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bnes
Guest
I like the 4Runners too, they they're harder to come by and more expensive. I also don't like the look of the newer models, though that shouldn't matter too much.
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Mall Cruiser Alert! :flipoff:
Watch out Ferrone, Your title is up for grabs LOL
Liberty's are the start of the end for Jeep in my opinion. The only thing that made Jeeps decent where the solid front axle, loose that and what's the point of getting one?
:beer::beer:
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bnes
Guest
So the Liberty has a weak front axle?
What about the TJs?
What about the TJs?
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DoctorPhate
Guest
I have yet to have a problem with my tranny and its my understanding that the trannies are actually quite good..
www.ontario-rbv.com
www.rangerpowersports.com
The T-5 tranny is incredibly strong. Most turbo rangers use those and its about 300hp top
The Liberty has Independent Front Suspension (IFS). Basically it has the differential in the center with some short arms on either end that allow for movement. Just like any FWD car.
The TJ has a solid axle. When one side is forced up on an obstacle, the other side is forced down, giving you better articulation (movement of the axle), and this keeps the tires on the ground, resulting in better traction.
Honestly any SUV sounds like a pretty good fit for you. If you're looking at towing, though, I'd look for something with a 6cyl myself.
And with that budget and those demands, my personal choice would be a newer XJ. Lots of them around in that range.
Good luck!
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bnes
Guest
I'm finding a few XJs in the 98-98 year range, though I can't find any that are newer. I think the 2001 XJ is at the top of my list right now though.
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Root Moose
Guest
Any XJ from 97 to 2000 would be fine. Or any vintage XJ from 1987 on for that matter. 1997-2001 has the mildly revised styling and somewhat modern interior.
IMO the best year is 1999. It is the last year with a high pinion front axle and first year with the revised intake manifold that changes the shape of the HP curve at higher RPMs.
2000 was the first year for replacing the old fashioned cap, rotor and wires with direct ignition. That is why I bought a 2001 (to get DIS) plus I was planning on bench building a high pinion front axle anyway.
With an XJ this vintage (1997-2001, or any vintage) it is more important to find one with low miles and no rust than the year per se.
Also look at ZJs (1993-1998) and WJs (1999-2004). Can't go wrong with Toyotas either.
Also consider an already built vintage rig. Sometimes you can get really good deals in your price range if you are willing to drive a day or too. Jeeps and Toyota Land Cruisers spring to mind in this category.
HTH
IMO the best year is 1999. It is the last year with a high pinion front axle and first year with the revised intake manifold that changes the shape of the HP curve at higher RPMs.
2000 was the first year for replacing the old fashioned cap, rotor and wires with direct ignition. That is why I bought a 2001 (to get DIS) plus I was planning on bench building a high pinion front axle anyway.
With an XJ this vintage (1997-2001, or any vintage) it is more important to find one with low miles and no rust than the year per se.
Also look at ZJs (1993-1998) and WJs (1999-2004). Can't go wrong with Toyotas either.
Also consider an already built vintage rig. Sometimes you can get really good deals in your price range if you are willing to drive a day or too. Jeeps and Toyota Land Cruisers spring to mind in this category.
HTH
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Root Moose
Guest
4 Kids?
Hmm, XJ (or any down size Jeep) may be a bit of stretch... I know I was thinking about upsizing to a TLC when we were possibly going to have three kids.
Depends on expectation levels I guess.
Hmm, XJ (or any down size Jeep) may be a bit of stretch... I know I was thinking about upsizing to a TLC when we were possibly going to have three kids.
Depends on expectation levels I guess.
Loco
I'd wheel it
I think you're on the right track. Good truck to start with, strong aftermarket support, quite a bit of knowledge about them in the club.
If you do go the route of the later XJ one word of advice; Try to find one with the Cryco 8.25 rear axle (can be I.D.'d by it's flat bottom) rather than the Dana 35. Bigger axleshafts, 29 vs. 27 spline, bigger ring gear, bigger axle housing, all around stronger. (see specs here)
This might be helpful too to decide on lift height.
Hope this helps.
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Root Moose
Guest
Second this.
The other easy way to tell which axle you have is whether you have ABS or not. ABS was only offered with a Dana 35, at least on the last generation trucks. I think it was that way on all gens but am not 100% certain.
Btw, ABS is to be avoided. It's a crappy system on the XJ and will get in the way of upgrades. Not worth the time IMO and as a general rule I like ABS.
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NitroTy
Guest
With all this talk of XJs, I'd like point out a possible comfort issue. I've owned an '87 and an '01. I'm 6'1" (mostly leg) and leg room in the driver's seat was non-exsitant. The '01 was actually worse, and I was bashing my knee on the dash or steering column every time I moved my foot to the brake. The ZJ is only a bit larger, but has enough leg room that I never hit my knee.
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NitroTy
Guest
True, but if you plan on anyone larger than a child in the back seat, the XJ has even less room there than the front.
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Root Moose
Guest
FWIW, I'm 6' and generally longer in the leg. I just fit - like a glove.
When my boys get big enough for it to become an issue I'm going to put WJ rear seats in and re-jig the mounts so they have more leg room. I may do that sooner than later depending on what I end up doing for a drawer/storage system in the back.
When my boys get big enough for it to become an issue I'm going to put WJ rear seats in and re-jig the mounts so they have more leg room. I may do that sooner than later depending on what I end up doing for a drawer/storage system in the back.
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JeepJen
Guest
Oh the comfort of off roading in a ZJ 
We(NitroTy and I) have one for sale if interested Pre-lifted
We(NitroTy and I) have one for sale if interested
Pre-lifted
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bnes
Guest
I'll rarely have all four kids with me (two of them are still infants), so the capacity isn't an issue. I'm also only 5'10", so leg room shouldn't be an issue either. I doubt I'll do enough serious off-road stuff to warrant the need for a solid front axle, but it's good to know all this stuff.
Although this probably betrays a mid-life crisis this 2000 XJ with only 116K on it looks like one helluva fun ride:
This thing has lots of things I probably don't need, though it does open the door to trying some real off road adventures with OVO some day. It has:
ARB front bumper w/ 8000lb winch
4 trail lights
tranny cooler
snorkle
trans/tranfer case skid plates
lower axle arm skid plates
4" lift
HD track bar
bushwacker flares
jack-all
front/rear stainless steel brake lines
gas tank skid plate
ARB front locker
ARB rear locker
ARB compressor
5 31" mtr tires on black AMR rims
rear disc brake conversion
new master cylinder and booster
rock rails
Tomkin rear bumper/tire carrier/jack holder/gas can rack/ trailer hitch
rebuilt front outer ujoints,front drive shaft, rear drive shaft
Some work is required; the airbag light is on, and the sway bracket needs to be welded back on to the front axle. I'm giving serious consideration to looking at this vehicle, even though it is some distance away.
First, does anyone have any ballpark estimates for what such a truck would be worth? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for what I should ask the seller if I'm interested?
Many thanks again everyone, I can't tell you all how appreciative I am of your input thus far.
Although this probably betrays a mid-life crisis
this 2000 XJ with only 116K on it looks like one helluva fun ride:
This thing has lots of things I probably don't need, though it does open the door to trying some real off road adventures with OVO some day. It has:
ARB front bumper w/ 8000lb winch
4 trail lights
tranny cooler
snorkle
trans/tranfer case skid plates
lower axle arm skid plates
4" lift
HD track bar
bushwacker flares
jack-all
front/rear stainless steel brake lines
gas tank skid plate
ARB front locker
ARB rear locker
ARB compressor
5 31" mtr tires on black AMR rims
rear disc brake conversion
new master cylinder and booster
rock rails
Tomkin rear bumper/tire carrier/jack holder/gas can rack/ trailer hitch
rebuilt front outer ujoints,front drive shaft, rear drive shaft
Some work is required; the airbag light is on, and the sway bracket needs to be welded back on to the front axle. I'm giving serious consideration to looking at this vehicle, even though it is some distance away.
First, does anyone have any ballpark estimates for what such a truck would be worth? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for what I should ask the seller if I'm interested?
Many thanks again everyone, I can't tell you all how appreciative I am of your input thus far.
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Root Moose
Guest
There's a fair amount of money into that truck. To buy the stuff retail is a lot of money. The ARBs are worth ~$800 each by themselves. At about $500 an axle for the gears, setup kit and labour. The ARB bumper and winch combo cost an easy $1300. Rear bumper probably costs another $500.
BW flares (which don't seem to be installed in that picture) are worth ~$400.
Lift, depends on what it is but at least $500. Could be considerably more if it is something other than RC or Rusty's.
Plus a bunch of other stuff.
Oh, and those numbers I'm throwing around are U.S. Dollars.
As for price, like any custom vehicle, it's worth what he can get for it. I'm going to guess it is within your budget but won't speculate for how much since it is a crap shoot.
If you decide to pursue this vehicle there will be a lot of things to look over. It's obviously been well used but it's anybody's guess if it has been misused.
BW flares (which don't seem to be installed in that picture) are worth ~$400.
Lift, depends on what it is but at least $500. Could be considerably more if it is something other than RC or Rusty's.
Plus a bunch of other stuff.
Oh, and those numbers I'm throwing around are U.S. Dollars.
As for price, like any custom vehicle, it's worth what he can get for it. I'm going to guess it is within your budget but won't speculate for how much since it is a crap shoot.
If you decide to pursue this vehicle there will be a lot of things to look over. It's obviously been well used but it's anybody's guess if it has been misused.