Another What's it Worth? A 98 Magnum Swapped TJ

[Dan_Goodwin]

I'll start a new build thread on this once I actually have progress to post, but I am Magnum swapping my 97 TJ this winter and in the process of collecting parts managed to score a clean titled 98 TJ with a 5.2/44re from a GC sitting in it for $2k (this is in addition to the 99 Durango I already have). The plan is to use the 98 to mock up the swap so my 97 isn't down for long. I can always clean it up and get my money back, but where's the fun in that? Since I would have already done it once and have a second drivetrain, why not clean up the 98 and Magnum swap it as well? The deciding factor would be what it's worth after the swap. Around here its a $5k Jeep in the condition it's in now if it ran and drove and a decent LS swapped TJ is low to mid-teens, but is this really an apples to apples comparison?

Assuming I bought a 250 gallon tote of turd polish and elbow grease, what's this pile worth with a well done and well documented V8 and automatic trans? Basic build plans would be a 2.5" lift, 1.25" body lift, 33's, corner armor and tube fenders to cover up the ugly and a freshened up interior.

 

[Tray Burge]

That's 5K where you live in that condition if it ran?
Wow, I made off like a bandit then on mine!
Keep us updated.

 

[Apparition]

I wouldn't pay much extra for a V8 swapped rig unless it was professionally done. I feel I'd be taking on headaches that someone else doesn't want.

 

[Dan_Goodwin]

I wouldn't pay much extra for a V8 swapped rig unless it was professionally done. I feel I'd be taking on headaches that someone else doesn't want.

I'm glad you brought that up being done 'professionally'. Is it a requirement for 'professional' to come from a shop? What if they guy you bought the rig from handed you wiring diagrams, receipts, pictures, etc. that accompanied an OEM looking swap?

Not trying to be argumentative - I'm genuinely curious.

 

[Apparition]

I'm glad you brought that up being done 'professionally'. Is it a requirement for 'professional' to come from a shop? What if they guy you bought the rig from handed you wiring diagrams, receipts, pictures, etc. that accompanied an OEM looking swap?

Not trying to be argumentative - I'm genuinely curious.

Good question (FYI, I'm doing an LS swap now myself)

It'd have to be from someone who has a history of doing that work. Much like many won't buy the first year of a cars model year I wouldn't want the first V8 swap someone did, maybe the 10th might start adding some significant value.

So to another angle, documentation alone doesn't excite me but a history of experience with it would go a long ways.

I've made the comment before that an awful lot of V8 swapped vehicles get sold with few miles on them after the swap. It could be people who wanted a new project just as easy as it's someone who cut corners when the piggy bank went dry or it could be they can't figure it out so they want out.

 

[Tray Burge]

I'm glad you brought that up being done 'professionally'. Is it a requirement for 'professional' to come from a shop? What if they guy you bought the rig from handed you wiring diagrams, receipts, pictures, etc. that accompanied an OEM looking swap?

Not trying to be argumentative - I'm genuinely curious.

I think he's referring to a "shade tree mechanic" as opposed to someone with a shop, verifiable credentials and a warranty for that kind of money. Me too.

 

[Wildman]

Taking a rig to a "SHOP" doesn't always mean you will get a quality project back unfortunately.

I took my TJ to a SHOP to have the V-8 swap done because I was recovering from being wounded in Iraq. He'd sent me tons of pictures of the work he did plus a few customers. So I took it to him even though he was 8+ hours away from me. It was suppose to be done in 4 weeks. 12 weeks later I was still waiting for it. Then when I finally went to pick it up I show up and they are still working on it cause they can't get it to run.
I had to go thru 3 different PCM's before I finally got a good one.

This was what I ended up with. Now where near as nice as his pictures. PLUS I found wires that were missing from the wiring harness that needed to be installed. And crappy wiring period.
Other things like a fuel line that was too long & he'd originally told me it'd be a 46RE transmission but installed a 44RE instead.
Then kept blaming all the issues I was having on the STaK's transfer case.

So what is a V-8 swapped TJ worth? To the "RIGHT" person it might be worth a little more than a stock version. To most people I doubt they would think it's that great.
Most think a V-8 swapped TJ will get worse MPG than a I-6 TJ and many other miss truths.