OP
We've always found the ride in our XJ to be comfortable. It's a tinny beast, I will have to admit. The whole thing just feels light, to me. However, that may have its advantages. I've squeezed out just a tad under 24 mpg out of it on a road trip (4.0, automatic, 3.55 gears), but I was actually trying to prove a point to my wife, so I was rather easy on it. She averages 14-16 mpg, by comparison.Bumping an old thread.
I’d like to know from you XJ owners how they handle on the highway compared to our TJs. Particularly for longer trips. I’ll never get rid of my TJ but it’s becoming more of a toy, and I enjoy whipping around town more than I do long distance trips over 2 hours. Then I start to feel worn out. So with the XJ having similar brick like aerodynamics, are they a bit more comfortable for longer trips? My goal is to build more of an expedition or “overland” rig if you will (kinda hate the term) I imagine the longer wheelbase will certainty help, and running 31s or possibly 32s max. An auto would be nice too. It’s hard to eat my McDonald’s when I’m rowing through gearsplus I’m always bringing someone with me who can’t drive stick so I gotta do all the driving
Ours is a '96 2-door, so getting in and out of it is easy for the folks in the front. Those who ride in the back seat need to be younger, smaller, or at least more agile. I'd have no hesitation in recommending one to a TJ owner. But get the '96 and up for the better engine block. Here's something I snagged from Wikipedia:
"In 1996, the engine block was redesigned for greater strength. The new block had more webbing and a stud girdle for added rigidity of the crankshaft main bearings. Engines installed in 1999 Grand Cherokees carried the "PowerTech" name that had been used intermittently in prior years and on other Chrysler truck and SUV engines. The name was subsequently passed on to 4.0s in the other Jeep models that used the engine, the Cherokee and Wrangler. The cylinder head was again changed for the 2000 model year to a more emissions-friendly design.[citation needed] This head was designated as "0331" in the casting number. Early 0331 heads are prone to cracking, causing coolant to contaminate the oil, which can lead to catastrophic engine failure. The head cracks in the center between #3 and #4 cylinders. The crack is usually discernible with the valve cover removed as a "milky" tan line. This condition is usually discovered before catastrophic engine failure, but can lead there if not corrected in a timely manner. The casting was fixed in mid to late 2001, but the same casting number was retained. The "fixed" heads have "TUPY" cast in the center where the cracks used to occur.[25] Also new for the 2000 model year, was the distributorless, coil on plug ignition system."
