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YACT

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upsciLLion

Diamond Member
I'm looking into buying a Jeep Wrangler. There's all the obvious places like Autotrader.com, Craigslist.org, and the local papers. Are there any other places I should look? Are police/repo auctions good places to look, or is the quality of the vehicles too questionable?

Thanks in advance!
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Buy mine!
Click to expand...

I don't think I can quite afford it, but thanks. 🙂

You seem experienced enough with Jeeps from what I've seen in the forums. Do you recommend any year over any other? What about the engines and drivetrains?
 
Get a 4.0L if you can. It is bulletproof. There quite a price difference but a 2.5L isn't known for it's durability. Auto or stick depends on the year. Early manual transmissions where very weak. I don't think that they got that right until 2000. Automatics are tried and true, they've stood the test of time and are quite strong.

Stay away from 87-90 (I think, maybe 89). That means the engine is a carbed 258, it's slow and finicky.

If you can swing a 97, do it. TJs(97-06) are much more civilized than YJs (87-95).

Early TJs rarely came with AC.

Make sure to get at least full doors. Half doors suck in the winter.

Listen closely for whining from the axles/ujoints/transfer case. Many drivers aren't used to 4WD vehicles and didn't give them the necessary upkeep, such as fluid changes and lubes.



 
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
How much extra should I expect to pay for a TJ with a hard top and AC?
Click to expand...

I'd say $6500 or so for a 97, if you can find one.
Click to expand...

Is that mostly stock or somewhat built?
Click to expand...

Either way.

Very rarely does modding it increase the value. If I could, I'd drop mine back to stock and then sell off the parts, but that would be a massive PITA.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
How much extra should I expect to pay for a TJ with a hard top and AC?
Click to expand...

I'd say $6500 or so for a 97, if you can find one.
Click to expand...

Is that mostly stock or somewhat built?
Click to expand...

Either way.

Very rarely does modding it increase the value. If I could, I'd drop mine back to stock and then sell off the parts, but that would be a massive PITA.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. I guess that's why my dad got pissed when my brother built his XJ and put 33s on it. 😛

What's the top cut off point for mileage that I should be looking for?
 
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
How much extra should I expect to pay for a TJ with a hard top and AC?
Click to expand...

I'd say $6500 or so for a 97, if you can find one.
Click to expand...

Is that mostly stock or somewhat built?
Click to expand...

Either way.

Very rarely does modding it increase the value. If I could, I'd drop mine back to stock and then sell off the parts, but that would be a massive PITA.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. I guess that's why my dad got pissed when my brother built his XJ and put 33s on it. 😛

What's the top cut off point for mileage that I should be looking for?
Click to expand...

On a 4.0L I wouldn't be concerned with 150k+, as long as the wear and tear items have been replaced. You'd probably be needing a new radiator by that time, ensure that the ujoints are all fresh. Especially make sure that the front driveshaft is in good condition. Thats a CV joint and when it fails it tends to take out the transfer case and transmission case.

 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
On a 4.0L I wouldn't be concerned with 150k+, as long as the wear and tear items have been replaced. You'd probably be needing a new radiator by that time, ensure that the ujoints are all fresh. Especially make sure that the front driveshaft is in good condition. Thats a CV joint and when it fails it tends to take out the transfer case and transmission case.
Click to expand...

Is this all stuff my brother, v3rrv3, who I think you know, would be aware of? I'm pretty sure he'll be helping me pick one out.
 
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
On a 4.0L I wouldn't be concerned with 150k+, as long as the wear and tear items have been replaced. You'd probably be needing a new radiator by that time, ensure that the ujoints are all fresh. Especially make sure that the front driveshaft is in good condition. Thats a CV joint and when it fails it tends to take out the transfer case and transmission case.
Click to expand...

Is this all stuff my brother, v3rrv3, who I think you know, would be aware of? I'm pretty sure he'll be helping me pick one out.
Click to expand...

Hopefully 😉

Because so many parts are shared across the platforms, XJs, TJs, and ZJs have a lot of similar problems, like leaky steering pumps or Throttle Position Sensors that tend to get mucked up.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
On a 4.0L I wouldn't be concerned with 150k+, as long as the wear and tear items have been replaced. You'd probably be needing a new radiator by that time, ensure that the ujoints are all fresh. Especially make sure that the front driveshaft is in good condition. Thats a CV joint and when it fails it tends to take out the transfer case and transmission case.
Click to expand...

Is this all stuff my brother, v3rrv3, who I think you know, would be aware of? I'm pretty sure he'll be helping me pick one out.
Click to expand...

Hopefully 😉

Because so many parts are shared across the platforms, XJs, TJs, and ZJs have a lot of similar problems, like leaky steering pumps or Throttle Position Sensors that tend to get mucked up.
Click to expand...

Sweet. Then I have a seasoned mechanic to help me when I need to work on my rig. 😉

Does anybody else have any recommendations for where to look?
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
How much extra should I expect to pay for a TJ with a hard top and AC?
Click to expand...
I'd say $6500 or so for a 97, if you can find one.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's really good resale value for a 9-year-old Jeep that cost $22K to begin with. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: jumpr
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
How much extra should I expect to pay for a TJ with a hard top and AC?
Click to expand...
I'd say $6500 or so for a 97, if you can find one.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's really good resale value for a 9-year-old Jeep that cost $22K to begin with. 🙂
Click to expand...

It pisses me off because I want one so bad. 😛
 
Originally posted by: jumpr
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
How much extra should I expect to pay for a TJ with a hard top and AC?
Click to expand...
I'd say $6500 or so for a 97, if you can find one.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's really good resale value for a 9-year-old Jeep that cost $22K to begin with. 🙂
Click to expand...

Yep, you are lucky to find a 91 and up for under $4000 in acceptable condition. Wranglers hold their value well.
 
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