Hi, sort of new here - lurked with no account, didn't ever post because I didn't have a jeep after my last one got totaled two months after I got it. So.

My Tacoma died a silent, life support death. Picked this '93 ZJ 4x4 with a V8 up today. It runs. It's sketchy af to drive.


But it was also $500 and it runs.

But it's also sketchy.
Sketchy:
1) Pushbutton start with wiring going out the door and under the engine; Good news, it doesn't start unless you have the key in. I don't even want to know.
2) Right turn signal in the front stays solid while headlights are on (I need to fix this first so I can get it inspected and titled)
3) Something Is Very Wrong when decelerating - around 1k rpm and <15mph, when slowing to a stop it F***ING SHAKES. BAD. Also shakes >50MPH. This seems to be coming from the front driver's side and is probably tied to something in the wheels/tires.
3b) Tires need to be replaced. Debating on just buying wheels off of a junker if the tires come with, because I was skating pretty bad.
3c) Issue at 50mph may be death rattle and not tied to this, so going to just throw on a new control arm because it's cheap and easy and will probably need one anyway
4) The inside. Just. Yeah. All of it. I need to get a new driver seat. And an extension cable for my vacuum. I'm thinking it might be easier to just tear all of the upholstery out of it.
4b) Need a new instrument cluster. Speedometer works when it feels like it.
5) 250k miles. Don't really care about that, because the engine starts straight up and hasn't given me much issues.
6) Transmission sticks in 2nd gear when O/D is on. I don't need O/D right now, so it's of least concern.

Not sketchy:
1) $500
2) Running
3) V8 4x4

The thing I'm most concerned about is getting the headlights fixed - I've read a few suggestions on here, but I'd appreciate any other input. Stays solid when turning the right blinker on and the headlights are on. I've read variations on this, but haven't encountered it before.

Thanks for having me here and thanks for the forums!
-Nate

 

Nice find.

check the offending bulb and socket for corrosion.

 

The PO probably may have installed the push-button start if he/she didn't know the NSS trick. It's pretty common for non-Jeepers.

I bought a pretty clean '97 XJ Country dirt cheap a few years back due to the same issue. Fixed the NSS and sold it for 6X what I paid for it!