, forget about it.  look into making it 4wd, or better yet getting one in 4wd.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on June 30, 2009, 01:20:24 AM
What about the winter?  Especially if you end up staying here???

Since my Jetta didn't have 4wd either, I used my YJ to get to work a few times, and when school was cancelled I took the Liberty.  I may end up putting some BFG AT's on it and that should be ok for once the roads are plowed. 

as long as there's no hills, or corners you should be ok.  the xj's are very light and break loose very easily around corners.  hills, forget about it.  look into making it 4wd, or better yet getting one in 4wd.

I didn't realize the 2wd versions were that bad in the snow, I'll keep looking.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on June 30, 2009, 01:23:17 AM
What about the winter?  Especially if you end up staying here???

Since my Jetta didn't have 4wd either, I used my YJ to get to work a few times, and when school was cancelled I took the Liberty.  I may end up putting some BFG AT's on it and that should be ok for once the roads are plowed. 

as long as there's no hills, or corners you should be ok.  the xj's are very light and break loose very easily around corners.  hills, forget about it.  look into making it 4wd, or better yet getting one in 4wd.

I didn't realize the 2wd versions were that bad in the snow, I'll keep looking.

it's just very light.  when the axle disco quit on mine, i had to call for a ride home, it was just horrible.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on June 30, 2009, 01:24:37 AM
here's a 95 http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1245512015.html
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: calvynandhobbs on June 30, 2009, 03:24:32 AM
Cherokees are a lot like small 2wd pickups when it comes to driving on the snow. Without having a frame they are very light, but you can get around the majority of the time in 2wd, at least I do. If you put some good BFG ATs on it you won't have a problem unless there is a fresh snowfall, but if I were you I'd go with 4wd for nothing else but keeping the value as it gets older.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on June 30, 2009, 04:47:28 AM
another nice 95  http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1233748002.html
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on June 30, 2009, 05:41:12 AM
another nice 95  http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1233748002.html

220K and he wants $1400.  I have seen a lot lower miles for a simliar price.  I would really like a 97-99, but the 96 have a lot of improvements over previose years too.  I found a 96 in RI with 123K, but it has some front end damage.  I still might go look at it to see what all it needs.  If it is just sheet metal, it might be a good deal.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on June 30, 2009, 01:24:18 PM
another nice 95  http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1233748002.html

220K and he wants $1400.  I have seen a lot lower miles for a simliar price.  I would really like a 97-99, but the 96 have a lot of improvements over previose years too.  I found a 96 in RI with 123K, but it has some front end damage.  I still might go look at it to see what all it needs.  If it is just sheet metal, it might be a good deal.

i've owned some that had 300 plus miles still ran like day one.  i had a customer at one of my old shops that finally let theirs go at 427k.  so 220 is still a baby lol
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: calvynandhobbs on June 30, 2009, 02:06:10 PM
Kirk, I ran across this XJ on NAXJA this morning.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1000193 (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1000193)

Here's another one that had a cooling problem, but is going cheap and doesn't have a ton of miles.

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1245387207.html (http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1245387207.html)


Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on July 01, 2009, 12:09:10 AM
I found this one in west haven.  The motor was just put in last week by the guy who owns the transmission shop in the back ground.  He found an S-10 blazer with a blown tranny and low miles so this one has to go.  It IS 4wd, and the damage is as shown, rusted rockers, dented bumper, busted drivers tail, but the under side is apparently very clean.  The guy said the price is firm, which I think is a good price.  The tires are ok, but should be replaced before winter. 

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/1247179898.html

Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: calvynandhobbs on July 01, 2009, 02:02:56 PM
That's not bad for a 98 with a replaced engine with under 100k miles. If you go to look at it pull up a piece of the carpet on either side in the front and see what the floors look like. A lot of Cherokees rust out in the floors because the seals around the doors aren't very good and water leaks under the carpet. Rocker replacement wouldn't be bad and they are cheap through JC Whitney and other places if you don't like the rust.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on July 02, 2009, 01:13:32 AM
So I called the guy in West Haven with the Black 1998 before I headed down there.  I forgot to ask yesterday, but I asked what year the engine was from.  It turns out it was from a 1996, which may be legal in CT, but not everywhere.  If I move I don't want to have a truck that I can't even register.   I guess in CT they don't check the engine vin against the vehicle vin, but I know some states (CA, AZ, MD and others...)d0 and the engine has to be from the same year or newer. 

I was back on the hunt and found this one: http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1247842409.html
In short, I offered $1500 and they said OK!!!  I left a $50 deposit and will go pick it up tomorrow with the truck and the trailer.  It is a little rougher then the pictures show, it has some damage on the rear bumper, front bumper, corner of the hood, and a little on the grill.  The driver side seat bracket has a busted weld ( fixable), interior needs to be cleaned.  The inside of the lift gate is missing the panel, the electric lock is on the floor, the rear wiper isn't working and the rear defrosted doesn't work.  The passenger side window doesn't go down.  The valve cover gasket leaks, and the brake fluid is black, the power steering fluid is pretty dark, and the coolant is still the orange color but could be changed.  The oil looks ok, and the tranny fluid is ok, but I will change both.  No check engine light, the underside was undercoated so no rust, no other drips or leaks besides the valve cover.  Three of the tires are BFG long trails with about 75% trad left, and the other is a Good Year that has about 25% tread.  Cold AC, all lights work, everything else looks ok.  It was the cheapest 4wd under 200K I could find for the $$$.  I needs a little TLC, but I am hoping to get a few years out of it.

kbb value for fair condition is $3150, so $1500 is not bad ;)
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: BlacXJeep on July 02, 2009, 01:52:09 AM
nice grab
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: calvynandhobbs on July 02, 2009, 03:13:41 AM
Those are all pretty small fixes and that XJ should give you a lot of good miles. Nice find.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 02, 2009, 02:47:27 PM
you should get many happy years out of it.  they're great trucks
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: reptile610 on July 02, 2009, 11:38:26 PM
haha, same thing as mine. same color and everything. mine just has 88k miles on it
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 01:03:38 AM
haha, same thing as mine. same color and everything. mine just has 88k miles on it

and a $4500 balance on the loan..
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: reptile610 on July 03, 2009, 02:53:38 AM
true. next time im just gonna buy 1 thats already lifted and everything because apparently they're alot cheaper that way.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 02:55:57 AM
true. next time im just gonna buy 1 thats already lifted and everything because apparently they're alot cheaper that way.

wise idea glad you are learning, now snatch the grasshopper from my hand pebble.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on July 03, 2009, 03:00:18 AM
I picked up my "New" XJ today and I started really looking it over.  The only "surprise" is that both front U-joints need to be replaced.  Not very $$$ but time intensive.  As a good surprise the battery was purchsed in Aug of 07 and is a 7 year battery!!!  I will be changing all the fluids, spark plugs, etc...over the next few days.  After that I will start cleaning the interior and installing the stereo.

I need to find some time to put the TJ head pipe on the YJ too.  I might just move into the garage over the weekend.  :)
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 03:29:44 AM
I picked up my "New" XJ today and I started really looking it over.  The only "surprise" is that both front U-joints need to be replaced.  Not very $$$ but time intensive.  As a good surprise the battery was purchsed in Aug of 07 and is a 7 year battery!!!  I will be changing all the fluids, spark plugs, etc...over the next few days.  After that I will start cleaning the interior and installing the stereo.

I need to find some time to put the TJ head pipe on the YJ too.  I might just move into the garage over the weekend.  :)

put the ac in the garage window and go to town.  i did for my evap core, but didn't even need the ac.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: kirksjeep on July 03, 2009, 04:50:12 AM
I picked up my "New" XJ today and I started really looking it over.  The only "surprise" is that both front U-joints need to be replaced.  Not very $$$ but time intensive.  As a good surprise the battery was purchsed in Aug of 07 and is a 7 year battery!!!  I will be changing all the fluids, spark plugs, etc...over the next few days.  After that I will start cleaning the interior and installing the stereo.

I need to find some time to put the TJ head pipe on the YJ too.  I might just move into the garage over the weekend.  :)

put the ac in the garage window and go to town.  i did for my evap core, but didn't even need the ac.
My Big Garage doesn't have any windows and I'm not moving all my tools back to the attached Garage.  I could always cut a AC size hole in the side of it. ;)
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: reptile610 on July 03, 2009, 01:47:50 PM
if u want some help lemme know, not doing hardly anything all weekend and need something to entertain myself with.... it'll be like having an A ganger help you out  ;D except they actually have some muscle  ;D
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 03:20:24 PM
I picked up my "New" XJ today and I started really looking it over.  The only "surprise" is that both front U-joints need to be replaced.  Not very $$$ but time intensive.  As a good surprise the battery was purchsed in Aug of 07 and is a 7 year battery!!!  I will be changing all the fluids, spark plugs, etc...over the next few days.  After that I will start cleaning the interior and installing the stereo.

I need to find some time to put the TJ head pipe on the YJ too.  I might just move into the garage over the weekend.  :)

put the ac in the garage window and go to town.  i did for my evap core, but didn't even need the ac.
My Big Garage doesn't have any windows and I'm not moving all my tools back to the attached Garage.  I could always cut a AC size hole in the side of it. ;)

i have a 12500 in the window of my little garage.  but ya cut the hole :D
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 03:21:08 PM
except they actually have some muscle  ;D

um...as long as you don't have to loosen control arm bolts he'll be good...
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: reptile610 on July 03, 2009, 03:33:02 PM
hey now, i was on a creeper and kept rolling backwards
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 03:45:09 PM
hey now, i was on a creeper and kept rolling backwards

so was i.  i thought with you listening to beat it all the time, and being in the navy, you'd have those popeye arms by now..
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: reptile610 on July 03, 2009, 03:47:42 PM
haha, why is it that everytime i post something it turns into a bashfest on me?  ???
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 03:50:17 PM
haha, why is it that everytime i post something it turns into a bashfest on me?  ???

new guy hazing...
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: reptile610 on July 03, 2009, 03:54:55 PM
but im not the new guy anymore
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 03:55:31 PM
but im not the new guy anymore


you'll always be probey
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: reptile610 on July 03, 2009, 04:06:23 PM
is it cause im still stock?
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 04:07:09 PM
is it cause im still stock?

nope cuz ur 12.
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: reptile610 on July 03, 2009, 04:10:52 PM
haha, young a dumb? ???
Title: Re: What do you think of this XJ
Post by: PaulW on July 03, 2009, 04:12:02 PM
haha, young a dumb? ???

inexperienced.