I have an 89 XJ Limited 4.0L 4x4 w/ 165k miles. Its running well, it needs $300 to run very well and strong for a LONG time. However it needs a lot of work aesthetic wise (not an hardcore offroader), and it needs just so many little things here and there. I found a 00 XJ 2WD with 121k miles with a "knock in the engine" for $1000. First off, is it worth that much? The exterior looks to be in excellent condition. Would my renix bolt in? I would use my block and maybe the 00 head so the intake and exhaust bolt in right? would my 89 AW4 tranny work, id swap in my front axle too. is it all worth the work??

 

No.

 

It's not worth it, you'll spend more doing a backwards swap than you would on a clean runner. I would still check out that 2000 just to make sure it really has a rod knock. It could just be loose torque converter bolts.

 

I looked at the 2000 XJ, GREAT condition, starts right up, knocks at 2500+ rpm, bought it for $700. worst case scenario, the engine is bad, tell me why I cant use my renix block?

 

You can use the Renix block on the 2wd '00, yes.

 

I'm agreeing with those guys. Yes the block will go, (but a big job of course). Use the torque plate from the 2000.

And....yea diagnose the knock...Torque plate to converter bolts are known to loosen and knock. There is stuff in the write-up section on that.

You can loosen the wires on the dist cap, set them back in, start it and run it up till it knocks then go around lifting one at a time from the cap. If the knock stops with one that might be your bad cyll/rod.

I'd wonder if I could sell the 89 for anything near what a short block might cost?

 

It is your plan to convert the 2wd '00 chassis to a 4x4 using parts from the '89 Renix that will be overly complicated. Is the D30 in the '89 a vacuum disco?