I am thinking about replacing my totaled WJ with a Cherokee (XJ). Can anyone give me a quick rundown of what to look for? I've done a little research and it looks like 97-01s were pretty good and you could get the 4.0L. Also looks like the best rear axle in those year models was the 8.25, all of them had the D30 up front I believe. Any advice is appreciated. This will be a daily driver that I want to lock front and rear and run 33s with about 6" of lift.
Just get the Rubicon. {toast}How's your neck?
Don't really look at the 00-01s. They have a LP30 front axle and I think CV joints. The 97-99 have HP30 front axles with u-joints.
99 is the best year. New body style and interior, HP30, old style heads that don't overheat, big u-joints, some have the 29-spline Chrysler 8.25.