CCKen

I love the "run-to-destruction" approach many forum members have.

Oh....Just run it until it fails/throws a rod through the crankcase, just get another bone yard motor to replace it. Or, simply rebuild it. On and on, ad nausium.

WTF.

The Rooster

Sorry but you have to realize something with the years late 99-2001 have head problems... the heads crack and mixes the oil and coolant... which destories the bottom end of the engine... you can either run it till it blows or rebuild it... it is not something you can save once the damage is that bad... most of the time it is caught to late to do anything about it...

Kevin108

If you actually use your Jeep, that's the only thought process that makes sense. We're not here doing antique restoration.

The Rooster

Its starting to get to that point soon it will be happening... it is happening with the full-size waggy.. it will happen to xj's one day 2... antique restoration that is...

CCKen

I've been "Using" and maintaining my Cherokee since 1999. If you were aware of your surroundings you'd realize that all XJ owners are engaged in antique restoration. Some XJ's driven and maintained by our members are actually antiques by definition.

CCKen

1999 VIN S XJ's don't have head problems.

The Rooster

I have seen it... exetremely rare but they do exist....

salad

I think you're confused between 1999 model year and 1999 build date. Some 2000 model years with the 0331 head were indeed assembled in 1999. However no 1999 model years have the 0331 head unless someone decided to put one on.

CCKen

Indeed/Agreed.

I got fooled by looking at a XJ that I thought was a '98 because the sticker on the driver's door said manufactured 1998, and the old driver's mirror date trick - said 98. However, the VIN for the XJ was "X" in the 10th position which is a 1999 model year.

The 2000 XJ would have "Y" in the VIN 10th position for that model year, regardless of when the sticker said it was manufactured.

worf1235

Back to his original question. On a stock jeep the axil will not hang low enough to remove the oil pan. I had to remove the motor mount bolts and jack the engine up about 3 inches to clear the axle. If the oil pressure is dropping when warm then the bearings are gone and it is time for a rebuild.

Kevin108

Also, if just letting the axle droop isn't enough, you can use a bottle jack between the axle and body.