I'm baaaaack...

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 4:43 am

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.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 7:29 am

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:

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 8:46 am

hi-jacking i know but...are we gunna see you on Deadliest Catch now since your up in Dutch Harbor???

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 8:54 am

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.

Myke · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 8:59 am

Buy another used KJ.

mjfoto · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 10:25 am

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!!!

Good Luck

gopherbeats · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 10:25 am

RockyMtEditionKJ wrote:

hi-jacking i know but...are we gunna see you on Deadliest Catch now since your up in Dutch Harbor???

eheheh X2

krazz1e · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 10:42 am

XJ Has my vote. You should be able to pickup a already built one easily for 10k.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 10:43 am

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!

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 12:37 pm

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.

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 2:37 pm

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!

MikeD0106 · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 3:58 pm

Welcome back...

shadow · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 4:10 pm

Myke wrote:

Buy another used KJ.

My vote as well!

:

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 4:14 pm

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...

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 7:11 pm

"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.

I can see her being down for that!

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 11:21 pm

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

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sun May 14, 2006 4:20 am

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...

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Mon May 15, 2006 1:44 am

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?

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Mon May 15, 2006 9:56 am

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

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

Would she find out? :wink:

dog_party · **Posted:** Mon May 15, 2006 12:01 pm

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!!!

I'm baaaaack...

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