Build up zj or xj?

zjBRYCE · 03-17-2009, 12:52 PM

Hello my fellow JF supporters, i have a 98 zj with a 4" lift and 33s and i love it! I have always been partial to zjs. The available raw power of the v8s and the classy look. I plan on doing a lot of upgrades to my zj. However i want something i can take on the trail and not be worried about beating up a little bit. I have been thinking about buying a xj cherokee because parts are a lot cheaper and easier to find? I plan on keeping my zj forever but i dont wanna trash it on the trails. Am i stupid for thinking this? should i just put the proper amount of money and upgrades to my zj to make it invincible? Or is it a good idea to have both? give me your input, notice i put this in the zj section so hit me with your best shot! i cant make up my mind. Thanks!

eshew · 03-17-2009, 12:58 PM

If you dont want to beat up your ZJ, an XJ is a great rig to beat on. They are cheap, easy to work on and tons of fun, just like a ZJ but shorter

.

I would say go for it. A few years ago my roommate bought 2 XJ's for $500 each. Both 89's one had a bad motor, the other had a good motor but was wrecked. Did the engine swap in the garage, and 3 years later he still has a great Wheelin rig, fully locked and skidded, with on board air(ac conversion) arb, winch, rock rails, 33's and a 6" lift... and enough spare parts to do just about any trail repair. I think hs has $4-$5k in it and only 140k. Still has an extra trans and transfercase in the garage.

ShantasticZJ · 03-17-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zjBRYCE

Hello my fellow JF supporters, i have a 98 zj with a 4" lift and 33s and i love it! I have always been partial to zjs. The available raw power of the v8s and the classy look. I plan on doing a lot of upgrades to my zj. However i want something i can take on the trail and not be worried about beating up a little bit. I have been thinking about buying a xj cherokee because parts are a lot cheaper and easier to find? I plan on keeping my zj forever but i dont wanna trash it on the trails. Am i stupid for thinking this? should i just put the proper amount of money and upgrades to my zj to make it invincible? Or is it a good idea to have both? give me your input, notice i put this in the zj section so hit me with your best shot! i cant make up my mind. Thanks!

Own one of each...but you will end up modding both of them haha!

We are lifting the XJ this weekend.

We bought it for $500 bucks.

Greeeeenberg · 03-17-2009, 01:04 PM

How much you willing to spend would be a big factor in this decision. Give a price range of what you would likely spend on it

zjBRYCE · 03-17-2009, 01:05 PM

Nice! thanks thats kind of what i was thinking. i have found a few that are wrecked but still run or have stupid problems that are easy to fix. My buddy has an xj and a commanche and the xj goes places. But a bump or slam here and there on a rock isnt gonna hurt his feelings. Thats what im goin for!

zjBRYCE · 03-17-2009, 01:07 PM

Well i can only spend about 300-500 a month on my jeep when i save. Im 19 just working, the xj that i have been looking at already have lifts and what not. They just arent locked and skidded

ShantasticZJ · 03-17-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zjBRYCE

Nice! thanks thats kind of what i was thinking. i have found a few that are wrecked but still run or have stupid problems that are easy to fix. My buddy has an xj and a commanche and the xj goes places. But a bump or slam here and there on a rock isnt gonna hurt his feelings. Thats what im goin for!

Well start shopping! We picked up the XJ on craigslist, and it came with a couple extra sets of wheels and tires...so selling those is covering the lift, and the tlc we had to put into it. There are deals to be had, you just have to be looking. Good luck.