Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: heep-a-lop on February 28, 2012, 05:58:41 AM

Title: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: heep-a-lop on February 28, 2012, 05:58:41 AM
the trans is almost dead in the 96, its the 5.3 dont mind it but i am at the point of dumping money into it.... my question

is it worth me forking out bigger money and grabbin a pretty mint 98 higher mileage 5.9?

what are the highs and lows on both engine and trans combos....?

just figuring if gonna dump money should do it into right platform

Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: Gearhead on February 28, 2012, 06:41:38 AM
Don't let these meatheads help decide your destiny   ;)        would be my advice .                      
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: NUXJR on February 28, 2012, 07:57:35 AM
Don't let these meatheads help decide your destiny   ;)        would be my advice .                      

OUCH!!!! That's a little harsh Jeff.  Don't think I'm any more a meathead than you are, buddy :P.

But seriously dude...all depends on what kinda wheeling ya see yourself wanting to do.  I like the ZJ cuz I can make it a very capable 'trail' rig and still cart the kids and gear on a daily basis.  Prolly even tow an rv someday.  I don't plan to do any Safari challenges or crawling comps with it either.  Just depends what ya wanna do man. 8)

Those trannys are pretty easy to come by.  Talk to Jay n see if he can re-work one for ya then swap it in. ;)
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: jkrubi on February 28, 2012, 08:18:01 AM
What's it gonna cost to repair yours verus buy a bit newer one? What will be cheaper in the long run? For a 2 year difference and more miles in my mind it's not worth it. Just fix and upgrade your tranny, it would be cheaper in the long run.
By the time you do an insurance insp, and repair what ever is wrong.  Plus you don't know what else is gonna go in the next couple of months. As well what do you do with yours? Parts or sell? How much would you get for it to off set the newer one ? Would you come out ahead or break even, or just lose a heap load of cash.
But only you know what is right for you if you want the bigger eng then go for it, but if you just don't care keep what you go now.
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: WhiteOut on February 28, 2012, 09:02:30 AM
Tranny in the 5.2 will run about $2500 for a complete rebuild, that includes removal and replacement. This is the quote I got from Dominion. I think a straight rebuild if they dont pull it is around $1700

I would drive it until it dies, pull the tranny and have them rebuild it with upgraded internals, then put it back in yourself. Warranty and it will outlast the engine. There are no Jeeps '96+ that you want for $2500 and certainly not a 5.9. If you do get a high mileage 5.9, you have to consider it has a unique to the Jeep transmission and its nearly impossible to find. Cost to rebuild that trans is also higher. Add in the cost of premium gas. Unless you do the death flash, at which point you might as well have a 5.2. Then take into account to hassle of dumping the current one and moving any mods over.
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: JackstandJohnny on February 28, 2012, 09:55:27 AM
i'd grab a 97-98 limited with the V8.

gut your current one. keep the goodies like the 242, diffs, etc.  swap over you lift etc.  rebuild the tranny from the green one and save it for when the the one in your newer jeep goes.

its a ZJ. its just a matter of time before the tranny goes.

the niner will be a bunch more in fuel as it chugs premium, and the tranny's are very rare, and as stated, garbage.

you don't see many ZJs for sale with blown motors........... its always the tranny.

i guess in short; its a jeep. you're gonna have to dump money into it. might as well make sure its money well spent ;)
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: Delco21 on February 28, 2012, 11:06:56 AM
Not trying to thread jack just thought id put this down

My buddy is selling his black 5.9 with black leather. Its under salvage right now but we had it inspected and nothing is wrong with it it just needs a front bumper and rear bumper plastics.  222,00 kmh

Runs and drives great ive driven it

Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: tubby on February 28, 2012, 12:58:52 PM

Dude?

What's up with all this ZJ nonsense?

You already own a built XJ with a Chevy 350. Yes, I know Clay is a busy bastard but when isn't he busy? You started the modifications and I'm pretty sure you can finish that project. Get on it already. The Xj can hold just as much groceries as the ZJ .
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: Rubi03 jef on February 28, 2012, 01:05:29 PM
scrap it and buy a civic .. all the trails will be closed in no time any ways

its a 96 the bloody thing is older then most truck out on the trails . time for a new one

Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: Fredduck on February 28, 2012, 03:50:42 PM
Jay you bought for a winter beater.
Winters over.
Gut it, sell your parts, get your cash and scrap the rest.
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: heep-a-lop on February 28, 2012, 05:57:15 PM
some very good points here... yes it was a winter beater and i drive this thing mostly on 3 wheels with it matted so i am suprised it lasted this long.... i just see some cancer but i guess i am gonna get cancer in any jeep... see my plan is to build a winter beater something for when the buick isnt smart...

crap there is a 86000km 08 overland at hyatt mercades and i happent o be a hyatt employee... hummm wonder what the discount will get me....

my head is in to many places all i know is i shouldnt be flooring it and satill am and it slips alot and scares me right now.... 

see the other gay thing is i work in a shop but can onyl work on vechiles if cleared by managment and it cant stay over night which is stupid...

to many thoughts.... 

i have put alot into this gay green thing .... grr

grr
grrr


rant complete

i think

not sure

godsdamn calgary drivers screwing with me
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: tubby on February 28, 2012, 06:15:03 PM

1. Buy a bottle of booze of your choice

2. Watch some quality smut online

You're sweating the small stuff guy. It's just a Jeep. My fix is temporary but tomorrow is another day. That's all I got for you.
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: heep-a-lop on March 03, 2012, 05:54:52 PM
well pricing out a new rear main seal, partially built trans(i drive to hard not to), water pump and front wheel bearings, on monday i am sure my buttcheaks are gonna pucker up when i here the numbers...

any one have any good experiences in town for trans rebuilds on a 44re?

gonna do all the work myself as i work in a nissan dealership and have access to everything there....

what else should i touch while i am in there? ( yeah u heard me jeep i am gonna touch u with my dirty little hands and your gonna like it)

just want it to be leak free engine wise and i will deal with that when it blows
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: cLAY on March 03, 2012, 11:14:05 PM
Do you have access to a good set of snap ring pliers? If so rebuild the 44re yourself. Its one of the easiest trannys to rebuild.
Get a good book. Preferably a factory service manual but Chilton makes a pretty good tranny rebuild manual.

Here are a couple of writeups:

http://mallcrawlin.com/forum/showthread.php?13244-42RE-rebuild

http://mallcrawlin.com/forum/showthread.php?6821-Anyone-want-to-rebuild-their-tranny&highlight=rebuild
Title: Re: at a crossroads jeep wise
Post by: cLAY on March 08, 2012, 08:18:48 PM
Here is another one:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/46re-tutorial-911009/