1993 vs. 1988

[Suthrn99]

I can get one or the other for about the same price. Both have pros and cons and trying to decide.

1988 is in better shape, but has overheating problems. Runs good, but overheats and owner shuts it down. Says he's never let it get over 210. Has a clean title. Aftermarket wheels with street 31s. It's a burnt orange color!

1993 has been stolen, so it has a salvaged title. Has a broken steering column and needs tires. This one has a slight ticking noise from the engine. Stock wheels with bald 31s. It's white!

Both have a 3 inch lift which I will add to, but stuck between the two.

 

[superdave]

Get the 88. Better to have the Dana 44 rear that it likely has under it. If you are going to have to do engine work anyway, get the clean title and better rear.

 

[kastein]

Might not have a 44 under it, from what I understand those were mostly on the 87s.

Actually, from what I'm seeing in my parts catalog, XJ d44s were ONLY in 87 - the listings are for 3.07 and 3.54 ratio, with or without LSD, and all say "1987 only" after them. MJ d44s were available over a longer period. So the 88 almost certainly has a turdy-five rear axle. The 93 will PROBABLY (not definitely) be a 27 spline 8.25, unless it has ABS in which case it is definitely a turdy five. Look under it and see which it is.

Slight ticking is probably lifter noise or a cracked exhaust header... neither a fatal flaw. I don't believe the "never let it get over 210" on the 88 one bit, check compression + leakdown on that one before you even consider buying it and look for oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil.

The 93 will be an HO with the OBD-I diag system, the 88 will be a RENIX with the RENIX diag system. Which are you more comfortable with? The RENIX you can diagnose mostly with a tach and a multimeter, the OBD-I you can get a plug-in diag tool for.

I would lean towards the 93, a steering column is not that difficult or expensive to completely replace. You may also be able to talk that guy down due to the steering column damage and title.

 

[Ghost]

93 all the way. It will both have the turdy-5 though.. not a big deal though just find a 8.25 that someone on here is getting rid of.

 

[shortxjdoug]

if the 88 has been overheating and shutting down but he's never let it get over 210 he's full of more sh** than a cow pasture... 210 is standard operating temp

i would go with the 93... the HO injection will be more reliable in the long run and youll be happier with the stock power, columns are dirt simple in them its a gm style column. and as far as d44's go theyre pretty rare and not worth the price that people put on them IMO

 

[shortxjdoug]

93 all the way. It will both have the turdy-5 though.. not a big deal though just find a 8.25 that someone on here is getting rid of.

93 will have a 27 spline 8.25 unless its an ABS jeep

 

[Ghost]

93 will have a 27 spline 8.25 unless its an ABS jeep

Not always. My 94 had the turdy-5 and it was not abs either.

 

[kastein]

Yeah... non-ABS it's luck of the draw. Only way to know for sure is to look.

 

[Suthrn99]

Okay, so the 93 is a better deal, because of the engine, and fuel management system.

I guess I can just get some burnt orange paint, and paint it.

Does anyone know anything regarding the Salvaged title? How hard is it to buy a vehicle with a salvaged title and transfer it into my name?

 

[Ghost]

Okay, so the 93 is a better deal, because of the engine, and fuel management system.

I guess I can just get some burnt orange paint, and paint it.

Does anyone know anything regarding the Salvaged title? How hard is it to buy a vehicle with a salvaged title and transfer it into my name?

Over here it is no big deal. If you have to do anything at all you would have to take it by the tag office to get looked at. That is if you tag it. Call your local DMV and ask them if you plan on streeting it.

 

[old_man]

I don't understand the comments against the Renix fuel injection. I have been running it for 12 years and love them. Overheating is most likely a bad radiator bottle and or radiator.

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

I love my 92. its been 100% reliable and very easy to work on with its open cooling system, and obdI electrics. Super comfy w/ simple 1-2" lift, and I've got a 8.25 in my garage to solve that years only weak point, (IMO).

Just my take, though. Nothin' bad to say about the renix rigs, as I've never had to work on one.

 

[Shorty]

X2^ Renix is the better choice-- a cooling problem is usually just the sum of the individual parts not working together to allow sufficient heat transfer. Plan to change the radiator, water pump, thermostat, and hoses along with new coolant (all maintenance items that should be renewed upon purchase, anywho)

Run a compression check to verify general health of the engine and take some time to familiarize yourself with Renix related oddities-- you'll love it once you get her cleaned up and running like she was designed to run.

My experience is that AMC era bodies were a little thicker gauge metal and seem to hold up better-- just push on the roof of each one and see which one has more rigidity.

 

[jeepgeek2002]

I d go with neither of em..
Keep looking for a better deal.. unless you dont plan on driving this thing for a while..

Mark

 

[Shorty]

I d go with neither of em..
Keep looking for a better deal.. unless you dont plan on driving this thing for a while..

Mark

nice body, good tires, runs well, but overheats-- cooling system renew should only take a day (if you take your time) to replace everything (I forgot to mention fan clutch should be replaced as well)-- sounds like only a couple days and it's on the road.

edit: Hell, if you don't buy it, maybe I will-- what's he asking for it?

 

[High2by]

I'd go with the Renix myself. Why, 'cause that's what my first XJ had and I loved it!!!

 

[shortxjdoug]

I don't understand the comments against the Renix fuel injection. I have been running it for 12 years and love them. Overheating is most likely a bad radiator bottle and or radiator.

im not against it... y stroker runs on renix for a reason im just saying out of those two the 93 sounds better... my old motor saw some serious heat in its life and had blown the headgasket

 

[kastein]

Yeah - I see no real problem with the 88 except that I don't believe the owner for a second about that it was never overheated. If the head gasket is OK and the water/oil check out fine, and compression tests come up fine, the only real reason I'd go for the 93 instead is a chance of an 8.25 instead of a d35 and that's really not too expensive to fix either way.

 

[Suthrn99]

Well the 88 ain't gonna happen! Guy won't get right on the price. Guess I'm gonna go with the 93 and hope for the best with the title not being a problem! Provided he still has it tomorrow I will be taking him $500 and ordering some 1.5 inch spacers to get it up to 4.5 total inches. It needs tires, so I'll go ahead and find some 16 inch alum ranger wheels and get some 265/75 tires! And some burnt orange paint! Hopefully be checking back in tomorrow night with pics if not later today!

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

Well the 88 ain't gonna happen! Guy won't get right on the price. Guess I'm gonna go with the 93 and hope for the best with the title not being a problem! Provided he still has it tomorrow I will be taking him $500 and ordering some 1.5 inch spacers to get it up to 4.5 total inches. It needs tires, so I'll go ahead and find some 16 inch alum ranger wheels and get some 265/75 tires! And some burnt orange paint! Hopefully be checking back in tomorrow night with pics if not later today!

I drove a 4runner that was rebuilt/repainted after a theft recovery for about 3 years in college. The PO did a good job, replacing the factory decals, factory glass, seals, bumpers, trim, a few interior pieces, etc.

With that truck, the salvage title meant nothing because the repairs were non-structural, non-mechanical.

If you're careful, a salvage title simply means resale value will be a bit lower if/when you decide to sell.

atriot: