derf

The new 8 speed ZF transmissions are great. I have on ein my JL and it really does well. I wouldn't try to swap one on to an older engine. When it comes to newer engines and transmissions, the electronics make swaps inconvenient at best. If I were doing a full engine/trans/tcase swap and keeping everything together, that would be different.

Could be a leak that only shows itself at operating temperature. Could be a head gasket leaking into a cylinder. What does the oil look like? If it has the look of a milkshake, that's where the coolant is going.

Auto parts store will have tubes of thread sealant. Usually next to the RTV and threadlocker.

Shouldn't be. They're just bolted to a bracket. Sometimes the bolt is a reverse thread. You do need a special tool to pull the pulley off the power steering pump. But the others are just regular bolts.

Could be an idler pulley bearing. Those do go bad eventually.

The fans are in the way so I'd pull them. A couple of things to do while you are in there: 1. Replace the thermostat. The coolant is drained and you have everything out of the way so now is the time for that. 2. Replace the rest of the hoses if you haven't already. If one was bad, it's likely others need to be replaced as well. 3. Check the belt and replace as needed. 4. Check the idler pulley and fan pulley. Replace if they're not spinning smoothly.

So not as firm on the price as he wanted to be. If you can talk him down a little more, the price becomes a lot more reasonable.

Not $85K. Or even $50K. But more than $20K. It's just too bad it's an ugly color.

This. Though I voted the Spicer 18 to keep the offset rear output to match the axle. If the axle is changed for a center differential, I'd change to either a Dana 20 or NP205. Also, the short flat fender will have a tough time fitting a longer transmission. Some of those options like the 700R4 may take a lot of customizing to fit.

Next you'll tell me it's the perfect companion for my Comanche Chief project....

You're not helping.

I have too many projects as it is... I have too many projects as it is... I have too many projects as it is... What does he want for it?

Agreed. For $17K, I would expect that it needs absolutely nothing. There should be all new hoses and belts, new tires, maybe even a few new engine gaskets/seals. Without that, I would lower the price I'm willing to pay. It would suck to lose out on an opportunity to have a clean XJ like that, but in the end it's just a 26 year old XJ.

Definitely looks clean and in good shape.

Assuming the mileage isn't altered, and a thorough inspection checks out, it would be a good candidate. I'm not sure $17,000 is entirely reasonable though.

Also, just as a heads up, you'll see 4.09, 4.10, and 4.11 gears for different axles. They are close enough to each other they can be used together. A Dana 30 may have 4.11 (37 ring teeth and 9 pinion teeth) while a Dana 44 may have 4.10 (41/10) or 4.09 (45/11). As long as the ratios are within 1% of each other, it's fine to use them together.

I learned the hard way.

Be wary of the SVL gears. That's Dana's budget line. They are lower quality than regular Dana gears. They are harder to set up properly than quality gears. I won't use SVL gears in any axle again. Speaking of setting up the gears, who is doing the setup? You or a shop? If you've never set up gears before I would recommend doing some research on the tools you will need and the process to do it. Most people can do it but it takes a lot of time to get it right.

X3 on staying away from used gears. There is a reason shops won't install them. The carrier could work but the locker is a bit janky to begin with. Add 20 years and it's probably not worth the effort to install. Sure the carrier would fit. It probably won't lock at all and the limited slip part of the diff is likely worn out. For my MJ project on 31s I'm going with TrueTracs front and rear.

It is a dad joke for sure...

A faux pas, if you will...