Throwing in the towel, I'm in over my head

[splitz]

My XJ has been sitting for almost four years waiting for me to come back to VA and give her some TLC. I figured if I could turn a wrench, then I could dodge, er I meant replace a transmission.

Anyway, after much internal deliberation I have decided that as long as the transmission needs replaced, I may as well have the engine rebuilt since it is noisy and leaks oil everywhere.

Now I'm at a crossroad. Do I:

1) find any old shop that can work on engines and transmissions
2) find an off-road specialty shop

Any shop recommendations in the Northern VA area?

TL;DR: I need recommendations for a mechanic

 

[MagicNelson]

I think it'd be easier/cheaper to find an engine/trans out of another XJ instead of rebuilding things. 4.0s are everywhere.

 

[87manche]

I think it'd be easier/cheaper to find an engine/trans out of another XJ instead of rebuilding things. 4.0s are everywhere.

yes.

wrecked drivetrain donor FTW.
Pull the whole thing as a unit, bolt in your junk.

 

[billyjp2]

Up here there are shops that change engines for a flat rate. $300 at a place down the road

 

[chedisme]

if you can find a shop you trust. you could go the rebuild route. but I think the swap Engine and trans at the same time from a lowmiles wreck makes the most sense. or you could buy my spare 4.0 40K no leaks. 300$ but then you would still have to find a trans

 

[splitz]

Hmmm, thanks for the tips. It sounds like I should just grab a used 4.0 and tranny.

 

[XJLI]

why does the trans need to be replaced? back when i was a young chap, i helped a buddy replace his AW4 only to find out it was just the TPS that was acting up.

 

[MrSimon]

Go to a few local shops and have them price out a tranny replacement and an engine re-build ..... my guess is the high prices will make the decision for you.

 

[Hammered]

and or call around to salvage yards, get pricing... also hunt craigslist

 

[87manche]

pull a part FTW.

it's work, but if you take a sawzall you can have an engine and trans out in a few hours.

cut motor mounts, cut crossmember, pull motor.

6 CYL ENGINE W/ ACCESSORIES $164.43 $55.00
TRANSMISSION - AUTO W/CONVERTER $74.95 $25.00
TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSING $30.3 $25.00

Less than $400 for a complete drivetrain, including core charges.

 

[MrSimon]

Pulling an engine and trans in a salvage yard is a pain in the butt.

It makes a lot more sense to find a wrecked XJ with a good motor/trans .... take it home, pull what you want, and part out the rest. You will most likely end up with a good engine/trans and some extra cash in your pocket.

 

[splitz]

why does the trans need to be replaced? back when i was a young chap, i helped a buddy replace his AW4 only to find out it was just the TPS that was acting up.

Because there is a 3" hole near the starter.


I would love to do all of this myself but I have come to the realization that:

1. I do not have the time
2. I do not have the energy
3. I do not have the patience
4. I do not have the skills

While I can overcome number 4, numbers 1 through 3 are a little more difficult.

 

[MagicNelson]

There's nothing wrong with paying a shop to do the work for you if you have the money. I think we were giving these suggestions with a DIY-money-saver mindset. Sometimes it's worth the money to save the headache if you lack time, patience, tools, etc.

 

[XJLI]

Because there is a 3" hole near the starter.

i'm no expert, but that is definitely an issue.

 

[chedisme]

There's nothing wrong with paying a shop to do the work for you if you have the money. I think we were giving these suggestions with a DIY-money-saver mindset. Sometimes it's worth the money to save the headache if you lack time, patience, tools, etc.

Amen to this.

 

[kastein]

Get a used drivetrain and have em stick it in... as for the picknpull recommendation, I agree. They are quickly becoming my favorite yards even though they are more money than my usual haunts.

Why?
Level, drained, gravel yard, no mud in sight.
wheelbarrows are free.
hoists are free and are a giant frame that straddles an entire car easily and has a 2 ton chainfall on it.
all vehicles on stands so you can get under them safely to pull stuff.
30 day warranty, and you can buy another year.
you can search their inventory using row52.com, and their mobile app actually works nicely.
helll they have a handwashing station at the exit with pumice soap.
open sundays.

I am not used to this kind of luxury junkyarding. It turned an emergency replacement transmission pull on a Sunday afternoon a few months ago from straight up hell on earth to a 45 minute mildly annoying ordeal, and the price out the door was only around 25 bucks higher than I would have paid after taking a day off work, schlepping my high lift into the yard, jacking a junker up out of the mud/broken glass/piles of random parts, stacking tires and brake rotors under it, dropping it back down, crawling around in broken glass and mud, and in general going through hell if I had gone to my normal yard.

At least in my experience (I have bought 4 transmissions at picknpull locations since november) if you buy a whole transmission they do not charge you for the bellhousing. May be different at other locations, but I think that is the bellhousing-only price.

 

[87manche]

depends on who you get at the counter.

I've had some gals just charge me for hte major components, and other ring up every damned little thng on the axle.

I cut a hitch off that SWB MJ in the yard, and it had a ball stuck in it, I told them I'd really like to give it back to them but it's rusted in place and wothless.
She charged me for a ball

 

[splitz]

i'm no expert, but that is definitely an issue.

Me either. At first I tried to just wrap it in duct tape...if only it were that simple.

Level, drained, gravel yard, no mud in sight.

Your pick-n-pull > my pick-n-pull

 

[87manche]

Your pick-n-pull > my pick-n-pull

all of the pull a part chain locations in my area are just like Ken described.

you must be going to a locally owned deal.

the big gantry crane with the chainfall is fully worrth the 10% you pay at the counter.

My local guys will come get your motor with the yard mule after you pull it and have it on the hoist. They'll take it right out to your truck and help you load it.

 

[chedisme]

never seen a place like that before. all the stuff by me is localy owned. the only stuff they will help you with is stuff they deem too dangerous. like they pulled my d44 because they are worried the call will fall on you. and they pull drive shafts and put them in the cabs