Post by Shorttime on Sept 10, 2013 18:10:05 GMT -8
So I know that at least one member here is into Jeeps. I'm looking to buy a Wrangler in the next two years, and I thought that maybe the rest of the membership would like to know the answers to some questions I have.
I know that Wranglers hold their value, and the price starts way up there.
I know that I want a Sport model, which gets me the 4 Liter six cylinder engine.
My wife refuses to drive manual transmission, so I have to pay attention to that.
The problem is the prices. I don't mind paying to play, but to keep the monthly payments down where I want them, I am going to have to accept a Jeep with 60,000 plus miles on it.
So the questions I have that some of you others might want answered also, are:
What kind of repairs can I expect to make on an older Jeep Wrangler?
Especially expensive things. How can I tell if the engine is in good shape? When and how do their automatic transmissions fail? How do I know if the differentials are shot?
These are just a few of the questions I have.
But I don't have the patience to go searching through three or four Jeep forums! So if any of you have some easy answers, or links to places where I can read for myself, it would help a lot.
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Sept 10, 2013 18:21:18 GMT -8
Let me start off by saying get a stick. I have a stick, my wife can't drive a stick and I don't give a fuck. A Jeep should be a stick.
What model year are you looking at? If you don't know the year here is a quick summary from old to new. CJ - coolest fucking jeep next to the willy but generally rust buckets (pre-85) YJ - Square headlights (85-95) TJ - Round headlights (97-06) JK - new model (07-current)
I assume you're looking at TJs. Below are some glam shots of my TJ.
Do you plan on going off road or adding bigger tires?
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Sept 10, 2013 18:31:11 GMT -8
Older Jeeps (YJ - TJ) are the least likely to need significant repairs. That is assuming an I6. The I6 engine is a fan-fucking-tastic engine. There are a couple exceptions. The 2005-06 model year TJ (my model is an 05). It has a little known (to the general public but well known in the Jeep community) problem with the distributor gear failing.
If I were to pic the perfect model year, I'd say 04. It's the most recent with minimal issues.
Regarding differentials, with a Sport you have a 50/50 chance of have a D35 or D44 in the rear. You want the D44. The D35 is likely okay for regular tires, but if you plan to grow you'll want a beefier axle diameter.
Here is the Dana 33. The easiest way to ID it is the rubber fill plug.
Here is the Dana 44. More hexagon in shape. Screw plug.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Sept 10, 2013 18:35:01 GMT -8
Differential are rarely shot. If you're serious about it, go under the jeep while in Neutral and try to turn the drive shaft. If you have a lot of play they are likely shot. If the underbelly is pressure washed or extremely oily, there is likely a problem.
"It's a Jeep thing" isn't really about waving at other Jeepers, it's about living with oil leaks.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Post by Shorttime on Sept 10, 2013 18:38:22 GMT -8
Actually, the advantage of automatic transmission is not needing to clutch (and possibly lose momentum) on a long ascent. Some of the crawler boys have switched to autos for that reason.
Yeah, probably a TJ, because of the cost/mileage ratio that I need to stay in.
Some offroading, probably, but I won't be mudbogging, running the Rubicon, or Moab. Mainly it's because a TJ does all the things I want in a not-huge-ass truck package.
Tires? I dunno. Yours look like they are about 33". I wouldn't go any larger than 33". I like 'em lifted, no doubt, but the bigger you go, the faster that gas tank gets empty.
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Sept 10, 2013 18:45:09 GMT -8
I've heard everything I care too about the alleged advantages of an auto over a stick, but I'm traditional. You'll have the coolest vehicle ever made and an auto. Fuck that. Do whatever, it's your money, but I will think less of you.
I wear 33's. IMO it's the smallest of the cool ass tires. Maybe 32, but I don't think 32's are easy to come by. Just get the extra inch.
Couple things about bigger tires. You'll want the highest gear ratio you can get. I assume with the Sport it will be 3.73. That is still too high for 33's. Good for 31's. You'll need 4.10 for 33's and with an auto likely 4.56. This will get your mileage back to normal. Normal being 15MPG. With the wrong gear ratio plan for 12MPG.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Post by Shorttime on Sept 10, 2013 18:57:18 GMT -8
Given that the average sales person doesn't even know the turning radius of the cars on their lot, how do I tell for myself what the gear ratio is? I assume that the transmission code references the gear ratios, or it goes by year, engine, or something else that I can find for myself
I'm not sure how much I care what you think of me. I've been throwing a middle finger at that kind of talk, since high school.
A vehicle is a big purchase, and my wife and I discuss these kinds of purchases before making them. She wants it to be an automatic, and I'm willing to agree to that.
I did slide once on a snowy hill, trying to get from first to second. Her car, which shifts itself, made it up just fine, so my personal experience is that automatics can do some things better.
I could also put off this purchase for as long as possible, then get a manual transmission simply because it was the easiest kind to find on short notice....
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Sept 10, 2013 19:08:30 GMT -8
Typically there is a tag on the differential. It will say 3.73 or 4.10 or maybe and run if you see it, 3.07.
I want to say that Rubi's come with 4.10 and the Sport's have an option for the 4.10. But in general they are 3.73.
The autos may have a higher gear ratio to make up for the auto tranny. That's why you can get away with 4.10 with a manual, but have to go 4.56 with an auto.
You won't necessarily need to upgrade unless you go with a bigger tire.
In addition you have lift issues. With a 33 you'll need 3 inches. That will likely be another $500-600 no counting the cost of the tires (around $200 each with rims).
If you can find an 04 for a good price I think you're safe even at 100K. If you find a great deal on an 05-06, PLEASE talk with me first.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Post by Shorttime on Sept 10, 2013 19:13:17 GMT -8
Gotcha. Any easy way to tell if it's been rolled? I've heard scratches on the rollcage bars, but there are lots of ways that can happen, too. Or can be covered up with a little touchup paint.
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Sept 10, 2013 19:18:08 GMT -8
I think there will be obvious damage if it rolls. I can't imagine a soft roll over. If you're worried focus on the front windshield. That is the weak spot.
While there are a ton of offroaders, there are ton of mall Jeeps too. It may be disproportional in PA though so I can see why you're worried. Oh that reminds me, the PA cops are dicks with fender flare coverage and removing doors. I remember a story of a Jeep club leaving Rausch Creek and getting stopped by a bunch of cops waiting for them to leave.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Post by lildannigurl on Sept 10, 2013 20:06:16 GMT -8
First...I love you Willy second I will only drive a 5 speed 4x4...jeep is just a vehicle if you don't get to play..she can learn trust me...don't let Willy's anti everything diswayed you..he's a dick wiring is only thing I had probs w/...but that's cuz I go truckin through the creeks it's not a family/comfy ride it's a fun ride if you're into roughin it a lil it's freedom in a box...shut up Willy
Only advise is DO IT AND DO IT NOW!!!!You'll love it trust me
i love jeeps and have owned 2 myself, but they do require a lot of maintanence and repairs. Mrdigger pretty much summed it all up, nicely done sir! the trans are junk, especially in automatic, so i concure with LDG & WD, gotta go with manual. i never had problems with the pumpkins or engines. in my new one, i had to replace the water pump 2 freakin times in 2years ?? bought the lifetime warranty model and havent had a problem since. if i were to get another, i would most definitely buy one with a couple year warranty! mucho importante. if you're buying it from joe schmoes shack & snacks, good luck.
also, its good to have a local jeep freak or a local shop that really knows their stuff and can help you out.
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Sept 11, 2013 5:50:34 GMT -8
Oh and don't let me forget to mention death wobble. A bigger deal with larger tires. Google it. I've had it repeated times and shit my pants each time. Prep your wife JIC.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy