I am looking to buy a TJ. It will be my daily driver for a couple of years while my son and I build it into a trail/expedition Jeep. What should I be looking for as a pursue buying my first Wrangler?
I would defiantly recommend a Wrangler that is competently stock or mostly. It leaves less things that could go wrong with the jeep (you never can know if the previous owner did). And if you can afford it I would definitely go with a Rubicon version. That one thing I wish I would have done with my tj but I didn't know at the time they made a Rubicon version of the tj and it usually just a little more than a regular tj.
There are a few things to watch for,I found out, Mileage! I bought the 65 anv model it had 87.000 miles, watch that cam/oil pump modual, they usually crap out between 80 and 100 miles, also the rear engine seal, suffers the same, I have changed my starter, cam modual, had a two year old battery in it, Sears and I had to change that. I guess that's not bad for a used vehicle, I like it,fun to drive, fuel milage is nothing to write home about. Just my thoughts
By a jeep from the south. My 03 looks immaculate, 0 rust. No leaks. Fixing leaks and such drains your bank account and not in a good way like a lift and tires.
I'm looking to buy a TJ as well and I'm sticking mainly to 97-99 years as the newer 2000+ have different heads that has been known to crack and leak coolant.
I really wanted a hard top, but my first jeep I got had a soft top, then a year later after an accident got one with a hard top. There's pluses and minuses to both. Having had one each, it's 50/50 for me.
As some have said.... No Rust, low miles, 4.0, the more stock the better, with A/C, clean title, and for me a must was avoid the 3.07 rear gear. Having had two with D35 read end, if I had to do it again I would wait for a deal with a D44.
I've bought two and both I took to a local jeep dealer to have checked out first. Highly recommend doing that.
I did a post on my experience, with the TJ, Rubi, I don't know, I drove a 2015 Rubi from Alabama to Colorado, nice radio, nice ride. Automatic, seem to handle the Rocky Mountains ok took her to Steamboat Springs. 4 door model, leather interior, seris, GPS, power windows, heated seats, lombar, really not a vehicle I would buy for sure, I didn't like that slanted grill, had funky locking gas cap, had instructions followed them but that didn't work. Took 3 hands to operate,and I only got Two. I think the key was not right, would only go part way In the cap. My first fuel stop took almost 2 hours because of the locking gas cap.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ask a question
Ask a question
Jeep Wrangler Forum
9M posts
468K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, trail riding, gear, suspension, tires, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, for all JL, JT, JK, TJ, YJ, and CJ models!