Sometimes I need reminds of just how tiny the XJ was

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
09/26/2019 at 16:21 • Filed to: None

Im still blown away that they were able to cram 2 solid axles, a 4 liter Iron block I6 and a transfer case along with 5 seats in this thing. I guess the secret was not caring terribly if the occupants lived or died in a crash.

DISCUSSION (27)

E90M3 > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 16:27

Walking around the junkyard I’ve noticed how messed up some cars are, but the passenger compartments are more or less intact.

HammerheadFistpunch > E90M3
09/26/2019 at 16:28

If they lived...that’ s a bonus. Repeat customers.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 16:29

Cars don’t have to be as large when they’re not overly angled or rounded for sake of “looking cool”.

The XJ accomplished all those things because it was a simple box on wheels.

OPPOsaurus WRX > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 16:29

i bet the interior volume is close to the Escape beside it. The 4Runner has gotten big

HammerheadFistpunch > OPPOsaurus WRX
09/26/2019 at 16:31

the 5th gen is single digit percent away from the size of my 80 series

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 16:31

I learned to drive in an XJ. The back seats were far from roomy, but I liked it. Not something I’d ever get again unless I started going down logging roads and such, at which point I’d definitely get it again.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > E90M3
09/26/2019 at 16:31

The number of severely damaged 90s-early 2000s vehicles I see in the yards around here tell me these vehicles weren’t as dangerous as people would have you believe.

DipodomysDeserti > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 16:33

Even the more robust vehicles from back in the day turned into coffins in accidents. My brother got t-boned in his ‘81 300d by an Intrepid. His Merc folded in half with the passenger door reaching his arm.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 16:36

I have to stifle a laugh every time I see the rear door openings on those.

vicali > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 16:37

Couldn’t even fit a Grande Mocha Frappu chino in one of those, let alone a Hydroflask..

duurtlang > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 16:40

Whenever I see one of those Jeeps I still think it’s a big car.

Luckily that Toyota on the right is not available here. Or it is, but it’s so rare I’m not familiar with it. It seems to dwarf that Jeep.

punkgoose17 > OPPOsaurus WRX
09/26/2019 at 16:41

More rear hip room in the Escape is one significant thing I can think of with my limited experience with both of these.

HammerheadFistpunch > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
09/26/2019 at 16:42

I know the 80 series is know to be crazy tough in accidents. I’ve known people that have been t-boned and rolled twice and gotten right out and walked away.

HammerheadFistpunch > punkgoose17
09/26/2019 at 16:43

oh, no question. the xj was really a 4 seater

facw > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
09/26/2019 at 16:43

I mean they are way better than 1970s vehicles, but a quick look at the statistics will tell you that they aren’t as safe as modern cars.

HammerheadFistpunch > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
09/26/2019 at 16:44

I had a 91 Laredo 5 speed. Great little truck, but then again it was new with relatively low miles so my experience wont be representative of today.

HammerheadFistpunch > vicali
09/26/2019 at 16:44

Seriously, whats the point if you can’t bring your skottle?

HammerheadFistpunch > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
09/26/2019 at 16:44

yeah, they were hilariously bad. You didn’t step in so much as you snuck past.

fintail > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 16:45

The exaggerated faux-aggressive face of the 4Runner is also emphasized very well. Perfect for shouty “active” dads.

HammerheadFistpunch > fintail
09/26/2019 at 16:47

yeah, i know. Still better than the 4th gen.

Kinja'd!!!

Man that was an ugly mug

HammerheadFistpunch > facw
09/26/2019 at 17:02

Yeah structurally they were plenty strong, they just didn’t have energy absorption as a primary design consideration.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > OPPOsaurus WRX
09/26/2019 at 17:36

The XJ is small compared to a 3rd gen even.

fintail > HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2019 at 20:58

Hood scoops always give me a chuckle.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > HammerheadFistpunch
09/27/2019 at 07:23

Same goes for my early 90s vans.

The old owner of my 1994 was rear ended at a stop light by a dump truck travelling at 45 mph. The impact shoved her into the car in front of her. She walked away with a sore neck, the van was fixed and she continued driving it for years.

The 1993 parts van I snagged had went head on with a 3/4 ton truck, both were travelling at ~45 mph. Both drivers walked away unharmed.

Are newer vehicles safer, sure, but they also lend more room for error thanks to more/bigger blind spots and more distractions. But to say “OMG, you drive a 90s car, you’re going to die!” is a severe overreaction as well.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > facw
09/27/2019 at 07:25

facw > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
09/27/2019 at 08:23

Tru e enough. Looking at some numbers we’ve seen deaths per mile traveled decrease by around 25% since 2000 and 45% since 1990, with the obvious caveat that even in 2000, that would have included some older vehicles. There’s also a huge component of increased seat belt us age which is 90% today, but was only 71% in 2000 an d apparently 49% in 1990 (seriously? what were people thinking? )

Milky > HammerheadFistpunch
09/27/2019 at 09:38

A rear door comparison of old and new Cherokees would be hilarious.