Here's the deal:

My 2000 WJ is burning coolant. Not sure how long it has been going on, or what damage has been done to the engine as a result, but my trusted mechanic said he didn't think it would be worth replacing the head gasket/head on an engine with so many km's (190k) and an unknown history.

So I have to decide whether I want to get a new engine, a reman, a junkyard one, or scrap the Jeep and replace with something else (maybe a wk?)

I have (in the past year) replaced brake rotors/pads all around, front axle shafts, front drive shaft, and oil pan. If I kept the Jeep, I'd still need to replace a window regulator, a door lock, heater core & a/c evap, repair the rotting rocker panels, and the engine.

What would you do, were you in my shoes?

 

wow thats a hell of a laundry list... and most of those are not on the cheap side of the scales...

what i usually go by is a basic calculation of worth and investment...
How much the overall vehicle is worth...
How much has already been invested...
How Much needs to be invested...
Condition of other components to last a year or so without any major repairs...


I say when you pump in the money to the point it match's what the vehicle is worth, and your not sure its going to last you a year without anymore issues, its time to cut it loose and get something else... Unless you can get some cheap labor on your jeep, its right at that threshold of cutting it loose...

and if its infact a head gasket... or if its a cracked block or head... is what would be the deciding factor... id get it to the shop and be prepared for either... to buy a salvage yard motor... or head gasket...

is it a 4.7L or 4.0L

 

Greetings,
Ideed a hell-of-a laundry list. The determining factor for ME on ANY vehicle is the condtion of the body. You can re-do/replace all the things you mentioned and still be able to enjoy her for a fair length of time BUT since you mention the rotting rocker panels, alas, it's just a matter of time before she's done. Sell her-sorry.
Peter

 

get another one keep old one for parts.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it.

For the record, my WJ is a 2000 laredo with the 4.7L, Quadra-drive, upcountry suspension/skids/towhooks, a 2"BB and bilsteins. The rockers are rotting, and there are a couple of rust spots on the lip of the hood and one of the fenders, but otherwise the body is alright...

At this point (as crazywj242 said) I'm right at the threshold where long term value and cost meet. One of the reasons I'm asking for opinions is that although my Jeep is starting to fall apart, I love the brutal simplicity of it compared to newer 4x4 systems. (2 solid axles and a manually operated low-range transfer case) Fewer electronics for me to break is a good thing, so I've been looking at the 4door JKs. However I also make really long drives several times a year, so ride quality is important to me as well. With that in mind, would anyone care to weigh in about 4door JKs or WKs? Ride quality in a JK? I can't seem find very many WJs on the used market anymore, so it’s doubtful I'll be able to find one in much better shape that is worth swapping parts onto...but that would be a great option if possible.

No immediate rush to make a decision, I have a few months left before I have to re-register the plates and pass emissions.... I think I'll probably be test driving a 4 door JK to help me decide one way or another...

thanks for the opinions...

 

JK's are best in the 4 door flavor from my taste anyways... theres more computers on the engine, (even the throttle body is controlled electronically) and you can feel a lag when hitting the skinny pedal... they ride pretty good, and over the years stay pretty tight... (based on my uncles 4 door JK Sahara, which see's mild offroad, doesn't hammer it down, but takes it thru some tricky sections)

WK's in my pinion are evil lol... have to get an older one with a V8 in it, once you add any sort of weight and gear to it the V6 is struggling (maybe not with the 2011 pentastar havn't drove one yet) but upgrades are more costly on the newer vehicles...

How much of the work can you possibly do yourself on your WJ? dont get me wrong i LOVE WJ's and prices on them and parts are getting cheaper and cheaper... its one of those things, investing alot of money into it if your not going to keep it for a few years is tough... im glad i went down to a 98 ZJ, cause i paid so little for it (and it just had ALOT of work done to it,new brakes and new rockers) i dont mind putting a few hundred bucks into it...

tough decision really... id let the gasket be the deciding factor... i mean you can find buddy with a welder (or get a cheap one for a couple hundred bucks) and some crap sheet metal and make some nasty rockers that'll pass inspection for a few years... but get the engine running good first...

you can save money on a heatercore job by dissasembling most of the dash yourself BEFORE bringing it into the shop... wjjeeps.com to remove it all... this can save a few hours of labor

 

Greetings,
Just did an auto trader search. There are +/- 20 2000/2001 GC's in the Toronto area from $2.5K to $7K range. Either theirs or yours for spare parts? Just a thought.

 

well try for another opinion from another auto repair shops. sometimes auto mechanic have different ideas on how to fixed the vehicle problem. if you need an another opinion about your problem, i recommend this site auto repair shops (i put a link for you to be able to easily directed to the site) they have the very best auto mechanic that might help you. they will never fail you.

 

This auto repair shops are in the usa, I very doubt that someone in Ontario or any other prov is going to ship his truck to the usa for repairs.. hello.. you might want to put some constructive replies to the questions or hold your opinions.

 

so sorry, i did not noticed the location, i just want to help. so sorry for what happened.