Never owned or worked on a Jeep, but have a friend who's brother in law's 2001 two door Cherokee threw three rods on the highway. Talked to his father in law (actual owner) and ended up buying it for $400.
​​​​​​That was yesterday.
Today, talking to same friend about a finding a replacement 4.0 for it, and he mentioned that his father in law had just traded in his daily driver 2000 4 door Cherokee (blown heater core and non-functional AC) and that the dealer (small used car lot) had given him $700 for it. Talked to the dealer, and he basically didn't want to deal with it, and I got it for $800 + tax/title/tag. I figure worst case I steal the engine (and the spare tire) and scrap it and I'm into the engine for $750.
The bodies are both in pretty decent shape for northern vehicles, and as far as I know both have fully functional transmissions and 4x4.
​​​The Y2K 4 door will also need new tires sooner rather than later, so that's leaning me towards engine theft.
​​​​​​On the other hand, I'm loath to scrap a vehicle that's body/frame are in such decent shape. Though I suppose I could try to sell it sans engine.
So I'm mostly trying to figure out if I should fix them both up, or cannibalize the 4 door.
Anyone have any thoughts/advice/input?

 

think it over till august! no rush, you struck gold!

some guys will kill for that 2 dr i hear...

 

I'd pour all my money into the 2 door no doubt

 

Build the 2 door. I have 3 of them in various states of reconstruction. Recently found a MJ and trying to put a deal together to get it as well. I must be a gluten for punishment. Both of yours look to be in good shape but I would pick the 2 door if I were just keeping one. Make your jeep buddies jealous and build the 2 door.

If you don't want to keep the 2 door, let me know when your done and I'll take it off your hands. 2 door parts are getting harder and harder to come up with. At a minimum, keep all the glass and body mouldings for resale.

Happy Jeepin'

84 xj 2 door, v-6 5 speed
86 xj 2 door, 2.5 4 speed
93 xj 2 door, 4.0 auto

 

Considering both bodies and paint are in good shape,
if you got the time, know how, money, tools and don't mind skinned knuckles get them both running.
Keep the 2-door and sell the 4-door for a profit.
There won't be any shortage of potential buyers for it.

On the other hand if you decide to cannibalize one of them thats a no brainer IMO...
keep the 2-door.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the input; I hadn't realized how much demand there is for the two doors.
I think I'm going to shop the junkyards for a second engine, but it'll be difficult to find a closer year match for the two door.
My wife is still not convinced that we need two Jeeps, but . . .

 

Keeper..., 2 door XJs these days are semi-rare especially in decent shape.
Yeah, there's some out there but people tend to hoard them.
They're not only hard to find period, but even harder to find in good condition.

 

The 4 door has rust in the rocker and drivers door id fix the 2 door since it looks rust free.