2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee body swap?

[encorehunter]

After a rough week I am goin to have to fix my wife's Jeep. She had a close experience with a tree. Everyone is fine, no injuries, just a little shook up. I am going to Broomfield tomorrow to pick up another 2003 with a bad motor for parts. I have to replace the front fender and both passenger side doors, the paint whole jeep or just the three parts. I have everything to paint, so that isn't a big deal to me.
Here is the dilemma. The new jeep is a limited vs our Laredo. Nice leather interior, fully painted trim and body. It is a 4x2, ours is a 4x4 so motor swap is out. Is it worth the trouble to swap out entire body onto our chassis?

[encorehunter]

6205462055

[Danimal]

Deleted

[Grant H.]

Back up...

Jeep Grand Cherokee's are uni-body vehicles. The body is the frame. You can't swap the "body".

4x4 to 4x2 does not necessarily prevent a motor swap. If the motor is the same (likely) it's a straight drop in.

Swapping the whole drivetrain in is also an option, but may require some "custom" work for the 4wd shifter.

[newracer]

Back up...

Jeep Grand Cherokee's are uni-body vehicles. The body is the frame. You can't swap the "body".

4x4 to 4x2 does not necessarily prevent a motor swap. If the motor is the same (likely) it's a straight drop in.

Swapping the whole drivetrain in is also an option, but may require some "custom" work for the 4wd shifter.

This. I'd swap the entire drive train from the 4x4 to the 4x2. The only difficulty I can think of is you might need to swap the computer as well.

[encorehunter]

We have to have 4x4 where we live. I guess I will just be replacing the fender and doors then.

As to the lift, it gets bad enough fuel mileage now. I hate to dump a lot of money into a vehicle thats only worth a couple thousand dolars.

[Irving]

They aren't saying to keep it 4x2, they are suggesting changing it the drive train altogether.

[encorehunter]

Found this thread about swapping a 4x2 to 4x4. It makes it sound fairly easy, though I would have to swap motor as well. It doesn't say anything about changing computers. It will make it rough not having a garage at the new house and having winter coming up.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f197/drwolcots-2wd-4wd-swap-build-thread-pictures-995883/

[newracer]

Not having a garage would suck. A co-worker did this exact thing a few weeks ago with two Ford Explorers. He hit a moose and smashed up the front of one really bad. Bought a nice Eddy Bauer Edition with a bad tranny and motor. Swapped the motor and tranny from the smashed one into the Edie Bauer one. Got it all done in a weekend. You would also be swapping a front axle but it should bolt right in.

You could also just swap body panels as you originally planned. Then swap out interior parts as you wish and as time allows. Start with the leather seats.

[encorehunter]

You could also just swap body panels as you originally planned. Then swap out interior parts as you wish and as time allows. Start with the leather seats.

I think this is what I am going to end up doing. Rhino line and paint it what ever color she wants. This way it is drivable in a day and I get my big truck back. She can drive it different colors for a few days. As you said, interior starts with the leather seats.

[crays]

I think this is what I am going to end up doing. Rhino line and paint it what ever color she wants. This way it is drivable in a day and I get my big truck back. She can drive it different colors for a few days. As you said, interior starts with the leather seats.

Not only that, but if you swap the drivetrains, you'll have to register the "new" jeep.

[SideShow Bob]

The bad part of putting the premium interior into the 4x4 is if the premium stuff is powered / heated seats and the standard is non-heated /powered, you will not have the proper wiring harness to match up and adjust the power seats, or utilize the heat option.

[encorehunter]

The bad part of putting the premium interior into the 4x4 is if the premium stuff is powered / heated seats and the standard is non-heated /powered, you will not have the proper wiring harness to match up and adjust the power seats, or utilize the heat option.

I do have power seats all ready, but I don't know if it has the extra wire/wires for the heated option. I have seen a white plug under the seat that is not connected to anything. Both seats function normally without it plugged in, so I haven't messed with it.

[encorehunter]

Well, I learned a few things today. I was dumb enough enter Denver traffic at 2:00 this afternoon and drive in it until 5:00 this evening pulling a 24 foot trailer. It was a stressful trip to say the least. I don't know how you guys can stand it up there.

[rondog]

Personally, I'd just sell it for what I could get for it and get another vehicle. Not worth the work, trouble, sweat, $$$$ and aggravation to try and fix an old busted up vehicle that needs to be dependable for my wife to drive. Especially doing it in cold weather. Now fixing it up to be an off-road beater is another story.

But that's just my opinion and worth what ya paid for it..... And I'm a Cheap Old Bastard that'll do anything to keep my junk running before buying something else, up to a point. When it gets to the point of body surgery and swapping major parts and shit, I'll toss in the towel and tap out. Fuckabunchathat.

[Irving]

Good point Ron. Say, why don't you sell him your Willys? :p

[rondog]

[hahhah-no]