One time I bought a 1971 camero with a blown engine, after doing what you did listening to the sounds I pulled the valve covers and found a broken tapped stud, a little drilling threading & stud replacement, that thing ran like a charm...
my first car was a 75 Lincoln Mark4 that my Dad's friend had left sitting in his barn for like 9 years. We got it home and it ran OK until it didn't. Pulled the valve covers and turns out most of the valves siezed in the guides and it bent the pushrods on like 5 cylinders. We ended up doing a full valve job and putting it back together as a father-son project. I still remember having to hang my whole body weight off the torque wrench over the fenders to get 180 ft-lb on those damned 460 head bolts.
In 2012 I bought a super clean 94 S10, 4.3 4x4 for $1200. Guy said it was loosing coolant and the mechanic told him the engine was bad. When I got it home I figured out the radiator cap was bad causing the leak. Still driving it today, 13 years and 150k miles later.
Had a 2.2l 99 Camry with same deal, but I think they broke the inside of the cap off on purpose to prevent the water pump seal from leaking. Pressure went into the overflow. During the summer I smelled coolant and saw the temp gauge go to three quarters. A 750 mile trip caused me to stop at rest stops, refill with water, and squeeze the hoses. A new cap stopped the madness, but a week later the pump started dripping. Easy job on that iron 4cyl engine.
Tony, if you're looking for rust locations on those models; I almost guarantee you will find rust in the lower rear body panels behind the rear wheels. The rust was promoted by the use of little black bags of insulation stuffed down therein which kept moisture against the panel from evaporating. You can access these bags by removing the interior plastic panel behind the spare tire and equivalently the other side then go fishing. I bought an XJ from Arizona; no rust anywhere on or in it; except there where the panels were rusted through on both sides. You might remove the rear bumper plastic covers to see if it has rusted through from the inside. I highly suggest removing these bags. Good luck!
I have 2. a 2000 with a window in the block and a 2001 that runs and drives great. I picked up a junk yard motor for the 2000 and and im rebuilding it. valve job is done, new rings, bearings....why not. they are cheap and easy to work on. I cant imagine not owning an xj :) Good luck with it !!!
I'm watching this while I'm waiting for the junkyard to bring out the 4.0 for the XJ I just bought. As far as truck or jeep I affectionately refer to xjs as cherocars.
Uncle T, just a couple XJ tips.... 1. Check both driver and passenger engine mount bolts. The bolt holes are known for not being drilled and tapped deep enough for the bolts. When you tighten them, they will bottom out and bust the threads off the engine, resulting in your engine using the distributor as a new engine mount (I know this from first hand experience) 2. 16" factory Dodge Caravan/Minivan wheels make a great replacement for the factory Jeep wheels.
Bought a ZJ last year for 250 that had piston slap, but still ran and actually drove it home. Played with it a few days, doughnuts and such, then sold it for 250. Even found a 20 dollar bill under the rear seat carpet so I made money lol Had fun with it and made my money back. If I had deep pockets I'd have an XJ right now. J.E.E.P. - Just Empty Every Pocket
Quite the collection of XJs Tony. I had a clean 2 door 4x4 4.0/Ax15 XJ with a 6 inch lift and 35’s. I busted the front tire right off wheeling it and messed the fender and door up as a result. I was so mad I fixed the front axle and sold it cheap. I miss that jeep, shoulda kept it
Personally as Jeep owner of 4 Jeeps.. id be bired having multiple of the same Jeep.. Thats why i have an ZJ. SJ Grand Wagoneer and Original J10 series gladiator. Its more fun having diff Jeeps than all the same..
They're already collectible valuable. I bought one 12-14 years ago $500 running. Just needed a battery and couple non mechanical fixes. Road it hard a couple years, then it started randomly dumping coolant wherever it felt like it, $2000 trade in value at a dealership. Now you cant find even a poorly running one for $2000
@@iamthecheese2737 thats just cars in general. growing up my dad would have at least 2-3 project/fun vehicles in the drive way at all times . he had a square body chevy as mudding truck fenders cut and everything he sold it and bought a lifted obs suburban the square body lookin ones for mudding as well. this was about 13 years ago
An ex-ladyfriend of mine bought a brand new '96 "Cherokee Sport" I think it was, 4x4 with that sweet 6-cylinder and 5SPD manual (I didn't know you could buy a 4x2). Loved that vehicle, wish I had one. I guess I treated the Jeep much better than I treated her.
I also just bought a white xj, rust free, with a supposed blown motor. Engine was tore apart and parts in the rear hatch. Didn't want stuff gettin in the motor or lost parts so i put it all back together. Was going to park it aside for a future project until i put a batt in it to see what it was doing. A little distributor adjustment and some tinkering, and i now have almost a 1000 miles on it. Little rough idle but been running decent. All the best, be safe..
That thing aint dead. Check the basics for every ZJ or XJ. Fuel (cheap pumps die), spark (i mean duh) but specifically Crank Position Sensor, IAC. Compression might be a thing. but all I know is the braton striggs on my push mower is more picky about AFR/Comp than my '97 ZJ.
These XJ's are a lot of fun Tony, glad to see you giving them some love, I took my '90 XJ on a 1,700 mile round trip and collected a hard top for my '72 CJ5. I didn't have a single problem on the whole trip, granted, I am on my second engine after the first threw a con rod through the block.
Thats a late model paint issue. Post 96 mopar changed the formula for the clear coat. Without alot of waxing, they were notorious (seemed like white especially) for peeling. Looking forward to tomorrows video and seeing what you find out!!! Great project XJ though!!! Couldnt hear it in the video, but did the fuel pump prime when you turned the key on?
had one,a 97, and a TJ the same year my wife drove the xj and I drove the TJ (will never have any thing to do with one again, absolute death trap) but the xj was a good rugged vehicle, stranded my wife, would not start, every one said the engine was shot and after messing around with it I changed the fuel pressure regulator and it was good, those inline sixes are dependable but they do suck down the gas
They are thirsty . Another common leave you stranded problem is the Crank sensor , which causes a crank no spark condition . The uninitiated then start chasing it from the distributor and inevitably replace the Cam sensor , coil , etc , and give up after failing to fix the issue in addition to reinstalling the distributor several teeth out of time . That's where you scoop em up cheap , throw a cheaper new Crank sensor in ( after buying enough socket extensions and u joints ) , retiming the engine properly , and have a great little machine . Probably picked up a bakers dozen over the years with this very misdiagnosed problem , all for under $500 each .
Well, Tony, it did not even try to fire, so there is more to it than just a head gasket. Now, let's fix that dizzy, set the static timing, and see what happens. My first instinct is the timing chain, gear, or what ever else Jeep uses to sync the cam to the crank.... ....RooDog....
I puta Jeep 4.0 engine in my 1966 Rambler American. After seeing you video I thought about the crow’s foot distributor clamp and checked my car as I didn’t recall it. It was missing. I just got one and I will install it before my next drive. Thanks, UT!
On off-road vehicles and race cars we don’t care too much about minor battle scares. On two wheelers we get more picky because usually only street use vehicle so their life’s should have been easier. Nice project Tony. Thanks for showing us how to judge engine without doing a full a wet and dry leak down test. On rotary engines if seals are worn we see them crank and crank before starting even if it has not got to the smoking stage. I’m going to listen to more engines crank over know. I past I knew old mechanics who could diagnosed just by the sound of it cranking over.
@@BigBeavrSlayer The undercar portion of a typical unibody is correctly called 'the frame '. (Fox Body frame rail stiffeners). The K member is also part of the 'frame'.
Im wanting to build my son an xj.. we put a 94 ranger together, v6 4x4 and really have trouble finding parts..i thought we would have alot of parts but not so much..hard to find transmissions,spindles and hard parts..i think maybe with an xj we can put one together and not be scared to break it cause we can buy engines and transmissions ect...
Yes , those little Rangers are hard to find parts for , especially the V6 versions . Even the S10 counterparts are getting scarce as far as parts are concerned .
XJ’s used for police, park ranger service have an oversized cooling system on them that remedies the overheating issues. Good to grab bolt on parts if you see one in a junkyard.
TRUCK!!! I have two, and one is a unicorn with no rust or damage. zget allot of complements. It's a 2001 2wd with a Sure-grip. I put a quality 3" lift on it. 4wd is lifted a little more as well, but is a 5spd manual. Bothe are Old Man Emu lifts.
@@0004612 it wasn’t much but enough to be a blast to drive . It made 304 hp and 325 lbs torque on pump gas . I used it more for off-road than on, but it could have been built for street too and more wild
Sounds like you stumbled on a really nice find, one that can perhaps turnaround fast and provide someone with a new vehicle for a moderate cost. Looking forward to the end of the story. Thanks!
Have a 97 with 375,000 miles. Paid 1500 for it with 222,000 miles. 6cyl ,5sod, 2 wheel drive. Was absolutely perfect. Stripper fleet vehicle, maybe N.C H.P. Surprising performance. Was looking for cheap transportation but now it is the best all. around vehicle I ha've ever owned.!
The flamingo headliner is so you, that needs to stay. It is screaming high performance, 50 flamingo power under the hood. I am sure it will be real nice when you get done with it. Since the hood paint is screwed anyway a giant screaming flamingo breathing fire on the hood would be another excellent touch. A Mr. Horsepower Flamingo with a stub cigar hanging out of his beak would be great on both front fenders. Rust free and it looks decent, not a bad deal if you like those Jeeps. Good luck Tony, hopefully it is just a head gasket, if it is you scored big.
Hey Tony, I had a 2 door ‘84 XJ in gray. It looked awesome with Chrysler police steelies, dog dish caps, and 30x9 all terrains on it. I wheeled it like that, too.
Yes! I just bought a '96 Cougar with the 4.6 and 95K for $2K. New tires, brakes and battery, It needs paint, 02 sensors and an evap solenoid, No body damage, no rust, interior good. 5th car. None of my car buddies get it, They all want pristine muscle cars but one of them wrench. I totally get what you are doing, I'm doing similar.......
It ain't a blown motor until it scatters itself all over the road! I've fixed "blown engines" by putting the coil wire back in the distributor cap, and other simple stuff. Sometimes you get lucky. And sometimes gotta run it a little longer to scatter it all over the road. 🤣
As a fellow car enthusiast who had many hotrods over the years, I too have become an XJ believer. Bought a 2001 XJ in 2020 and I'm still driving it today.
The junkyard is your friend. I’d get what you can for cheap there, get it running decent, do an alignment, clean it up really good, then sell it for thousands in profit. It could be a really good flip to fund a project that will make you more money.
There are lots of cheap rust free XJs in South Texas that need work or have 300,000 miles. Many daily them with little maintenance until they they don't trust them. Its temping to buy a straight XJ without a sun cracked interior and bring it back.
I love it. I have the same model with 201k miles. It's the Grocery Getter so she's been "bruised" a few times. Starts every time and runs good. Leaks more oil than it burns but as long as I keep oil and water in it she don't care.
Tom, It could be a timing chain issue. The passenger side front is pushed in from the accident. Jarring from the accident, could have knocked something loose with timing assembly.
Here in East Canada, there asking double that price and it's half gone from rust. There expensive. For a decent running one it's easy 5000$. 10k+ if there's a lift kit, big tires, snorkel pipe, etc. The outdoor survival kit kind of way to say it. Nice content again. White is my favorite car color, but here, it's replaced by brown quickly from rust. Lol
As for auto youtube videos, I am stuck with VGG and UTG and a few others that are similar in scope. But on the notion of experience to start is from my father he is the one who got me started but I have learned alot outside of what I know from watching these videos now mind you I have my own preferences on certain tasks as do anyone; but experience is best shared even if we don't agree.
Loved my XJ! Police package with Selec-track transfer case. Had all 3 factor skid plates. I bought it with 175,000 miles and sold it with 270,00. It was reliable!
Our 97 cracked a cooling passage in the block between 2-3.. was an awesome little truck, put a motor in it and my brother drove it a while before selling it
We purchased a Grand Cherokee once (1998 model?) and one day while driving it just slowed down and stopped. We found a hole had burned right through the top of one of the pistons. Weird. Ending up putting in a used engine (from recycler).
Best thing about XJ is they are abundant cheap and easy to fix. I have a rust free 99 2wd Limited and a rusty 99 4wd sport but only 25k on rebuilt engine. The rusty 4wd is basically a future drivetrain for the rust free 2wd. The 2wd only has 204k do its gonna be a while before its needs an engine or a 4x4 conversion.
I'm not a Jeep fan myself but, I know many of them. At least one is BIG into XJs and also a UTG viewer so I asked him if he'd seen the first video. He'd recently purchased an(other) one as a project in nowhere near this condition for a much higher price. His reply to my question was "I don't want to talk about it! Since we live in the Salt Belt, pretty much any vehicle over 5 years old is nearly impossible to find in rust free condition.
Wonder if the possible alignment issue has to do with the lift kit throwing things off/not being proper. Positive camber from the jacking it up, maybe, or it was never aduste for steering?
I once purchased a $750 XJ. It ran poorly, overheated, rear main leaked under load, too many cosmetic issues to list. But it was 4x4 and I took on a few trips. Ended up selling it because I bought a 4Runner.
I personally would have no use for a 2 wheel drive Jeep but that could be fixed with a trip or two to the Junk Yard. Yet to be determined if you got a good deal or MEH but it is rust free, you said.
When you ran it on the starter i kept thinking "timing belt gone", but it seems these engines are using timing chains, so thats not likely then. Guess the chain could have snapped off tho, if so i think this engine is of a "none interference" type tho, so im holding a thumb for a easy fix.
I bought a XJ this summer (my 4th or 5th?) as a daily driver.. still;l haven't decided what I'm going to do with it (build for off road, part out, keep driving as is) but I've put over 5000 miles on it and have done nothing but oil changes so far.. it "only" has 302,000 miles and needs everything so who knows.. I was looking at another one just the other day, ( way nicer then mine) as a "parts car" LOL
I bought an XJ in 18, couldn’t imagine not having one forever. Bought another one that was stupid clean low miles, no title. Now looking for one more to use the parts from the no title Jeep
I learned that Jeep sold a bunch of right hand drive XJs in Japan that are now legally being imported to the US. They have very low mileage because it’s a small country. Plus, there is no rust.
I love mine i have two of them robust easy to fix parts are cheap relaible. Flush the radiator they clog alot including the heater core. Water pumps last about 80k and buy a good one chinese and other cheap pumps will last 20k. Chinese alternators will also dont last. The heater hose at the front thermostat housing can get damaged from heat. Pistons skirts can crack but on two engines after 220k hardmiles the cylinderbores had little to no wear. These engines are very tough like the slant6. Front ends wear but parts are cheap iprefer moog if they are still usa made. Enjoy it tony glad its in good hands
That is a very good score! Glad to say, great minds think alike lol. I got bit by the XJ bug about two years ago, and I love mine. Sure, mine is a Piney Lift, mudder truck, but very clean, and it just works. Its whats making me eager for snow!
I kinda fell in love with XJs in 1986. Looked like a Cherokee or Wagoneer, but modern. Came home on leave in '92 and talked my Dad into getting one. He drove it for the rest of his life. Said it was the best car he ever bought. My sister still drives it. I own two XJ's at the moment, a '98 that's my baby...but is parked while I build my garage, and '01 that I let my son drive. So...that white XJ is a '99, '00 or '01. I'm betting it had a cracked head. Since they say 'engine's bad', I will say that they kept driving it when it started overheating. Am I right? My '01 did that. No milkshake. But the exhaust was going into the cooling system. The 331 head casting is no good.
I wouldn't mind driving those older ones, slant 6, easy to work on and they are pretty reliable for the most part, I've replaced alot crank sensors on these
Miss diagnosis is a common problem. A buddy just bought a 2014 Kia Sportage for $1500 that would idle perfectly and have no power. The Kia dealer had told the owners it needed an engine at the cost of $10000. WTF. My buddy pulled the upstream O2 sensor out of it and it runs perfect, (makes a hell of a noise) but he could drive it around the subdivision at 40 mph. Plugged converter is the problem and the dealer thought it needed an engine. I don't know which is worse, $10000 for an engine or a wrong diag. Buddy just got a $12000 SUV for 1500
Gallon of lacquer thinners with half a tank of gas, and drive it. You would be amazed Watch Scott Kilmer. Tried it with 5 vehicles and all run better and cleaned the cats.
Every group of enthusiasts need a rescue "truck". Stock it with tools, jacks, extra battery and fuel. Put on a winch and a cooler of beer and a flagon of coffee. Oh lights, got to have lights. Ready to go to the track or get a buddy out of trouble.
I know it is wrong on this channel, but the only vehicles I buy used are Toyotas. Even if they need extensive work, it is typically worth it in terms of remaining life and value they will hold. In fact the last two I bought, were sight unseen.
Classic locked my key in my car damage to the drip molding. You can get off set ball joints if your axle camber is bent At the spindle . And the jeep performance world is pretty big for that 4.0 you know that. But ya nice little jeep!
Hahahaha. Classic. Messed up front end and motor just started running bad for no reason when his kid was using it. I knew too many kids like that in high school that had the same coincidental thing happen. I shouldn’t make assumptions but my spidey senses are telling me bent rods. Hydro locked. Looking forward to seeing if my predictions are correct. Keep up the good videos. UTG.
One time I bought a 1971 camero with a blown engine, after doing what you did listening to the sounds I pulled the valve covers and found a broken tapped stud, a little drilling threading & stud replacement, that thing ran like a charm...
RIGHT ON 🤙🏻💯😎
my first car was a 75 Lincoln Mark4 that my Dad's friend had left sitting in his barn for like 9 years. We got it home and it ran OK until it didn't. Pulled the valve covers and turns out most of the valves siezed in the guides and it bent the pushrods on like 5 cylinders. We ended up doing a full valve job and putting it back together as a father-son project. I still remember having to hang my whole body weight off the torque wrench over the fenders to get 180 ft-lb on those damned 460 head bolts.
You did not buy a 1971 camero.
@mexicanspec yes it was! And that camEro was a 2 door!
Oh yea, the early days Right on...
In 2012 I bought a super clean 94 S10, 4.3 4x4 for $1200. Guy said it was loosing coolant and the mechanic told him the engine was bad. When I got it home I figured out the radiator cap was bad causing the leak. Still driving it today, 13 years and 150k miles later.
Had a 2.2l 99 Camry with same deal, but I think they broke the inside of the cap off on purpose to prevent the water pump seal from leaking. Pressure went into the overflow. During the summer I smelled coolant and saw the temp gauge go to three quarters. A 750 mile trip caused me to stop at rest stops, refill with water, and squeeze the hoses. A new cap stopped the madness, but a week later the pump started dripping. Easy job on that iron 4cyl engine.
*Losing
@@jumpinjojoMaybe the guy he bought it from literally said "loosing."
That moment when you look at a vehicle and say "i'm just gonna do this".....and then curiosity takes over, it'll get you every time! LOL
Tony, if you're looking for rust locations on those models; I almost guarantee you will find rust in the lower rear body panels behind the rear wheels. The rust was promoted by the use of little black bags of insulation stuffed down therein which kept moisture against the panel from evaporating. You can access these bags by removing the interior plastic panel behind the spare tire and equivalently the other side then go fishing. I bought an XJ from Arizona; no rust anywhere on or in it; except there where the panels were rusted through on both sides. You might remove the rear bumper plastic covers to see if it has rusted through from the inside. I highly suggest removing these bags. Good luck!
Pop the dome light down and look for a circuit board inside it. If it’s there, you have the keyless entry option. You can get replacement fobs.
Buy a rebuilt short block. Or wrecking yard motor. While engine is out,fix front end and bodywork.
I have 2. a 2000 with a window in the block and a 2001 that runs and drives great. I picked up a junk yard motor for the 2000 and and im rebuilding it. valve job is done, new rings, bearings....why not. they are cheap and easy to work on. I cant imagine not owning an xj :) Good luck with it !!!
Dean..., I've had 5, looking for a #6 now.
I love you Tony. I swear if I lived by you I would work with you in your shop in my spare time for free, strictly for the education and entertainment
I'm watching this while I'm waiting for the junkyard to bring out the 4.0 for the XJ I just bought. As far as truck or jeep I affectionately refer to xjs as cherocars.
Uncle T, just a couple XJ tips....
1. Check both driver and passenger engine mount bolts. The bolt holes are known for not being drilled and tapped deep enough for the bolts. When you tighten them, they will bottom out and bust the threads off the engine, resulting in your engine using the distributor as a new engine mount (I know this from first hand experience)
2. 16" factory Dodge Caravan/Minivan wheels make a great replacement for the factory Jeep wheels.
Bought a ZJ last year for 250 that had piston slap, but still ran and actually drove it home. Played with it a few days, doughnuts and such, then sold it for 250. Even found a 20 dollar bill under the rear seat carpet so I made money lol Had fun with it and made my money back. If I had deep pockets I'd have an XJ right now. J.E.E.P. - Just Empty Every Pocket
Quite the collection of XJs Tony. I had a clean 2 door 4x4 4.0/Ax15 XJ with a 6 inch lift and 35’s. I busted the front tire right off wheeling it and messed the fender and door up as a result. I was so mad I fixed the front axle and sold it cheap. I miss that jeep, shoulda kept it
Personally as Jeep owner of 4 Jeeps.. id be bired having multiple of the same Jeep.. Thats why i have an ZJ. SJ Grand Wagoneer and Original J10 series gladiator. Its more fun having diff Jeeps than all the same..
After watching matts off road recovery Im a fan of those XJ's. Scoop em up in a few years those are gonna be valuable.
They're already collectible valuable. I bought one 12-14 years ago $500 running. Just needed a battery and couple non mechanical fixes. Road it hard a couple years, then it started randomly dumping coolant wherever it felt like it, $2000 trade in value at a dealership. Now you cant find even a poorly running one for $2000
@@iamthecheese2737 thats just cars in general. growing up my dad would have at least 2-3 project/fun vehicles in the drive way at all times . he had a square body chevy as mudding truck fenders cut and everything he sold it and bought a lifted obs suburban the square body lookin ones for mudding as well. this was about 13 years ago
An ex-ladyfriend of mine bought a brand new '96 "Cherokee Sport" I think it was, 4x4 with that sweet 6-cylinder and 5SPD manual (I didn't know you could buy a 4x2). Loved that vehicle, wish I had one. I guess I treated the Jeep much better than I treated her.
Sport only came 4x4 only the country and Bariwood came 2x4
Well, maybe the XJ
was a better ride ?🤷🏿♂️🤔
@@jeremyhanna3852not to sound like a know it all, but I do have 2- 2 wheel drive sport xjs in my driveway right now. 😅 I actually have 5 total!
@@jeremyhanna3852The Country also came in 4x4
They all came 2x4 OR 4x4
I also just bought a white xj, rust free, with a supposed blown motor. Engine was tore apart and parts in the rear hatch. Didn't want stuff gettin in the motor or lost parts so i put it all back together. Was going to park it aside for a future project until i put a batt in it to see what it was doing. A little distributor adjustment and some tinkering, and i now have almost a 1000 miles on it. Little rough idle but been running decent. All the best, be safe..
That thing aint dead. Check the basics for every ZJ or XJ. Fuel (cheap pumps die), spark (i mean duh) but specifically Crank Position Sensor, IAC. Compression might be a thing. but all I know is the braton striggs on my push mower is more picky about AFR/Comp than my '97 ZJ.
These XJ's are a lot of fun Tony, glad to see you giving them some love, I took my '90 XJ on a 1,700 mile round trip and collected a hard top for my '72 CJ5. I didn't have a single problem on the whole trip, granted, I am on my second engine after the first threw a con rod through the block.
i have a 94 xj with a 5 speed manual and i love it...238k and still going strong
Hey Tony come January where are you moving to 😊😊
Thats a late model paint issue. Post 96 mopar changed the formula for the clear coat. Without alot of waxing, they were notorious (seemed like white especially) for peeling. Looking forward to tomorrows video and seeing what you find out!!! Great project XJ though!!! Couldnt hear it in the video, but did the fuel pump prime when you turned the key on?
looks like a job for cheap single stage to me.
had one,a 97, and a TJ the same year my wife drove the xj and I drove the TJ (will never have any thing to do with one again, absolute death trap) but the xj was a good rugged vehicle, stranded my wife, would not start, every one said the engine was shot and after messing around with it I changed the fuel pressure regulator and it was good, those inline sixes are dependable but they do suck down the gas
They are thirsty .
Another common leave you stranded problem is the Crank sensor , which causes a crank no spark condition .
The uninitiated then start chasing it from the distributor and inevitably replace the Cam sensor , coil , etc , and give up after failing to fix the issue in addition to reinstalling the distributor several teeth out of time .
That's where you scoop em up cheap , throw a cheaper new Crank sensor in ( after buying enough socket extensions and u joints ) , retiming the engine properly , and have a great little machine .
Probably picked up a bakers dozen over the years with this very misdiagnosed problem , all for under $500 each .
Mine must be an oddball cause it gets 20 overall City/highway. I do have synthetic oil in every section of the drivetrain and 3.55 gears.
Let’s see this tomorrow Uncle Tony.
The prices of new vehicles are absolutely insane. That truck is definitely worth giving some love. I would absolutely throw a motor in that thing.
Vegas line says you’ll be jumping on the..vehicle..before Thanksgiving 😊👍🚗
just run a quick compression test. You know you want to.
Pro tip: Starting fluid.
Look into the open radiator neck for bubbles, when running or cranking. The engine is really a double sized GT6.
XJ, to answer the question,"is it a car, is it a truck". It's technically a station wagon. You're welcome.
Sound wisdom, thanks Anthony.. 👍 I've wanted one since always
Its a jeep
SPORTS WAGGUN 🤪
According to the cops in The Goonies, it’s an RV.
@@sickcoy13 Done.. Like have you,, recreationaled today
Well, Tony, it did not even try to fire, so there is more to it than just a head gasket.
Now, let's fix that dizzy, set the static timing, and see what happens. My first instinct is the timing chain, gear, or what ever else Jeep uses to sync the cam to the crank....
....RooDog....
I puta Jeep 4.0 engine in my 1966 Rambler American. After seeing you video I thought about the crow’s foot distributor clamp and checked my car as I didn’t recall it. It was missing. I just got one and I will install it before my next drive. Thanks, UT!
On off-road vehicles and race cars we don’t care too much about minor battle scares. On two wheelers we get more picky because usually only street use vehicle so their life’s should have been easier. Nice project Tony. Thanks for showing us how to judge engine without doing a full a wet and dry leak down test. On rotary engines if seals are worn we see them crank and crank before starting even if it has not got to the smoking stage. I’m going to listen to more engines crank over know. I past I knew old mechanics who could diagnosed just by the sound of it cranking over.
As long as it has a good frame it is buildable. These are getting rare so scoop 'em up.
We don't have salt in the NW, and these things are everywhere, and dirt cheap. They're mostly second cars, low-ish mileage, straight cars.
Frame? No it's a unibody and I could buy 50 of then in ten minutes in Washington they are absolutely everywhere
Jefro, it's a uni-body
@@BigBeavrSlayer I passed one parked for sale, a block away. They're all over Oregon, most in good condition. People don't seem to be modifying them
@@BigBeavrSlayer The undercar portion of a typical unibody is correctly called 'the frame '. (Fox Body frame rail stiffeners).
The K member is also part of the 'frame'.
Im wanting to build my son an xj.. we put a 94 ranger together, v6 4x4 and really have trouble finding parts..i thought we would have alot of parts but not so much..hard to find transmissions,spindles and hard parts..i think maybe with an xj we can put one together and not be scared to break it cause we can buy engines and transmissions ect...
Yes , those little Rangers are hard to find parts for , especially the V6 versions .
Even the S10 counterparts are getting scarce as far as parts are concerned .
Love my xj.
500 bucks ten years ago.
Just keeps on running.
98 no rust forest green.
XJ’s used for police, park ranger service have an oversized cooling system on them that remedies the overheating issues. Good to grab bolt on parts if you see one in a junkyard.
TRUCK!!! I have two, and one is a unicorn with no rust or damage. zget allot of complements. It's a 2001 2wd with a Sure-grip. I put a quality 3" lift on it. 4wd is lifted a little more as well, but is a 5spd manual. Bothe are Old Man Emu lifts.
I had a 90 Sport that I stroked the straight 6 and Procharged. It was a blast!
That’s what Uncle Tony needs to do to one of his XJs. How much hp did yours get from the upgrades?
@@0004612 it wasn’t much but enough to be a blast to drive . It made 304 hp and 325 lbs torque on pump gas . I used it more for off-road than on, but it could have been built for street too and more wild
@@leehouston5436 nice, that’s a hundred ten more than factory on my 2004 WJ! That would be fun in the snow around these parts.
Sounds like you stumbled on a really nice find, one that can perhaps turnaround fast and provide someone with a new vehicle for a moderate cost. Looking forward to the end of the story. Thanks!
Love those 4.0s. X wife had one and I had one. So easy to work on. Put a water pump on mine with last broken wrist in a splint.
Have a 97 with 375,000 miles. Paid 1500 for it with 222,000 miles. 6cyl ,5sod, 2 wheel drive. Was absolutely perfect. Stripper fleet vehicle, maybe N.C H.P. Surprising performance. Was looking for cheap transportation but now it is the best all. around vehicle I ha've ever owned.!
Check the fuses and the fuel pump as well as the cylinders. It's always the small stuff that will kick you in the ass.
The flamingo headliner is so you, that needs to stay. It is screaming high performance, 50 flamingo power under the hood. I am sure it will be real nice when you get done with it. Since the hood paint is screwed anyway a giant screaming flamingo breathing fire on the hood would be another excellent touch. A Mr. Horsepower Flamingo with a stub cigar hanging out of his beak would be great on both front fenders. Rust free and it looks decent, not a bad deal if you like those Jeeps. Good luck Tony, hopefully it is just a head gasket, if it is you scored big.
Hey Tony, I had a 2 door ‘84 XJ in gray. It looked awesome with Chrysler police steelies, dog dish caps, and 30x9 all terrains on it. I wheeled it like that, too.
Tony, I am loving your Jeep series... We have a similar problem. I have a 98 ZJ and I am torn between referring to her as a Jeep or a truck. 😃
Yes! I just bought a '96 Cougar with the 4.6 and 95K for $2K. New tires, brakes and battery, It needs paint, 02 sensors and an evap solenoid, No body damage, no rust, interior good. 5th car. None of my car buddies get it, They all want pristine muscle cars but one of them wrench. I totally get what you are doing, I'm doing similar.......
It ain't a blown motor until it scatters itself all over the road!
I've fixed "blown engines" by putting the coil wire back in the distributor cap, and other simple stuff. Sometimes you get lucky.
And sometimes gotta run it a little longer to scatter it all over the road. 🤣
As a fellow car enthusiast who had many hotrods over the years, I too have become an XJ believer. Bought a 2001 XJ in 2020 and I'm still driving it today.
I want to find something clean like that..up.here in Wisconsin its hard to do...maybe illl drag something home from down south
The junkyard is your friend. I’d get what you can for cheap there, get it running decent, do an alignment, clean it up really good, then sell it for thousands in profit. It could be a really good flip to fund a project that will make you more money.
Best jeep ever made ! Pound for pound..perfectly balanced ,and good power and torque!
There are lots of cheap rust free XJs in South Texas that need work or have 300,000 miles. Many daily them with little maintenance until they they don't trust them. Its temping to buy a straight XJ without a sun cracked interior and bring it back.
I love it. I have the same model with 201k miles. It's the Grocery Getter so she's been "bruised" a few times. Starts every time and runs good. Leaks more oil than it burns but as long as I keep oil and water in it she don't care.
Tom, It could be a timing chain issue. The passenger side front is pushed in from the accident. Jarring from the accident, could have knocked something loose with timing assembly.
Landlord finally threw Tony out for peelin tires in the yard. LOL!
Uncle Tony, it's a Cherocar! I used to have four and an MJ. Now I'm down to two.
I have an untouched 86 XJ Pioneer with the GM 2.8l v6, even the keys are GM, I love it.
Here in East Canada, there asking double that price and it's half gone from rust. There expensive. For a decent running one it's easy 5000$. 10k+ if there's a lift kit, big tires, snorkel pipe, etc. The outdoor survival kit kind of way to say it. Nice content again.
White is my favorite car color, but here, it's replaced by brown quickly from rust. Lol
As for auto youtube videos, I am stuck with VGG and UTG and a few others that are similar in scope.
But on the notion of experience to start is from my father he is the one who got me started but I have learned alot outside of what I know from watching these videos now mind you I have my own preferences on certain tasks as do anyone; but experience is best shared even if we don't agree.
fuel or spark. Check the rotor in the distributor if it is a '97-'99.
Loved my XJ! Police package with Selec-track transfer case. Had all 3 factor skid plates. I bought it with 175,000 miles and sold it with 270,00. It was reliable!
Sounds to me like it jumped time. Probably tryed to "fix" by messin with distributor, but I dig your optimistic viewpoint immensly! Izzy,,,,,,
Our 97 cracked a cooling passage in the block between 2-3.. was an awesome little truck, put a motor in it and my brother drove it a while before selling it
Such a steal for $750! I would have been willing to pay twice that with the prices up here & how rare rust free XJs are!
We purchased a Grand Cherokee once (1998 model?) and one day while driving it just slowed down and stopped. We found a hole had burned right through the top of one of the pistons. Weird. Ending up putting in a used engine (from recycler).
Best thing about XJ is they are abundant cheap and easy to fix. I have a rust free 99 2wd Limited and a rusty 99 4wd sport but only 25k on rebuilt engine. The rusty 4wd is basically a future drivetrain for the rust free 2wd. The 2wd only has 204k do its gonna be a while before its needs an engine or a 4x4 conversion.
I'm not a Jeep fan myself but, I know many of them. At least one is BIG into XJs and also a UTG viewer so I asked him if he'd seen the first video. He'd recently purchased an(other) one as a project in nowhere near this condition for a much higher price. His reply to my question was "I don't want to talk about it!
Since we live in the Salt Belt, pretty much any vehicle over 5 years old is nearly impossible to find in rust free condition.
Wonder if the possible alignment issue has to do with the lift kit throwing things off/not being proper. Positive camber from the jacking it up, maybe, or it was never aduste for steering?
Good content UT! If I remember correctly the 99-01 XJ's had head cracking issues.
Its not a jackd up Station Waggon because it has only little overhang in Front and back and was designed for offroad activities
It's probably the crankshaft senor in the bellhousing, giving the mileage..will see..
Even if the motor is blown you can put a 4 cylinder decile motor in it. I had a 95 and that was a really good truck should have kept it
I once purchased a $750 XJ. It ran poorly, overheated, rear main leaked under load, too many cosmetic issues to list. But it was 4x4 and I took on a few trips. Ended up selling it because I bought a 4Runner.
Swap the doors, hood and hatch between the black one and the white one!
I have both left and right bumper ends for this Jeep you can have
I personally would have no use for a 2 wheel drive Jeep but that could be fixed with a trip or two to the Junk Yard.
Yet to be determined if you got a good deal or MEH but it is rust free, you said.
When you ran it on the starter i kept thinking "timing belt gone", but it seems these engines are using timing chains, so thats not likely then. Guess the chain could have snapped off tho, if so i think this engine is of a "none interference" type tho, so im holding a thumb for a easy fix.
Tony, Tony, Tony. If its got a blown motor and bald tires, the body and interior need to be mint
5h later! How are the top of pistons and the timing chain?
I figured you already opened it from the sparks in your eyes.
I would absolutely keep that flamingo headliner! Talk about a car with a bit of personality!
Right On, uncle Tony😊
I bought a XJ this summer (my 4th or 5th?) as a daily driver.. still;l haven't decided what I'm going to do with it (build for off road, part out, keep driving as is) but I've put over 5000 miles on it and have done nothing but oil changes so far.. it "only" has 302,000 miles and needs everything so who knows.. I was looking at another one just the other day, ( way nicer then mine) as a "parts car" LOL
I bought an XJ in 18, couldn’t imagine not having one forever. Bought another one that was stupid clean low miles, no title. Now looking for one more to use the parts from the no title Jeep
I learned that Jeep sold a bunch of right hand drive XJs in Japan that are now legally being imported to the US. They have very low mileage because it’s a small country. Plus, there is no rust.
I love mine i have two of them robust easy to fix parts are cheap relaible. Flush the radiator they clog alot including the heater core. Water pumps last about 80k and buy a good one chinese and other cheap pumps will last 20k. Chinese alternators will also dont last. The heater hose at the front thermostat housing can get damaged from heat. Pistons skirts can crack but on two engines after 220k hardmiles the cylinderbores had little to no wear. These engines are very tough like the slant6. Front ends wear but parts are cheap iprefer moog if they are still usa made. Enjoy it tony glad its in good hands
That is a very good score!
Glad to say, great minds think alike lol. I got bit by the XJ bug about two years ago, and I love mine. Sure, mine is a Piney Lift, mudder truck, but very clean, and it just works. Its whats making me eager for snow!
I kinda fell in love with XJs in 1986. Looked like a Cherokee or Wagoneer, but modern. Came home on leave in '92 and talked my Dad into getting one. He drove it for the rest of his life. Said it was the best car he ever bought. My sister still drives it. I own two XJ's at the moment, a '98 that's my baby...but is parked while I build my garage, and '01 that I let my son drive. So...that white XJ is a '99, '00 or '01. I'm betting it had a cracked head. Since they say 'engine's bad', I will say that they kept driving it when it started overheating. Am I right? My '01 did that. No milkshake. But the exhaust was going into the cooling system. The 331 head casting is no good.
I wouldn't mind driving those older ones, slant 6, easy to work on and they are pretty reliable for the most part, I've replaced alot crank sensors on these
If you over heat these engines it is fairly easy to melt the pistons.
See if the valve on the fuel rail pisses gas to see if its pressurized. Then compression check.
Nice clean vehicle UT! A rare sight up here in the Northeast (as you well know)! 😆
Came on, Uncle!!!! Just a bit of wd 40 ro the throttle body, and try again...
Miss diagnosis is a common problem. A buddy just bought a 2014 Kia Sportage for $1500 that would idle perfectly and have no power. The Kia dealer had told the owners it needed an engine at the cost of $10000. WTF. My buddy pulled the upstream O2 sensor out of it and it runs perfect, (makes a hell of a noise) but he could drive it around the subdivision at 40 mph. Plugged converter is the problem and the dealer thought it needed an engine. I don't know which is worse, $10000 for an engine or a wrong diag.
Buddy just got a $12000 SUV for 1500
Gallon of lacquer thinners with half a tank of gas, and drive it.
You would be amazed
Watch Scott Kilmer.
Tried it with 5 vehicles and all run better and cleaned the cats.
Every group of enthusiasts need a rescue "truck". Stock it with tools, jacks, extra battery and fuel. Put on a winch and a cooler of beer and a flagon of coffee. Oh lights, got to have lights.
Ready to go to the track or get a buddy out of trouble.
Love your channel!!! Don’t do it yet. It will turn into MIGHT AS WELL project. I’ve had an XJ and an MJ. looking for another MJ long bed.
Utg said it best. It is an overwhelming task. I have little to no experience very minimal time and 5 project trucks. Its awful.
Thanks
COOP
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I know it is wrong on this channel, but the only vehicles I buy used are Toyotas. Even if they need extensive work, it is typically worth it in terms of remaining life and value they will hold. In fact the last two I bought, were sight unseen.
Classic locked my key in my car damage to the drip molding. You can get off set ball joints if your axle camber is bent At the spindle . And the jeep performance world is pretty big for that 4.0 you know that. But ya nice little jeep!
Is the distributor turning?
Might be cam shaft gear related
One of us, one of us. Gooble-gobble, gooble-gobble!
Hahahaha. Classic. Messed up front end and motor just started running bad for no reason when his kid was using it. I knew too many kids like that in high school that had the same coincidental thing happen. I shouldn’t make assumptions but my spidey senses are telling me bent rods. Hydro locked. Looking forward to seeing if my predictions are correct. Keep up the good videos. UTG.