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All help appreciated fellow jeep family

I just purchased an 88 xj 2 DOOR 4.0 aw4 4x4 ($200) as an organ donor for a free 89 Comanche.

Upon driving it onto trailer and getting home I was convinced to keep the very complete original xj rather than gut it like a fish.

Today i went to pull lower rad hose and replace track bar bushings



surprise, crack right below sway bar mount drivers side

I actually bent mount & track bar out of way to see this well.

HELP PLEASE.
I will find ends of cracks in mean time Thanks

 

What are you looking for help with? Clean it, weld it, run it.

 

That seems like a pretty nice, original cherokee. 200 was a steal. Some people would pay that or more just for that tire carrier. Take it to a body shop and have them give you an estimate.

 

If you have the ability, find the ends of the crack, drill holes at each end, weld it back up and then add a steering box brace like the more offroad one that ties the two sides together and/or a brace like the iron rock offroad one which plates the outside of the frame in that area to strengthen it.

 

Those cargo windows are probably worth at least $200 for the pair too.
I agree with Red1992XJ. Check into it.

 

Ralph is correct. I gave $200 for a pair of polarized 2-door rear quarter glasses and drove 6 hours to get them, plus pulling them myself. lol. I would keep it intact and drive it. 2-doors are getting harder and harder to find in that good of condition. 2 doors kind of have their own click of XJ owners. Some love 2 doors and others despise them. I guess it depends on if you carry passengers or not. I personally prefer 2 doors for the cleaner look.

Also, that factory rear tire carrier can easily fetch $150-$200 bucks.

You made out like a bandit on that one.

Happy Jeepin"
TexasTaz38

 

I think the 2 door XJ's do look good (never seen one in person) but wouldn't like to own one, nor any other 2 door. Less practical in my opinion.

 

Please don't part that Jeep out though. Fix it up for yourself, because you will almost never find another like it. Or, if you want to sell it, let anyone of us know

Can we get some interior pictures? Perhaps even start a build thread.

 

Xj was a part out rescue, NOT PARTING OUT

OPTION A. Organ donor for my MJ project that was rescued from a fire

Option B fix it up

Thank you for the HELP to everyone

I also have a 4 door 98 zj 4.0L auto 242 bone stock (ebay $462) my daily driver so passengers will go into it.

Also food for thought, I am 6'8" tall 240lbs

I fit into jeeps by pure off road desire, not comfort Does my 2 door have more legroom by chance or same as 4 door or an MJ? MJ has bench seat 2 door is bucket seats.

I fit best in the 98 ZJ it seems

 

Will get interior pics requested when looking into crack ends (this weekend).

Passenger window was stuck down so its full of leaves & dirty but above average shape.
Got it up 1st day home to keep the mice out

 

I think the 2 door XJ should probably have more leg room and space than the MJ, but perhaps not much more. I'm 5-10 and I fit no problem in mine. The P.O. of my Jeep (neighbor) was about 6'4 or so, and he fit pretty good into it (and he was in his 70's and 80's).

Be aware that the driver seat should probably be reinforced. They were weak from the factory, and may benefit from some bracing / repairs. You can search through threads to find info about seat repair or swaps.

If it were me, I would look around for another parts vehicle that is in worse shape to use for the Comanche. More importantly, what does the Comanche need?

I would put some elbow grease into the XJ, see if you can get it to run. Find out how much more metal work it will need.

If you can get it really fixed up, and keep it relatively stock, it would probably bring $10,000.00 or more if you wanted to sell it. Or, keep it as a reliable vehicle for you to use.

 

I'm 5-11 and fairly thin. I've got a pair of bucket seats from a 2-dr XJ in my MJ. They're a straight bolt-in from a Renix 2-door, along with the center console. I usually have the drivers seat about 3/4 of the way back and tilted enough that the top of the headrest is almost hitting the rear glass. If you have the bench seat, you can slide it back a bit further but I think the MJ is going to be a snug fit for you.

I think you should give me the MJ to restore. Or maybe I'll sell you mine for the $10,000 Red thinks it's worth. :}

 

It is not worth $10,000 as it sits. But lately I have seen some XJ’s command a pretty penny. I saw one 2 door on BaT a couple weeks ago go for $13,000.00. Some others even go higher.

Granted, it will take quite a bit of work to that point, but it seems like he has a good one.

 

Yeah, mint restored around here might go that high. I could probably get $3k for my 89 MJ based on the solid running gear, fairly fresh engine, but in bad need of a good paint job and upholstery work. Craigslist is full of ads asking $4000 for barely running 1990's XJs, or they're just parting them out. I never see these great $200 deals that you guys keep finding.

 

I appreciate the info I will stay with the bench in the MJ for legroom. Legroom is why I go auto, no left leg shin dash action.

Does passenger seat need same or driver side only?

Already found another xj in "worse shape" funny thing to look for, but want to fix this xj first.

What doesn't the Comanche need is simpler, forest fire melted front clip & wiring harness. Its 2wd 5 speed 4.0L. Interior is mostly complete, nice bench seat, sliding rear window, no broken glass.

Ignition was punched, motor disassembled. Come alonged it onto trailer. Needs 4.0L & wiring harness, aw4 231 30 and an 8.25 with ALL the smalls

But love that look!