I was curious how expensive it would be to change from a 2wd to 4wd. using stock parts. Should i just wait for a 4x4 xj instead of just buying a 2wd?

 

Only way id buy a 2wd jeep is if i wrecked a 4x4 one and needed a new shell to move my stuff over to.To swap one over you need a parts jeep and the time it takes adds up fast.Can you do the work yourself and how cheap is the 2wd ones you find?

 

I had $350 in swapping my MJ to a 4x4. That's what the parts Jeep cost me.
It really isn't a hard swap to do, I'd do it again if I couldn't find exactly what I wanted already 4x4.

 

A mj is a little different i have seen them mostly 2wd for sale the 4x4 ones almost never come up around me.But the xj i see a ton of them 4x4 and very few 2wd at all.

 

True, but I'm so picky with what I want in my next XJ, I'll probably end up making a 2wd into a 4x4. Hard to find a 2 door 4.0 5 speed 4x4. Even harder when you only want a Renix.
Regardless, it's not a complicated swap. Unbolt all the 2wd stuff, bolt in 4x4.

 

It will cost you what ever you pay for a complete 4x4 XJ to get every little part that you will need. Then you will some spare parts for yours in case of need.

 

I agree it is cheaper generally to buy a 4x4 vs. converting a 2x4... but you can take a lot of pride in building your own rig.

I have just done this to a 2 wheel drive 1998 Cherokee I own (it was the 3rd 4x4 conversion I have done - 2 for friends, and now this 1 - of 3 Cherokee's I own), I liked the Cherokee because it was a Municipal Vehicle with Vinyl Seats, Trans Cooler, and a few other added options, I also only paid $350 for it and it was clean and never WHEELED. I had the Dana 30HP from other projects but if not figure $100, I paid $300 for a low mile trans, transfer-case, and new SYE kit on a Facebook deal. I ordered (2) nice Tatton Custom Driveshafts for $400 total, got the Boostwerks Linkage for transfer-case for $40, and would have paid $20 for the shifter and bezel, but ended up buying a whole Cherokee for $125 I stripped for parts at the end of collecting parts for this project. So for $1200 I got myself a real solid and unabused 1998 Cherokee 4x4 to start with....

Since I have collected a Rusty's 4" Lift Kit installed but never used, springs, shocks, lower control arms, ($80), (5) 35" Treadright Mud Tires with 2K miles ($650), York OnBoard Air Compressor and Parts ($150 + 60 for alt pulley), Detour Rok-Slyder and Frame Stiffners ($550), Dana 30 4.56 gears ($50 used), Rear 8.25 welded (for now) and 4.56 installed ($100), ZJ Rear Disc Brakes with cables and lines $130, Lokka Front Locker ($200) Warn 8000xi winch with winch bumper (from Cherokee I bought and sold) Rear D-Ring Bumper (from Jeep bought and sold) and a whole spare Cherokee for $125 (was getting scrapped with bad motor) which I got spare axles, trans, transfer-case, Cruise and Tilt, and a host of other spare parts before I scrapped it for $160 with a bunch of old scrap at the house in it.

Sometimes its fun to build it and not just buy it.... and trust me when it has a trail breakdown I will be able to fix it......

Picture the day I brought it home.... hopefully soon I will have one of it all done.