Need opinions FAST!!

[Adaa60]

ok so this guy from one of our commercial accounts cam in to work today to talk to me about my jeep.

He wants to trade My 1991 XJ for his 1992 Jeep Wrangler Sport " i dunno what J it is"

heres the deal he bought it for $1200 with a blown motor. they took the motor trans and t-case from an 04 wrangler W/ 63k miles and swapped them out

ive driven it it runs great aside from some weird idleing issue and a MIL light. comes with 2 tops, half doors, sound bar, Winch, newer tires, a weird shelf back rack thing.

Anyways i get to keep my highlift jack and my Spartan locker for the front. i think they will work on the wrangler.

but i need to know if this is a good trade or not. any opinions or thoughts. i know the xj is worth less blue book and ive always wanted a wrangler.

and as always here are pic's of the wrangler

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_165225_zpstrwishu1.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_165225_zpstrwishu1.jpg.html)
http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_165239_zpsbvrl9ljv.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_165239_zpsbvrl9ljv.jpg.html)http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_165255_zps5zs0j4vc.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_165255_zps5zs0j4vc.jpg.html)http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201251_zpsiownvwji.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201251_zpsiownvwji.jpg.html)

[Adaa60]

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201302_zps7kkc8fpf.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201302_zps7kkc8fpf.jpg.html)http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201339_zpsudfxmz79.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201339_zpsudfxmz79.jpg.html)http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201354_zpsmljdtnfg.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201354_zpsmljdtnfg.jpg.html)

[Adaa60]

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201445_zpshbgvri1c.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201445_zpshbgvri1c.jpg.html)http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201459_zpspfskgtsx.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201459_zpspfskgtsx.jpg.html)http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201527_zpsspmdorh2.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201527_zpsspmdorh2.jpg.html)http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y518/Adaaoffroad/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201603_zpsf3bvde8x.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/Adaaoffroad/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140320_201603_zpsf3bvde8x.jpg.html)


I dont know ANYTHING about these jeeps, so what do you guys see or not see?

[Squshiee1]

looks like the other one might be a bit more of a project, does it pass emissions?

[ColoJeeper]

Does it have current emissions sticker? I wouldn't trade without it.

Wrangler is a decent platform, and lots of cheap aftermarket support for it. Looks like quite a mess of wires hanging from the dash and I would be concerned about where else you will find a similar rats nest of wiring.
Looking at it, I would guess that it has wore out stock suspension, but again lifts are easy and fairly cheap for them.

[Jim]

It's a YJ (like mine).

Rectangular "bastage" headlights (just because they're not round)

It has multi-port fuel injection and a serpentine belt (vs. my 90's V-belts).

Mothing terrible about YJ's (imo) though I'd do no purchase / swap without a passing emissions test.

[Jackie]

Hmmm... The pictures don't show that it was "loved". But they do show it was an off-roader! I'm not mechanical, so can't advise, but the loose wires and overall mess make me wonder how well it was cared for. (Don't get me wrong... Jeeps look better dirty!!

[Adaa60]

Well my XJ does NOT pass emissions, and is IMO in Way way worse shape. i have a broken rear end with no drive shaft installed driving around in 4x4 with only the front axle moving it. my xj has No cat and the wiring is a complete disaster wit the pas and pas rear door completely stripped out. so i think the e-test and wiring issues are kinda a fair trade. but no it has no E-test. he knows my xj needs work to be " street legal " but he's wanting a straight toy anyways he says

[Jim]

Two things - one stock, one perhaps not...

YJ's have a "behind the license plate" fuel fill. A bit of a PITA so a license plate relocate opens up the fuel fill for easy access.

On mine, the windshield wipers sit, VISIBLY, on the windshield - there are no wipers on the glass in that Jeep. Are they moved / un-usable out of the way or have they been modified (there are kits about) to retract off of the glass???

[redneck23ms]

pics aren't working for me but it sounds like a good swap on your end. i'd do it

[Jim]

It has the "family" (if I have the name right) roll bar - the rear bars are "square" and have passenger shoulder restraints bolted to it. The "sport" bar is an angle from behind front seats to the wheel well area - no option for mounting a shoulder restraint.

As for wiring - imo - there's not "too much" for the basics that need be tended (I don't know what condition it's in though / how bad it is). I wouldn't be too worried.

EDIT: the dash gauges have a "circuit board" contact issue where the gauges can stop working (one at a time). Pulling the plastic from the dash to get access to the gauge circuit to clean the contact area is easy.

[Java]

Looks like a project, but lots of potential. I'd probably do it, but I'd have to see it to really know. I had a YJ for a long time, loved it. a couple of problem areas- check the spring hangers in the front, these come off frequently. Look under the dash, above the clutch pedal for signs of a master cylinder leak- drips on the firewall. If the master leaks on the back side it goes directly into the fuse box. It's pretty obvious if you know to look for it. Under the driver's seat frame the floor often cracks. Not much else I can think of, they're good jeeps, and the frames are solid. I wouldn't lock the front axle without doing a TJ shaft swap, the ujoints on the YJ are still the smaller ones like the CJs. It has a d35 rear for sure, I'd get rid of that first.

On the plus side, the front end is dented up, but the rockers aren't. It should have the AX-15 (Aisin / Toyota truck) transmission, which is very good. I think the dash wire mess leads to (in part) the missing speaker in the passenger door, probably not a big deal.

Can you get more pics from underneath?

[Adaa60]

not tonight. but i dont think it has the AX-15 anymore. its sitting on the floor next to it still connected to the blown motor. it has the COMPLETE Motor trans & t-case from the 04 Jeep wrangler 4.0HO with 64,000 miles I am however going to keep the old P-231 it had in it and swap that back on it so the T-case has a propper working Shift lever

[Jim]

OOH - What axles does it have?

Dana 30 up front is decent to keep but if it has the Dana 35 in the rear - that's often considered "a bomb waiting to blow".

[Adaa60]

dunno will look tomorrow

[Geno]

IMHO, first a 2004 TJ 4.0 L does NOT have spark wires or a distributor cap. 1999 and up 4.0L have coil bars that bolt onto raised/cast bosses on the head and a electric pick up in place of the distributor, once basic timing is set, the 1999 an up ECM sets timing and advance as needed, in the picture I do not see the cast in raised bosses for the coil bar. If you are getting a code what is it ? I am pro wrangler, just did the new motor In my 2001, I had to get the correct motor to match all of the 2001 emissions/ECM/split exhaust, 02 sensors/fuel management/Vacuum ect. ect. Mine works perfect, Motor swaps of this many years need to import all these components to function correctly. Listing what your ride needs ..... I would go for it, The rough idle can be a major item, or as simple as a vacuum leak. I would like to know what year ECM is running this motor if it really a 2004 4.0L, which throttle body is he running, there many items that will work on the 1991 ECM, but there are a lot of things that do not interchange in a 13 technology gap. :2c:

[Hypoid]

It might be a stepping stone to a nicer Cherokee. You will miss the room you have now.

[Brad]

That big of a gap motor and ECM could be why the CEL is on. They may have incorrectly adapted the new ECM to the YJ. I love the wrangler platform and if it feels like a good swap where your both walking away happy with equal vehicles then I say go for it.

[otisdog]

Geno is right - a 2004 motor will NOT have a distributor with cap or spark plug wires so something is not correct there. I have an 03 TJ and it has the coil rail. I'm not sure what year the switch occurred but it was before 2003.
Have him try again on what year engine that is.
BEWARE.
Jim

[gm4x4lover]

It might be a stepping stone to a nicer Cherokee. You will miss the room you have now.
And the ride of an xj. I loved all my yj's. Its worth more regaurdless. The last 4cyl wrangler I sold (which wasnt sulper clean) sold for more than the last 2000 Cherokee I sold which was really nice and lifted.

[JeepWrench]

Just because It came with coil packs doesnt mean you have to use them!!!!!! I have have swapped 4.0 forwards, backwards, converted from renix to ho, and swapped from fuel injection to carb. Looks like from the pics a 99+ intake so he is close on the yr anyways

As I am a mechanic, I would do the swap in a heartbeat. Wranglers hold their value better, have a larger aftermarket following, and yjs are super cheap to lift 6in with a SOA.

[otisdog]

You're right they probably kept the old YJ distributor etc. Not thinking well this morning
Aada if you do swap I'd try to keep the newer t-case in there if anyway possible.
Jim

[Adaa60]

The new tcase just doesn't have a way to shift it to 4x4

[Adaa60]

Ok update*

The cel is " I think" because the 92 4.0 has a coolant temp sensor in the head and the 04 does not so its missing...... I'm looking for a way to fix this ATM.

[Hypoid]

I'm not sure about ALL the OBDI Jeeps, but the XJs have the coolant temp (sensor for the ECU) located in the thermostat housing. I see some wires there...

My guess is that the engine controls systems are stock to the YJ.

[otisdog]

The new tcase just doesn't have a way to shift it to 4x4

Why? Is it a mismatch of linkage or something?
Jim

[javaman34]

I don't know much about any Jeeps, but the question is how bad do you want it. Either way it sounds like you have your work cut out for you. I would want a current emissions on it though. If you want the Wrangler, then do the trade. You're the only one that has to live with the decision.

[Adaa60]

Otis it has the 92 shift linkage they forgot to snagg the 04 linkage before it went to the scrapper

[Adaa60]

Yea I'm going to trade for it. It might not pass emissions but at least it has a chance. My Xj has 0% chance to pass since it has no cat at all. The yj doesn't seem to smoke or anything and it looks like I will have to do some junk yard shopping to find the shift linkage for the tcase but I can reach down and engage manually and it works very well once engaged

[Adaa60]

I'll make sure I keep all the removed parts from the 04 and whatever they didn't use from the yj and figure what went on once I have it all on a mat. We have a obd1 tester at our shop for rent so I'll look to see what its complaining about and address it before emissions.

[JeepWrench]

as of this year the check engine light can be on and you still pass emmissions

[Adaa60]

I chose NOT to take the trade. I figure I already have a lot of money, blood & tears in my xj. Plus I have 3 kiddos and I want them to get in to the outdoors and I cant fit 3 kids and my queen in a wrangler. I'm gonna keep my baby and let him " build " what he wants instead of just handing over my toy

Plus that wrangler has front & back leaf springs. Feels like your riding around on a trampoline.

[Jim]

Plus I have 3 kiddos and I want them to get in to the outdoors and I cant fit 3 kids and my queen in a wrangler.

The solid "Family Comes First" theme keeps popping up!

[Chris]

I chose NOT to take the trade.

Jim's comment is mine too.

That would have been my decision, better to stay with something you know than taking on a totally unknown project.

[javaman34]

Sounds like a good choice to me. Too many unknowns with the wrangler and the whole family issue.

[JeepWrench]

PM me his number, I have a buddy with a mildly built xj that would trade.

[JeepWrench]

And I love 4 leaf springs. easy to lift, easy to adjust pinion angle, easy to swap bigger axles, and I can build my own spring rate when I make my bastards packs

[JeepWrench]

oh and lastly the coolent temp sensor thats in the head on a 92, only operates the gauge inside the vehicle and will not make a CEL light come one.