XJ's, what to look for....??

[88Xj]

The AW4 is tough but i dont recommend it for several reasons. #1 Fluid cooler built into the radiator, taking an already marginal system..... and making it worse. #2 when an auto trans stops working, IT STOPS WORKING, a broken manual trans can almost always get you home with enough ingenuity. #3 Bumpstart. #4 AX-15 takes motor oil if you wish to use it (one less fluid to carry to the trail) #5. NSS. #6 Who doesnt like to row through the gears? Yes a AW4 is tough and reliable but no there are few practicality/reliability reasons to have it over the AX-15. To each their own

The 1 issue I see with ax15s is either the 1st or 3rd synchros go. Mainly from crawling in 1st or jamming into 3rd. This isn't their weak point or anything but that seems to be a common high mileage or high abuse type problem with em. Less than 500 to rebuild locally to. I know mines been a dream with redline in it. I wouldn't have it any other way honestly. I run a autozone (luk brand) pressure plate with a stage 2 center force disk for a little more bite. It's been extremely nice over just the whole luk plate & disk.

 

[reece146]

The fear mongering over automatic transmissions is disingenuous. Keep your kit maintained and it'll treat you right, much like a a manual transmission.

The AW4 is a solid transmission. Anyone reading along at home should not be leery of an AW4 transmission in the slightest. The same cannot be said for the crappy Chrysler automatic transmissions in the earlier Grand Cherokees.

2¢

 

[docwatson]

So I think the take away here is that XJs are awesome manual or automatic.

OP, not sure what came of that '95, but unless it was in pretty good condition, inside and out, 3400 seems a little high. My philosophy on XJs is a little higher miles may save me a few hundred dollars and last me just as long. I regularly see 97-01 XJs on Craigslist with 250k plus going for $2700. The last XJ I bought, I sent a price (2500) and just shopped around til I found one I liked (98 for $2000 w/ 175,000).

Cherokeeforum.com has been a great resource for me through the past couple years.

 

[88Xj]

The fear mongering over automatic transmissions is disingenuous. Keep your kit maintained and it'll treat you right, much like a a manual transmission.

The AW4 is a solid transmission. Anyone reading along at home should not be leery of an AW4 transmission in the slightest. The same cannot be said for the crappy Chrysler automatic transmissions in the earlier Grand Cherokees.

2¢

Ya correct, its actually a variant of the supra trans from the mark iv tt supras. Deffinetely strong as long as you keep it dry.

The other nice thing of the ax15 if you can swap auto axles. 3.07 compared to 3.55. So if your only on 30s or 31s is a very cheap regear option. And incase you have a d35 you could upgrade to the c8.25 axle this was my path while on 31s. Now 4.56 on 33x10.5, with a d30/8.8

 

[thexjthatcould]

I got a 95 sport with 250k, when it comes to leaks look at the OIL FILTER ADAPTER that's what leaks the worst, and can be cheaply fixed. I did overheat on a very long hill, but it was a hot day, ect ect ect.... other than that you can do anything with an xj and a few hundred bux =P, easy to work on, cheap parts, MILLIONS of them...

 

[darksidecustoms]

Ya correct, its actually a variant of the supra trans from the mark iv tt supras. Deffinetely strong as long as you keep it dry.

Was also fitted to Toyota Hilux and a whole bunch of others such as RWD Lexus (A340r). I replaced the solenoids in mine recently and they are the same part as the Toyotas.

 

[jarmentrout]

Aw4 was also used by Volvo particularly in the 740 /940 RWD cards. They run forever. Had one in a hot 740 turbo too.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[corprin]

Also, how many miles are these things usually good for? From what I understand the 4.0L I6 is a good engine, and the weak point is the trans (why I want a 5sp). Can these vehicles tow a trailer? ( a small utility trailer, nothing overly heavy)

I say go for it. I miss my '99.

 

[88Xj]

Was also fitted to Toyota Hilux and a whole bunch of others such as RWD Lexus (A340r). I replaced the solenoids in mine recently and they are the same part as the Toyotas.

The ax15 was also similar to the w55/w58 used in Lexus's, and Toyota pickups. I came across a thread on pirate board about a year ago where people were retro fitting a 4.3 first gear in ax15s. I believe out of a Toyota r151 trans. I ended up doing the same mod when my puegeot trans was swapped in 2011 for my "terminator" ax15, except mine were 5.15s from marlin crawler. It wasnt cheap but i wanted a do it once and be done type deal. when wheeling or crawling round the little i drove it it was very noticable on my 3.55/31" tires combo. Now with 4.56/33x10.5 im very eager to try out the thing. and if i had a doubler i could only imagine! I've yet to put more than 3k miles on it but man you can feel it, its a little bit to get used to in 1st, kinda winding it out a bit more, but not terrible. I think it was around 3000rpm in first, would drop me around 1700rpm in 2nd. very livable! nothing like a "granny gear" although its essentially what it is lol. Now that its out again for some more work the frame and such, ill be doing a external slave swap before it goes back in

I only wish I could find a "deeper" 5th. Something like a .068 or something...would allow my to dump in 4.88s and cruise at 2250rpm all day which is the sweet spot. I'm at 4.56/33s which is around 2350 lol. The 4,88s would be a dream through out the range and still have a dry livable torquey 5th gear. Maybe I need to call marlin crawler again
I believe I was something like 1900 into the transmission all said and done and still had to get a 23 spline tcase to set her up right.

 

[Simons]

Loved mine!! 1991 was the first year for the 4.0l HO better fuel injection, better cooling system, better flowing cylinder head, stayed the same right up to 96'. I think it was 97 when Chrysler got their hands on them and softened the body lines, updated the interior, and DIS ignition. I prefer the 91-97's dated yet roomier interior and bullet proof EFI. Not that the RENIX years(pre-91) were terrible just annoying cooling system and inferior EFI.
Check for clean coolant!!! A poorly maintained cooling system will give you trouble! Stay away from rusty coolant, definite sign that you'll be into a new rad, heater core, possible head gasket...... The only reason this is an issue is that these engines are so reliable that people forget to maintain them.

Cheers and happy XJ hunting!

 

[LPIII]

I recently purchased a limited 2000 XJ with 100K and promptly spent 30k to build it right. When complete it will no doubt be a very capable rig. No I am not an idiot for doing so, it was the very first car I ever sold as a new car salesman, now a dealer I wanted the car back. I will post some pics when it is completed.

 

[BigRedXJ]

I'll agree with the rest by saying that it seems like you've found a decent start. Although the 99 year is particularly one to look for. Better flowing intake manifold, and they don't have the weaker head that the 00 and 01 years did. Can't remember what year the 8.25 switched to the 29 spline, but pulling one from a junkyard XJ would be an easy bolt in.

 

[BigRedXJ]

I recently purchased a limited 2000 XJ with 100K and promptly spent 30k to build it right. When complete it will no doubt be a very capable rig. No I am not an idiot for doing so, it was the very first car I ever sold as a new car salesman, now a dealer I wanted the car back. I will post some pics when it is completed.

30k!? What all did you get? I've spent less than 10k on mine and it's got tons of stuff in it. I'm not knocking your purchase at all, just kinda curious what all you did/are doing with it lol.