I'm going to buy an XJ for my wife to wheel. I don't know much about XJ's I would like to spend only about $3000. What years are good and why.

daym thats alot of $. around here they range from 600 to about 1700. for 1500 a nice clean 2dr can be found running and about a 5-6 out of 10 rating. Then sink the rest in to all the normal maintenence items (brakes, tune up, tires, filters, and full interior detail).

Just my plan in about another 2 months.

As for year, well I found that there was a "metric ton" version that came with the Dana44 rear but very few actually know this unless they bought it new or are an avid Jeeper. The years for this I believe were 87-91. I would start in those years, looking for a auto, 6cyl, Metric ton and 2 door. thats the dream atleast.

I just picked one a 1987 Cherokee Laredo, 2 owner, 256k highway miles for $500.00. Fully loaded, everything works. Ready to put some sagebrush burns on it and bump some rocks. the girl I bought it from started crying when I told her what I was buying it for. "It is strickly for play!"

I graduated from an 85'Bronco II to the Jeep. Always wanted one. Now my brother and I have 4dr cherokee and one other brother has a new Rubicon Wrangler.

enjoy...

It will be extreamly hard to find a metric ton 2 door XJ, Im sure there's a few out there though. XJ's only had D44's in the rear during the years of 1987-1989...89's being very hard to find with the d44.

They are an easy find at your local pick-a-part (the rear D44 axle that is) I was just down there last weekend and snaged an other one out.

1. 87-89s with a tow pkg. have the d44.

2. I'd look for a 1991+ with the HO 4.0L and open cooling system. You can find a rear axle alot cheaper than those two upgrades.

are you still looking to get an XJ?