I don't know... I had a 2006 6.0 GTO for a
while and I hate being so low. I don't like my head being at bumper level of every truck on the road. There is no way your window/door is going to save your head if you get side-swipped. Also you can't see anything and are completely relying on the person in front of you to be aware. It was super fast and handled great- was fun to drive but I got rid of it and happily hopped back in my lifted Jeep.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I still see tons of 20 year old xjs flying down the interstate. Probably more than any other 20ish year old vehicle so apparently plenty of people find it safe.

 

This is such a ridiculous statement I'm not sure if this is an attempt at trolling. I'm sincerely hoping that what you meant to convey is "Attempting to rely on a twenty-year-old vehicle with twenty-year-old parts can be very expensive", which is an accurate assessment for ANY vehicle.

 

I'd still recommend someone get a 20 year old toyota or honda (car) over a Jeep if they didn't have money to put into a new car (or parts) and were going to be doing a lot of highway driving, I mean c'mon now...

I suppose this might as well have been trolling saying anything slightly bad about cherokees in this forum. It was a stupid move but I went down with the ship.

 

In my experience, the XJ is a fine driver. I use mine almost exclusively to tow my snowmobiles and ATV's. But it's also my winter commute vehicle that I ram around in at 75 mph when the roads permit. I've also used it to tow trailers at highway speeds and I can say that although it's no Ferrari, it's by no means unsafe at those speeds.

 

Dude sports cars and most all cars today have ifs and irs...you connot compare Apple's to oranges...I drove a buddy's f250 and loved it because it almost handles like my xj given the solid axles.
Your comparing driving a vw to an xj??!! Of course the veedub is gonna drive like a dream over the xj. I'll say again I got behind the wheel of a buddy's f250 king ranch and it handles very comparable to MY xj. Maybe not yours or the one Billy Bob Joe has for sale on Craig's but with MY xj its got all brand new suspension components and the steering is top notch. Drag link and track bar angels are perfect and the way it is built it hamdels like a new vehicle. Do you think people were scared to drive these things on the highway new? No why would they be if it's mechanically sound? Being lifted properly is one thing. Being a hacked up xj with come 6 " coils and blocks with all other stock parts, yeah I wouldn't even drive it. BUT if it is done properly it will Handel just like new.

 

I guess it comes down to understanding your machine. My other ride is a civic si. And the two vehicles handle a little differently.......

ThAt being said, I don't take the XJ into a 65 mph downhill curve the way I would with the si. I'm a little more deliberate with the moves on the highway with the XJ. But when I need to tow into 2' of unplowed snow with a 2000lb trailer behind me, the XJ rules!

 

im not comparing comfort..

Lost cause i guess.
I'd rather drive my tight handling nimble car with all the other idiots on the road with my son in the back seat over my jeep on the highway

 

I'm not talking about comfort either, so would drive an f250 or a wrangler with your son in the back? I'm just trying to find out what it is that makes you feel like xjs are unsafe to drive on the highway.

 

Working 20 year old Hondas and toyotas is much more complicated than 20 year old jeeps. Parts are much more expensive and less available and more difficult to install and remove.

I'm probably the biggest honda fanboy you'll be able to find on this site, but your maintenance cost analysis between the 2 is off in my opinion.

I don't do a 100 mile round trip commute like I did previously, if I still did, I'd probably still drive a honda or Acura (like I did for 18 years) just for the extra 7-10 miles per gallon. It's not because I fear the XJ and the highway, I still drive my XJ on the highway all the time.

I will say younger inexperienced drivers rarely lack a good working knowledge of the "physics of driving" and that can get dangerous in any tall vehicle with a high center of gravity.

I had to flip a 73 LeMans over at about 80mph when I was 17 to learn about the physics of driving so I understand your concern.

 

you're putting words in my mouth. this conversation is about lifted 20 year old vehicles. i said id rather drive my nimble car over my lifted 20 year old brick at 70 mph.

whatever, unsubbed

 

Okay, so it's the maneuverability about the xj you don't like at highway speeds?
Dude I'm not trying to argue, or get off topic(sorry OP)
I'm just stating the point that in my opinion a properly lifted xj is just as safe as a non lifted xj.

 

https://i.imgur.com/ybKDM7e.gif

 

Sorry I don't have pics yet. Was tied up yesterday and busy (all good stuff) today as well. I do see that quite a discussion has ensued. When i say highway driving, its a 15 minute commute to the junior college up the road he will attend in about a year. It's not going to be going cross country, but 15 miles is enough driving to get out of control.

we paid 700 for a NON-running Jeep. It had locked up motor. I actually think he could make a few (just a few) dollars on it when we are done. The point is that is a teaching moment, but safety is premier. I am thankful for your posts as it will allow him to see the thoughts of very experienced xj folks in addition to dear old dad's opinion.

I'll post up pics and yall tell me what i have and where i should be concerned. Thanks for keeping it mostly civil.

 

Amen. This teaches him not only the reward for hard work (repairing his own vehicle) but also the responsibility for not only his safety, but the safety of others that he would be affecting. THAT is one of the main jobs of a parent of a teenager about to enter the adult world. I wish more parents would teach their young adults these lessons before they have to learn them the hard way. Ok, off the soapbox. Good luck with your son, I am deep in the process with my youngest now. Trust me, the pain now will save them much pain as an adult.

 

Definitely do what you feel is best for your kid. I grew up working on my dads XJ with him and have been hooked ever since.

It is my opinion that if you fixed its issues, they are more than safe enough to drive. The only real issue I have is hydroplaning which can be expected when you throw big tires on a light rig. But as you can tell, everyone's opinion varies. Good luck getting it running!