What would $4500 get me?

[MoGas]

I'm thinking of getting back into Jeeps. I have been away from them for 8-9 years. I've run the gamut with my past Jeeps, so I know what to expect mechanically.

I've had: 1943 MB (civilianized but stock), 1972 CJ5 Renegade (4WD hardware body, 304, Trak-Lok), 1975 CJ5 (former Class 3 truck), 1977 CJ5 Golden Eagle (SBC, Locker, gears, yadda, yadda), 1979 CJ7 (stock 304, 3 speed) and a 1987 Grand Wagoneer (slightly modified).

Anyhow, I'm thinking of spending 4-5 grand and would like to get another Jeep. I have no idea what to look for or stay away from in the YJ or TJ. I'd like to find an early Rubicon.

If I find something with a bad engine or tranny, I have a Ford 302 and Ford T-18 to swap in, so no biggie there. I'd even be happy with an Iron Duke 4 cyl at this point.


What should I expect to see out there for 4-5 grand?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[CACHE KRAWLER]

I'd honestly it depends on what you plan on using it for. You could pick up a decent XJ for that much and then slowly build it up. You could also find an earlier Sport model TJ for that much if you do your research, but you won't find a Rubicon model anywhere close for that kind of money. Do your research, take your time and enjoy the process. Best of luck!

 

[Amauri]

In that price range I think your best bet is a XJ or ZJ(specially for an overland rig). You can find a TJ in that price range if you look but it will probably come with the 2.5 4 banger. You can find a nice YJ in that price range but I'm not a fan.

 

[MoGas]

In that price range I think your best bet is a XJ or ZJ(specially for an overland rig).

I'm Not looking for another wagon as I already have an FZJ80 and an FJ62. I'm also not a big on having a unibody for off road applications.

You can find a TJ in that price range if you look but it will probably come with the 2.5 4 banger. You can find a nice YJ in that price range but I'm not a fan.

I'm not averse to the 4 cylinder.

Why don't you like the YJ?


Dave

 

[Amauri]

Leaf springs.

 

[wjeeper]

If your not opposed to a four cylinder I would focus on these. I have bought two pretty nice YJ wranglers for under $1500.

First wrangler '92 YJ: ran like a dog. Had a loose intake/exhaust manifold. Every bolt was loose (common problem on the 4cyl and 6cyl) caused the engine to run like a dog........a few minutes with a 9/16 combination wrench and it ran like a top! Been running going like a top for 75k+ miles. Bought an XJ for dirt once......tightened some bolts and sold it a month later for $1000 more than what I paid for it

Second wrangler '95: really nice jeep, bone stock, low mileage, hardtop/ doors, pristine condition jeep was $450:Wow1:........reason: two connecting rods sticking through the side of the block. A trip to the junkyard for a $75 engine block for a core + rebuild and its almost finished. $450 for jeep + $75 for core block + $550 used roof top tent + $1300 for a rebuilt block and head + some elbow grease = $2375 for a pretty decent start for a budget expo rig:coffeedrink:

I guess what I an getting at is if you look for a rig with some minor issues that you feel confident fixing and you wait for a few months you can score.
Food for thought:
Test drive every 4 or 6 cyl (YJ, XJ, ZJ it dont matter)that runs a tad funny and on the test drive check the manifold bolts, super easy fix, many think the engine is going out.
A YJ isnt bad, not as nice as a TJ but still nice.
XJ's are pretty reasonable......not a fan of the unibody (been there, bent that)
ZJ's look for one with a AWD t-case that is trashed. The viscus couplers go bad. $75-100 for a used t-case out of an XJ, an afternoon of wrenching, problem solved
4 cylinders YJ's and XJ's usually sell for a lot less around here.......
6 cylinder ZJ's seem to sell for cheap too.......

Just my $0.02

 

[wjeeper]

Leaf springs.

I would argue thats a selling point......still cheap to lift and wont get death wobble as easily. Also you can add or subtract leaves from your leaf spring pack to dial in your ride in an afternoon for pretty cheap......coils cant do that.

Just stirring the pot. Ha ha ha ha I am bored tonight:elkgrin:

 

[Amauri]

I would argue thats a selling point......still cheap to lift and wont get death wobble as easily. Also you can add or subtract leaves from your leaf spring pack to dial in your ride in an afternoon for pretty cheap......coils cant do that.

Just stirring the pot. Ha ha ha ha I am bored tonight:elkgrin:

Spacers :ylsmoke:

 

[wjeeper]

Spacers :ylsmoke:

Thats is true......I was a bit vauge: fine tuning your spring rate to match your specific needs is what i was trying to get out.

 

[AYIAPhoto]

Anyhow, I'm thinking of spending 4-5 grand and would like to get another Jeep. I have no idea what to look for or stay away from in the YJ or TJ. I'd like to find an early Rubicon.
If I find something with a bad engine or tranny, I have a Ford 302 and Ford T-18 to swap in, so no biggie there. I'd even be happy with an Iron Duke 4 cyl at this point.
What should I expect to see out there for 4-5 grand?

You could easily find a running YJ in that range, heck, probably a WELL running YJ with money left over for upgrades.
Forget the 302/T18 swap. Been there done that and regret it. No overdrive sucks on the highway, yeah you can run big tires without lots of gear because of the granny low but it aint worth it. Hindsight being 20/20 I would have swapped the 4.2 for a 4.3 or ford 4.2 and got the gearing from a 4:1 T-case. The V8/granny tranny is great for crawling, but not for traveling.
The huge advantage of a YJ over the CJ is the boxed frame and galvanized body. The TJ has more travel but as mentioned death wobble insues if not lifted right.

 

[jeepdreamer]

More input...

OP.
What are the intended uses for this? Seems your shooting for more of an open top fun buggy than a serious Expo type rig, yes?
Please list some stuff like likey wheeling conditions, Road vs off road %, number of required seats (ie just you or is a family along)...anything you can think of that would help us narrow the field for ya.

 

[Root Moose]

In your price range you should be able to find a really good 91(92?) - 95 YJ with EFI, 4 liter and either 3 speed auto or the AX-15 five speed. Stout enough drivetrain; forget about swapping ancient crap in. The purchase price difference between a 4 cyl and 6 cyl is not worth the effort to consider the 4 cyl IME. Just wait for the right Jeep to appear.

Lift it (front coils are possible), gear it, tires and wheels... probably be able to do the whole thing for around your price range... depending on the starting cost of the Jeep itself and what you bolt on of course.

 

[troy]

While I have owned CJs, YJs, and a TJ, they all have there area they excel at. It really depends what you want it to do.

They all can be made to do well offroad, but I think the TJ would get the nod in most cases for easiest to make it capable for cheap. The purchase in price would likely be the highest of all 3 options. I have seen plenty of TJs int he 4-5K range, but they can be rough. You'd have to wait for the right one.

Since you live in AZ, a rust free YJ should be easy enough to get. Cheap and easy to modify, but you can also get a 6cyl with EFI for well within your range. Stay away from pre-EFI ('87-90), they likely have weak transmission (peugot), nearly impossible to tune carb, and 4cyl models likely have ax-5 trans and not the ax-15.

For a fun weekend toy, that is classic, pick up a CJ7. Drop in your 302 and t-18 a small lift and MTs and call it a day. This woudl be my vote. You've owned these and know what to expect. The YJ and TJ are nice, but lack the soul of a CJ. In the end, all that matters is that your topless.

 

[MoGas]

OP.
What are the intended uses for this?

A few months ago, I was looking to buy this 1942 GPW from a local guy and then either put my Ford setup in it or buy this Toyota 3B with Rover boxes and then just run it. The guy doesn't want to sell now, though.

I obviously don't have an aversion to leaf springs, slow vehicles, or a tight fit.

I'm not looking for an "expedition" vehicle as my quiver already contains a '93 Land Cruiser and an '88 Land Cruiser amongst other items.

The best find for me would be a CJ-7 or CJ-8 with issues, a hard top (for winter) and no automatic transmission. There is a guy down the road that has a YJ with a Rock Ready suspension, trimmed metal, and a 4 banger. Maybe I should see if he wants to sell.


Dave

 

[jeepdreamer]

Don't forget the oddballs...

While I naturally love the flatty you were looking at I am still a little confused. Are you a rockcrawler? Play in the mud? Fireroads are extreme to you??? A little of all??
I'm not trying to be nosey...But if you don't care so much then the buy in amount will lead to a better choice.
You do seem a bit hung up on running the Ford motor/tranny. Thats ok since you have it but it also cuts into your budget sort of. How?
Well, say you bought a flatty like the one you showed. The motor was a boat anchor and the tranny was too. Fine since your replacement stuff is sitting on the garage floor. But...Now you must upgrade other stuff just to make it function reliably. Even a bone stock V8 will surpass the remaining drivetrain on a flatty. Weight will dictate suspension mods, axles must be replaced and upgraded...you'll need a tcase too. And that doesn't start to replace the antique aspects of the original. Stuff like horrible manual steering, tiny and downright scary drum brakes...etc.
Were you to step into a more modern vehicle like a CJ or YJ you would have less original "outdated" stuff to replace but still have room to improve. Personally, I would go for a YJ with the 4.0. It is, IMHO, the greatest engine Jeep has used to date. Good power, fuel injected, reliable and good for several hundred K if taken care of. The suspension of a YJ still lends itself to less expensive modification without adding complex, high wear, Nasa engineered components. Get one cheap and go from there. First on the list is to ditch the Dana 35 rear. Second, get a tailshaft conversion to loose the slip yolk shaft.
And don't forget the "oddballs" of the world when looking for a cheap buy in. The Jeepster Commando is a great starting point and enough of them around to make them not so "collectable", hence overvalued. Also an old IH Scout could be a contended. Though finding one of these wilthout an advanced stage of cancer is more costly. At least the top still comes off. Loose the top and doors and there you are. I'd suggest an old FJ 40 but due to their cult following they are usually way overvalued IMHO. Good rigs, just too high a price tag for what you get usually. And if you really want to do something spooky, find an old Samari or Tracker. Drop your V8 into one of those and enjoy the wheelies!