bahadden

heres the deal pick up a 86 wagonner limited with the V6 for $200.. now it does run, has alot of miles 325 and change, doesnt blow blue smoke, but does have some hickups, do i rebuild the V6 or replace it. it currently has 31 10.50 15s a some what of a snorkel and all power works but the seats probably a fuse havent checked. need info on the V6 also i know its a 173ci thank you auto parts store, check the web not much info though, can you help a brother out .... thanks in advance.....[IMG][/IMG]

ibjeepin98xj

body is in good shape? looks like it to me.

this sounds like a great 360 project. i want to put somthing more erotic in mine when the ole 4.0 goes.

MojaveDesertJK

Being the owner of 4 XJ's of various years and modifications, (yes I still have every one I ever bought) I would stay away from the 86 as a project rig. I have an 86, and with the 3" lift and 31x10.5 bfg's, the 2.8V6 is little more than a dog that "attempts" to push it down the road.
If you could do the 3.4v6 engine swap and keep the rig the way it is now, you would have about the best an 86 is gonna get. Which isn't that bad for what you paid for it.
The reason I say this is that for the amount you would need to mod it into something worth playing with, you would be better off getting a later model 4.0 and tricking it out instead.

bahadden

if i did the 3.4 swap and transfered all 2.8 equipment to it i end up with the 3.1 correct? i also know that the buick 231 engine will bolt up to the 904 tranny as well as the gm 229. what about the 904 and transfer? or am i better off buying a 350 eng 350 trans and axles and making a monster. budget yes there is one, but it runs now, and can pick up a old chevy for around 1500.oo. not looking for a dd, this will be a play toy mostly driven in 4 low. i know i an get 200 250 lbs of torque from some of those engines. the body is great. engine swap = no big deal. any other reasons it will be a dog, not alot of info on the transfer that i could find. ......... or pull the front axle rims and tires and hull it to the scrap yard., and start again. i might have a total of 350 into it now, rims and tires are worth that.

MojaveDesertJK

The reason that an early 90's 3.4 is a popular engine to drop into a pre-4.0I6 is because it is a direct bolt in swap that gives you a better engine with more ability than the doggish 2.8GM that they originally put in.
You can create whatever monster you desire by dropping in whatever huge power plant fits, but then you'll be over-powering the little d30/35 axles that you more than likely have under there. The 86 also has a non slip-yoke type front prop shaft that doesn't like anything over about 3" of lift.
My reasoning is that the 86 would need so much beefing up that it's not worth the effort. Don't get me wrong, I had a heck of a great time wheeling my little 86. But there came a time when I realized that I had done as much to her as she was going to be able to handle. That's when I went ahead and took on a 96....then a 87....then a 88. The later models are much more capable of mods. My most modified XJ is the 87 Laredo. It's about 8" over stock with d44's, lockers, custom drive shafts, 33x12.5 muds and a few other bells and whistles to make it more fun. Things that I would have never been able to load up into the 86 without basically rebuilding the whole darn thing. If you've got that kind of money, put it to better use. If you just want to have fun, wheel your 86 for what it is.

bahadden

thanks for the advice, i found one for a grand, in the local area with front end damage but still drivable, gonna check him out.

bahadden

well blew it up any one need parts CALL 910 581 1398 BRIAN