A couple thoughts for you on the XJ/ZJ/WJ...
As mentioned the Coils front on all three.
Leaf Springs on the Rear XJ (which means it has a greater tendency to ride like a truck)
Buget lift of 2 inches can be had for about 200-300.oo with shocks included
Coil Springs on rear ZJ &WJ (which means you can put disconnects front and rear and increase articulation off road(I would skip the rear though, personally))
Buget lift of 2 inches can be had for about 150-250.oo with shocks included
---All three jeeps wheel REALLY well with a 2" lift, shocks, and some front disconnects.
XJ bare bones inside, but you can opt for things like power windows and doors.
WJ/ZJ came stock with every option you can get on the XJ plus more, and many of them have more options on top of that like heated seats and sunroof etc. (the options choice was a big one for me)
The ZJ/WJ are very comfortable rides all told, on or off road, they are comfortable. They are also heavier than the XJ, not by a lot, but they are heavier.
The Toys, well they are higher price, so yes you will have to get an older and likely less reliable toy for the same price that you can get all three jeeps with a touch money left over to lift with. The toy will have the computers sooner than the XJ, but the ZJ/WJ all had the computers in them.
All four have great availability of parts. The XJ engine, if it is the old carb engine, can be had in great condition for a complete engine, in the price range of up to $150-200 for a good one. (there are so many of them, plus it is the same engine in the CJ-7 and the YJ, so they are easy to come by) The newer XJ ZJ WJ TJ all have the same I6, but different V8, still parts are fairly plentiful.
So my take, I personally would rather get a much newer WJ than anything else, same price (close anyhow) means that you are going to buy reliability over all the rest. Third/fourth/fifth owners means you have no idea how well they took care of the trucks. Even good one owner trucks, well taken care of, the older things get, everything has to be replaced eventually. FLIP SIDE older trucks are simpler to fix when they do break down.
OH and the Aluminum diff was ONLY in the V8 ZJ, jeep dumped the idea after that because it was not well received by the customers, especially the ones who wanted a locker in there. BUT mind you that when they came out with the ZJ people thought you had to be NUTS to wheel one much less lift one. We used to always get the strangest comments about wheeling a ZJ with a 5" lift...Now it is common place.
For support on forums check out the jeepforum.com there is an entire section just devoted to the ZJ and WJ, then a different section for the newer IFS Grand Cherokees. Also there is a section for the XJ.
For Toyota check out ih8mud, nice guys, lots of good info there, and between the two forums whatever goes wrong on your truck, they can help you get it fixed complete with detailed photos.
Having had the three jeeps, and the pickup Toyota, I felt that the XJ was the most cramped of them all, that HUGE drive shaft line down the center of the jeep just made it feel tight. I was very surprised to read that someone in this thread said the XJ has more leg room.
Good luck!
I think for MY money, I would get the 2002 WJ, if someone was going to give it to me, I would take the same year Toyota under very serious consideration, and maybe get it, but I would have to drive it a bit first.
