Need Jeep Advice Quick!

[WanderingJim]

I really want to get out of my econo-box and into a jeep. Budget dictates an older used vehicle. I'm looking at these two:

Almost perfect (but overpriced) 1992 YJ Sahara
https://jackson.craigslist.org/cto/4875710065.html

More worn 1997 2-door XJ Sport
https://jackson.craigslist.org/cto/4881889010.html

It will a daily-driver with the goal of building a mild- to mid-level expo vehicle.

Please chime in your your opinions!

 

[HAFICON]

That YJ is beautiful, talking about clean wow.. But for me it still has leaf springs and my back cant handle the ruff ride anymore. The XJ is not bad, 2dr in 4x4 is a nice combo kinda rare around here. not a bad price either still lots of potential.

For the price difference between the two you could do some really good mods to the XJ. If it were me and I was dying for a Jeep I would take the XJ. The YJ would be more limited as Expo than the XJ as well.

 

[Justincredible]

The XJ would be a better expo vehicle with its better price and more space, but that YJ is too clean to pass up, wow.

 

[dan0]

What they said. Or look into a WJ as well. I just got my first one in December (after owning seven XJs)I don't think I'd go back to a XJ after this.

 

[Lucky j]

My opinion about the YJ, it is way to expensive, no mater how clean it is. Plus, it as the 3 speed automatic. Not the best ratio for wheeling no the road in adventure travel.

I just got my self a 2005 unlimited wrangler less milage, as clean as that with both tops for the same price.

I love wranglers yj and now tj more than XJ, but with the choice you are giving us, I would go with the cherokee 10x more. That is if the unitbody is top shape.

 

[Heading Out]

The drive trains are about the same, lots of aftermarket support for both, I have a 93 YJ and love it, there's nothing like removing the top and doors to go exploring,(I have a hard top with full doors, and a set of half doors) really great if you do any photography, but, it's not a fun long distance ride and space is at a premium in a Wrangler.

If you plan on doing much long distance travel on the way to your adventures, I'd pick the XJ, for the price of that YJ you could also look at some TJ's,
Like I said, it's great to be able to be out in the open when I choose, that's why I have a YJ

 

[Hilldweller]

$8K for a YJ? ha.

Take the XJ. You probably have wiggle room on the price too.
Join NAXJA and have fun.

 

[jpat30]

I will just put this here

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f153/2000-grand-cherokee-wj-v8-2998929/

Seriously though, for that kind of cash you can get into a really nice WJ; solid axles, gobs of room, and decent aftermarket.. Good luck with your shopping.

 

[shortbus4x4]

Daily or long distance driver the XJ wins. For fun cruising the YJ.

 

[Yarjammer]

I'd be more inclined to recommend the YJ over that particular XJ if it were my money. Once you've experienced driving a CJ/YJ/TJ/JK with the top and doors off you'll wonder why you didn't buy one sooner. I only bring this up because it will also serve as a daily driver. I wouldn't go on an expedition in that config, but it sure makes the drive home from work and weekends around town more enjoyable. I've ridden in more than a few XJ's and I always felt they seemed a little "cheap", like an old Hyundai. They aren't bad vehicles at all, I just couldn't imagine logging thousands of miles in one.

 

[Washingtondave]

The drive trains are about the same, lots of aftermarket support for both, I have a 93 YJ and love it, there's nothing like removing the top and doors to go exploring,(I have a hard top with full doors, and a set of half doors) really great if you do any photography, but, it's not a fun long distance ride and space is at a premium in a Wrangler.

If you plan on doing much long distance travel on the way to your adventures, I'd pick the XJ, for the price of that YJ you could also look at some TJ's,
Like I said, it's great to be able to be out in the open when I choose, that's why I have a YJ

The two vehicles are nothing the same.
The 97 XJ will have a 8.25 rear axle and ALL YJ's have a "C" clip easy to snap rear axle.
The 97 XJ will have the 4.0 HO motor the YJ will not.
The XJ will be way less expensive to modify, lift and do performance mods to.

I have built many Jeeps and I would steer clear from the YJ. only decent parts is the High pinion D30 (XJ also has) and the Tub that is galvanized and we used them for replacements on our CJ7's.

I'd go XJ between the two, but I would go with a 4 runner WAY Before a XJ. Sorry

Good Luck

 

[pajeepman]

'97 XJ could have a dana 35 rear. If XJ has abs, it will have a dana 35. Non abs have 8.25 rears.

 

[Jakes01234]

I would go xj as long as there is no rot. They are cheap to maintain and cheap to upgrade. I have redone every suspension component and steering with relative ease. It's a 95 with 185 on it that was not taken care of very well and I still love it.
My opinion may be skewed slightly also because it was free.

 

[oscar the grouch]

ill echo the WJ comments.

 

[Jakes01234]

I guess most of it comes down to how the previous owner treats it and maintains it.

Parts are more expensive and there is a fair amount more of electronics in a WJ also. The ride is better in the WJ by at least 5X. As long as quadradrive has been cared for properly it is very nice. But like anything else its an expensive pain in the bum when it breaks. If you go with the selectrac 4.0 WJ then you get stuck with a notoriously horrible trans (42re). The front end on the WJ is non greasable. Also aluminum housing on the D44, thats just strange.

I forgot about the WJ hassle with blend doors, dual climate control going wacky.. That will anger anybody enough to want to burn it to the ground.