88Xj
Banned
I'm a XJ freak. Idk what it is..I just can't stay away from them!
The issues in 2000 and 2001 rigs is the 0331 stamped head. They crack, its not a matter of if but when. The ead casting numbers can be located on the driver side of the head, right where the valve cover & head meet, usually around the 4th or 5th intake runner. Look for a 4 series number, 7120 is early HO 91-94, 0630 is Later model HO 95-99, and 0331 is 00-01. Now there is the 0331 Tupy model which is 02+ and its updated and fixed the cracking issue, although I'm not sure how you identify it..whether it says Tupy or not.
The Aw4 is a variant of the A340E. The A340E is the 4 speed found in the MkIV supras. They have been known to hold 400wtrq. without much issue, and up to 650-700wtrq when they are built. So you will be fine there, and if you feel the need, there is things that can be done to make the AW4 more aggressive. You can get some more line pressure out of it which will give you snappier/quicker shifts! A good trans cooler, fresh fluid and it'll be solid!
The 2000-20001 also have a LPD30, low pinion which isn't much of an issue if its an ExPo rig. The LPD30 is just that LOW! The front driveshaft will be closer to the ground which is why 90% of the people swap to a HighPinion. Its as easy as getting a HPD30 with matching gears and swapping them. Nothing else needed! Also the HP D30 is reverse cut gears I believe and the LP's aren't..Most say the HP gears being reverse cut are 25-30% stronger.
All 97+ rigs got the 29spline C8.25 which is similar in strength to the D44. Also get one WITHOUT ABS, if your jeep has ABS it has a D35, which isn't the best as stated. No ABS means you got the C8.25. And honestly the ABS on these Xj's seems to be to much hassle to deal with. Everything without ABS has no problem stopping there big old 33's+ so neither will you
My honest opinion as I've had many different years, is it comes down to style you want. Do you want a new style 97+? Do you mind the older style 84-96?
The Renix ear 87-90 are now my favorite, easiest to work on, easiest to smog, cheap upgrades since everything is an upgrade lol. But the Renix era will always be high mileage, mines over 300k and on the OG motor. But all are high mileage, and you have to love to wrench to have one, cause things do suck on these rigs..its kind of like upgrading is a must!
The early HO's 91-93ish aren't bad, but if your looking for something to have some fun, yet be comfortable I'd get a 94-96 or a 97-99! I wouldn't go lower than 94 or higher than 99. I like the older body and I love the Renix jeeps, no computer to control the jeep, nothing to hassle with, again thats just me!
The Ho's always seemed to be harder to smog for me here in Cali. My 88 passed first try, the 96 I had took 3 trys..idk just little stuff makes them so off.
From your stand point, I'd look for a 94-96 if you like the older body, or the 97-99 if you want a new body!
The issues in 2000 and 2001 rigs is the 0331 stamped head. They crack, its not a matter of if but when. The ead casting numbers can be located on the driver side of the head, right where the valve cover & head meet, usually around the 4th or 5th intake runner. Look for a 4 series number, 7120 is early HO 91-94, 0630 is Later model HO 95-99, and 0331 is 00-01. Now there is the 0331 Tupy model which is 02+ and its updated and fixed the cracking issue, although I'm not sure how you identify it..whether it says Tupy or not.
The Aw4 is a variant of the A340E. The A340E is the 4 speed found in the MkIV supras. They have been known to hold 400wtrq. without much issue, and up to 650-700wtrq when they are built. So you will be fine there, and if you feel the need, there is things that can be done to make the AW4 more aggressive. You can get some more line pressure out of it which will give you snappier/quicker shifts! A good trans cooler, fresh fluid and it'll be solid!
The 2000-20001 also have a LPD30, low pinion which isn't much of an issue if its an ExPo rig. The LPD30 is just that LOW! The front driveshaft will be closer to the ground which is why 90% of the people swap to a HighPinion. Its as easy as getting a HPD30 with matching gears and swapping them. Nothing else needed! Also the HP D30 is reverse cut gears I believe and the LP's aren't..Most say the HP gears being reverse cut are 25-30% stronger.
All 97+ rigs got the 29spline C8.25 which is similar in strength to the D44. Also get one WITHOUT ABS, if your jeep has ABS it has a D35, which isn't the best as stated. No ABS means you got the C8.25. And honestly the ABS on these Xj's seems to be to much hassle to deal with. Everything without ABS has no problem stopping there big old 33's+ so neither will you
My honest opinion as I've had many different years, is it comes down to style you want. Do you want a new style 97+? Do you mind the older style 84-96?
The Renix ear 87-90 are now my favorite, easiest to work on, easiest to smog, cheap upgrades since everything is an upgrade lol. But the Renix era will always be high mileage, mines over 300k and on the OG motor. But all are high mileage, and you have to love to wrench to have one, cause things do suck on these rigs..its kind of like upgrading is a must!
The early HO's 91-93ish aren't bad, but if your looking for something to have some fun, yet be comfortable I'd get a 94-96 or a 97-99! I wouldn't go lower than 94 or higher than 99. I like the older body and I love the Renix jeeps, no computer to control the jeep, nothing to hassle with, again thats just me!
The Ho's always seemed to be harder to smog for me here in Cali. My 88 passed first try, the 96 I had took 3 trys..idk just little stuff makes them so off.
From your stand point, I'd look for a 94-96 if you like the older body, or the 97-99 if you want a new body!
