Did I catch a Niner in there?

[BigDaveZJ]

Yeah I had been keeping an eye out for a 5.9 or really any nice V8 ZJ for quite some time. Actually had bought two others in the last 5-6 years that I ended up selling, but this niner is a keeper. Or just sell it for 2-3x what I paid for it lol.

[BigDaveZJ]

Well I managed to both fix it and break it today. Took the ps pump back to O'Reilly to try another one out. In the process of pressing the new pulley on I somehow managed to break a little cap off the back of the pump that helps seal the actual shaft of the pump. Best I can tell I put so much pressure on the shaft it pushed itself out the back of the pump. Oops. Figured since I already had the pulley on it I might as well try to slap it on and see if the pump was actually the problem. Turns out it was, but still is lol. Now to go get another pump and hope that I get a good one this time.

[Kraqa]

Man I can’t remember how many pumps I swapped in my ZJ before I got one that didn’t leak. You get to the point where you can change then pretty quick!

[BigDaveZJ]

I think I'm under 10 minutes at this point!

Unsure of the mileage on the plugs, but I pulled them for new ones anyways. Old ones dont look too bad.

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[OverkillZJ]

I miss doing that.. those things are the easiest plug change I've ever done! I've been looking for a 5.9, you're not kidding when you said they're hard to find in relatively decent condition...

[BigDaveZJ]

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ct...732524403.html

He's asking what I paid for mine, with 60k more miles, rust, and what's probably not just a blown head gasket. It'd be fun to find one somewhere, fly out there and drive it back like they do with stuff on Roadkill.

[Yjsaabman717]

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ct...732524403.html

He's asking what I paid for mine, with 60k more miles, rust, and what's probably not just a blown head gasket. It'd be fun to find one somewhere, fly out there and drive it back like they do with stuff on Roadkill.

Did that with my BMW (St. Louis, MO to Harrisburg, PA) and did that in Westfalia Eurovan a buddy bought (South Dakota to central PA). Its a good time, great to see parts of the country you haven't seen, etc. Definitely something I recommend if you can swing it. With the hard to find nature of a 5.9 Limited it's a good candidate. Though not that one in Pittsburgh.

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[Yjsaabman717]

Here's one the owner thinks the world of. They also seem a little confused on the rear traction aid...is it an Eaton posi unit, or an ARB? Maybe an E-locker...

https://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto...742186698.html

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[BigDaveZJ]

There's one that someone posted in a FB group on eBay with a STARTING bid of like $2500 that has over 200k miles and quite a few different problems. It's crazy what some people are asking for these.

[Ken L]

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/...739672068.html

Dave, here is proof of your statement

[Yjsaabman717]

These people obviously aren't in a hurry to sell them. They are 20 years old, now, so that makes them "classic" so the value goes up, right? :rollseyes:

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[BigDaveZJ]

There is some "truth" in the classic thing. I also have a 92 GMC Typhoon, and those are definitely seeing an increase in value as a lot of 80's/90's kids grow up and have disposable income to throw at the cars of our youth. Much like the classics of the 60's and early 70's skyrocketed in value as the Boomers got older. 5.9's should definitely hold their value and be worth more than any other comparable condition ZJ, but they really aren't THAT rare and people are still asking a lot for them. I bought my Typhoon 3 years ago with 122k on it for a little over $8,000 and had to search out of state to find one. It was certainly in worse shape than my 5.9 too. A really clean Sy/Ty with low miles can easily fetch $20k or more these days.

[Yjsaabman717]

They are also much more of a specialty/collector vehicle. My 2003 BMW 325i wagon is one of less than 3000 built for the US market throughout the model run (2000-2005) with rwd and a manual transmission, but do to it's current age and market, it is still depreciating. I paid a premium for it and traveled out of state for it, as I was searching for something very specific that's hard to find in an area that sees winters and awd rules.

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[BigDaveZJ]

Oh for sure, no argument there, the Typhoon is one of less than 5,000 and at 25 years old a lot of them are thrashed. Or worse, LS swapped. The 5.9 has some collector value to it to hardcore Jeep-heads, especially ZJ guys, but not nearly enough to justify some of these prices.

[Yjsaabman717]

At least not yet.

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[OverkillZJ]

If I came across one in decent condition for a fair price, I'd totally fly out to get it... I don't mind the usual maintenance stuff, and even patching in some rust sections in the usual sections we're all aware of, but I don't want to do a motor swap or head gasket. THey really are so hard to find in decent condition. I miss mine, that was a freak accident that killed it (parking pin failed and it ran itself down my property into a tree.)

[BigDaveZJ]

I wouldn't fly somewhere to get one that needed a head gasket as I wouldn't trust it for the drove back. But if it was local and the price was right and I trusted the diagnosis I'd be good with it. Lots of other stuff can be addressed going in that far that is prone to problems like the plenum gasket.

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[BigDaveZJ]

The 5.9 is going to grow up a bit tomorrow. It needs new shocks and tires, so I'm going to throw a BB on it to give it a little better stance while I'm at it. I'm going to go with 245/75R16 Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10's. They're only $118 a tire and I had them on my F250 and they performed great as a DD/snow tire.

[BigDaveZJ]

Little over 3 hours for the BB and shocks with only a little help from Pam. Not too shabby. Will look even better with the bigger meats.

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[Yjsaabman717]

You had better luck than me, then. I barely looked at one of the brake lines on the rear axle and it started leaking. I also still have a front bump stop to install, those things are a PITA!

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[BigDaveZJ]

I always just rub a little grease on the bumpstop and it slides right in.

[Yjsaabman717]

I always just rub a little grease on the bumpstop and it slides right in.

One side popped right in, but the other side has been fighting tooth and nail. I tapered the top edge, had it all lubed up, etc. Will give it a go again when I swap the axles out .

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[BigDaveZJ]

Weird, I've never had a problem with them. Although I've always put them back in with the springs out, much easier that way. Maybe try warming it up a bit too? Not like a torch, but put it in some hot water or something?

[Yjsaabman717]

They are extended urethane ones, and I couldn't get the springs back in with them in. They came with the BB. That's why I think I'll have better luck when I swap axles, as I'll be able to do it with the spring out.

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[Ken L]

Are you using the axle to push the bump stop in or trying to do it by hand or with a hammer? I've had the best luck installing bump stops by getting them started and then jacking up the axle to push them in. That uses the body weight of the Jeep to push them in. After fighting them using every other method, jacking up the axle has by far been the easiest.