I found an awesome deal on a 89 XJ Laredo...

Im new to the XJ world.. Can someone help me... what should I be looking for or known issues?


As of right now, all i know is it has 179K, Auto , 4.0L I6, and the rear driveshaft is out?

Im going to go look at it again this week , the owner wasnt around when I looked at it the first time.

Its a TN Jeep, no rust as well.

 

older XJ's like the one your looking at are not that bad. you need a multi meter to trouble shoot things though since there is no longer much support for the Renix system. these systems are pre-OBD and can sometimes be a pain to actually find what your problem is. The beauty of the XJ though is it is junk yard friendly. if you have a part out go to the junk yard first. Also some of the electronics go out like the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), Transmission Control Module/Unit (TCM or TCU one in the same), and Crank Position Sensor (CPS). The intake and exhaust manifold bolts also have a tendency to shake loose so keep track of those and keep them tightened to speck.

 

My first real "built" Jeep was an 89 XJ. The great thing about this Jeep is the real electronics didn't get under the hood until 92 I believe. Once you remove the air box, the engine is super simple to work on and around. One thing I meant to do but never did was replace the electric cooling fan with a post-92 one. They changed the design and made it more efficient, though living up north overheating was low on the probability scale.

I had a few major issues with mine over the years I abused it, and the biggest was the old Peugeot manual trany that came in them until mid-89 (you miss that with the auto).

The other issue I came across and which was a total pain in the ass was the 89 came with 2 different fuel pumps. After replacing my fuel pump (shitty Maverick gas) I had tons of issues until the 3rd parts store I was at informed me the 89 had the 2 possible fuel pumps. Issue solved after that. As long as I'm on fuel, my XJ came with the smaller (maybe 16.5 gal) fuel tank which I swapped out for the large (maybe 20.5 gal) tank. Made a big difference for road trips.

The suspensions are very simple and straight forward, though the bolts on the leaf springs can get rusted in pretty solid. Cheap and easy to lift though.

If you have any specific questions, PM me and I'd be happy to answer anything.

 

Thanks!!
From what I can tell so far, there is no rust on this XJ.. I pick it up tommorrow.. I'll put up pictures when I get it.


Actually just got the build sheet on mine :
Q7 Cloth Low-Back Bucket Seats
ADL Skid Plate Group
ALR ST Value Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ARC Rubicon Group
AWHA Power Equipment Group
BGK 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
BKPS 10x2.5 Rear Drum Brakes
CACP Low Back Bucket Seats
CDBS Reclining Front Seats
CKBS Floor Carpet
CKNP Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTP Cargo Tie Down Loops
CKVS MOPAR Third Row Cargo Bins w/Table
CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAS Spare Tire Cover
CSCS Cargo Compartment Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHP Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
DHSS Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever
DJHS Dana M30/181MM Front Axle
DMDS 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRMP Dana 35C/194MM Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
GACS Tinted Glass Windows
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GECS Front Left Side Sliding Window
GEDS Tinted Rr Drs/Qtr/Liftgate Glass
GFAS Rear Window Defroster
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNBS Driver Side Illuminated Sun Visor
GRBP Left Mirror
GSBP Right Convex Mirror
GTBS Power Heated Mirrors
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
HAAA Air Conditioning
HGAS Hood Insulation
JAAS Instrument Panel
JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JBES Instr. Panel Diamond Weave Bezel
JCAS 85 MPH Primary Speedometer
JGBS Digital Clock
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBS Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JKBS Inst Panel Mounted Hood Release
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
JPT Power Front Driver/Passenger Seats
JRDP Power Driver Seat
JREP Power 4-Way Driver Seat
LAFS Key in Ign/Seat Belt Warning Buzzer LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes LBBS Courtesy Lamps LBCS Glove Box Lamp LBDS Ash Tray Lamp LBES Cigar Lighter LCDS Map/Dome Reading Lamps LDBS Cargo Compartment Lamp LDHS U/Hood, Removable/Rechargeable Lamp LHDS Headlamp Off Time Delay LMAS Halogen Headlamps LNJA Fog Lamps MB3S Body Color/Bright Front Fascia MB7S Bright Rear Bumper w/Accent Color MCAS Front Bumper Guards MCBS Rear Bumper Guards MDAP Front License Plate Bracket MFMS Black/Bright Grille MHBS Bright Windshield Moldings MMCS Upper Door Frame Moldings MMGS Belt Moldings MTAS Bright Liftgate Applique MWAS Roof Rack NAAS Federal Emissions NBKS EVAP Control System NDAS Catalytic Converter NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank NHMA Speed Control RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles RAFA AM/FM Cassette Radio RCGP 6 Speakers RDCP Power Antenna SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering SCGS Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel SFAS Standard Duty Shock Absorbers SGAS Rear Shock Absorbers SUA Tilt Steering Column TAAC All Tires TBCS Compact Spare Tire TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire TMWA P215/75R15 OWL All Terrain Tires WJN 15" Aluminum Wheels XEEP Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield XEFP Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield XEUP Front Suspension Skid Plate XFAS -35F Protection Anti-Freeze YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

 

Here she is.

Got her up and running yesterday.

Been sitting for 2 years.

I could a swore the 89s didnt have the HO engine option.. this is def an HO motor.

Carpet will be coming out and seats, they are nasty.

Seems the power steering pump is broken, makes an very odd noise.

 

The Jeep looks a little rough, but perfect shape for a build! I didn't/don't think the HO was an option either? Maybe you got the upgraded/newer fan then, too. One word of advice, if you're going with a rear bumper with tire carrier, make sure you find or make one that uses the attachment points back along the frame rails where the hitch attaches (I think it's 4 bolts on each side), as well as the standard bumper mounts. Otherwise the weight of the tire on the standard mounts will totally make everything a little wobbly. Enjoy it!

 

Yea... shes a bit rough...

I cant wait to start building her up.

Looking into Lift's now and a trans.

Couldnt pass it up for 250.00

Im looking into the HO.. trying to figure that one out..

 

if the rocker arm cover says 4.0 HO than that was probably just a replacement rocker arm cover. however i wouldn't put it past someone to drop a HO into it but some sensors would have to be changed. also the build sheet you have isn't for this vehicle is it? if it is there is something amiss with it like the Rubicon Group and third row seat thing and table option.

 

Yea I saw that on the build sheet as well.. I wasn't so sure about a few things that were listed..

The valve cover doesn't say HO on it but the back tailgate does?

Im going to resubmit the VIN to Jeep.

 

The first year for the H.O. was 1991. So unless it has a swap, its the 87-90 4.0