question for any current or previous XJ owners.

[1996XJ]

I have a 96 XJ with about 275k miles on it. It has sentimental value for sure. If your engine or transmission was basically needing to be replaced would you either get it rebuilt, go remanufactured, grab one out of the junkyard or just scrap the whole jeep all together? I dont have the ability or the time to rebuild it myself. But i feel like i can afford to eventually replace them both when needed. I have heard a lot of people online say getting it rebuilt can end in disaster if the wrong shop does it. Im wondering if just getting something from the junkyard is the smartest idea. Or getting something remanufactured? What would you guys do or think about it?
Thanks

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[Deleted member 43264]

I have a 96 XJ with about 275k miles on it. It has sentimental value for sure. If your engine or transmission was basically needing to be replaced would you either get it rebuilt, go remanufactured, grab one out of the junkyard or just scrap the whole jeep all together? I dont have the ability or the time to rebuild it myself. But i feel like i can afford to eventually replace them both when needed. I have heard a lot of people online say getting it rebuilt can end in disaster if the wrong shop does it. Im wondering if just getting something from the junkyard is the smartest idea. Or getting something remanufactured? What would you guys do or think about it?
Thanks

Yeah, it's hard when sentiment is in the mix. For me that would be my 95 Wrangler YJ, got new in 95. I did have a 99 XJ for a tick, from 2016-2021, bought used off Craigslist. And in those 4 plus years the amount of money and time spent in shop was crazy, but the last straw came when the tranny went out in the middle of rush hour traffic. Managed to limp her to my mechanic who, after going over her, told me there were more issues than the tranny and it would cost more to fix than she was worth and in his opinion better to sell her for what I can get. So I did.
Now for your situation, if you really love that rig, if you can afford it, why not a whole new engine and renew the life, longevity and reliability. On a budget (relatively speaking of course), junk yard (lots of Junker's from accidents but still with good engines), remanufacture or Craigslist. In the case of my XJ, while the tranny, diff's etc. were bad, the engine was still good and had I known your situation earlier this year and you were local, I would've sold you the whole thing for a song and you would've had spare parts to boot. So check out Craigslist and see what's out there. Also definitely do your research on shops and make sure they do good work.

Anyways, good luck with your XJ!

 

[869 KPH]

I really hope I don't regret saying this (lol), but I put a remanufactured transmission in my Dodge about a decade ago that has been fantastic. I would buy more parts from these guys if I ever need to again, no question.

Sentimentality is tough for sure.

https://www.jasperengines.com/

edit: holy cow it was actually more like 15 years ago. woof.

 

[1996XJ]

I really hope I don't regret saying this (lol), but I put a remanufactured transmission in my Dodge about a decade ago that has been fantastic. I would buy more parts from these guys if I ever need to again, no question.

Sentimentality is tough for sure.

https://www.jasperengines.com/

edit: holy cow it was actually more like 15 years ago. woof.

I heard that Jasper actually had a quality product when doing some research. How does buying a product from them work? The website looks like you have to find a local distributor?

 

[869 KPH]

I heard that Jasper actually had a quality product when doing some research. How does buying a product from them work? The website looks like you have to find a local distributor?

Yep, my mechanic trusted and used their parts. I trusted my mechanic, and they trusted Jasper.

 

[1996XJ]

Yeah, it's hard when sentiment is in the mix. For me that would be my 95 Wrangler YJ, got new in 95. I did have a 99 XJ for a tick, from 2016-2021, bought used off Craigslist. And in those 4 plus years the amount of money and time spent in shop was crazy, but the last straw came when the tranny went out in the middle of rush hour traffic. Managed to limp her to my mechanic who, after going over her, told me there were more issues than the tranny and it would cost more to fix than she was worth and in his opinion better to sell her for what I can get. So I did.
Now for your situation, if you really love that rig, if you can afford it, why not a whole new engine and renew the life, longevity and reliability. On a budget (relatively speaking of course), junk yard (lots of Junker's from accidents but still with good engines), remanufacture or Craigslist. In the case of my XJ, while the tranny, diff's etc. were bad, the engine was still good and had I known your situation earlier this year and you were local, I would've sold you the whole thing for a song and you would've had spare parts to boot. So check out Craigslist and see what's out there. Also definitely do your research on shops and make sure they do good work.

Anyways, good luck with your XJ!

The problem i have when someone tells you a vehicle isnt worth the cost to keep it on the road is this: Lets say i did put 6 or 7k into my XJ. Atleast it would be like a car with 0 miles on its most important components. In todays market where am i going to get a reliable vehicle for work for 6 or 7k? Sure i might find something but what if something goes wrong with it, then im back to square one with a high milage used vehicle. Its like yeah i probably couldnt sell my XJ for the price of a new tranny installed but i cant get another reliable vehicle for that price either. I have been driving this XJ since 2004 and yeah its had its problems but i couldnt even be 7 grand into this XJ and its been driving me around for almost 20 years. All the friends who said i spend more on keeping an old car running have for sure spent so much more constantly buying new cars over the same time span. Thats why im debating that its worth some money to keep it going.

 

[1996XJ]

Yep, my mechanic trusted and used their parts. I trusted my mechanic, and they trusted Jasper.

did they order direct from them?

 

[kevman65]

I've used Jasper a couple of times over the years. The process has changed, I don't think you can buy directly from them now, but have to go through a certified installer.

I've gone long block and short block, and would say long block is the way to go. They also have reman transmissions too.

I would recommend Jasper if you're going to refresh the drive train, comes with warranty and the installer probably has a warranty also.

 

[869 KPH]

Yeah sorry I honestly don't remember how it all worked.

 

[1996XJ]

I've used Jasper a couple of times over the years. The process has changed, I don't think you can buy directly from them now, but have to go through a certified installer.

I've gone long block and short block, and would say long block is the way to go. They also have reman transmissions too.

I would recommend Jasper if you're going to refresh the drive train, comes with warranty and the installer probably has a warranty also.

Thanks that sounds like a good way to go, my worst fear would be dropping all this cash on new stuff and it taking a dump without good warranty.

 

[kevman65]

did they order direct from them?

I just checked, go to Jaspers site and enter your location, they'll give you a list of installers.
I didn't dig deep, but they used to want a core at pick up (if you do the install) or you paid a core charge.

 

[Jefe1018]

That 4.0 is pretty rudimentary but robust, are you sure it needs a new top and bottom end? A head job should be maybe $1,200.

I would say you can find a quality shop to replace the engine for roughly $2,000 plus the cost of the motor. If you are paying someone, rebuilding vs prebuilt is almost a wash. Although any reputable shop worth their weight will stand behind their work on a rebuild.

My ball park is that you can probably get it done for under $5,000 all together as long as little things don’t start to add up like starters, pumps, ecm, etc.

 

[Terminus33]

I heard that Jasper actually had a quality product when doing some research. How does buying a product from them work? The website looks like you have to find a local distributor?

Use this link and start a dialog with them. can't hurt just getting info.

https://www.jasperengines.com/find-a-price

 

[1996XJ]

That 4.0 is pretty rudimentary but robust, are you sure it needs a new top and bottom end? A head job should be maybe $1,200.

I would say you can find a quality shop to replace the engine for roughly $2,000 plus the cost of the motor. If you are paying someone, rebuilding vs prebuilt is almost a wash. Although any reputable shop worth their weight will stand behind their work on a rebuild.

My ball park is that you can probably get it done for under $5,000 all together as long as little things don’t start to add up like starters, pumps, ecm, etc.

I dont think the engine needs anything yet but its a junkyard find that i put about 150k miles on and the mileage was a mystery because it was already crated. My trans seems to be acting up,(i thinks its go about 275k on it) im going to change the solenoids this weekend and see if thats what it is. Im just pondering what to do if its not something easy with the trans. Most of the small parts i have kept up with over the years. Almost every sensor is new. Water pump is new. Power steering pump is new. ECM and old wiring is all that really scares me.

 

[Jefe1018]

I dont think the engine needs anything yet but its a junkyard find that i put about 150k miles on and the mileage was a mystery because it was already crated. My trans seems to be acting up,(i thinks its go about 275k on it) im going to change the solenoids this weekend and see if thats what it is. Im just pondering what to do if its not something easy with the trans. Most of the small parts i have kept up with over the years. Almost every sensor is new. Water pump is new. Power steering pump is new. ECM and old wiring is all that really scares me.

Oh sorry I mis read the original post. I would say in that case run it until it’s dead, keep up with maintenance obviously. There are junk yard transmissions that are guaranteed to work for a certain period as well, I’ve had some delivered to my door for less than $600.00 and honestly a transmission is way easie to replace than an engine. The last one I did I paid a mechanic $400 to replace so I didn’t need to deal with the dang heat.

The fact that there are millions of these XJs and that they are simple makes them easy to work on for pretty much everything except a heater core.

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