Hello, New here from TN, got some TJ questions

Hello, New here from TN. I been wanting a TJ for some time fixed up lifted with bigger tires kind of thing. I had always wanted a strong stout beefed up CJ far as I can remember. Never owned a CJ but I had owned a TJ for 6 months during one winter few years ago and the wife went from liking to hating it. It was a 2000 sahara automatic 4.0L. It was gold did not like the color and it had a hardtop on it. I got rid of it so never got to use it really. It was late fall through winter when I owned it.

Anyway I got some money saved up but not enough to get what I want the way I want it of course isn't that how it goes lol. I figured I would get cheapest thing then fix it how I want it as I go and that I can afford to do. Biggest thing getting one with good sound body and frame. The most I found are avg to high priced. I wanted to get started and can't spend a lot right off but just enough to get into one if its super cheap. The TJ's are starting to pop up in my range now but most pretty rough but some not bad with good bodies and frames it looks like. Most of them are decent are all 4 cylinders and most automatics but couple I found was manuals. They sell quick if decent though here lately.

I could turn a 4 cylinder into a 4.0L and go that route or get a 4.0L but be hard to find and only found two and they was already gone time I got responses. I prefer a manual as I know longer own one and been awhile since having one and like to have one again. I just enjoy driving a manual and always wanted one in a jeep even though not the best choice for trail riding rig but manual what I want and less of them to find lately on the cheap. I would not drive mine as a DD but on still on the roads and trails nothing extreme. Probably more roads then trails.

I did find a 1997 TJ 4x4 that's stripped down a bit and it does not have doors, seats but has seat mounts, no top, no motor, no transmission, no transfer case. It has everything else and suppose to be in good shape not rusted up for $1800 from talking to the guy and looking at pics. Now the engine mounts had been setup to take a chevy short block. The guy bought it that way and sat on it for 3 years. It has already been rhino lined in the tub. Says frame is good and axles are stock should be 4.10 gear setup. It sat in barn for 3 years and now has been sitting outside for last two weeks trying to sell it. He bought it that way for project that he decided not to do. So pics that I seen was when it got put outside two weeks ago and I'm going to look at it tomorrow afternoon. It has a clean clear title not a salvaged title came from south not up north.

My thoughts were 4.0L is fine and 350 chevy motor would like just don't know of issues common with them in jeeps. I thought it would make it easier since its already stripped down to put what I want in it also. I kind of would rather had 350 motor anyway since I was teenager. I had always liked the 350 setups and thought they was cool. I figured at least this way it be cheapest easiest way for me to get into one and set it up however I want to.

I remember hearing 327 motor setups was good as I heard they do good off road and they are just shorter deck 350 basically. Now if I got it I could go 350/327 route or I was told a 4.3L vortec would mount up as it has the mounting brackets set up for a 350 block. I would have to get transmission and transfer case also.
Now if I did not go this route then I'm looking at a 4 cylinder and eventually swap it over to 4.0L I guess be next easiest to do? Probably easier then setting up for 350 moter setup? Don't know about all the harness computer stuff if thats a big deal finding what you need cheap enough and making it work. How well does 350 do in jeeps? Issues?

He did say 4.3L would mount up also same mounting setup as 350 motor. He said 350 motor would need 88 and up chevy trans and transfer case. On side note I use to own a 96 s10 blazer that had a 4.3L vortec motor and 5 speed manual transmission many years ago and it was a good running motor I had to say. I wonder how they do in jeeps for those who have them?

I like to know is the body with axles and tires worth $1800.00?
Should I pass on it and keep saving till right one comes a long?
How does the 350/327 do in the jeeps?
Who has used a 4.3L vortec motor in a TJ jeep and how does it compare to 350 motor or even 4.0L TJ motor?
How good is the 4.3L vortec transmission 5 speed and transfer case that's stock in S10's compared to what comes in the TJ's?
If you did the build what would you go with? 4.0L or 4.3L or 350/327?

 

Welcome.

 

I decided to wait and hold out and see what I can get into 4.0 wise. Besides the guy decided to part it out before I could look at it. I would rather not had as much in his personally but he would not go lower originally. All the good deal TJs 4cyl are bought right at the moment and the next best ones all got rust. Same with 4.0 most got rust. I will have to keep a eye out and spend little more to get a better one. So I'm keeping my eyes open for the right one. Thanks.

 

$1800 would have got you mostly a frame and body. Lots more money and time would be spent making it into a nice TJ. Take your time and save more. Better to have a daily driver to build up than a complete non running project. Just my opinion.

 

Sorry....I finally read all that. And I need a nap. Lollloll. And I feel, my 3 cents. The 327 was Chevys best motors. Small block, 350 hp, basic maintenance, and an extremely reliable motor. And you can pretty much squeeze it in any motor compartment, with little mods. Curious as to what you decide.....

 

Thanks for your reply JKBob 25, I know I was little to long lol. I was sitting on block and heads years ago for 327 and let it go since at the time I had no place to build it and regretting letting it go ever since. I saw one listed days ago for sale and was tempted getting it. But did not ask to see how much it was already bored over and ect. One I had was just .30 over. I may find out what my buddy done with it. I like to pick up a 10 nickel block 4 bolt main 350 also. I have seen some.