Jeep Wrangler: What to look for...

[TheHaze]

I'm looking at a lifted Jeep Sahara tomorrow, but I'm unsure what to look for. It's a '99 with 90k miles. It seems extremely clean and well taken care of, but the fact that it's lifted and has other suspension mods makes me feel somewhat uneasy. What are some typical things to look at on these? What should I pay attention to when test driving it?

[RedRocket1647545505]

Ball joints, tie-rod ends, any bushings, wheel bearings. Any play in the steering or suspension whilst driving down the road. Lifted/big tired trucks are hard on this type of stuff.

[wnaplay1647545503]

Even a well built suspension on a vehicle like this can still feel like your driving a tank. Set-ups for different applications of 4x4ing can ride very differently.

[NOS50]

How much is it lifted?What brand of lift?Who installed the lift?

[TheHaze]

What's the difference between all of the models or trims like Sahara and Rubicon?

[TheHaze]

I didn't realize they had an Autotrader ad for it:

 

Autotrader

 

Is it typically of large concern with consumers looking at Jeeps like this? Are they fairly reliable if purchased like this?

[TheHaze]

...and obviously I'm not set on that Jeep. I want some ideas from the Jeep guys.

[Mitch]

97-06 TJ model main differences ALL TJ's were 4wd none came with power windows or locks. All had command trac transfer cases with 2wheel, Neutral 4hi and 4lo

 

SE stripped 4cyl.

 

X came in later in the TJ life cycle. Bridged the gap between the 6 cylinder sport and 4 cyl SE. It had the I6 but generally had less options than the sport. Usually steel wheels, no foglamps. less options and a generally lower price point than the sport.

 

Sport 6cyl Just a higher trim level, usually had nice 15 inch wheels

 

Sahara 6 cyl body color side fender flares and usually had the step. Usually had all the options.

 

Ruby 6 cyl locking diffs and bigger tires stock. 16 inch wheels. This model became available mid generation. It got slightly less mpg (very slightly, like 18hwy instead of 19) Ruby's could be optioned with just about anything.

 

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=883112

 

Its a FAQ for TJ noobs.

[schmuckingham]

look for a grinding gears in the mauals and a slipping auto. Also if it has stock wheels they tend to crack but its cheap to fix.

 

Also make sure if it lifted that the slip yoke eliminator has been done or corrected.

[Mitch]

Looking at the autotrader ad, there's a few things I would mention to get them to lower the price. The rear "bumperettes" are worthless. There is no carpet and there should be a back seat. The front seats don't look like stock sahara seats. Saharas came with seats like these most commonly, but I did find pics of one with similar seats so I might be wrong.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=237523474&dealer_id=617730&car_year=1998&model=WRANGLER&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1997&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&first_record=51&make=JEEP&keywords_display=&color=&scarid=250484918&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=43017&advanced=&end_year=2006&pager.offset=50&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=11

 

SWB jeeps have short driveshafts. Too large of a lift without going to a CV driveshaft can cause problems with vibes and diffs as was previously mentioned.

 

I also forgot to include the LJ unlimited that was just a longer wheelbase.

 

One more thing, if you test drive it be sure to take it on the highway. The bigger tires rob power on the freeway big time if they didn't do a gear change.

[Kevin R.]

On a totally related yet un-related note; that is a badass Jeep.

[TheHaze]

Looking at the autotrader ad, there's a few things I would mention to get them to lower the price. The rear "bumperettes" are worthless. There is no carpet and there should be a back seat. The front seats don't look like stock sahara seats. Saharas came with seats like these most commonly, but I did find pics of one with similar seats so I might be wrong.

So just at a quick look-over without driving, does it appear okay? If everything turns out fine when I drive it, what would be a good starting point for negotiating price?

[John Bruh]

you should come look at the one i'm selling. 2003 with 23k miles. 5spd 14,950

[Drewhop]

If you purchase this jeep it might offset the fact that you also drive a Mini Cooper. Cause that is one badass looking Jeep. If you actually off-road it I will speak with the Man club and see if we cant get your card back for you.

[LuGie]

holy ugly fawkin body lift batman! looks like that thing drove through quadratec with the crap magnet on.

 

not trying to ruin your day, but the springs are saggy as hell, the rear bumperettes say 1980, and the body lift is queer.

 

I paid less for my 98 TJ when I bought it in 2001. Keep looking. If you need hel-p, I know of several sitting around. and for reference here is an old pic of my junk.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/lugie/iroksm.jpg

 

edit: what too look for; body lifts are a cheap way to mall crawler status. The rear driveshaft will be an issue I guarantee it's still a slip yoke. The rear diff is a D35. (I'm guessing your a car guy, 33's on a D35 is like slicks on a 10bolt with 400hp :boom: ). the shocks are cheap, the springs are skyjackers. The spring rate isn't good. You'd be WAY better off finding a stock ride, in one afternoon you could have a better driver and trailrig with minimal investment.

[TheHaze]

holy ugly fawkin body lift batman! looks like that thing drove through quadratec with the crap magnet on.

 

not trying to ruin your day, but the springs are saggy as hell, the rear bumperettes say 1980, and the body lift is queer.

 

edit: what too look for; body lifts are a cheap way to mall crawler status. The rear driveshaft will be an issue I guarantee it's still a slip yoke. The rear diff is a D35. (I'm guessing your a car guy, 33's on a D35 is like slicks on a 10bolt with 400hp :boom: ). the shocks are cheap, the springs are skyjackers. The spring rate isn't good. You'd be WAY better off finding a stock ride, in one afternoon you could have a better driver and trailrig with minimal investment.

I like how it looks.

 

Otherwise, thanks for the info. I couldn't look at it today because their power was out and the keys were in an electronic drop-box. I don't plan on buying it for that price so if they don't drop much, I'll be looking elsewhere.

[LuGie]

I like how it looks.

 

Otherwise, thanks for the info. I couldn't look at it today because their power was out and the keys were in an electronic drop-box. I don't plan on buying it for that price so if they don't drop much, I'll be looking elsewhere.

 

forget the looks then, and figure $300 for some decent springs, and $250 for some decent shocks if you plan on driving it much, or will let a wife/SO drive it.

 

check the tracbars as well, with a lift they should be addressed, feel for signs of bumpsteer as well. use them as bargaining points. quick easy fixes.

[TheHaze]

forget the looks then, and figure $300 for some decent springs, and $250 for some decent shocks if you plan on driving it much, or will let a wife/SO drive it.

 

check the tracbars as well, with a lift they should be addressed, feel for signs of bumpsteer as well. use them as bargaining points. quick easy fixes.

What do you think that Jeep should go for after negotiating?

[John Bruh]

What do you think that Jeep should go for after negotiating?

 

those jeeps sell at auction for around 5500 with 110-120k miles. so depending on how much they have invested in it, you might only get a couple hundred off.

[LuGie]

as are as mods, that TJ doesn't have anything worth much money added. probably $400 lift kit, $150 body lift, and $200 in stainless stuff. I'd say market 7500-8500. unless the miles are really low(didn't pay attention).

[Drewhop]

Here is a good example of what you could get for less then 10,900

 

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=596708

 

I prefer tracking vehicles down that are owned by enthusiasts.

[FourString]

I will state the obvious. Look for frame rust.

[kirks5oh]

if you're not looking for a lifted jeep--my parents have a fully loaded '99 wrangler with bad wheel bearings that they're probably looking to get rid of. the car is completely unabused, with probably 60k-ish miles on it, and has been driven to work by my mom for the last several years. my brother drove it for 2 years in high school, and never took it off roading even once. its a manual, and has the bigger wheels, steeper rear gears, and the 6 cylinder.

[AngryBMW]

if you're not looking for a lifted jeep--my parents have a fully loaded '99 wrangler with bad wheel bearings that they're probably looking to get rid of. the car is completely unabused, with probably 60k-ish miles on it, and has been driven to work by my mom for the last several years. my brother drove it for 2 years in high school, and never took it off roading even once. its a manual, and has the bigger wheels, steeper rear gears, and the 6 cylinder.

 

Uh...price?

 

Feel free to PM me.

-Marc

[TheHaze]

I have the Jeep to keep overnight. So far, it drives well and stays on track. I can't tell for sure, but 2nd gear feels like it may be grinding. It also pulsates when braking sort of like when rotors are warped. Could that be something else? I'm still just neutral about it.

 

 

...oh, and it doesn't fit in my garage.