WanaBeJeeper
08-26-2012, 05:36 PM
As my screen name implies, I'm looking to buy my first XJ. Have decided that SQUARE is for me. Would appreciate knowledgeable input to consider in making decision. Have looked at many XJs; read Eric Zappe's XJ Builder's Guide, many XJ mags to learn a little info. Looked at numerous 00-01 XJs, but have found 99XJ that might be the one. Your thoughts please to consider in my first XJ purchase decision.
APPLICTION: Urban Midwest is home; local hunting/few hunting trips out West; to/from farm 225mi one-way; use in muddy fields/roads/creek crossings/get to hunt locations; long weekend trips/biking trips; looking good around town.....young at heart, most body parts have logged 60+yrs.
POSSIBLE MODS: ~4.5" lift; front and rear receiver hitches for hauling light, bulky loads to/from play areas (bikes/coolers/gear boxes/tire mount/removable winch); occasional trailer towing; getting newbie "unstuck"; stout front/rear bumpers with stout clevis; maybe 30" tires (mostly looks). Probably remove rear bench seat, replace with custom storage box under extended cargo area floor. No heavy off-roading/rock crawling.
'99XJ being considered. My slant on decision criteria. Your thoughts/direction?
PERCEIVED PLUSES:
-Very low mileage......36K first three yrs on lease; <4K/yr last 10yrs.
-CarFax checks out with no issues; agrees with other observations.
-Auto 4-speed transmission
-front diff Dana30 high pinion....slightly stronger than low-pinion on 00-01; better for driveline angle when lifted
-Rear diff chrysler 8.25...no ABS, better than Dana35, fairly strong, would take a locker later on.
-Command-Trac.....somewhat stronger/less complicated/ better clearance than Select-Trac.
-3.55 ratio.....not a rock crawler; better mileage to/from farm/weekend trips.
-No receiver hitch....probably no heavy towing
-No after market mods, stock as a rock....probably not off-roaded; no bad owner decisions.
-Older couple owner last 10yrs....probably no hard off roading....but, I do recall the "Little Old lady from Pasadena" song...GO GRANNY, GO GRANNY :) :)
-Avoid #0333 head overheating issues??
-Normal/better 13yr old finish patina; no evidence of wrecks/body repairs/new paint.
-Lower state annual personal property taxes....every little bit helps
PERCEIVED MINUSES:
-'99 Has older distributor/plugwire ignition system vs 00-01 distributorless/plug wireles system. Which ignition system is preferred? Any difference is recovering from an EMP event? Can/should ignitions system be upgraded?
-California emmisions....questionable as leassor was NJ with Mid-west leasee; no indication of ever being a CA vehicle. Any problems re. maintenance/life/issues???
-Undercarriage/driveline (diff/leaf springs/driveshaft/u-joints...) show heavy orange rust/scale. Doesn't match patina on shiny side. What could have caused this? Owners not in a heavy snow/road salt state. maybe limestone roads? (no apparent heavy rock chipping) Vacations to ocean area? Off-roading in mud/water....Little Old lady syndrome??? Should I be concerned with this? What impact? Can/should rust be arrested/abated/neutralized? How? chemical process....ie naval Jelly, coating, other??? Would this rust be in the body panels??? No body/rocker panel rust indications yet.
WHAT SHOULD I PAY? NADA 99XJ clean retail ~$4900 + $2400 low miles = ~$7200. Seller started at $9K; immediately dropped to $8K when I stated "way overpriced" even with low miles. i did not counter offer. Have not driven yet. At my age, AC is very important. I understand AC systems are problems on the XJs. Rights? If AC does not work what are the best and worst scenarios for costs?
What to look for in inspection? how to check out 4WD condition...when not off-road???
Really appreciate your experienced input, thoughts. Need to make decision in next couple days, so appreciate your input soon.
Thanks. looking to joining the XJ family and learning more from the forum.
WanaBeJeeper
APPLICTION: Urban Midwest is home; local hunting/few hunting trips out West; to/from farm 225mi one-way; use in muddy fields/roads/creek crossings/get to hunt locations; long weekend trips/biking trips; looking good around town.....young at heart, most body parts have logged 60+yrs.
POSSIBLE MODS: ~4.5" lift; front and rear receiver hitches for hauling light, bulky loads to/from play areas (bikes/coolers/gear boxes/tire mount/removable winch); occasional trailer towing; getting newbie "unstuck"; stout front/rear bumpers with stout clevis; maybe 30" tires (mostly looks). Probably remove rear bench seat, replace with custom storage box under extended cargo area floor. No heavy off-roading/rock crawling.
'99XJ being considered. My slant on decision criteria. Your thoughts/direction?
PERCEIVED PLUSES:
-Very low mileage......36K first three yrs on lease; <4K/yr last 10yrs.
-CarFax checks out with no issues; agrees with other observations.
-Auto 4-speed transmission
-front diff Dana30 high pinion....slightly stronger than low-pinion on 00-01; better for driveline angle when lifted
-Rear diff chrysler 8.25...no ABS, better than Dana35, fairly strong, would take a locker later on.
-Command-Trac.....somewhat stronger/less complicated/ better clearance than Select-Trac.
-3.55 ratio.....not a rock crawler; better mileage to/from farm/weekend trips.
-No receiver hitch....probably no heavy towing
-No after market mods, stock as a rock....probably not off-roaded; no bad owner decisions.
-Older couple owner last 10yrs....probably no hard off roading....but, I do recall the "Little Old lady from Pasadena" song...GO GRANNY, GO GRANNY :) :)
-Avoid #0333 head overheating issues??
-Normal/better 13yr old finish patina; no evidence of wrecks/body repairs/new paint.
-Lower state annual personal property taxes....every little bit helps
PERCEIVED MINUSES:
-'99 Has older distributor/plugwire ignition system vs 00-01 distributorless/plug wireles system. Which ignition system is preferred? Any difference is recovering from an EMP event? Can/should ignitions system be upgraded?
-California emmisions....questionable as leassor was NJ with Mid-west leasee; no indication of ever being a CA vehicle. Any problems re. maintenance/life/issues???
-Undercarriage/driveline (diff/leaf springs/driveshaft/u-joints...) show heavy orange rust/scale. Doesn't match patina on shiny side. What could have caused this? Owners not in a heavy snow/road salt state. maybe limestone roads? (no apparent heavy rock chipping) Vacations to ocean area? Off-roading in mud/water....Little Old lady syndrome??? Should I be concerned with this? What impact? Can/should rust be arrested/abated/neutralized? How? chemical process....ie naval Jelly, coating, other??? Would this rust be in the body panels??? No body/rocker panel rust indications yet.
WHAT SHOULD I PAY? NADA 99XJ clean retail ~$4900 + $2400 low miles = ~$7200. Seller started at $9K; immediately dropped to $8K when I stated "way overpriced" even with low miles. i did not counter offer. Have not driven yet. At my age, AC is very important. I understand AC systems are problems on the XJs. Rights? If AC does not work what are the best and worst scenarios for costs?
What to look for in inspection? how to check out 4WD condition...when not off-road???
Really appreciate your experienced input, thoughts. Need to make decision in next couple days, so appreciate your input soon.
Thanks. looking to joining the XJ family and learning more from the forum.
WanaBeJeeper