Long time YJ owner thinking about getting an XJ, advice?

trayson · 05-27-2003, 11:11 AM

Ok, so I've owned my 91 YJ for ages and I'm thinking of adding to the Jeep family by getting an XJ. (we're not too keen on the looks of the Liberty, and think that we can get a lot of bank for the buck w/ a Cherokee) This would be my wife's daily driver, so drivability on the road is a concern. (by this I mean that my wife doesn't like driving my bouncy, lifted YJ and it would be nice to have something a bit more comfortable for road trips and the like.) But I'd still like it to be reasonably capable, so a few mods might be okay. :-P

I've done a little research and decided that I'd like to get a 97 or newer, and really like the changes to the trim that they did in 99.

I'd be getting the 4.0L inline 6 and the automatic (so I could have the option of towing stuff).

I really like all the comforts in the Limited package, but it seems like most all of these options are also available in the sport and classic (which makes things a little confusing).

Unfortunately I am a total nOOb with the XJ's, so some of the basic questions I don't know: What size tires stock can go on w/o lift, what are some of my different options for lift and how much... I only see myself wanting to run somewhere between 30's and 32's...

It looks like a SYE is something that XJ people do as well. How much lift necessitates having one?

I hate asking the nOOb questions, but I'll be more than happy to return the favor when some of you come over to the YJ forum and ask questions there!

Thanks in advance!

Invisible · 05-27-2003, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trayson
Unfortunately I am a total nOOb with the XJ's, so some of the basic questions I don't know: What size tires stock can go on w/o lift, what are some of my different options for lift and how much... I only see myself wanting to run somewhere between 30's and 32's...

It looks like a SYE is something that XJ people do as well. How much lift necessitates having one?

Tire Size Chart

I think SYE for 96+ XJ's are requried for 3"+ of Lift.

I have a 95 SE, so option questions are lost on me.

I've never ridden in a YJ, so I can't tell you how they ride compared to XJ's but they are trucks, through and through. So make sure your wife drives it enough to feel the ride. ZJ's/WJ's ride better IMO, but XJ's are much tougher.

STAN 92XJ · 05-27-2003, 02:34 PM

I have a '00 xj sport. I recently put on a Procomp 3" lift and 31" tires/wheels off a rubicon wrangler. (245/75/16)
I didn't need to do a SYE. I had very little vibration around 40mph, so I just dropped the tranfer case 5/8" and what little vibes I had are gone. I just took it out for the first time this past weekend and my tires rubbed the flares at full flex

but I don't have any problems on the road. I was told that I wouldn't have to extend my bump stops but after this weekend I will because at full flex, my tires were stuffed up in the fender well and I still had about 1.5" to the bumpstop.

Still handles the same except it's a little bumpier. I did use a long AAL in the rear for lift so I'm sure that's why. The front seems to be about the same.

You should be able to fit 30" tires on a stock XJ. They probably will rub off road. I have a '92 XJ with 235/75/15's and they never rubbed.

I would suggest a 3" w/ 30" tires if you will take it off road a lot. 31" will probably rub like mine so you may want to trim a little. On the road they work fine.
To run 32" tires, 4.5" -5" of lift would be ideal. Depends on the type of offroading you will do. At full flex, they might rub a little. I'm not 100% sure though.
I know that a SYE will be needed for anything over 3" of lift, but a TC drop may do the trick for a while. (until you get the $$$$ for a SYE)

rollinashortysahara · 05-27-2003, 04:02 PM

ok i would recomend rubicon express 3.5" lift because

A. 31s barely rub
B. my friend has it with no sye and... it drives fine.
C. it looks awesome and wheels well

but i would get tera flex swaybar disconects instead of the r.e. o ones because the r.e. ones snap and pop ( or my friends do )
and the tera flex ones won't.

the kit even rides nice on the road.

JeepinHood · 05-29-2003, 10:46 AM

The only advice I'd give is about the engine.

My mother has been driving Grand Cherokee's for years ( I think she's on her third one). Anyway, the last two have had the full time 4WD. With the 4.0 L, it's a bit sluggish. If I were you, I'd go up a couple years and get the V8.

Not that acceleration is hugely important, but i think we can all agree that it's nice to have power in reserve for when you need it.

Cheers!

AussieXJ · 05-29-2003, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JeepinHood
The only advice I'd give is about the engine.

My mother has been driving Grand Cherokee's for years ( I think she's on her third one). Anyway, the last two have had the full time 4WD. With the 4.0 L, it's a bit sluggish. If I were you, I'd go up a couple years and get the V8.

Not that acceleration is hugely important, but i think we can all agree that it's nice to have power in reserve for when you need it.

Cheers!

Umm....He's asking about XJ's. The 4.0LHO has no problems with 31's.
Trayson, you don't want a Grand Cherokee - do you?

trayson · 05-29-2003, 12:25 PM

No, I don't want a grand Cherokee. No offense to people that have them, but if I wanted to get something V8 and all, I'd just step straight up to a Tahoe or Yukon. For me the XJ is an intermediate solution because we can't afford the big tow machine SUV's. It's something that is a little of everything for a hopefully very reasonable price. (I've seen deals lately for $11k - $14k for low mileage AT w/ the 4.0L).

AussieXJ · 05-29-2003, 12:39 PM

I think Stan92XJ covers your questions for the later model XJ's.
Judging from the list of mods on your YJ, you know what you are doing. Have fun choosing the new addition to the family, and remember you can have any color your wife wants as long as its black!

trayson · 05-29-2003, 12:47 PM

Black is first, 2nd and 3rd choice. Blue is 4th choice.

My problem is that I would buy it saying that since I already have my YJ, that we'll just keep this one relitively stock, just put 29" tires on it and no lift.

Then, the mod bug will hit. I won't be able to stand it, I'll be driven to lift it and then, the slippery slope. It's a disease!!!

AussieXJ · 05-29-2003, 12:57 PM

Now, wouldn't it be wonderful if all of the mod ideas came from your wife.

There would be no choice but to do as you were asked....what dreadful thought!

Iknow....dream on.......