Wanted: 93-00 Jeep Wrangler (stock)

[Raisinhead]

My parents are looking to get a used Jeep (after much persuasion from me) to tow behind their camper.  They are looking to spend between $4 and 6.5K.  Let me know if you or someone you know is selling.  Thanks!

Here are the specifications:
Stock (or close to it)
manual tranny
under 160K miles
working A/C
Decent shape, no painted rust crap

TJ preferred, but open to some clean YJ's

[DOUG]

Tough list.  Well keep an eye open.  Good luck.

Sent off camber

[Raisinhead]

Thanks!  They are in no rush. I think it will be a little easier as the weather is cooling off...

[Raisinhead]

Found a '98 that I am planning to pick up today.  Its the 4cyl, 5 spd, 150K miles. Owner said no rust, garage kept, been in GA for the life of the jeep, new bestop, current emissions, everything works.

Is there anything particular that I should look for on this model?

[clark123456]

I have a '98 and it was damn near flawless when stock for 14 years. 

Radiators are terrible, so hopefully that one has blown and they replaced with with an all aluminum one.  They start to leak where the plastic meets the metal.

The air conditioner fan speed knob broke on mine once...< $10 fix. 

Left blinker works intermittently...likely a connection issue in the stick.  Very annoying.

Hardtop rear window, if it has a hardtop in addition to the new bestop, leaked a bit in heavy rain (still don't know where/how).

I had the 2.5L in my old YJ and it had a lot of starter issues...which I think were caused by mud caking it up...back in my young stupid mudding days.  Just check for normal starter sound (that whine it makes).

They will all probably have a loud noise (creaking) from the steering column when turning in cold weather.  It is a known issue that can be remedied with silicon spray, but you might be able to use it as a bargaining point.  Again, very annoying when it does it.

Check normal stuff, belts, hoses, etc.

Good luck on that...great vehicle!

[Matt]

I would avoid the 2.5L like the plague. Not because of power but reliability. What do I know, I only destroyed 2 of them which hardly qualifies me to voice an opinion. You can definitely find the 4.0L in that range.

Not as dependable as the 4.0L.

 //cheers2//

[clark123456]

I would avoid the 2.5L like the plague. Not because of power but reliability. What do I know, I only destroyed 2 of them which hardly qualifies me to voice an opinion. You can definitely find the 4.0L in that range.

Not as dependable as the 4.0L.

 //cheers2//

How many miles did you have on each of those engines that blew, when they blew? 

[Big Dave]

I recommend getting a 4.0 too.

On another note, a buddy had a '97 TJ with the 2.5 & it had 170K on it when he totaled it.  

BTW, there is a guy in Dawsonville who rebuilds TJ to supplement  his retirement.

His name is Larry, his cell/work number is 404-427-6873. He is a really nice guy & his TJ's look very good when he is done with them. 

[Matt]

85K on original. Used engine maybe 20k on top of whatever it had.  Both happened while driving normally on the street.

[kvom]

The 2.5 is pretty much the same as the 4.0 with 2 cyls chopped off.  I had a '99 for quite a while and never had engine issues.  With the manual tranny it should have 4.10 gears;  5th gear will be pretty unusable except on downhills.

[tcdawg]

The 2.5 is pretty much the same as the 4.0 with 2 cyls chopped off.  I had a '99 for quite a while and never had engine issues.  With the manual tranny it should have 4.10 gears;  5th gear will be pretty unusable except on downhills.

Is that like saying my 3.8 V6 is like a Hemi with 2 cylinders chopped off?

I had a 2.5 in my YJ. It was fine for cruising around the mean streets of Sandy Springs...never had a problem with it, but always wanted the 4.0.

[Raisinhead]

Well it was too nice not to pick up. Got it for 6, not a bit of rust. Really not gonna put many miles on it, maybe they'll drop a 4.0 in there later. Or I'll scoop it up from them and try to make it a monster down the road



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