Thanks for the advice guys.

To some of the suggestions here, I am specifically looking at it because of it being a rare Cherokee. I have no interest in something with swapped motors or an F250 or anything but a Cherokee or Comanche. If I wanted a common Cherokee I can buy one with a 4.0L engine anywhere for less than $2k, but then I just have the same thing as everyone else. Sure, parts are cheap, work is easy, but there's nothing special about it.

I would be buying it knowing very well its a project vehicle. My last Jeep was a 1986 Cherokee with the 2.8L V6 and Selec-Trac. I know everyone's opinion on that setup too, but it was rare and everyone was amazed at how well it ran. Its all about how well you take care of a vehicle. Yeah, the V6 was underpowered, but it was smooth as silk and I loved the vacuum full time 4WD. And it was always nice to get the "Cherokees are a straight 6 not a V you're stupid" comments then pop the hood and let them stare in disbelief. Its too bad my brother totaled it. I've been looking for another rare, uncommon Cherokee ever since - and that was 5 years ago.

I really appreciate all the info everyone has given. I'd probably have it towed back to Albuquerque if I buy it based on what I'm hearing. But seems like I'd need to get it for under $3k to make it worthwhile.

 

Absolutely way overpriced. The 2.1L Renault never caught on here like mentioned. It's a dog and parts are impossible to find in North America. $6500 for a difficult to fix, not that rare vehicle that needs an engine rebuild AND a body rebuild is ridiculous. I LOVE diesel XJs and I wouldn't pay more than $1000 for what you just described. Even in good condition that thing wouldn't sell for more than $3000.

For $6500 you could probably get a newer model 2.5L TD from Europe in better shape.

 

http://jeepm62superchargerkit.blogsp...kee-chief.html

 

What buy buying a fsj cherokee and swapping in a 4bt?It would cost you about that 6500 and have a way better diesel cherokee in the end.

 

You can buy mine for under $6,500.00, sounds just like a diesel

 

I agree ^^^^

4BT Cummins powered XJ is the only way I'd drive a diesel cherokee. The 4BT is a excellent engine and you can buy parts for it as well.

 

I always heard the 4BT was too tall to fit under the hood without dropping the engine down too low. I would have thought a VW Diesel would be a better swap.

On the price of the one mentioned definitely too high. I guess my XJ could be considered somewhat rare now as it is an 85 with carbureted 2.5L with only 150K miles and still has sound 2dr body, and I only paid $500 for it a year and a half ago. $6k more for a diesel sounds way high.

 

4BT swaps have been talked about for awhile. It'd simply be a novelty factor just like the 2.1. The 4BT weighs about 300 pounds more than the 4.0, it makes 85 horsepower less than the 4.0, and creates 40 more foot pounds of torque at 1,300RPM than the 4.0 does at 2,500RPM. There are other diesel swaps that would be way smarter to do than a 4BT. It'd be pretty sweet though.

 

To be honest, if you have to ask most of these questions, you really shouldn't even think about buying this Jeep.

This thing overall sounds like a vastly overpriced rust bucket. I can appreciate you wanting to own a more "rare" vehicle, but one thing you should consider is that "rare" doesn't always mean better. There are reasons that the Renault diesel powered XJ's never caught on, and one of those is that they didn't have enough power to get out of their own way. Time, mileage, and apparent neglect by the PO, isn't going to help that. Factor in near zero parts availability or support, and not much power potential if you did, and this deal is sounding worse and worse. We haven't even touched on the body issues (which will undoubtedly be worse when you look at it in person) which IMO make this a deal breaker by itself.

Personally, I wouldn't buy one of these even if I found a good deal on one. A 4.0 is a vastly better engine option than the Renault (even the wheezer 2.8 probably is), and other than having the novelty aspect of being a diesel, I don't see the benefits.

In the end though, it's your money. Choose wisely.

 

Surprisingly on stock size tires, and the 5 speed, it is not too bad. Not as bad as you would be lead to believe.

Why it didn't catch on-
List sticker price $18,657 (1985) was about a $5,000 premium at a time when gas wasn't too expensive.

I have one and I wouldn't but this one here, too expensive. But I will take the 2 injector pumps.

 

As reference, I just got this 90 off Craigslist for $1,200. I don't care for the electric windows or the noisy/knobby tires, but hey, no rust and new paint...
It does need the brake master & booster replaced though.

 

Turbines!

 

Hey, beats the steelies, anyway.

 

For $1200 he can change the wheels for cheap

 

Hey! You guys are hurting my feelings! I thought they were pretty cool.