1994 YJ Sell it or Invest

OzCon

OzCon

New Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2014
Location
Wilmington, NC
Hey Guys, Im new to the 4x4 Jeep thread and I have heard great things from this website. I recently acquired a YJ from my brother in law but it has a knock in the engine, bent leaf springs and rusted windshield frame. I have all 4 leaf springs and a new windshield frame but not sure about the engine. What do you guys recommend? Selling it? and how much would it be worth? or investing in a rebuild/new engine? Im not very familiar with engines and what can be swapped into the body. Any help would be great.

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How much of a "knock" is it? Jeep 4.0's have their noises but typically will continue running with no issues. However, if it is a severe knock, you can rebuild the 4.0 with a crank from a 4.2 and new pistons, and you will have a 4.5 liter stroker. It makes a tremendous amount more torque and power than stock, is pretty cheap to build, and is quite reliable.
 
I seen a good but of rust, check the frame very closely, it might not be worth dumping a ton of money into. Jeep looks like it came from up north.
 
What they said. check the frame-rails and under the seats for rust before spending much on it.
 
I already did a complete walk through under the body and frame, and it is all surface rust that I was able to get off with some WD 40. I also did some sanding with some wire and it all dropped off and now look very clean under. Inside the Tub there is no rust under the carpet. The Jeep was actually from and originally from Raleigh and moved to Wilmington 3 years back. He has not messed with it but let it sit in his backyard since then.

The knock get louder in high RPMS and get quieter when it idles. Anyway to check whether its a true knock from the engine?

I have slowly started to clean it up and will begin to replace parts since I have them. The engine is what makes me very unsure of its state and condition. I do not want to drive it around a create more damage to the engine.
 
jeepinmatt said:
How much of a "knock" is it? Jeep 4.0's have their noises but typically will continue running with no issues. However, if it is a severe knock, you can rebuild the 4.0 with a crank from a 4.2 and new pistons, and you will have a 4.5 liter stroker. It makes a tremendous amount more torque and power than stock, is pretty cheap to build, and is quite reliable.
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It quite a strong sound especially when the engine is in high RPMS. It makes the noise when it in neutral and quiets down when its idling.
 
I say keep it if the tub and frame are in good shape, you got a good deal on it, and you want a jeep. I would look towards doing the stroker motor described above, but a good quality factory or rebuilt long-block shouldn't be that hard to find and install.
 
What kind of engine should I be looking for? Is there keywords or I should be typing? Or do you have any idea of people who are selling a decent engine? This would be my first Jeep engine swap. I am a honda gear head but willing to try a new project.
 
if they would install it and make it run for $7500, it would be a steal for sure.
 
Please explain...i am very curious at this point. Remember I am a newbie to Jeep engines, so everything I read is more knowledge for me. Plus i am looking for something reasonably priced.
 
You can buy a used, running 4.0L for $1k or less.

That's a 600hp turbo race motor. You can put it in your Jeep, but then what? You'll do one-wheel wonders up and down the street until you break the rear end.

Also, you should probably stop using the term "invest" when talking about cars. Understand that whatever you do, it's going to be a terrible "investment", and will return - at best - 50% of your money when it comes time to sell.
 
Can someone recommend a reputable Shop, in Wilmington? Let OxCon get the knock checked out. Who is that member that is a "Dealer" from Wilmington? He might even want to buy it.
 
Not saying it's the best idea, but I will say it's what I'd do. I would transplant a Jeep 304 or 360 into it from a donor J truck, Wagoneer or CJ. If it's for the street and a DD, go with a carb. If you are going to wheel it, do a throttle body conversion. Fabbed engine mounts easy and cheap. It bolts up, and everything will be easily bought at any auto parts store.
 
upnover said:
Not saying it's the best idea, but I will say it's what I'd do. I would transplant a Jeep 304 or 360 into it from a donor J truck, Wagoneer or CJ. If it's for the street and a DD, go with a carb. If you are going to wheel it, do a throttle body conversion. Fabbed engine mounts easy and cheap. It bolts up, and everything will be easily bought at any auto parts store.
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Won't pass inspection.
 
upnover said:
Depends on where you take it.
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Translation: It doesn't pass inspection, unless you happen to know someone who is willing to risk their license and a big fine to put an inspection sticker on it.
 
OK I called the inspector here in Morganton who's office is in The Hwy Patrol's building. He is the one who goes out and inspects the Inspection stations. He said that there is a form you can fill out to do it legally, but he doesn't know of anyone who has ever done it.
He further said, that it's done everyday. HE also said that as long as you have the emissions in place, such as EGR and Catalytic converter, he see's no reason why it would not pass an inspection since it doesn't have to do the emissions test, Only the Safety inspection. HE also said, which I knew, if you were trying to put it in anything 96 or newer, then no, it would not pass.

I am trying to find the form number now
 
so basically he said, what we don't know won't hurt us?
 
Yeah, replace the motor or have it rebuilt and then drive it some and find out what you want to do with it and go from there. Personally if it were had at a steal, then I'd probably drive it like I'd stole it. Clearance for tires would be done with a hacksaw and backyard ingenuity and no hill or dirt road would be safe lol.
 
upnover said:
OK I called the inspector here in Morganton who's office is in The Hwy Patrol's building. He is the one who goes out and inspects the Inspection stations. He said that there is a form you can fill out to do it legally, but he doesn't know of anyone who has ever done it.
He further said, that it's done everyday. HE also said that as long as you have the emissions in place, such as EGR and Catalytic converter, he see's no reason why it would not pass an inspection since it doesn't have to do the emissions test, Only the Safety inspection. HE also said, which I knew, if you were trying to put it in anything 96 or newer, then no, it would not pass.

I am trying to find the form number now
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The Form in question is a MVR-5 as found on the NCDOT.GOV sight.

So what he told me is, if it retains the pollution controlled items, as said, such as EGR and catalytic converter(what he mentioned)
along with this form, which he said no one ever does, and DOT doesn't care, then yes you can do that swap.

As I said, not the best swap, but, it's what I would want.
 
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