So I've found a nice little project that I may buy for hopefully $2500.00 Its a 97 TJ Wrangler "Palm Beach" edition. Never heard of it before, but its some kind of a specialty package for it. One of my friends actually owns the Jeep and they were going to swap it out to a 5.0L V8 from an Explorer but decided not to. I'm trying to get my hands on it to redo the whole thing; I'm one for big projects. I've been building Ford Explorers lately and that seems to be going too well, but I want to get back into the Jeep side of this world. The only bummer so far is that this is out in Kansas and I'm quite the distance away.
So here's the run down on this Jeep;
1997 Jeep Wrangler 2.5L
Soft Top (new one included )
Appears to have a 2" lift (no coil spacers)
33" tires
AX5 manual transmission - already gone bad
AX15 included with the deal
4.10 diff gearing

It appears to be in decent shape. Has a interesting orange and blue paint job. Enough talk, here's some pictures:




Basically I'm looking to gut the whole drivetrain replace with the 4.0L and AX15 combo. Like I said, it comes with the transmission transfer case, and driveshafts. I don't know if the project is worth it yet, although I do like the Jeep. I'm hoping to buy this Jeep, get it all swapped out for $6200 or less. Local prices for a 6cyl Wrangler tend to be around $8-10k in my area (Utah). I think I can make some money off this project, or keep it to wheel for a few years.

I want to hear some thoughts on this. You guys and gals think its worth it? I don't know much about Jeeps anymore, but I think its definitely doable and it probably can be within my $6200 budget.


--Nate

 

It looks decent from the photos ; how is the frame? Is the diamond plate for looks, or covering rust? How are the floors? Rust is the big issue - no rust, it's a great deal.

 

if you only paid 2500 bucks for that its an amazing deal

 

The rust is very minimal from what my friend says. He's quite picky about his projects and one requirement is no rust. The photos were taken a while back (no leaves on the trees) so I assume anything on the frame is road grime. The diamond plating is most likely for looks.

 

Well as things stand right now the owner is saying for $2700 its mine. It only has 102,456 miles on it. I can get it out here from Kansas for $875. So for basically $3600, I can have it here in Utah. That would give me $2400 to work with for a motor swap. If I keep the 4cyl, its only $500 for an adapter for the transmission. I could then regear the diffs and probably throw a locker in. But being here in Utah it may be handy to have a 6cyl for the hills around here.

 

That TJ is screaming for a Chevy 350

Advance Adapters has what you need

 

Changed my mind on this project. Just going to buy a 2012 JK next year instead.