Keep it running...

[StG58]

A post in another thread got me to thinking about just how long you could keep a TJ going. As in, how many decades before you couldn't get parts to replace worn out or broken ones.

With the SE, even if you couldn't get an ECM, it's a simple matter to swap in an old school distributor and a carburetor. All the guages can be swapped for mechanical gauges. The A/C can just go away. There are non power steering boxes available. Non antilock brakes. It seems that almost all of the hard to replace items on an early 2.5 SE can go away and still have a perfectly functional TJ. It wouldn't drive as nicely, but it would still beat a CJ2A.

 

[Chris]

I'd bet you dollars to donuts you could keep your TJ lasting a life time. Sure, you might not be able to get parts from Chrysler, but you could source out plenty of used parts on eBay and online.

Hell, there's that guy with a 1960s Volvo with something like 3 million miles on it. He's owned it since he bought it brand new in the 60s. He has rebuilt the engine numerous times and done other stuff, but I guarantee you they aren't making parts for it anymore.

 

[lovemachine]

This is just another reason to sell the TJ and buy a newer JK! :risas3:

 

[StG58]

I'd bet you dollars to donuts you could keep your TJ lasting a life time. Sure, you might not be able to get parts from Chrysler, but you could source out plenty of used parts on eBay and online.

Hell, there's that guy with a 1960s Volvo with something like 3 million miles on it. He's owned it since he bought it brand new in the 60s. He has rebuilt the engine numerous times and done other stuff, but I guarantee you they aren't making parts for it anymore.

True enough. I was thinking along the lines of some of the old trucks motoring around. With a Buda engine in them. Still ticking right along, but all cobbled together.

 

[Chris]

True enough. I was thinking along the lines of some of the old trucks motoring around. With a Buda engine in them. Still ticking right along, but all cobbled together.

When I used to own a 69' Camaro, you can still get parts for those. Everything from interior parts, to trim parts, etc. They make the entire damn catalog of OE part replacements, the only thing is that they are made in China by other companies (not Chevy). My guess is that these Chinese companies found out that enough people were interested in those old Camaros, that they ought to just make molds of every single factory part and sell them.

The parts are actually of very, very good quality too, almost indistinguishable from a true OE part. I'm talking everything from gauges to shifter bezels, if it's an OE part, you can get it!

If someone saw enough interest in older Jeeps in the future, something like that could happen. Crown seems to be doing something similar with some parts for our TJs.

 

[StG58]

When I used to own a 69' Camaro, you can still get parts for those. Everything from interior parts, to trim parts, etc. They make the entire damn catalog of OE part replacements, the only thing is that they are made in China by other companies (not Chevy). My guess is that these Chinese companies found out that enough people were interested in those old Camaros, that they ought to just make molds of every single factory part and sell them.

The parts are actually of very, very good quality too, almost indistinguishable from a true OE part. I'm talking everything from gauges to shifter bezels, if it's an OE part, you can get it!

If someone saw enough interest in older Jeeps in the future, something like that could happen. Crown seems to be doing something similar with some parts for our TJs.

True enough, that. If you can come up with a drivetrain, you can build a new CJ from scratch. It's all available to be ordered someplace. Frames, axles, tubs, glass...

 

[Chris]

True enough, that. If you can come up with a drivetrain, you can build a new CJ from scratch. It's all available to be ordered someplace. Frames, axles, tubs, glass...

The nice thing about these TJs is that the axles are super, super simple. I don't think you'll ever have an issue getting a part for the axle.

I think the worst things to find would probably be electronic sensors and stuff. Of course we are reasonably fortunate that the TJ doesn't have the same amount of electronics that the JK and JL have. Yes, there's still electronics, but it's pretty simple compared to the newer stuff.

Also, no power windows, power locks, or other BS to worry about. I'm thinking you can drive your TJ until the end of your days and never have to worry about it.

 

[Rob5589]

If you ever got to that point, I'd look into an engine swap to something newer. Hell, the small block Chevy will never go away.

 

[Phil Younger]

The nice thing about these TJs is that the axles are super, super simple. I don't think you'll ever have an issue getting a part for the axle.

I think the worst things to find would probably be electronic sensors and stuff. Of course we are reasonably fortunate that the TJ doesn't have the same amount of electronics that the JK and JL have. Yes, there's still electronics, but it's pretty simple compared to the newer stuff.

Also, no power windows, power locks, or other BS to worry about. I'm thinking you can drive your TJ until the end of your days and never have to worry about it.

Especially if you are as old as me and do not drive it in the winter:tiburon:

 

[Chris]

Especially if you are as old as me and do not drive it in the winter:tiburon:

Exactly! You can take it to the grave.

 

[Mike_H]

Well, there is always the conversion back to the carbureted manifold of the old 4.2 L. There are so many 4.0 and 4.2 engines in junkyards...They are almost as ubiquitous as a small block Chevy

 

[StG58]

I've checked into the 2.5 and it's pretty easy, and cheap, to strip all the electronics out of a 2.5 SE and go totally old school. You loose about 15 HP, but it should run and drive just fine.

 

[HongKongDrifter]

Yeah, indefinitely. I know a guy that collects classic cars and like Chris was saying (typing) there is a whole market for new manufactured parts for old vehicles. You won't be able to sell it for seven figures at Barret-Jackson but your progeny might still be wheelin' it when Kirk is exploring strange new worlds.

 

[StG58]

Yeah, indefinitely. I know a guy that collects classic cars and like Chris was saying (typing) there is a whole market for new manufactured parts for old vehicles. You won't be able to sell it for seven figures at Barret-Jackson but your progeny might still be wheelin' it when Kirk is exploring strange new worlds.

I wouldn't be so sure that 6 figures is out of reach. Rubihara? Golden Eagle? Willy's? Some of the strangest rides end up worth a grip o' cash.

The TJ has as big a following as the Corvette, so...

 

[Chris]

I've checked into the 2.5 and it's pretty easy, and cheap, to strip all the electronics out of a 2.5 SE and go totally old school. You loose about 15 HP, but it should run and drive just fine.

You could always just go Mad Max style too!

 

[StG58]

You could always just go Mad Max style too!

I've been giving some consideration to doing approximately that. @billiebob touched on it awhile ago. Strip it down, rig it up and go for it! One thing's for sure, doing that gives you a lot of leeway with forced air induction. And other mods. Remember the old 1400 VW pancake air cooled motors? Dirt simple. MIT got 900 HP out of one. For a few minutes. Things that make you go "hmmmm".

 

[Chris]

I've been giving some consideration to doing approximately that. @billiebob touched on it awhile ago. Strip it down, rig it up and go for it! One thing's for sure, doing that gives you a lot of leeway with forced air induction. And other mods. Remember the old 1400 VW pancake air cooled motors? Dirt simple. MIT got 900 HP out of one. For a few minutes. Things that make you go "hmmmm".

Oh yes... But remember how often you had to rebuild those old VW engines? Haha!

Probably much easier to rebuild one of those (being air-cooled and all), than your 2.5

 

[Davidtj]

This is just another reason to sell the TJ and buy a newer JK! :risas3:

Please donate all your old TJ to my good cause. I can send forwarding info.

 

[glwood]

Well, there is always the conversion back to the carbureted manifold of the old 4.2 L. There are so many 4.0 and 4.2 engines in junkyards...They are almost as ubiquitous as a small block Chevy

The average IQ of posters on this thread just went up about 50 points...

 

[crackedcornish]

This is just another reason to sell the TJ and buy a newer JK! :risas3:

I'll bet YJ's and TJ's will outlast the JK's with all their electronic crap tying everything together