I recently came across a couple of Jeeps a guy has for sale. I don't want to get taken on the deal.

One is a nice rust free 98' with a blown head gasket (his diagnosis) and the other is a nice running 94' with "solid motor", clean interior, almost rust free body, with a rusted out frame. Both titled and ready to go. He's asking $2000.00

He said his plan was to swap the motors and drive the 98'. I was wondering if swapping the 94' motor to the 98' like he was going to do, or Just trying to snag the black one and take my chances fixing it... Possible junk yard motor swap. He kind of acted like it was a package deal

I'm kind of torn as to what to do. I don't really know a whole lot about Jeeps. Just trying to get my son interested in the outdoors. Dang video games...

So, I'm laying it on you guys to try and steer me in the right direction. Any info will help.

Thanks on my 2nd post!

-J-

 

If it's 2k for both, it's worth it. You get a free parts jeep. My 00 was 5k and I had to replace the block a year later.

 

Have no idea where your at as to what the value might be on them, that is a large factor!


I paid $1800 for my 99 4 yrs ago and still runs drive strong zero rust or body damage. My son bought his 98 from a dealer 3 yrs ago for $2100 great shape inside/out.

 

I'm in mid-Indiana on the Ohio border. I went ahead and bought them both. Why not? I should be able to sell them both outright. 70k on one motor and 95k on the other.

I'm gonna spend the next couple weeks tearing them both apart and seeing what all I can salvage.

I have a truck that's paid for that I'm selling at the moment ($9000.00). Once I drop that, I will have some cash to dump into one of these.

Here's the link to the CL ad.
http://muncie.craigslist.org/cto/5027097896.html

BTW I talked him down to $1500.00.

 

Good luck, and show us what you put together

 

Takes some pictures of both jeeps,You could be getting a deal or not.

 

Not everything is compatible between those years, electrics are different. Not saying you can't work it out, just know it's not all plug and play. Used motors running are around 400 bucks in my area. Might be cheaper to chase a 97-99 motor than deal with the 94 swap. I would say you could find a great XJ under 2k with less work. Even at 1500 you're going to sink in more cash in random parts and crap...

 

^What he said^

 

2K for both, TAKE MY MONEY!!! lol Bought my '91 XJ off craigslist for $800.00, had a cracked head which Jeep had mis diagnosed as a blown head gasket. Just put a Rebuilt Engine in, a 4.5" Rough Country lift on, and 33"x12.5 on steel wheels. All totaled I invested under $4,000.00 and have a very capable and dependable vehicle. I'll never own anything else. Good score for $2K, and best of luck on whatever you build out of them.


LilWarWagon

 

Dang, that stinks, man. I was hoping someone would live around me to help me out, I just don't know where to start.

Is it just the electronics that won't swap? Can I swap suspension, hood, fenders, glass, or interior, or am I just wasting my time with the Red 94'?

The black 98' is rust free and I would like to build a budget occasional driver/trail runner with it.

I found a 2000 I'm going to buy for a DD.

thanks

-J-

 

The guy selling it has to know they are not easily compatible or he would have done it already. Don't buy that line about selling all my toys. Lots of folks make bad decisions then try to dump it later. You are well informed and savvy enough to pass and keep looking for the right jeep, they are plentiful but not necessarily on Craigslist.

Electronics, manifold, interior, exterior trim and parts of the body are all different. It sucks but it's a waste unless you buy the 98 cheap as a rolling chassis and go find a JY motor 97 and up...when your done you will have spent the same as buying the 2000 DD plus a lot of personal labor. Not saying don't do it but know that it will be a time and effort investment with a lot of possible pitfalls. At the end of the day you could just buy a running driving Cherokee to build up and save some headaches.

 

Or buy the 98 for 600 bucks and find a new motor for it or rebuild whats there.

 

Thanks for the advise. I bought the 2000 for 1500 bucks and I have the 98' that's going to get the 4.2 rebuild. I don't mind putting time and money into the 98', it will get gutted and turned into a crawler/mudder. I will keep the 2000 and keep her street legal (maybe a 4.2 stroker as well). I will put the 94' up on the auction block, or just scrap it. Doesn't really matter to me, but would like it to go to someone who's going to use the parts.