Thinking of selling my TJ for a YJ or CJ

Luckyduck · 07-17-2008, 05:40 PM

I have just about had it with the thing. The electronic stuff has killed me. I would like an older jeep. I was talking to my dad and he thinks it is not a terrible idea. He thinks I am a good enough mechanic to be able to fix something up right. I was thinking an 86 Cj7 for the dana 44's and I want a Carbed engine. I do drive 80 miles a day in the winter but That does not concern me. Any ideas? I would like to get 5K for mine then have money to put into an older one. I would love a Scrambler but they are hard to find.

outdoorlivin247 · 07-17-2008, 05:46 PM

I have never seen your jeep but $5000 should be easy and if it is what you want to do, go for it...

That1guy · 07-17-2008, 06:44 PM

Get an older XJ. 87-91 era had the renix system. Very easy. We all know XJ's rock.

I'd get a 91+ YJ. You dont want a carb. If you did get a cj It might have the AMC 20. Good axle with one piece shafts.

Luckyduck · 07-17-2008, 07:40 PM

Why don't I want carbed? I hate my injected engine! The AMC 20 is a good axle? I was thinking an 86 with dana 44's. I don't want an XJ I want the removable top. I want a truck but I like no top!

**Mike** · 07-17-2008, 08:24 PM

i had a cj-5, best jeep yet. the 20 is a doable axle if you upgrade to 1-piece axle shafts. the only issue i find with cj's in this area is rust in the frame. if you can find a decent one, grab it! good luck.

That1guy · 07-17-2008, 08:51 PM

My buddy has a 79 cj5. Its in pretty good shape. The body is rough, but its fun to drive.

Just that carb is picky. The choke is messed up on it. So its gotta warm up if its cold. Which is holding the gas down for 5 minutes. I'm sure a new choke would help alot, but fuel injection is easier I think.

**Tomb Raider** · 07-17-2008, 09:33 PM

Can't even imagine why you would want a carb'd engine over fuel injected. ESPECIALLY in this time of gas prices the way they are. The money it would cost to replace every sensor on your rig is less than the difference in cost a carb'd engine would cost in gas vs a fuel injected 4.0L.

If you "hate" your FI rig....it's either electrical problems or sensor problems. From the looks of your old posts....I'd say electrical from all the wiring I saw laying around during some of your projects. Yet it may very well be sensor problems. Bad this...bad that...whatever.

From someone who's been there, done that:

Take it to a reputable shop or even the dealership. Get the rig COMPLETELY looked over. Have them get it running in tip top shape and replace whatever may be needed to ensure it runs right. If you have to, take out a small loan. $1000 bucks would be more than enough to get EVERY sensor you have replaced. Once it's paid off....you will have a vehicle with new sensors and drivable for a long time.

Just because a carb only needs 5 wires to run doesn't mean it's better.

While I've not owned a CJ, I have owned a YJ. They have their share of problems.....just like any other jeep.

Luckyduck · 07-17-2008, 10:56 PM

It is not only the electrical stuff. I personally like older jeeps better. I am getting ready for more off road now and am trying to decide if it is worth getting my 99 ready to go or simply get rid of it while it's value is still high and get something older. Mine has the not so good axles the not so powerful engine (do not try to tell me other wise I know how bad my engine is and the 35 is only good to a point) I would LOVE a scrambler, but would not want to take it heavy off roading. It is a hard choice. Sell mine while the value is still high and get something older I can fix up real nice (I love fixing vehicles) or just dump money into mine.

How much worse milage would a carbed engine get?

All my wires are for lights. I have not messed with the engine. I have since cleaned up my wiring and made it look like it was done right (I hope it was done right as well)

Finally I know every jeep will have it's problems but I like fixing it and think I could fix an older one better.

**atomicmoose** · 07-18-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomb Raider

blah blag blah, I hate YJs...

Let the boy explore a little, Mr. Killjoy.

But seriously, Scott is right... Don't go backwards.

gily25 · 07-18-2008, 09:57 AM

old jeep = headache, too many rusted parts, no project is simple, always seems lik eyou are replacing something major, regardless of how easy the project turns out. If I were you , I would look into an electronics course at your local voctech school. Learn how to fix what you already have. If you really want to lose the FI do an engine swap, surely you can find a junkyard donor.

One positive to ditching electronics...my YJ got hit my lightning on the highway and kept on trucking...I don't trust my TJ to do that.

Luckyduck · 07-18-2008, 10:03 AM

So what about for off road? So I just dump money into the 99? I really want a bigger engine, but can not weld good enough to do a swap. I also kind of wanted to do this so I could get a cheaper jeep and a truck. I can not stand being with out a truck

Maybe I will just find a valuable vehicle with a blown engine and learn how to rebuild the thing.

**crusher242** · 07-18-2008, 04:02 PM

Just stroke your engine if you want more power. If you're really worried about the 35 then just buy a 44 from a junk yard or something. I've worked on a bunch of old cj's and all of their owners hated the carbs. Especially in the winter. Plus the years of rust and everything. Keep the TJ.

**UltimatE** · 07-18-2008, 04:44 PM

If you can talk the guy out of it, I know of a scrambler around here that's been sitting for years.

I tried to buy it off him but he said he was going to fix it up... Hasn't moved since.

Let me know of any YJ's you find around here, I'm in the market for one.

**Tomb Raider** · 07-18-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckyduck

So what about for off road? So I just dump money into the 99? I really want a bigger engine, but can not weld good enough to do a swap. I also kind of wanted to do this so I could get a cheaper jeep and a truck. I can not stand being with out a truck

Maybe I will just find a valuable vehicle with a blown engine and learn how to rebuild the thing.

Sounds like you are like every other jeeper. You want the moon, but can only afford the view.

Seriously, sell your TJ and buy a TJ with a 4.0L. Or sell the TJ and buy a YJ with a 4.0L. Either way.....it aint gonna matter. I can all but guarantee you will be whining about something on a YJ, CJ or any other J. Then you will end up having to fix it....and having downtime with it....and you will be "thinking about selling and getting....yahhda yhaada yaadaa."

I've been down that road. It's like crack, trust me. It doesn't get better. I've been in the "if I could only just do this." Then "this" turns into "that." And if you don't have the money....it sits there.

Be thankful you have a running rig. When you get out of college and have a decent job/pay, then build it/sell it...whatever. You've got a long way to go there tiger.

KhakiTJ03 · 07-18-2008, 10:03 PM

I live in Ma. also. So, you will go from electronic gremlins, to chasing rust. Never mind that every part on your YJ or CJ is going to be old, worn out or wearing out. Good Luck which ever you decide.