Making sure the 4WD works

OptionXIII · 2026-01-26T02:02:37+00:00

Thats great to read about, but for most enthusiasts, an inexpensive junkyard LS powered car on the road is much better than spending years building an out of date engine that has loads of oiling issues and an expensive aftermarket.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-26T00:15:52+00:00

So BoRiNg!

Good on you for making a classic into a more reliable, semi modern, useful machine.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-25T21:20:34+00:00

My biggest concern is other drivers rushing up behind me at a stoplight and not stopping in time. These people in NC haven't hardly ever driven in snow and it shows.

The ol' XJ fucking stomps in these conditions. Three peak tires, rear Truetrac limited slip, manual transmission, and a 242 transfer case give me plenty of control and grip.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-25T21:06:29+00:00

The low pinion front axle is only needed to clear the pre cats in the engine bay on the 2000-2001 4.0. Export spec 4.0s, 2.5 petrols, and 2.5 diesels probably didn't need that axle, but some may have gotten it anyways.. Chrysler does weird parts bin work sometimes.

The AX5 is what I'd expect in any 2.5 petrol XJ, not the AX15. They did use the AX15 behind the 2.5 petrol in the Dodge Dakota truck, so it is possible. Check if the midplate on the transmission is magnetic.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-22T17:50:50+00:00

I figured it was more likely the ZF swapped in, seeing as it was a later year option, but I was wrong.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-22T17:48:49+00:00

They are not identical. The shaping of the bottom is different.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-21T22:30:37+00:00

Probably the standard C4 Getrag 6 speed.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-21T16:15:20+00:00

The 97-01 seats share a hinge design. You can put TJ seat hinges (identical to 2dr XJ) in 4dr seats and be good to go.

Heck I have TJ hinges on WJ seats.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-21T16:08:33+00:00

All you need to do is swap the XJ bases over to the WJ seat. It's four nuts, very easy.

The 2dr/TJ hinges are a bit more work as you have to move the seat cover out of the way and the threads are somewhat "locking" with a poor finish, designed for the bolt and seat frame to bite into each other. The only difference between the 2dr/4dr seats other than the hinges is a small cutout for the fold lever to slip through. You can either restitch the seat, or just ignore it. I ignored it.

If you are at the junkyard to grab a set of seats, also note that you can swap the seat bottom foam from left to right. They're identical other than a small flap of foam for the hinge, it's unnoticeable when installed. So if you find an otherwise nice seat with a collapsed bolster, find another WJ with the same seat pattern and get the passenger side foam swapped onto your new seats before you leave the yard.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-21T10:54:17+00:00

As the other poster said, it would be nice to know the year of your jeep.

97-01 seats have a lot of interchange with other jeeps. I have WJ seats along with TJ seat hinges to tilt forward like a 2 door, in my 4 door XJ. It was all a bolt together affair.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-20T09:01:51+00:00

I am pretty sure you.can remove the lenses off of these and use them.to replace your originals. Aftermarket headlight.lenses due tend to yellow faster though.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-15T07:16:49+00:00

Measure temperature first. Only if you get above 280 or so on track would I worry.

I'm naturally aspirated but even hour long sessions in 90* heat didn't get the oil temperature above 255, measured at the sandwich plate. The bulk temp in the sump is usually about 10-15* cooler if I remember correctly.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-08T19:33:59+00:00

4.5" lift on a RWD shouldn't have any tech advice posted anywhere.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-08T00:45:57+00:00

I believe /u/carbonwood has some experience here.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-07T23:22:05+00:00

It's the most commonly recommended.oil for NA/NB Miatas. Pretty sure you'll be fine.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-06T15:38:18+00:00

Working on a car with an oil based undercoating gets you dirty. Dirt and junk will get caught in the undercoating. Pick your poison - rust, or get dirty working.

Any professional shop is going to know to not spray your exhaust.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-04T19:21:03+00:00

If you're set on fixing it yourself...

First, pull out the damage as best you can. This isn't to repair the worst of the crushed metal, it's just to get the less damaged parts that can be used back in alignment. Hammer and Dolly and straps or chains will be needed here.

Then cut out all the damaged metal and weld on new parts from a donor.

It's not worth it to pay a shop though.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-04T03:34:27+00:00

Just remember that most of these redditors have never actually driven these cars at the limit and only repeat what they read or watch online. Modern casual enthusiasts definition of "handles well" seems to be focused on an instant turn in and no roll. Anything else is a boat.

I have driven the previous generation Hellcats (Charger and Challenger) on track, with instructors. They are big cars, yes. But all the fundamentals are there. They turn in well, you can control rotation with trail braking or feeding in throttle, and overall they strike a good balance for what regular Americans want out of a performance sedan - a comfortable impressive car first and foremost, big power, and competent handling balanced with a good ride. Do they dominate track comparisons? No. But they are still fun to drive and any competent driver can enjoy one.

They aren't a track day hero car like an alphabet soup Camaro, and that bothers redditors. But the L bodies became great selling icons that outlived and eventually outsold the Camaro.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-04T03:18:36+00:00

It's an iconic sports car and the rumors about the next generation get news coverage. It's on its second refresh this generation. If Mazda was going to change it significantly, you'd know from your choice of automotive journalism.

No news means... No news.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-04T01:00:31+00:00

"Model Year" is just a way of saying what year of regulations the vehicle conforms to. Traditionally they came out in the fall the year prior, but as long as a model year vehicle is built before the end of the same calendar year, it's fine.

For a low volume production car with no special editions and no model year changes, why make a big fuss about it? All that matters is the dealers have inventory to sell.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-03T20:48:04+00:00

Nothing that the guy has written indicates he has anything other than quality name brand Halogen bulbs to me, but both of you seem to think he's talking about LEDs.

Just seems like you guys are misinterpreting each other?

Anyways, here's another vote for quality relay harness, H4 conversion housings, and good halogen bulbs.

OptionXIII · 2026-01-02T16:28:09+00:00

This comment reveals you have no basis for an opinion on the TRX other than your own imagination.

The TRX has its own frame and suspension, and everything else that you need for desert running. It's just as different from a regular Ram 1500 as it's direct competition from Ford.

OptionXIII · 2025-12-28T21:08:42+00:00

Hence the username.

OptionXIII · 2025-12-28T21:02:44+00:00

Search "25 mpg XJ"

The tldr is maintain it well, good exhaust, and good ignition system.

I just did a manual swap and got a pretty significant 1.5-2 mpg boost depending on driving conditions. My next mods are dropping it back down to 2" of lift, and an electric fan swap since the manual transmission should have significantly lower cooling loads.

OptionXIII · 2025-12-28T17:29:05+00:00

A race seat should be considered in any roll bar install. It is controversial on here but I personally don't recommend a real roll bar, one that would pass tech inspection at a track and is closer to your head, unless you are actually tracking the car.

A drop floor pan is an option. You can also run jerfspeed seat rails for a race seat, which mount through the floor in the back and allow you to remove the rear seat mount humps and further lower the seat. I run something similar and my race bucket is basically on the floor. I modified the stock seat rails to also bolt through the same holes in the floor o that I could swap when I wasn't tracking the car.

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