No guts, no glory....

[poomba]

Kay, God drives a Toyota, see? Okay, maybe it's not a sign of divine disfavor, that I spent $535.00 getting the jeep ready for Moab..not that the brakes actually WORK that much better, but they do have new fluid, new wheel cylinders, new adjusters, new pads on the back (cracked the pads in about 6 months 500 miles?!?) and got the drums honed out cuz they were 'egg shaped'. Hell, its Easter, whats wrong with egg shaped? A tune up, and new plugs/wires/rotors/cap..that's important, read on..
So, with the new gears, was able to hit 85, coming home, that's a first. Feeling pretty good, cuz, sure, $535.00 is a lot, but, I did get to watch the girls across the street at the car wash drop quarters and...er, well, never mind. But it was worth it at the time. So, bebopping on home, thinking, hell, real men don't use breaks, when I see something hit the road behind me, and go flying off into nowhere, about the time I start laying an oil patch/raditor fluid swath for 200 yards that will keep the mormon crickets breakdancing for months to come. Clunk, clack, cra...gurgle, thud.
Kay, don't panic. Sure, God hates you, and if he wanted you to have fun, he'd have made you handsome, but hey, maybe it's just a water pump. I can change those, I've done 2 in 43 years, I'm practically a master of water Zen.
As I wandered farther away from reality, this young lad stopped, asked me what medication I was on, since I was giggling to myself by the side of the road, and pointed out the shard of cast iron I had in my hand looked similar to the hole in the block of my newly douced and sparkly clean 4.0.
So, he towed me up Johnson's pass (109 turns in 15 miles) and I discovered, maybe God doesn't like me, but I wasn't ready quite yet to meet Him, and I wish to hell I knew why my brakes STILL suck, stopped at the main gate, told the guys with the M-16's to go screw themselves my jeep was TOO going to stay right there until I freakin' was good and ready to move it. Promised the lad who'd towed me I'd get him 4 used 33's whenever he got the warrants cleared up, and could come on post, or I'd deliver them, when I had a freakin' Jeep to haul them in, if I ever did.
So, what do I replace the engine with? I'm thinking of making the Jeep into a flower garden, cuz right now I'm feeling like a pansy, and might as well sink some ROOTS, ya know? But, I'm not upset or anything. After all, I've got 19 days to order an engine, and put it in, working a mere 62.5 hours a week, don't see why that would be a problem. The good news, is, that the two cans of de greaser I got today, for the engine that's no longer THERE, I can take 'em back to walmart, and at 78 cents a can, that's some ready cash, right when I need it the most. So, if I sell my soul to someone who doesn't drive a Toyota, and buy an engine, what would YOU put into a possessed by the Anti-Christ possessed pig?

[XJEEPER]

Holy smokes John, all that in one breath!
Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but the presentation of the news was classically comical..........great delivery!

I have a line on a newer 4.0 motor complete with less than 60K miles on it for around $700, but you may want to do some math on where your investment lies.
If all your money has gone into the running gear, and the engine and body is kissed..........it could be time for a uni-body swap onto that new running gear?
Make sense? Then you get shiny paint, a running motor and you'll only need to cash advance a couple of credit card apps to get it done in the next 2.75 weeks.........
PM me if this interests you.

[poomba]

I have a line on a newer 4.0 motor complete with less than 60K miles on it for around $700, but you may want to do some math on where your investment lies.
If all your money has gone into the running gear, and the engine and body is kissed..........it could be time for a uni-body swap onto that new running gear?
Make sense? Then you get shiny paint, a running motor and you'll only need to cash advance a couple of credit card apps to get it done in the next 2.75 weeks.........
PM me if this interests you.

Not sure what's being said, on the unibody swap..you mean one out of the junkyard, or a tub, or what? On Poomba, nod, the body isn't pretty, got what, 170k miles on it, and likely the tranny will go next. Just that with the rock rails and both bumpers done, EASIEST would be a motor swap. Maybe do the tranny now, while its appart, I dunno. I'm not made of money, but I've kept trying to do the 'in the long run' savings..and it hasn't mattered a damn.

[mbryson]

Not sure what's being said, on the unibody swap..you mean one out of the junkyard, or a tub, or what? On Poomba, nod, the body isn't pretty, got what, 170k miles on it, and likely the tranny will go next. Just that with the rock rails and both bumpers done, EASIEST would be a motor swap. Maybe do the tranny now, while its appart, I dunno. I'm not made of money, but I've kept trying to do the 'in the long run' savings..and it hasn't mattered a damn.


I think you just get a different rig, swap your good junk onto it and move on. Tough to justify a $2Kish engine rebuild when there are MANY cheap 4.0L XJ's running around out there.

[ACE]

I agree with Jeff and Marc. Get a good running XJ and just swap over your running gear. I've seen 89-90 XJ's for under $1K in pretty good condition.
Sorry to hear Jon.

[poomba]

Here's my thought..maybe i'm just stubborn, but it's a time factor thing. I work 62.5 hours a week, so I'll have the jeep towed into Ms Conceptions, see if he'll do the engine swap using Jeff's 60k motor. Have the brake lines redone (braided), cuz the 4 inch lift, the kid just untacked the lines and they hang a bit. Redo the combo valve and master cylinder, and see if the brakes improve. By the time (and I have no time) I switch front/back bumpers, 3 skidplates, rock rails, and various other things..it's just too much.
If I'm gonna jeep, and guys, I live on an army post, not a DAMNED thing to do here, the movie only runs friday/saturday nights, and I work friday:P If I don't get off post, and see other people, I'll be a basket case in 6 months. IF I had the time to have the motor shippped out here..and IF everything went right, nothing broken (nearest parts store is 45 miles away, Salt Lake is 110..) I could do the swap..but I don't have the time. If Jeff can get that motor to JR, and if JR will do the work, we can get my ass to Moab. If not, well, truly, been fun, but maybe a different hobby, because I can't afford to waste my leave (days off) sticking around here. And I will NOT be a passenger again, in Moab, like I was last October.

[XJEEPER]

Not sure what's being said, on the unibody swap..you mean one out of the junkyard, or a tub, or what? On Poomba, nod, the body isn't pretty, got what, 170k miles on it, and likely the tranny will go next. Just that with the rock rails and both bumpers done, EASIEST would be a motor swap. Maybe do the tranny now, while its appart, I dunno. I'm not made of money, but I've kept trying to do the 'in the long run' savings..and it hasn't mattered a damn.

The majority of your $$ has been spent on parts that can easily be unbolted and moved to newer rig that has a good motor and trans, I'm in the same boat with a 15 year old rig with 188,000 miles on it and has a book value of about $1500.00. I've owned it since 96 with 100K miles on it when I bought it, so it's been a pretty good rig.
It runs OK but is down on power and needs paint, so do I swap in a newer motor and slap on a cheap paintjob or find a decent running newer XJ and swap my axles, lift and armor over to the new platform, because that's where most of my money has been invested.

The other variable for me is that I need to get my wife a ride that is lower to the ground and will seat more than 4........Dodge Caravan comes to mind. So if I go this route, the ol XJ will prolly get a newer motor and a paint bomb thrown at it, as I've already been through the T-case, the AW4 was swapped in a few years back and the body and interior's in pretty good shape............everyone's situation varies.

If you find a newer rig, we could get a parts swap party together so you wouldn't have to pay out more in labor. If you go this route, I'd suggest buying the newest rig you can afford to finance, so your maint. costs will stay low for a while.

I guess the bottom line here is, do what makes the most sense for your situation. :)

[ladywolf]

poomba are you military, or DA civi? military here, blackhawk mechanic stuck in iraq, hopefully be home soon

[poomba]

DA Civ. Law-enforcement/Security. Former 11-H, but that was years..and years..and years ago. Appreciate your work over there. I'm at Dugway Proving Ground, in the middle of nowhere..then again, with what we do here, just as well.

[DrMoab]

The majority of your $$ has been spent on parts that can easily be unbolted and moved to newer rig that has a good motor and trans, I'm in the same boat with a 15 year old rig with 188,000 miles on it and has a book value of about $1500.00. I've owned it since 96 with 100K miles on it when I bought it, so it's been a pretty good rig.
It runs OK but is down on power and needs paint, so do I swap in a newer motor and slap on a cheap paintjob or find a decent running newer XJ and swap my axles, lift and armor over to the new platform, because that's where most of my money has been invested.

The other variable for me is that I need to get my wife a ride that is lower to the ground and will seat more than 4........Dodge Caravan comes to mind. So if I go this route, the ol XJ will prolly get a newer motor and a paint bomb thrown at it, as I've already been through the T-case, the AW4 was swapped in a few years back and the body and interior's in pretty good shape............everyone's situation varies.

If you find a newer rig, we could get a parts swap party together so you wouldn't have to pay out more in labor. If you go this route, I'd suggest buying the newest rig you can afford to finance, so your maint. costs will stay low for a while.

I guess the bottom line here is, do what makes the most sense for your situation. :)
Maybe we should have a weekend before Moab jeep building party. :party:

[DeadEyeJ]

I'm in. You crazy suckers need all the help you can get. I've got a mobile tool set and mobile air compressor too. Let's plan it! Somebody volunteer some good work space, my garage is actually a shed.

Jared:patriot:

[ACE]

I'm in. You crazy suckers need all the help you can get. I've got a mobile tool set and mobile air compressor too. Let's plan it! Somebody volunteer some good work space, my garage is actually a shed.

Jared:patriot:
I'm in too. I've replaced my engine myself and have done all the suspension work myself.
If you can find a place Jon, I'll bet we could find enough people to do a complete XJ swap in a day. :greensmok

Hey I know, Extreme XJ Makeover! We'll see if the news wants to cover it! :peace:

[TRNDRVR]

I'll volunteer the garage. I've got air, air tools, and other stuff. I'm sure we can get it done. But someone (john) has to go to Wendover for refreshments. Have to hurry though because it's going to get busy for me at work here real soon.
Let me know.
Thanks,
Dan.

[poomba]

I'll volunteer the garage. I've got air, air tools, and other stuff. I'm sure we can get it done. But someone (john) has to go to Wendover for refreshments. Have to hurry though because it's going to get busy for me at work here real soon.
Let me know.
Thanks,
Dan.

Appreciate it, but time (and money to buy a 5k or so rig, that's worth the swap) is limited. I'll go with the simpler engine swap, and pray. If that doesn't work, maybe in the future, we'll end up parting Poomba out. If I were closer, or worked a real shift, my options would be different. And frankly, if Moab weren't just 3 weekends away, I'd prolly bite the bullet and buy a newer rig. We'll see if JR at ms conceptions has the time to do it, and doesn't cost me as much as a new rig will, and go from there.
Thanks again!

[TRNDRVR]

Just take your time and make the right decision.
Moab will still be there after the end of this month. I'm not even going to make Moab this trip, so don't loose any sleep if don't either.
You've got a lot of eyes out there that could probably come up with a decent trail rig for a reasonable price for you.
Offer still there if you need it. Just let us know.
Dan.

[XJEEPER]

Just take your time and make the right decision.
Moab will still be there after the end of this month. I'm not even going to make Moab this trip, so don't loose any sleep if don't either.
You've got a lot of eyes out there that could probably come up with a decent trail rig for a reasonable price for you.
Offer still there if you need it. Just let us know.
Dan.

Hmmm, where have you heard that before John? :dunno:
Seems like Dan and I are surfin' the same wave........don't rush into this just to make the April run. Think more about the Rubicon and the October Moab run, as well as the local runs that we'll be doing this summer. Finding a decent $3000 rig that just needs your lift and axles would be a better investment than tossing $1000-1200 at the Poomba........especially if you can get free labor to help you do the work.......either way, I'll hook you up with a motor source and you can make the call.

[poomba]

In about an hour, a tow truck will pick up Poomba, and bring him to JR's in west valley. Soon as I hook up with Jeff about the motor, should be done in a couple weeks, and hopefully, give me a week to do the last minute stuff, then on my way to Moab. I agree, a new rig prolly the best way to go..I simply don't have time/energy to car shop now. If I had it to do over again, yeah, should have gone with a newer one..but..wanted cheap, and put the 'extra' into mods. And frankly, after the past couple of months, if I don't get out, I'm gonna go nuts.

[poomba]

Jeff told me about a couple of motors, chose a 96 with 58k miles. 675.00 plus 25 delivery fee..so, aroudn 750.00 with tax. Should arrive at JR's today, and be in next week, sometime. some further brake work, and a couple of other things, and we'll see you in Moab. If that doesn't work..I'll take a couple months, get a new rig, and you'll hear me swearing from out in the West Desert country :P

[XJEEPER]

So, how's the transplant coming John?

[poomba]

So, how's the transplant coming John?

Well, I found a spine in Moab, but the brain is still on back order...oh, the engine? Called today..again..and he was waiting on some guy to come over with a code machine to find out why it wouldn't idle..starts fine, just won't hold an idle. He's also waiting for a brake booster, but that sounded more promising. I told him, look, it's got to be ready by next thursday, my back is against the wall now. Don't care if it has to be towed to a dealership, at this point, I'm missing my only chances to get comfortable driving the thing, before my opportunities are all pissed away. Been a month, close enough, and I still have things to install on the jeep, myself. However, IF it gets down in time to pick up before friday, I've got some Explorer club said they'd let me tag along, when they go down to Moab the 21st of may, thru the 24th. My bd's the 25th, so, pushing for that. I've simply been run out of time, and this year is my best chance to get out an wheel, not let the jeep..and me, rot in a shop. Not pissed off, just impatient at this point. If I told someone I'd come over with a code machine, I'd be there, not let it drag on for 2 or 3 days, when its only a few blocks away. And, of course, I don't know what this is gonna cost, and I hate having that hanging over me, like an axe. I need it running, and me IN the gd'd thing, learning the jeep, and my own skill level, before I get myself or someone else killed. Other than that, what's the size of that castle nut that we had to get off yours, to replace that U-Joint?

[XJEEPER]

Axle hub nut is 36MM. Sorry to hear of the delay.

[poomba]

Kay, Poomba's back among the living..changed out the block and intake manifold from the 96, the rest is 89. Using a tj..yj? some damned j, master cylinder and upgraded (2 diaphram) brake booster..new brake lines. New side mirrors. It ran me over 1500.00 plus the 745 for the engine, but should be able to pick it up tomorrow, if I can convince Popeye sleep is for the weak.
I'd do the happy clap but my emoticons ain't working.. Still need to put in a snorkle and onboard air, and maybe some flares for the legal stuff, but we'll see how the jeep 'feels' before I do that..but if I like it, and it likes me, then I'll go for that, and then, by all the gods above and below, I'm freakin' done. DONE..buying a power washer to get all the grease off the engine compartment, cuz, with my luck, it'll catch on fire :P