might buy a 3.0 crd jk. thoughts?

[rayray934]

so a guy not far from me built this awesome 2008 Sahara unlimited jeep. and did the 3.0 crd swap in it, half doors, smitty built bumpers and fenders lifted on 35"s huge led light bar and 4 small led lamps on the corners, led headlights, quadra transmission, the list goes on. i when and checked it out today. lots of extra parts come with it. only 15000 miles on the swap since it was done. and 30000 mile on the engine when it was installed. the thing is, he is asking 65,000 for it. i worked out a deal with him to trade my porsche 911 for it plus 35,000 cash on my end. i would be getting a loan for the added cash.

so my question is, should i do it? it should last for ever with that engine right? is it really worth 65,000? i know the hemi swapped ones go for around that much.

im new to jeeps and any input would help. i really want to start getting into expeditions and traveling and camping everywhere. and i feel like this jeep is perfect since i love the diesel power and mpg.

here is a link to the ad with pics http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/3821033660.html

thanks!

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Pretty over the top build...

You could pick up a used low miler JK Rubicon of a similar vintage and do the 3.0L swap yourself and save a lot probably? The diesel is nice, and that does have a lot of stuff on that Jeep...but some times it is better to build than to buy? Hard to say man, its your money in the end.

If you went out and spent the $35K you could still have a sweet 911 at home and a really nice JK Rubicon with some money left for some tires/wheels and other bits.

 

[Elk]

Nice rimz... I'd save my money, and my Porsche (if I had one).

There are a lot of "interesting" bolt on mods on that JK. Consider your needs before you spend your money on someone else's modifications.

 

[Septu]

There's a lot on there that seems more bling or paza or whatever you want to call it. The bumpers appear to be smittybilt? Not a bad bumper, but not an expensive one either. Looks like ~3.5"/4" of lift (white shocks... Skyjacker 4"?). You'll want to find out exactly what type of lift, and what all was done for the lift. I'd also get an exact list, and go onto one of the jeep forums (JKowners, etc) and ask them if it's worth it - keep in mind it's a more wheeling orientated crowd, so you'll get razed a bit, but you'll also get some great honest info. Also, this had better be a Rubicon (D44s with lockers) - otherwise no it's not worth anything near 65k. You'll want to find out what harness kit was used to mate the 3.0 to the JK ECU. Then do some research on that. Ask the guys that do swaps.

I don't want to dump on any one's parade... but 65k for a jeep is expensive. I know my build list would be up there (well actually well over it)... but still. Personally unless it's EXACTLY - and I mean EXACTLY what you're looking for in a jeep - and I mean your ideal jeep, I'd probably pass. Yes the 3.0 CRD is neat and I'd love to have a diesel in my JK. However I loaded up my 2012 JKUR for about 42k (with a 7 year warranty). And if I had 20k to put into mods... .

You can probably get an 07-10 for less than 25-30k (my buddy bought his 07 JKUR for 15k - and yes it was in good shape). Then take it to the guys in Nevada and get a new LS put in (that's just under the 20k mark). Now you're at 45-50k and can build it any way you want it. Lift, say $1500-2k for something that's ~2.5-3" - which is more than you need. Bumpers front and rear - new 2-3k depending on make and model. Tires 1500-2000. You're now at 52-57k.

I'm not opposed to dumping 65k into a jeep. But personally for that much money, I'd be doing it my way. Now in this case I get that he'll take a trade, and you don't have to come up with as much cash. Because of that, it may be a tad different than trying to sell the 911 and then getting a loan to build one of these how you want it. But while the diesel certainly has that cool factor, it's certainly not needed. An LS swap into a 2007-11, or get the 3.6l in a 2012+. Either would do you fine. I know I'm loving my 2012 (and owned a crappy 3.8l previously).

But at that price, you likely have a bit of time before someone jumps on it. I'd look into how easy it would be to sell the 911, while doing some research on the JK, the swap and his mod list. As well as figuring out exactly what it is that you'd want on a JK. Because all they need to be a very capable machine is a lift and some 33-35s.

Edit. Something I didn't mention. I'm glad I had a 07 previously that I bought used, before I went to the dealer and ordered my 2012. I had it for just over 2 years. It allowed me to figure out exactly what I did want, and what I didn't want/need. That saved me a bunch of money. And as Hollaback mentioned... you'll be buying a **** ton of gas before coming close to 65k.

 

[SulVento]

Sounds cool with the CRD and all, but you can get an absolutely KILLER rig (used) for 65k.

Likely wouldn't have the CRD in it, but you could definitely get one with a HEMI or LS already in there along with all the bells/whistles.

Post up with the crowd at JKOwners......as stated before, you'll hear some crap, but you'll get a lot of good feedback as well.

 

[hollaback55]

Septu pretty much summed it up really well; I've owned 3 jeeps 2 of which were highly modified (think major $$$$$) and I have sold them as well so I thought I'd just add a few points from my experiences.

1. Modded vehicles are never worth the $$$ that originally went into them (ask me how I know this). If you can pull 60 cents on the dollar for mods that is very good in the resale market. I did not even look at this jeep b/c its not about the vehicle but about the idea that "something is only worth what another individual is willing to pay". This is a very important idea on the used vehicle market especially for a vehicle as specific as this. He might think the jeep is worth 65K but unless he has a couple of buyers willing to pay that price its not. IMO he'd be hard pressed to find a buyer in today's financial market to drop 65K on a diesel swapped Jk when there is a really good probability Jeep will offer this from the factory in 2 years.

2. This vehicle has no warranty which is a big issue IMO. Now using your vehicle offroad will void your warranty as well but I DD my jeep and the peace of mind that comes with a 100K warranty on the drivetrain is important. If you have an issue with the drivetrain then you can simply take it to the dealer and have someone to hold accountable.

3. There is a very good chance the redesigned wrangler is coming with the new 3.0 diesel in a few years 2015/2016 to be exact. Why not purchase a slightly used 2010-2012 JKU rubicion and then see how your feeling in a few years? If you've gotten to the point where camping and exploring is your main hobby and passion then sell the jeep and purchase a brand new diesel wrangler. Buying a used 2012 JKUR will get you a transferred warranty, a completely capable machine out of the box, a build platform that you can start playing with and learning on (bumpers, suspension, winch, lights, ect) and a great resale value in 2 years. Or you can buy a 2010 JKUR in the mid 20's already built with the items your interested in and call it a day. Learn on something used and see how it goes from there.

4. I'm curious as to who did the engine swap and how well it is integrated and works with the JK platform. This is something I would look into very very closely. There is a reason why people pay AEV to complete their engine swaps b/c the correct integration is critical for vehicle use. I had a AEV Built 5.7 Hemi LJ and it ran flawlessly. Passed NYS emissions, never gave me a problem in 40K miles of driving, and was a dependable as a clock. They were also able to offer tech support and product support if something went wrong. This peace of mind is critical to engine swaps in todays vehicles b/c of the electronics that run them. If not done correctly you can find yourself with no recourse except paying someone to try and fix another persons work which is not easy or cheap.

Really all of this is depending on your $$$ situation or your desire to sell/move on from the Porsche. There are plenty of used JKUR our there for sale that are well built. Take some time and make sure your purchase is the best for your situation. If it were me I'd buy a 2012 JKUR with the 3.6 now and wait to get the diesel from the factory in 2 to 3 years. Sure you'll spend more on gas right now but it with 20,000 miles of driving a year the difference in gas between 25mpg and 15mpg ($4.00/gallon of gas) is only around $2,000.

 

[madmax718]

Agree with above post.

the 3.6 gets so much better fuel economy, it really starts to reduce the reason to get the diesel.

 

[Weeds]

Also in most states this rig has no fenders and could not be driven on the road. This jeep might have been built for SEMA, it seems like I have seen it before.

 

[Septu]

Also in most states this rig has no fenders and could not be driven on the road. This jeep might have been built for SEMA, it seems like I have seen it before.

Those are the Smittybilt XRC armored fenders. Definitely not for everyone, and not for someone who has to deal with a vehicle inspection (which is only ppl in certain areas).

 

[Jakes01234]

I would build my own.
That thing looks like he checked off every box in the Qtech catalog.
Not my cup of tea and 65k seems to high. You could always just watch the posting for the next 5 months and when it hits under 50 make an offer.

 

[rayray934]

Thanks for all the input you guys!

i do love driving my 911 and doing track days, and would miss that. so i think what i will do is just looking for a mostly stock jkur and buy that so i can have a bit of both worlds. what are some other forums and places where i can find some nice jkur s for sale? any dealers ships specialize in mildly built jeeps that would have a warranty maybe in ga? or the south east?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

As mentioned, that heap wouldn't pass safety and possibly emissions in half the country, and for $65k you are wasting your money on a "riced out" Wrangler. If you do not have safety or emissions where you live, a 4bt diesel swap into an Unlimited Wrangler TJ would be my suggestion, there was one camped by us in Moab last month and it was BEAUTIFUL. And if said Porsche is a 993 by chance, you would be a fool to ever part with it, ask me how I know =(

 

[jeffryscott]

Buy a stock JK Rubicon, drive it and see where it takes you and slowly build from there.

Way too easy, especially with the huge aftermarket for Jeeps, to add gizmo after gizmo that add little to no real-world function. Unless you really know what you want/need in a vehicle (i.e. lots of off-road experience, be it rock crawling or expedition, which it doesn't sound like you have) a stocker will take you far more places than you can imagine, or as a new off-road driver, the pucker factor will let you.

With stock, you get to know the vehicles capabilities as it comes from the factory. You also get to know your capabilities as a driver, which is probably the most important place to start for offroad driving.

 

[LR Max]

Pass on that.

I've seen super custom jeeps like that just never sell. I'd look for a used JK and build it. There just seems to be too much crap on this truck. Wonder what the underside looks like. Heck for $35k, you can pretty much go buy a brand new one AND keep your 911.

Except for sitting in connector/400 traffic, I can't really think of a better car to have than a 911 for daily driving use. They are just so awesome.

That said, for cars, really, start looking in Florida, especially southern Florida. Heck just Craigslist is fine. I've been tire-kicking on a Land Rover LR3 and you can find good deals down there. Better than here in ATL. A buddy of mine recently picked up his exact flavor of Mercedes Benz (he wanted a...whatever with the whatever engine) for UNDER trade in value. He just flew down there, bought it, drove it back. Criagslist has a Southern Florida section. Check there and Orlando. I tried Panama City and Jacksonville but really didn't see anything in the LR department, but jeeps are a little more wide spread than that.

Also check craigslist in South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee. I occasionally see good deals on vehicles there. I'd actually recommend you avoid the forums as people actually know what they have. Non-car people just see it as the old car they currently have and want it gone. Not as a special edition thing with the special crap and they did the other special thing to it and now you need to pay more. You get more of people willing to play ball on price. Also could possibly score a deal if the vehicle needs work and you know how to turn your own wrench/will be replacing that item anyway.

Oh and just FYI, if you want to do a motor swap, go talk to Fortec Atlanta. They are over off of Howell Mill Rd here in town. They swap hemis into JKs all the time, according to the constant photos on their facebook (they also have a baller 5 ton on 53" tires, need this for ATL traffic). If memory serves, the original peoples doing this wanted like, $30k for the swap. I can only assume with other shops doing it, that price has come down.

 

[Metcalf]

Different strokes for different folks and all that....but I just threw up in my mouth a little and my wallet jump out of my pocket and smacked me in the face.

Buy a brand new zero mile JKU, build it like you want, and take the left over money and buy a few thousand gallons of gas to go on some great adventures.