Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

Budget Junkyard Upgrades.

201K views 143 replies 74 participants last post by  Paul_spec 
#1 ·
I read this in the TJ forum....

Well, after reading a few other threads I have become more interested in budget junkyard upgrades. What I mean when I say "budget junkyard upgrades" are upgrades like installing a ZJ tie rod into a TJ or using ZJ coils in the front of a TJ. Just wondering some of the things others have come up with to upgrade their TJ's who are trying to save some dough.

I want to know what kinda stuff people can do for there YJ's that will be an upgrade but not cost an arm and a leg.
 
#2 · (Edited)
I've got a couple of different ones:

1) 95 brake booster upgrade...although its getting harder to find boosters. You're looking at about $100 for the booster, master cylinder, & proportioning value.

2) Gas tank upgrade....87s and 88s (and maybe 89s) only can with the 15 gallon tank. If you're like me and want to put as much time between gas stops as possible, upgrading to a 91+ 20 gallon tank is a good idea. I'm not sure what they run at junkyards, but its got to be a lot cheaper than the $400 price tag for a new one.

3) Roll cage upgrade....if you have the old sports style rollcage and want to better protect the rear section, then this is a must. I picked up my family style rollcage for $50. I haven't installed it yet, but I'd imagine it is pretty much a bolt on.
 
#8 ·
A side note on the Gas tank upgrade.
I was one of the lucky few who already had a 20 gallon plastic tank on my '88 Laredo, but it was cracked. A plastic tank from a '91 and newer YJ is an exact replacement. Something else to add. If anyone is upgrading to EFI, the electric fuel pump will drop right in without any modifications other than upgrading the fuel hoses to that of a high pressure type. Unfortunately though, I cannot tell you what year the electrical connector changed. On a carbed YJ, the electric fuel pump wire (orange) is already ran back to the tank, but it is not used.

If you're going auto, an AW4 out of any XJ before 1999 will work with little rewiring. (It would be helpful to have a wiring diagram grom the Great Lakes XJ website). In '99 they added a TCM to communicate with the ECM and the PCM.
 
#3 ·
Durango Power Steering box- late 90's Durango with V-8 has a beefier box that bolts right in.

Bastard Pack Add-a-leaf budget lift- get some Dakota 4x4 rear springs or S-10 4x4 rear springs and add the main leaf as an AAL to your existing pack, gains 3-4" of lift.

Electric fan from a Taurus, gives more room for swaps and frees up about 10HP from your belt driven fan.



That is all I can think of at the moment...
 
#4 ·
E-fan out of a Taurus to get rid of the clutch fan stealing hp.
19lb ford fuel injectors
4.0 TB installed on 2.5L
8.8 rearend out of explorer
Bucket seats out of sunfire,cavalier,etc.

There are several junkyard upgrades for our YJ's. Look at what you want to upgrade then use the search feature to find write-ups on options.
 
#118 ·
4.0 tb

E-fan out of a Taurus to get rid of the clutch fan stealing hp.
19lb ford fuel injectors
4.0 TB installed on 2.5L
8.8 rearend out of explorer
Bucket seats out of sunfire,cavalier,etc.

There are several junkyard upgrades for our YJ's. Look at what you want to upgrade then use the search feature to find write-ups on options.
Just curious about the 4.0 TB. If you install one on a 2.5 do you need to change the cam or do any other mods to it?
 
#5 ·
Here's a few I've looked into and I'm planning on doing,

cs144 alternator from 90's caddy (for 90 and earlier yj), SI to CS adapter ( part # ECH EC82) is under $20 from NAPA, upgrade your charging cable to at least #6. (got this)

Heavy duty planetary from a Chevy/Dodge NP241, check to see if this will work for your case
Drive chain and gears from Dodge NP231D, its wider and stronger than the jeep's version

Front driveshaft from a Cherokee to shorten and use as a rear driveshaft once you get your SYE installed.

'95 and later Cherokee front axle shafts with the larger/stronger 297x u-joints, eliminates axle disconnect. (hunting for these now)

Junkyard line lock using a Subaru "hill-holder" brake valve, search forum for more specifics (got it)

York a/c compressor from a 80's volvo for onboard air. Some fitting required. (on my list)

I know there are more, just can't think of them now
 
#81 ·
I like the sound of this
Got any pics of this , what year WJ ? how common are they in the wreaking yard ? Or can you get OEM parts from a supplier ?
While I'm asking a ton of questions . Does any one have any budget up grades for YJ steering linkage ??
 
#9 ·
There is no limit to stuff you can find in a junkyard and make some use of. Springs, hinges, sun visors, lights, switches, relays all in addition to actual parts that fit like alternators and steering parts.

I carry a generic electric fuel pump I got out of some datsun pickup; it will get me off the trail if I need it.

Nissan pathfinder tire carrier.

Any number of cars have rear view mirrors with map lights in the bottom; just run some power to it.

York compressors for OBA.

Some ranger rovers have air suspension and air tanks.

Late model cadillacs have a huge bunch of big relays and 40-60 amp fuses under the hood.

You just have to walk thru the pick-n-pull with a creative eye.

Here's one that popped up the other day. A mobile shower for desert wheeling trips.

RV water pump, a little hose, some wire and a jerry can full of water.

Presto. Instant desert shower.



 
#130 ·
I thought I'd add to this. Since I just posted it on another thread.

Que89YJ posted this a few years ago. He was able to restore it from a long dead link. I think he used the DeLorean.:rofl:

I did it to my '94, and it was a piece of cake. You should just double-check that your Jeep has the same alternator.

Dont just repair, make it better:
This is from BC 4x4. I have included the pics in the end. It seems the link for this post was severed and the only way I could get it was the way back machine:
PRELUDE

OK, for some time now, I was wanting to add an electric fan to my beast. I was really wanting to install one of the 91-95 3.8L Taurus dual-speed fans that is all the rage these days. The only problem with this was the 33A continuous draw and 100+A startup draw. So, that meant that the stock 90A alternator would be working its tail off. The only other option that I had, besides the out-of-the-question USD$300+ hi-amp alternator upgrade, was to purchase a decent aftermarket fan that drew only around 10A or so continuous. The problem with this is that these fans are not cheap. So, I went on a mission to find a replacement hi-amp OEM alternator. I read about people looking at 120 amp models and one mention of a 136 amp model but nobody, as far as I know, ever confirmed that any of these would even work on paper. Guess what, for a mere USD$30, I was able to upgrade to a 136 amp alternator with very, very little effort! You say this can't be true. Well folks, it is and I am about to show you!

WHAT YOU HAVE


Here's a photo of my original alternator. Ok, now, I know that the OEM 90 amp alternator(OEM PN:56005685AB) in my 97 TJ was also used in the following:
  • 1997-1998 Dodge Dakota
  • 1991-1998 Jeep Cherokee
  • 1991-1992 Jeep Comanche
  • 1992-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • 1991-1998 Jeep Wrangler
Note: I have only confirmed this entire modification on a 1997 4.0L Jeep Wrangler. I am unsure as to what motor combinations the above vehicles came with in conjunction with this particular 90A alternator. This is an "ON YOUR OWN AND YOUR OWN RISK" type of modification. If your wiring is not up to the task, etc., you could burn your jeep to the ground or injure yourself. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

WHAT YOU NEED


Here's what you're looking for. You are looking for an OEM 136 amp alternator(OEM PN:56027913) that was an option on the following vehicles(I am unsure of what motor combinations, etc. were required):
  • 1997-1998 Dodge B.Series Van
  • 1997-1998 Dodge Dakota
  • 1998 Dodge Durango
  • 1997-1998 Dodge Ram Pickup
  • 1997-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
I got mine from a local Jeep yard for USD$30 out of a very clean 98 5.2L Limited that only had 60,000 miles on it when it was wrecked.


Here are the two alts. side by side. The higher amp. alternator is on the left.
I did quite a bit of research and found that the basic mounting dimensions and connections were the same between the two. You can see the physical size difference of the two. As a matter of fact the 136A alternator was 1 kg heavier. The only major difference was the direction of the plastic boot on the back of the alternator and the pulley is a 7 groove vs. my TJ's 6 groove. It was found that there was a 1 mm difference between the pulley diameters, but this is negligible and does not need to be addressed.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO INSTALL

Ok, this mod is not much harder than installing a new alternator. I won't go into the details of changing the alternator, but rather, I will point out the details that must addressed during installation.

The first major difference between the two is the direction of the plastic boot. For ease of installation and clearance, this needs to be changed. By swapping the boots from the Wrangler to the Cherokee alternator, this change is easily accomplished. The boots are keyed (see red arrows) and install over the indicated stud below and locate on the small hole in the case (see green arrow).
The Wrangler boot is on the left and directs the exit of the boot away from the engine.

Details of the plastic boot positioning.
The other very minute detail to be attended to was the "spacer bushing" on the rear ear of the top alternator mount. The Cherokee's alternator's bushing (probably from rolling around on the floor) had been pushed too far inward and needed to be pressed back out. I accomplished this via a vise and large socket. Don't worry about pressing the bushing too far out because the mounting bolt will draw the bushing back tight again. The picture below shows the bushing after I pressed it out of the way:

The spacer bushing.
Finally, I mentioned that the Cherokee's pulley was a 7 groove pulley. If you wanted the extra work, you could simply swap the two alternators' pulleys. However, you do not need to do this. If you bias the belt to the rearward most six grooves, the belt and alternator will align and run just fine. You can see the alternator installed in the pic below with the belt biased towards the back.

Installed and ready to go. Notice how that the front groove on the pulley is unused.
Well, after the install, I tested the bad boy out. Everything seems to work just fine and I can crank the old stereo and run every electronic device in my jeep and hook up the Taurus fan to the battery and nothing even "blinks." Anyway, hopefully, someone will find this article helpful and save a few dollars in the process.
- Tod "Firetoad"

And this thread:
http://www.quadratecforum.com/showpost.php?p=871966
 
#11 ·
I got both my D44's, taurus electric fan, surburban rearview mirror with compass/temp/map lights (with temp sensor and wiring, a couple sets of honda fog lights became under body rock lights and some other odds and ends in the junkyard. Luckily I haven't needed many jeep parts since I have owned my YJ since it was new and have been able to maintain it pretty well.

I do love going to the junkyard though.
 
#12 ·
.... surburban rearview mirror with compass/temp/map lights (with temp sensor and wiring, a couple sets of honda fog lights became under body rock lights and some other odds and ends in the junkyard. ....
I was wondering if those mirrors had a remote sensor, hmm.
Had the same idea for rock lights after seeing a grill-less honda at the 'yard.

:thumbsup:
 
#18 ·
^^^ very nice!! Any mods needed for the latch? ^^^
The latch is the best part of that carrier. It's a very simple design and very strong. Just need a place to mount it.

I offset mine away from the tub so the gas cans would fit between.

 
#19 · (Edited)
A lot of late 90's up GM cars (Grand AM, Camaro, Impala, Sunfire, etc..) have map lights built into the rear veiw mirrors w/ on off switches. All you have to do is install them in place of your old mirror and run them some power and ground. Easy and cheap way to install some trick looking interior lighting.

 
#28 ·
ooooh good one! That would be very useful when the sound bar is off...
 
#22 ·
Blower motor upgrade from a '73 Blazer (part # PM102, like $20 at Autozone) really improves the heat output. . .

There's a couple more, but I can't post them now, I'm late getting back to work already. lol
 
#23 ·
You can always pull of a cj tail gate for a YJ and probably a TJ too. You can always hunt down a new horn with some volume or even an air horn. Im starting to wonder about possibly making a PTO driven winch, maybe even a hydrolic jack.
 
#24 ·
dont forget the tj flares .... and not so cheap one is for the early yj jeepers is the famous AX15 upgrade ... dont forget if you doing the York oba ... get the Alt brackets from a early AMC that mounts the alt down on the lower right side of the motor ... so you have room for the compressor ..... there is also the GC rear disk conversion for the YJ..... and dont forget the famous ... MC2100 carb upgrade for the early 4.2 jeeps that have been nuttered and goten rid of the POS that comes stock. Another upgrade is the HEI from a chevy inline 6 then swap the drive gear .... from a 360 ci ( i think ?? ) then you have HEI ..... i may have more in the pocket ... ill post later
 
#25 ·
I almost forgot! GC and XJ/MJ wheels are a direct fit. Ford Ranger/Bronco II wheels (as well as some ford cars) are I believe a direct fit (I haven't measured the hub size). So if you see a set of these sitting around in a salvage yard, there's a possibility that they will end up on your Jeep if you don't already have a custom set of wheels.
 
#30 ·
Here's a mod I have never been able to find in the junkyard that will fit right. Sun visors.

The YJ ones are about worthless and don't swing to the side.

Every car has them but the mounting is always so specific that I have not been able to find any to make fit without a major amount of work. Anyone ever have any luck with this?
 
#31 ·
Here's a mod I have never been able to find in the junkyard that will fit right. Sun visors.

The YJ ones are about worthless and don't swing to the side.

Every car has them but the mounting is always so specific that I have not been able to find any to make fit without a major amount of work. Anyone ever have any luck with this?
Good point. I am thinking the same thing here. I also have the issue of the narrow gap left by the visors that don't leave much room for the rear view mirror.

At least it isn't nearly as much as a problem as the JK's visors. When you pull them to the side, they also drop down at an angle.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top