oil pan removal/main/rod bearing replacment

I have an '89 XJ without an engine.. I just bout an '87 XJ 2 door that runs great for $500... but it has 260k miles on it. Once in a while when starting it I hear a bump from the lower end... I knew it had an oil leak when I got it.. but didnt' realize how bad it is leaking oil. As far as I can tell, the rear main seal is leaking, and the sending unit.. if I was going to drop the pan to replace the gasket I might as well do the bearings.. then its like I might as well pull the motor.. ..
Just thinking out loud here.. the '89 is a 4dr... with 170k on it.. but has a Dana 35.. the '87 has a Dana 44.. I'm not sure what my next move should be.. rebuild the motor and put it back in the 2 dr.. or drop it in teh 4dr then swap the rear axle.. the interiors are in about the same shape.. the 4dr has a better body... the '87 has some rear 1/4 damage that is going to invovle some pulling on a frame machine and a panel replacment.

the 44 swap is going to be easy. prob a couple hours at most so factor taht into your decision.

I'd focus on the most complicated/expensive/time consuming problem and work around that issue.






BTW, 2 door XJ's are badass... I'd definintely use that body!

someone has already fixed the drivers side door hinges.. so that's good.. what is so apealing about the 2dr? Rare? Looks? both I guess?

If you decide not to use the 2dr....I might be interested in the shell...

I guess I'm going to pull the tranny and motor.. I have to remove the T case to get the tranny out right? To remove the tranny might take about 3 hours? And the motor 4 hours?