Junkyard radar

[Car Enthusiast]

Wondering if there was a list or thread on things we should look for when we are junkyard diving mostly from the XJ side of things. I have block leave starting and I want to go pick up some 10 slot rims and I am going to try to make a Pete style trip out of it.

[Pete M]

that would be heavily dependent on what you're looking for; parts for you, or parts to sell, or parts to save from the crusher? 

 

also how much money you're willing to throw at this.  buying a whole XJ can save a ton of cash over junkyard prices if the plan is reselling stuff.

[Torq_Shep]

There are some awesome parts that should always be grabbed but most of it is highly dependent on what you plan on (sale or keep).

[eaglescout526]

Anything Renix is worth grabbing. 

[Car Enthusiast]

Save from the crusher or things guys want really. 

 

If I am going to sell stuff I just buy whole XJs and try to part them out.

[Pete M]

renix things that are plugged in are worth while.  pretty much anything that's at the end of a wire other than the headlights.  

 

[schardein]

I have to admit, I came here hoping for a radar system from junkyard parts.

 

By no means all inclusive, but here are some notes currently on my phone, reminders of parts to remember to look out for.  Some are for personal projects, some others are looking for, some are generally sought after, some is reference info in case I find a part and need to ID it.

 

MJ/XJ

D30 disc brake rotors 1990-1999 height 3.2”, 84-89 3”

2wd front dust cap

Bucket seat headrest mount

Delay wiper module

Center cap/spare wheel

Power mirror switch

Speedo gears

96-99 xj high pinion non cad Dana 30 1.18" vs 1.06" u-joint cap

Front driveshaft

93-98 v8 ZJ tie rod, steering box

28mm swaybar 87-90 XJ w/tow hitch

Dual diaphragm brake booster 95-96 XJ

Heater fan switch

Door window switches

Door lower edge wind guards

Dome light retaining clips

Aux trans cooler

Radiator

242 gate and bezel

Door check

Oil and water sending units

Rear sway bar bushings

Manual window regulators

89-90 ECU ending in 428 or 429

89-90 TCU

Rear driveshaft 53005008, 8205, 9059, 8814

Gray visors w lighted mirrors

NS switch

[gogmorgo]

8 minutes ago, schardein said:

I have to admit, I came here hoping for a radar system from junkyard parts.

Yeah me too. Got some comments on a couple things on your list though, not necessarily for you but for someone else who might not be as familiar.  

11 minutes ago, schardein said:

D30 disc brake rotors 1990-1999 height 3.2”, 84-89 3”

Maybe if they look brand new, swapped out a week before the Jeep hit the junkyard. Most used brake parts aren’t worth having if you don’t know the history, and these are still very available new. It’s also very easy to damage or warp them if they’re even a little seized on, so at the very least you’ll want to have them turned in a lathe before running them, which is starting to become a lost art.

 

93-98 v8 ZJ tie rod, steering box

28mm swaybar 87-90 XJ w/tow hitch

The ZJ sway bar is also 28mm and a direct fit if you want more roll control.

 

Heater fan switch

Heater fan switches are also available new and reasonably cheaply. Like the headlight switch, these like to burn the switch contacts and catch fire as they age. Not worry the risk of running a used one, in my mind.

 

Radiator

This is another “maybe if it looks brand new” thing. In cold climates that see road salt, they corrode from the outside. In warm climates where you can get away with running pond water in the cooling system because it doesn’t matter if you plug the heater and there’s no chance of freezing the coolant, they corrode from the inside and plug up. I’ve had to change the radiator in every Jeep I owned and have driven, and those were all actively being driven not long before I bought them, so I’m not optimistic about what’s in the junkyard. Personal preference but I’d rather just buy new. 

 

[schardein]

44 minutes ago, gogmorgo said:

Yeah me too. Got some comments on a couple things on your list though, not necessarily for you but for someone else who might not be as familiar.  

 

All good points.  I've found brand new rotors (and alternators, starters, radiators, pinion yokes, pinion seals, fan belts, Hella headlights, Dewalt 20v cordless sawzall, etc) in the junkyard before. I didn't have a good cell signal to look up year interchange, so I passed, which turned out to be the right call.  Just added the height info for reference.

 

I've got an aftermarket full aluminum XJ/MJ radiator in the shop (from the JY) but it is missing the AT cooler fittings and the threads aren't the same as factory.  Be perfect for someone with a manual trans though.

 

The heater fan switch, I was really looking for an undamaged connector, as it's common to see them melted.  I'm not looking for those anymore.

 

I've heard the ZJ sway bars interchange.  The parts manual does show them as different part numbers.  I've got the XJ 28mm bars on my XJ and MJ and it does make a noticeable difference, from both the 26mm bar that was on my XJ and the 24mm that was on my MJ.

 

My "Junkyard notes" on my phone is about 4 times as long, I just narrowed it down to the XJ/MJ stuff.