Been working on this 89 auto (New Delphi FP! lol), 100K original miles very good condition, absolutely perfect interior, straight no rust. I'm not keeping it, going to sell it this summer or fall. Thing is, local yard has a 160k miles XJ with a manual in it, could get all parts for about 500$ from flywheel to drivelines. I know this isn't a "restoration" forum but any idea if it would be worth it, as far as final value goes, to do a manual swap? Could also sell off my low miles auto/t-case so basically it's just labor. Thanks for any opinions.

 

Why?
The AW4 is one of the best auto transmissions ever built.
Fewer and fewer folks can drive a manual anyway.



4 wheeling is better with 2 feet and 2 pedals vs 2 feet and 3 pedals.

 

If I was looking at one to buy and found out somebody swapped a manual trans into an originally automatic vehicle, the value would immediately drop. Even if I wanted a manual...

 

Not worth it for a flip.

 

So you be taking what sound like a really nice XJ with an auto (which is what most people want) and hacking in a manual transmission ..... keeping in mind the idea is to sell it.
probably not such a good idea.

 

my thoughts exactly. I dont want someone's project that needs all the kinks worked out.

If you can get all the parts cheap enough you might be able to flip it as a complete swap.

 

All valid points... personally I happen to love manual jeeps- had a former forest service XJ, 96 manual man that was a nice one. This isn't a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, but in the car world manual trans versions are frequently rare, very desirable and command premium price . Avin' said that, ya'll are right, in this case trading the "original" factor for a manual trans would be "a wash", at best. Thanks for talking me out of it

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but our XJ's (MJ's too as they're the same platform) are not valuable or collectors items. AMC and Chrysler made 1000's of them to be cheap, affordable vehicles. I know this makes a lot of people angry when I state this, but it's sad truth. The only reason you see prices going up on a lot of used sales, is because our rigs have not been made in over 20yrs now so you can't buy new anymore. So when you do find a rust free, non "clapped-out", unmolested one the higher price can be asked. Once you start modding it, a vehicle loses its value. Sports cars and collector cars are not affected by the modding depreciation as they are more sought after vehicles compared to ours.

In short it's your vehicle, build and enjoy it as YOU wish, not what others want for your rig.

 

That is true currently, but with time, that will change. Look at the original Ford Mustang. Do you know how many Ford Mustangs were built in 1966? The official figure is 607,568 Mustangs! They were cheap and affordable vehicles that look good too! That's why they sold so many. But yet, a clean example can bring $30k, $40k, heck, even $50k. And we are talking about the regular, non-specialty models too! Many would consider them all collectors cars these days.

Over time, many Jeep XJs meet their demise. Either cash for clunkers, an accident in which it is deemed totaled, or rust are good examples. The ones that survive will command more money than today in another 30 years just like the 1966 Ford Mustang does now.

A regular ole 1966 Ford Mustang cost $2,368 back in 1966. If we account for inflation over the years, in 2022 that price is $21,129.94. I would call that cheap and affordable these days for a brand new car. Especially since the average brand new car price in 2022 is $47,077.

 

Good point, but it will only hold true IF and that's a BIG IF people stop destroying these on purpose. And by that I mean, STOP jumping them 20 foot high and crash landing them, just for some stupid Tik-**** or IG video. That crap right there really grinds my gears, when some idiot destroys a perfectly good rig for 10 seconds of fame. Just grab the most rusted out one you can find instead of the decent bodied ones if you want to do that. At least no one cares about the rusted beyond repair ones.

 

I wouldnt bother with a manual swap unless i was doing it for myself.

 

The only drivetrain swap worthy would be converting a 2WD to a 4X4 on a MJ Comanche.....

 

You are right, I hate seeing something destroyed for 30 seconds of fame. I know the older Jeeps like our XJs are popular with not just us Jeepers on these forums, but the younger generation. There's no shortage of stupid things that the younger generation does. Of course, I did my fair share of stupid when I was a teenager and in my early 20s, but I didn't record any of that stuff.

 

You are correct and minor mods can be acceptable. I just insured my 1988 XJ with Hagerty insurance and the contract has "Guarantee replacement value $10,000.00) even though it has a 3" lift. I'm the original owner and still have the window sticker along with the sales contract. It has little surface rust at the wing window latches, it was undercoated and rust proofed when I first bought it. Upgraded options are the posilock, eliminated "Z" link replaced with a direct connection using threaded rod and Hemi joints. It has the rocker seats for both passenger and driver side.