Hello all i'm looking to buy a 97 2 door xj. My question is do the front seats not fold forward. When i looked at it yesterday neither driver or passenger seat folded only slid forward in the full upright position. I'm just wondering because i have small kids to get in and out of the back and just didn't seem like enough room even to get a full car seat back there. Thanks in advance

 

There is a lever at the base of the back that allows the seat to tilt forward. It can be hard to find especially if the plastic caps/handles have been lost over time leaving just little metal stubs. Sliding forward has to be done with the bar under the seat. If the previous owner put seats from anything other than a two door in, they won't tilt, but if they are the original seats, they'll tilt.

 

Thank you mschi that was exactly what I needed to know. Thanks for the quick answer will now what to look for tomorrow when I go back to look at and hopefully pick her up

 

Kinda 2-door specific:

Make sure the door hinges are in good shape. The XJ's hinges are just barely adequate, and the large doors of a 2-door create extra stress especially if people lean on the door when it's open.

Also, check around the vent below the door striker for cracks. If the door has ever sagged, the door won't hit the striker straight on, and the sheet metal can crack (lots of hard slamming in general can risk this too)--almost the exact same cracks every time. Three cracks pictured below: top of vent, bottom of vent and along the bend in sheet metal just to the right of the top of the vent. I've since had mine repaired.