I'm a regular over in the YJ forum, and they've always been good to me, so howdy to you XJ guys!

My YJ has been my daily driver for the last year or so since I crashed my Honda, and I need to buy another vehicle so I can take the YJ out without fear of losing my only means of transportation.

Just got my annual bonus, so I've got a few bucks to spend, though not as much as I really wanted. I'm thinking about picking up an XJ, specifically a 2WD one, and later converting it to 4WD, as opposed to just buying a 4WD outright. There are a few reasons for this, and I'm hoping you guys can tell me if I'm thinking straight.

1) They're WAY cheaper. Even adding in the cost of another front axle, driveshafts, tranny and t-case, the math looks way better going this route.

2) They likely haven't been wheeled very hard. I'm betting a good chunk of them haven't seen so much as a dirt road, and that bodes well for just about everything mechanical in the rig. My YJ has had some pretty weird stuff break as the result of sustained bouncing around in Death Valley and elsewhere.

3) The work sounds really gnarly. I know that's a negative for most people, but I love this stuff. It's the whole reason I bought the YJ in the first place, and it has taught me a LOT.

I've done a full tranny replacement in the YJ, as well as the head and some other pretty tough jobs, so I know I CAN do this work. The question is, should I?

JB

 

Welcome to the forum. I don't see why the hell u can't... If u feel it's better route and the fact that you seem so mechanically inclined. I would say Go For It.

 

Welcome from England.

 

Welcome to the forum. I have a 4wd XJ that, like your YJ, has taught me a ton. I'm planning on buying an MJ Comanche in the future and will most likely buy a 2wd and convert. They are much more plentiful and much cleaner than the 4wd versions too. I say go for it. There are some nice conversion threads here too to get some cool ideas.

 

Last fall I got a great deal on a rust free 2wd xj. One week later I had the front axle, t-case and trans from my rust bucket installed. Pretty easy as far as conversions are concerned. Both Jeeps had 3.55 gears. I went from a 96 rust wagon to a 95. It's my DD and is working out great.