Overpriced Auto
The article "200,000-Mile Club" (Mar. '08) is great. I am looking for a project/fixer-upper and I am using the article as a guide. I am able to get my hands on a '98 TJ 2.5L auto for $6,500. I know, I know what the article says ... so here is my question: How much work and how much trouble would it be to swap in a manual? And do you have any advice on transmission choices? I am on a military budget (small) and I am not a professional mechanic, but I am a member of a Jeep Club and we have project parties. Again, any advice would help and if you say run away from this Jeep, I'll listen-after all, I am used to following orders!Rob ThomasSuffolk, VA
For starters, that's about $3K too high for a '98 four-cylinder TJ unless it's only got 50-60K miles on it. Second, forget the auto behind the four-cylinder. It's a miserable combination. You can swap to a manual using an AX-5 from another four-cylinder TJ, but they're not durable and chances are the tranny you install is gonna blow up at some point. The AX-5 is usually only good for 100-150K miles before it needs a major rebuild.
Advance Adapters sells a conversion kit to put a stronger AX-15 from a 4.0L Jeep behind the 2.5L. If you do buy the Jeep, that's what I'd recommend. Regardless of which transmission you go with, either will require a new engine computer from a '98 manual transmission 2.5L TJ. The factory auto tranny computer can't be reflashed and it'll constantly be throwing a check engine light because it won't be receiving a signal from the lockup torque converter. You may be lucky enough to find a used one online, but most likely you'll be buying a $450 replacement from a company like ECU Direct or similar.
In short, keep looking. There are better deals out there. You should be able to find a '97-'99 2.5L TJ with a five-speed manual in the low/mid $4,000 range with 100-150K on the odometer. At that mileage you'll still have at least 100K before the engine will need anything major. Or you could focus on finding a '91-'95 4.0L YJ. They routinely go for $3,000-$4,500 in decent condition.
Long, Long, Long Distance Shopping
I am currently trying to slowly upgrade my '00 XJ. I am looking for a complete exhaust system from header to tailpipe. I mean I want everything-downtube, muffler, header, catalytic converter, even the damn clamps and the exhaust hanger. Here is the conundrum. I have found that if a company, such as Banks, makes a header for the '00 4.0L, it makes nothing else. No downtube, no after-cat, nothing. What gives? Is this to keep the EPA off their backs? Back to my original need, can you send me to, or recommend me a one-stop source for a complete system? I would like to put it all on myself so I would like to do this with parts that are known to fit right. I would also like it to be a single manufacturer, but that is looking to be impossible at this point.Robert C. GreenFOB Kalsu, Iraq
It's not for liability-it's just not cost-effective for companies to R&D and manufacture a kit for the Cherokee (and Jeeps in general) because of fitment issues. They're such a highly modified vehicle that the manufacturers don't want to deal with customer complaints. You gotta figure a lot of people buy Jeeps with aftermarket suspension components, and so on, and don't even realize they've bought a modified vehicle. Then they get bent when the parts don't fit. There's also the fact that there were a fair number of chassis and exhaust changes on these vehicles through the years. Also, companies aren't able to charge the same premium price for a Jeep system as they could for, say, a Hummer or Corvette. I can't see too many Jeep owners shelling out $3,000-$5,000 for an exhaust, but Corvette guys do it all day long.
Your best bet for a complete exhaust system is going to be your local auto parts store, your Jeep dealership, and maybe a few aftermarket companies.
I checked Napa's web site for you. Here's what I was able to find: Cat convertor: PN EXH 16117 - $210 Dynomax after-cat system: PN EXH 17340 - $170 Gasket (converter to downpipe) - PN FPG 60292 Gasket (2) (header to downpipe) - PN EXH 31362 - $16.69 ea. Exhaust Hanger - PN EXH 36152 - $9.99 Exhaust Clamp - PN BK7335336 - $1.69 Exhaust Hanger (2) - PN EXH 36377 - $12.79 ea. Exhaust Isolator (2) - PN EXH 35460 - $4.39 ea. Pipe - header to cat (for header w/ dual outlet - replaces pre cats) - PN EXH 54450 - $93.49 Pre-cat assembly (if can't use straight pipe above) - PN EXH 52304 - $209 Intermediate pipe (between pre-cats and cat convertor - PN EXH53440 - $109
You'll probably want to double check those part numbers in person once you get back to the States since there were a bunch of other options with the hangers and so on, but as you can see you can pretty much piece together the complete system from your local Napa. Another option if you have a good exhaust shop you trust would be to drop the Jeep off and have one built. This would be the way I'd do it. That way you can have a complete 2.5-inch system built with an OBDII cat and it'll flow a lot better than any store-bought system. Just make sure to ask the shop to see some examples of their work before you trust their skills on your Jeep.
Got a tech question you're just itching to get answered? Send it on in to Jp Magazine, Your Jeep, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, or e-mail christian.hazel@jpmagazine.com.