It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2026 7:20 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 31 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: I'm baaaaack...
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 4:43 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:30 am
Posts: 1036
Location: Stillwater, MN
well sort of...

As some of you know I had to part with my KJ a while back. I have been making due with a beat up station wagon. So far I have saved up the money for a motor swap (was planning on a 260 horse GM Goodwrench 350, with mild cam, intake, vortec heads for an even 300 horses). But I miss the Jeep world too much. I loved the trail rides and I loved to out-do my friends in my "girly" or "soccer-mom" Jeep.

I have taken a job in Alaska working at a seafood processing plant. I will be spending the next 5 months in Dutch Harbor (located in the Aleutian Islands). By the time I get home (November-Decemberish), I will have enough cash to buy and start a build up of another 4x4. My budget will be around $10,000. I would like some first hand knowledge of the following vehicles:

WJ
ZJ
XJ

The WJ will be a hair out of my price league but it is possible to find a Laredo 4.0 with 4x4 for around $10,000.

I think the ZJ or XJ would be the best bet for bang for the buck. I have seen the 4.0 liters go to 180,000 (two, both driven by teenagers) before catastrophic failure. I know I want the 4.0 I6, but what transfer cases/axles/transmissions are available? What year is best (as far as axle/t-case availability)?

Which suspension systems work best on these vehicles? I want input from people that have driven or seen these setups first hand. I picture 4" of lift/31" tires (trxus Mud Terrains). I'd also like a locker.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

_________________
'02 KJ Sport V6 4x4
3/8" Clevis lift
Rusty's 2.5 lift
255/70/R16 Fleet Farm All Terrain (yes they work)
Class 3 hitch
Hellas
Police Scanner/CB radio
LOST #: JH061986
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 7:29 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:37 pm
Posts: 7928
Location: Big Bear & Lancaster, Ca.
Man you can get one Bad stupid XJ for $10K, heck even a ZJ would be incredible for that amount. You should also be able to pick one up already built real nice for that kind of money.

Get one w/ the 231 transfer case, (same as the KJ), on the XJ look for a 8.25 rear, (once again, same as KJ) or Dana 44. Try to stay away from the D35 rear. There are many other things to look out for or "try-to-gets".

Try to decide which one you really want, XJ or ZJ, and ask in those sections of this forum and seek out info on NAXJA for XJ's and mallcrawlin.com for Grands.

BTW, Welcome back. New you couldn't stay away forever! :wink:

_________________
99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 8:46 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:21 am
Posts: 1894
Location: Gilbert, AZ
hi-jacking i know but...are we gunna see you on Deadliest Catch now since your up in Dutch Harbor???

_________________
Had 2005 KJ Rocky Mnt. Edition (destroyed)
Had 2006 KJ Sport 4x4
Have 2007 JK 4-dr Sahara 4x4 (tow package so stock 4.10s!!)
AEV 3.5" RS Lift; Schrockworks FR bumper and Warn 9.5ti winch; Cobra 75 CB; Rigid 50" LED light bar; Adventure Trailers (AT Overland) JK Kitchen setup in the cargo area.
Southern L.O.S.T. # 236487


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 8:54 am 
Offline
LOST Addict
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:57 am
Posts: 1339
Location: Richmond, Virginia
RockyMtEditionKJ wrote:
hi-jacking i know but...are we gunna see you on Deadliest Catch now since your up in Dutch Harbor???



Hahah! I would look at a ZJ. They have great aftermarket parts, not saying that XJ's dont. I like how the ZJ has a much stronger unibody than the XJ though.

_________________
Richard~Mid Atlantic VA Rep.
NCBBA/Mid Atlantic Jeepers/UFWDA Member
Mid-Atlantic & Carolina LOST #236236
2006 TJ Solar Yellow Rubicon
Lockers, Springs, Skids, Headers, Snorkel,
Exhaust Work, 4.5 Long Arm, Warn M8000
315/75/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers Moab's/SpiderTrax, 6000k HID, IPF H4


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 8:59 am 
Offline
LOST Junkie

Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:03 am
Posts: 535
Location: NJ
Buy another used KJ.

_________________
L.O.S.T. #31000

'03 KJ Freedom Edition - 4" JBA Coilover Lift w/ 32" Cooper STT PROs
'98 XJ Sport - 6" Full-Traction 4-Link Long Arm - Jeepspeed #2731 (Race Jeep)

DobermanRacing.com - Team Driver
Sponsored by UltRanger & CellTech


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:25 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:43 am
Posts: 188
Location: LOST IN MARYLAND
RockyMtEditionKJ wrote:
hi-jacking i know but...are we gunna see you on Deadliest Catch now since your up in Dutch Harbor???


Work the boat instead and make the nbig bucks!!! :D

Good Luck

_________________
Mitch

L.O.S.T.#MJ064206
Owings Mills, Maryland
Sport 05
Black
2 L.O.S.T. Stickers
Hook and Hitch added

kjlostcookbook@gmail.com
The L.O.S.T. Cookbook is in the works


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:25 am 
Offline
LOST Member

Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:36 am
Posts: 306
Location: CT
RockyMtEditionKJ wrote:
hi-jacking i know but...are we gunna see you on Deadliest Catch now since your up in Dutch Harbor???



eheheh X2

_________________
Rock On

Newman from CT
04 Liberty 3.7L 67k Miles Front\Rear Tow Hooks OEM Skid Plates Hella 500's Cobra 75 CB with 4' Firestick BFG 245/70/R16
Rock Rails by Ratmloud
Frankenlift
Al's Upper A-Arms
L.O.S.T. KJ Northeast# 023050
My First 4x4 Jeep Vehicle


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:42 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 1:07 pm
Posts: 555
Location: Syracuse, UT
XJ Has my vote. You should be able to pickup a already built one easily for 10k.

_________________
2004 Silver Liberty Sport 4x4 (gone) :(
1996 Land Rover Disco I
L.O.S.T #000522 Life Time #JH053535


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:43 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2005 1:03 pm
Posts: 8052
Location: Kentuckeeee
I would get an XJ. I probably will this summer depending on how much $ i roll in. The xj's have an awsome tranny, the AW4. It is much better than any tranny that ever came in a grand with the 4.0. I believe the only year they used the AW4 in a grand was 93. It should have a cooler in the main engine raditator so i would also add an aux one for off roading. Do not get one with the D35 rear axle. Most cherokees that have abs WILL come with one. Get the 231 like JJsKJ said. The 242 is good, but the 231 is stronger.

10k is ALOT of money, you can build one awsome rig with that. I would say 2-4k for a really NICE xj, they are cheap. I was looking at a 99 white xj last summer in good shape and he said he would give it to me for $2,200. A rear locker, skids, and a good lift will take you anywhere. I would go with a 4" lift with 33-35" tires. May need to re-gear also. All of this is just my opinion.

Good luck! Be safe!

_________________
LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 12:37 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:46 pm
Posts: 1049
Location: Hermitage, PA
RockyMtEditionKJ wrote:
hi-jacking i know but...are we gunna see you on Deadliest Catch now since your up in Dutch Harbor???


I was thinking the same thing. Good luck and my vote is for either another used KJ or an XJ.

_________________
-nate
LOST#NL068123 - 2005 Renegade 3.7L 4x4, Off-Road Package, Rock Rails, Skids, Command-Trac, Trac-Loc LSD, Light Bar, K&N Drop in Filter, AMSOIL LUBES, RRO's Diff Guard for 8.25", Frankenlift, & Goodyear MT/R's
Cardomain


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 2:37 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2005 6:11 pm
Posts: 995
Location: Fresno, CA
krazz1e wrote:
XJ Has my vote. You should be able to pickup a already built one easily for 10k.


Ditto, XJ is a very capable rig and can easily be added on to, lots of goodies. A lot of my buds have XJs and they love em! Rubicon Express lifts are best from what I hear! Good luck!

_________________
Brian

'05 Yellow TJ Rubicon 6spd

Click here for my Jeep Mods

Redneck Yacht Club for life!!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 3:58 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:19 am
Posts: 484
Location: AZ
Welcome back...

_________________
Mike D.
2011 Brilliant Black KK Renegade 4x4 (New addition)
Image

2003 Atlantic Blue KJ 2WD
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 4:10 pm 
Offline
LOST Newbie
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:59 pm
Posts: 95
Location: T Dot, Ontario, Canada
Myke wrote:
Buy another used KJ.


My vote as well! :D :

_________________
06 Renny - Dark Khaki
Full skids, rockrails, lightbar, sunroof
245/70/16 Firestone Destination ATs (yeah baby!)

- KJ eXpeditionary Group : Founding Member
- Southern Ontario (S.O.) L.O.S.T
- CarDomain #2347285


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 4:14 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:30 am
Posts: 1036
Location: Stillwater, MN
as for the deadliest catch...and the comments about getting on the boats... The way it works is most folks that work the boats spent at least one season in the processing lines like I am about to.

I will not ever buy another KJ. Sorry folks. I loved mine and I wheel the crap out of mine. It was a great vehicle, but as a rule I never buy the same vehicle twice.

I think I am going to buy an XJ. Here's my reasoning:

Weight-I want a lighter vehicle (since I intend to be more active then previously, if I get stuck I want a KJ to be able to pull me out with ease)

Size-I want to hit all the same trails as a KJ (Iron Range showed me I can't get a vehicle any bigger then a KJ through those trails without falling off of a cliff).

If I can find a decent XJ in Alaska, does anybody want to run the Alacan Highway with me to the Artic Circle? Be a neat road trip...

_________________
'02 KJ Sport V6 4x4
3/8" Clevis lift
Rusty's 2.5 lift
255/70/R16 Fleet Farm All Terrain (yes they work)
Class 3 hitch
Hellas
Police Scanner/CB radio
LOST #: JH061986
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 7:11 pm 
Offline
Forum Admin
Forum Admin
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:33 am
Posts: 1845
Location: Monterey Bay, Ca
"If I can find a decent XJ in Alaska, does anybody want to run the Alacan Highway with me to the Artic Circle? Be a neat road trip..."


Check out the lost in Alaska section, and when you get there hit up Wolfheartak. :D I can see her being down for that!

_________________
Nanette

03 Freedom with some neat stuff done to it that I learned about here.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 11:21 pm 
Offline
SFA doesn't snap at the ball joint
SFA doesn't snap at the ball joint
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:12 pm
Posts: 2213
Location: Spokane, WA
Well if you run into a fisher named Gusty Stambaugh, tell him I said hi. I went to school with him, and he still works on his dad's boat during the season.

Ted

_________________
I'm baaaaccckkk...
LOST Member 10
If you can read this you don't need glasses, go Wheel your Jeep!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 4:20 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:30 am
Posts: 1036
Location: Stillwater, MN
well if Gusty is based on Dutch Harbor (Unalaska, Alaska), there is a very good chance I will.

Here are some specs on the island:

Miles of paved road: 6
Miles of road total (including non-maintained): 38 :twisted:
Popoulation: 4300
Dentists: 0 (this place sounds like heaven)

I want to have a decent daily driver. I think I am leaning towards the ZJ (more comfort/storage space). Is the V8 available without that all wheel drive junk? I would prefer selec-trac or command-trac (242 or 231). I don't want a Quadrapile. I geuss I could always swap t-cases...

_________________
'02 KJ Sport V6 4x4
3/8" Clevis lift
Rusty's 2.5 lift
255/70/R16 Fleet Farm All Terrain (yes they work)
Class 3 hitch
Hellas
Police Scanner/CB radio
LOST #: JH061986
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 1:44 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:30 am
Posts: 1036
Location: Stillwater, MN
the girlfriend has been tossing around the "m" word a lot lately...

which would be very cool despite the fact I believe we may be a little young...if that ends up happening that would mean I would need at least a 3/4 ton pickup (she is really involved with horses/breeding/shows) to move her horse trailer around. I mean it's cool to have a girlfriend urge you to buy a bigger 4x4...I geuss what I am saying is if our relationship lasts untill after I get back and she is still serious I will probably be driving a Ford F250-F350 with the powerstroke. If not-Jeep Grand Cherokee...

Think she'd be mad if I started a poll?

_________________
'02 KJ Sport V6 4x4
3/8" Clevis lift
Rusty's 2.5 lift
255/70/R16 Fleet Farm All Terrain (yes they work)
Class 3 hitch
Hellas
Police Scanner/CB radio
LOST #: JH061986
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:56 am 
Offline
Home, For Now...
Home, For Now...
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:20 pm
Posts: 1049
Location: Yelm, WA
ManicMechanicJoe wrote:
Think she'd be mad if I started a poll?


Would she find out? :wink:

_________________
Pete
L.O.S.T. #PC050458
'04 Timberland Green Sport w/stuff...
'08 105th Anniversary H-D Dyna Low Rider
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 12:01 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member! LIBERTY OR DEATH
Lifetime Member!  LIBERTY OR DEATH
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:55 am
Posts: 2548
Location: VA Beach, VA
Welcome back Joe!

If a KJ's out, I vote for XJ. Cheaper and lighter. Keep your money for mods and keep the initial vehicle weight low because you're going to add weight with armor and tools.

As far as the second poll goes...I made the choice to NOT get married at your age. Of the friends I have that got married at your age, 75% of them are divorced (some are now divorvced a second time). And I'm not inflating that percentage.

I'm not going to tell you NOT to get married, because maturity comes in it's own time, not based on a specific amount of days that have passed since you were born. But I will say that you must know yourself really well before you can offer YOU to your wife. And your wife must know herself really well before she can offer HER to you. And I'm not talking about a sexual relationship when I say that. I'm talking about the unending love and commitment that the covenant of marriage is all about. Does she respect you when you least deserve respect? And do you love her when she least deserves love? If you can say yes to those and promise to ALWAYS say yes to those, then you're starting to get ready for marriage.

Now, stop thinking about marriage...go to Alaska and have a blast exploring the world!! And keep us posted on your exploits up there in Unalaska! I want PICTURES!!!

_________________
Image
_______________________DogDomain_______________________


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 31 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 41 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group. Color scheme by ColorizeIt!
Logo by pixeldecals.com