I'm still shopping for my Cherokee and I stumbled across a '99 2 door of all things. Are there any technical differences between the 2 and 4 door XJs?

AFAIK the only difference is the doors. I'm sure you noticed the 2-door has a much bigger door, so it's probably easier to get in (to the front).

If I didn't have a family, I'd rather have the 2-door. I'd remove the rear seat and turn the entire back area into storage.

I am not sure if this is just true with the 99 XJ that I bought or all of them, but one thing I would look into is the build date of the jeep. They changed 4.0L heads early '99 and front brake rotors /wheel bearing hubs part way through the 99 year. The earlier heads are supposed to be stronger and flow better, the later ones are supposed to be more emissions friendly. With the brakes and wheel bearings if you have a '90 to mid '99 they are a composite material, and the hubs are different and cost more to replace, and can not be machined, later '99 ones are cast and better. The brake rotors and wheel bearings need to match. Now I am not sure if my front brakes have ever been touched, but I am very sure the wheel bearing hubs were stock, but my '99 XJ has the Cast Rotors and hubs, but it has the earlier head, with a Oct '98 build date on the sticker. The only thing I can figure is the 2 doors for some reason may not follow the "norm" for date issues like the 4 door may. I have to say I really do like to 2 door too, I have had mine for about a year and a half and its a pain in the butt to get people in and out of the back seat, but its not a show stopper. The over all dimensions of the 2 and 4 door are the same too, so all you are really giving up are 2 doors for water to leak in through.

Anyway enough rambling, I am sure others will have thoughts too.

Sean

take the 2 door if you're a single. I agree with Berkeley. Bigger doors, easier to get in to.

Two door is much rarer, worth more, has a better resale value.