'87 4x4 Cherokee 4dr 4.0L I6 (auto) cammed (passes smog, runs fine most of the time), CAI, exhaust (stock manifolds I think), trans cooler, trans temp gauge (built trans too, I'm guessing..). Ignition key and cylinder(?) has been replaced and is not stock. Engine has been rebuilt at least once. Battery is a year old but the vehicle can sit for a week (no longer) at a time before being started - in addition it's in the desert with extreme temperatures (35 at night to 85 in the daylight - same day). 414,xxx miles.

Two important things:
1) Randomly stalls while driving and subsequently has difficulty trying to start (or just won't). Usually happens while at very low-speeds (either idling or close to it). Emphasis on the difficulty trying to start afterwards.

2) Key no longer turns all the way to start the car... Will turn right up until the engagement point for it to engage the starter and turn the engine... It's like it's locked internally and preventing the key from turning any further (but the steering wheel is unlocked, can shift gears, etc.). Happens regardless of what the shifter is set to (P,R,N,D,etc.) Is it something stupid like the wire going to the trans to check if it's in Park, or is it just time to get a new lock cylinder and key?

Couple more things:

1) Anybody know of any good body shops/welders in the 29 Palms/Yucca Valley/Palm Springs area? Two welds broke on this thing (one on a glider, and one where the back seat mounts to the body (yes the weld for the back seat broke... can see daylight from inside)

2) Anybody know of some Jeep wrecking yards or repair specialists here in SoCal (OC, Riverside, Oceanside, Palm Springs, LA)?

If you're wondering why I bother on a vehicle with 400k miles... It was only $2k, ran, and was almost fully modified (upgrading would mean a cage and a winch, and heavy-duty bumpers).

Edit: I have to say though, an LSx swap would be BAD ***!

 

it sounds like your stalling problem has something to do with your lock cylinder not staying in the run position, and then you mentioned its hard to get the thing to rotate all the way over sometimes, i bet thats your problem, you can fix it with a new ignition cylinder, you may have to pull the steering wheel to get it out, its easy you can rent the tool from an autozone or such.

as for the welding the only thing i can think of is paying a mobile welder to come out and do it, or driving it to coachella or somewhere closer, look in the yellow pages for something like trailer repair, or mobile hitch, or truck hitches, or even a muffler shop, just someone that knows how to weld and has one is all you need. you dont need a 'jeep" expert per say.

 

Sounds like you have a fuel problem, was the pump upgraded? Ive dealt with fuel problems on the cherrokees, not very fun. As for the lock, id get a new lock and tumbler for it.

 

The stalling problem was happening long before I had the lock cylinder problem. The lock cylinder problem happened yesterday and it won't engage to try to start the vehicle... at all. I got my dad to help me tow it back the 200 ft. to the house. But, now that I think of it... I remember that it may have been happening a while ago too but only once in a long while. Guh. I will replace the lock cylinder and see what happens.

The Jeep expert was for other little things that I don't need to bug you guys with. Parts like door locks, interior trim, fixing another broken body mount, etc...

I think the fuel pump was replaced - just not by me. The pump SEEMS to be working fine. Always turns on when I set the key to "Run". When I try to re-start the car after stalling it turns over but won't catch - almost seems like it's flooding. When I check the valve on the fuel rail after it not starting, fuel sprays out... Don't have a pressure gauge to test.

 

Talked with my dad. He's had it stall on him plenty of times apparently. He says it stalls out, and then it's flooded and won't start up again...