I've been thinking about getting an older, relatively inexpensive 4x4 for camping and hunting. A bit of wheeling in the desert but nothing insane. It will also see some light commuter duty and I dont want to worry about it driving a 300 mile road trip. My wife and I car pool to work but that does not always work out, and my old project car (while fun), isnt something I want to drive in the city every day without AC.

My research has led me to the XJ. I've never owned a jeep, but a few of my friends do. A childhood friend and I built a salvage YJ into a psuedo crawler with a full cage, 38",  custom 4 link, and a SBC350/TH400 power train. I know my way around a vehicle, but I dont want a POS that needs a ton of work. I just dont have the time to do a full build anymore or be working on it constantly.

I refuse to look at anything without a 4.0 I6 in it. I believe in those motors and I've seen what they can do. I'd prefer a manual gearbox just because. I'd prefer to find something stock or close to it. It would likely get a mild lift, nice rubber, and perhaps a winch but other than that I dont want to go crazy.

What years should I be looking at and what should I avoid? I live in the SW where rust is not an issue. What would you expect to pay for one matching my criteria? Prices are all over the place on CL.

Older 4Runners with the 3.4 engine?

Another consideration. Prices seem to be potato on anything Toyo in my neck of the woods, though

Also looking for a Isuzu Trooper that isnt completely destroyed. I had a Rodeo with the garbage GM 4 cyl in it that blew a headgasket and wasnt worth it to repair... I really regret not swapping the V6 into it and keeping it. I loved that truck.

My now married daughter drives the 2001 XJ that I bought new in 2001.  She drove it through college and I gave it to her when she graduated.

Other than a front axle seal that leaked and an A/C compressor that went out last year, it had been solid and dependable.  The rear leaf springs are sagging a bit, though.   Hers is a 4.0 with auto transmission.  It offroads very well with aggressive tires, despite being stock.

To find a good, non rusted out, high mileage XJ is going to be tough.

The last XJ I had was a '97 4 dr sport which I subsequently punched a whole about half the size of my fist through the side of the case.  Rod wrapped around the piston and locked up the motor so bad I had to torch the crank in half just to get the tq converter and tranny loose.  BTW...XJ's have absolutely no room to work in the engine bay (very compact).  But find one that's solid and you don't mind it being a project, and have fun.  I was doing a little here and there on mine.  New headlights, lift (updated suspension), new tires, new spark plugs, new fluids, working on the interior, etc.....then the motor let go.  Shocking I know, for the all stout 4.0 I6....


Didn't help that the '06 4Runner Limited behind it I had just bought 33" Duratracs with Icon suspension and a lot of other suspension goodies.  My XJ was a money pit.  I got rid of it while losing my ass on everything I put into it.  If you do buy one, I hope you have better luck.

What state r u in?    Michigan road salt has long since destroyed the Troopers here.

I really wld try to hunt down a 4Runner with that engine.  One of my sisters had one years ago and she never had any trouble with it.

@4 years ago I bought my '99 XJ (5 spd, 4WD) for $3300. Finding a 5 speed is the challenge.

NV. 60's and 70's cars local to the area are known to not have a lick of bondo. I know, I'm spoiled . At least I pay for it in the 115* summers.

Thanks for all the replies

Ok, you sparked my interest.  Please explain what you mean by "I've seen what they can do.".  

I've had several XJ's and loved them. I think I never had one with more than 150k on it though, I always kept trading up.

1st gen ZJ's are cheaper to buy and more comfortable.  Cost about the same to build.

Ugh. You might be right but damn. I've had several of those too and I always preferred the XJ.
The ZJ just never felt as planted on either the trails or in a snowstorm.

I've witnessed them go 250k+ miles without anything other than basic maintenance. One overheated so badly due to a rad clog that I was convinced it would need to be decked and rebuilt... replaced the rad and it was like nothing happened. They're bullet proof.

I had one that I bought for parts.  It had 260 on it and the engine ran perfect.  I took what I needed and sold what was left for more than I paid for it.  The one I was driving had 220k on it when I sold it to a neighbor in need for $100 and it's been his dd ever since, abut a year and a half ago.  Idk about now,  but when I had it, it didn't burn a drop of oil.

The 2000s have head issues. I have a 2000, is maintenance hog. I'm done with Chrysler. Sure the engine runs good, is every thing around it that constantly breaks.

Anything 91+ with the HO engine should be fine, there are some small differences in things like u-joints, t-case tail shaft, and non-disconnect front axles but those are relatively cheap fixes.  Non abs models mostly get the 8.25" axle, which is stronger but has less aftermarket support.  You can take a look at this axle guide to see if it makes a difference for you.  http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/154-1109-jeep-cherokee-axle-guide/  A 3" lift, 31's, and a lunchbox locker and you'll get most anywhere with a low chance of breakage.

I've ran one with no oil when the filter busted in moab.  I've also overheated them.  Ran one on two cylinders for about 4 hours one time.

They take a beating, but so do most other old iron engines.

Thats the type of info I'm looking for. Thanks!

The heater core is an all day job. I think Chrysler threw a heater core on the line and just built the jeep around it.

This. But I do have some XJ love my first 2 were xjs I would love to have a 99 or 00 but they are impossible to find with decent mileage

Any XJ around here has long turned into a rust bucket.  They still run but damn they rot hard.  And they're getting hard to find.  

I've always thought the interior was a bit cramped.

XJ's are slightly smaller than 3rd gen 4Runners.

Both are reasonable off road build platforms.

Both can be stinking money pits.

Oh how could I forget.  Luckily while I was replacing the motor and had the thing apart, I put a new heater core in it.  

 

The pre-96 models are much much easier than the 96-01

Literally have a friend selling close to exaclty what you are looking for. A TJ sound good?

Straight 6 will go on forever...

The lack of maintenance on the 4wd system might not be as long lasting though...

Late models have fuel injection, which could be good or bad depending on what you want to do...

NO

Parts are a PITA to find, whereas jeep or toyota parts are easy.

If you can fabricate stuff or create work-arounds....sure.  But if you cannot....skip them.  Those trucks are only meant for people who drive them and ditch them.  Not for someone who wants to keep them.  

Additionally, the aftermarket for those things is nil, whereas you can find just about any lift, accessory, etc for Jeeps or Toyotas.