Thoughts on kids jeep....

Those damage pics of the TJ also show how a body lift can be bad juju in a crash.look at the extra leverage from the body moving relative to the frame.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Those damage pics of the TJ also show how a body lift can be bad juju in a crash.look at the extra leverage from the body moving relative to the frame.
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It could also act as a crush zone and provide some impact absorption. There's nothing about it that would come to a hard stop.
 
zuke said:
I wheeled one just like that for a while, the 4 Cylinder isn't that bad, but the AX5 transmission and Dana 35 rear are weak points, probably not terrible for the street though. Frame rust is the biggest thing to watch out for, as Shawn described, check around the rear lower arm mounts carefully.

I think the top I'd pay for it in that condition is probably $1k, The frame is different from the 4.0, so upgrades to the motor are pretty limited without a lot of work.
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Swapping a 4.0 into a 2.5 frame isn’t all that much work. Just have to move the motor mounts 6 inches. IIRC
 
shawn said:
You're not too bright if you're looking for deals on kbb.com
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That's where I buy all my cars. Guess I must be really tough, because I ain't really bright. 🤷‍♂️
 
CLRracer said:
Am I the only one wondering how a four cylinder TJ is a compromise between a CJ and a Hemi JL :confused: lol

Duane
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She drives my CJ around the woods and dirt roads and loves the way 40s and lockers go but wants the looks, drivability and power of a Hemi JL (don't we all). Daddys a broke ass with some mechanical skill sooooo....hopefully a decent TJ with set of selectable lockers and 33s gon be about where we end up.
 
Futbalfantic said:
Swapping a 4.0 into a 2.5 frame isn’t all that much work. Just have to move the motor mounts 6 inches. IIRC
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I believe you do recall correctly if we're talking about just the frame, but the 2.5 has off set motor mounts (one is further back and taller than the other) So it requires maths to do it properly. You also have to change the computer, Gauge Cluster, and a large portion of the wiring behind the dash. If you can measure everything from the engine donor (Or better yet, get the mounts from it..) It's not a hugely complex job, but neither is an LS swap with that logic....

Nonetheless, many people expect to grab any Jeep TJ motor and drop it in another TJ, and it isn't that trivial a swap.
 
zuke said:
I believe you do recall correctly if we're talking about just the frame, but the 2.5 has off set motor mounts (one is further back and taller than the other) So it requires maths to do it properly. You also have to change the computer, Gauge Cluster, and a large portion of the wiring behind the dash. If you can measure everything from the engine donor (Or better yet, get the mounts from it..) It's not a hugely complex job, but neither is an LS swap with that logic....

Nonetheless, many people expect to grab any Jeep TJ motor and drop it in another TJ, and it isn't that trivial a swap.
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I didn’t have to swap anything behind the dash I don’t think. I did this in 2005 or so, so my memory may be off. Got a firewall forward Jeep cut the mounts. Welded the new mounts in. Swapped the harness and ECM. It was a bigger job than a straight swap. But wasn’t horrible.
 
Futbalfantic said:
I didn’t have to swap anything behind the dash I don’t think. I did this in 2005 or so, so my memory may be off. Got a firewall forward Jeep cut the mounts. Welded the new mounts in. Swapped the harness and ECM. It was a bigger job than a straight swap. But wasn’t horrible.
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Interesting, The 2005 is an entirely different 4 Cylinder, it's a Chrysler motor, not the old AMC.... I've never worked on one, so could be yet another motor mount setup with entirely different wiring... More of those are going to start showing up in the parts market now, this is probably good info to know, Thanks!
 
My son and I started with this .

index.php


And now it looks like this .
index.php

He helped with it every step of the way and on 5.13's its no speed demon. My biggest issue will be keeping him out of every mud hole in the county.

My daughter and I started with this .
index.php

And this is what it looks like now .

index.php

Hannah helped on this just as much or more than her brother did on his . She daily drives it now and does most of her own basic maintenance. Being as she put so much labor into it , she really takes pride in it and keeps it pretty darn clean. I think every kid should have to put some work into their vehicle so they will take care of it and appreciate what they have. When her friends started all getting new cars she was a little jealous. But the first time they all got together and everyone was drawn to her old XJ she was happy. She has her own instagram page and posts pics of her and the Jeep out and about and she is planning a Western trip after she graduates to work and live in the desert. Heck she sends me pictures of Jeeps all the time , I suspect she is a lifetime Jeeper.

Anyways , I think its a great idea to build a Jeep with your daughter and starting it sooner than later is good as it takes way longer to build one than you budget time for.
 
sammi_davis said:
My son and I started with this .

index.php


And now it looks like this .
index.php

He helped with it every step of the way and on 5.13's its no speed demon. My biggest issue will be keeping him out of every mud hole in the county.

My daughter and I started with this .
index.php

And this is what it looks like now .

index.php

Hannah helped on this just as much or more than her brother did on his . She daily drives it now and does most of her own basic maintenance. Being as she put so much labor into it , she really takes pride in it and keeps it pretty darn clean. I think every kid should have to put some work into their vehicle so they will take care of it and appreciate what they have. When her friends started all getting new cars she was a little jealous. But the first time they all got together and everyone was drawn to her old XJ she was happy. She has her own instagram page and posts pics of her and the Jeep out and about and she is planning a Western trip after she graduates to work and live in the desert. Heck she sends me pictures of Jeeps all the time , I suspect she is a lifetime Jeeper.

Anyways , I think its a great idea to build a Jeep with your daughter and starting it sooner than later is good as it takes way longer to build one than you budget time for.
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That is awesome!! Thanks for posting!!
 
zuke said:
Interesting, The 2005 is an entirely different 4 Cylinder, it's a Chrysler motor, not the old AMC.... I've never worked on one, so could be yet another motor mount setup with entirely different wiring... More of those are going to start showing up in the parts market now, this is probably good info to know, Thanks!
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Performed in 2005 on a 95 or 93 can’t remember
 
Well thought I would update this thread..... kid talked me into buying that wrecked TJ posted earlier in here. Been a lot of work and alot of parts swapping (thanks to everyone on here who helped us) but it's on the road. Turned out pretty decent and we both happy with the end result.
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