New SoCal member with questions!

[GTboosted]

Hi all!

I'm Beto and just got a new to me 1999 TJ Sport auto with 52k miles this past sunday from the original 87 yr old owner. It has the factory option Dana 44 with Trac-lok. I ordered a few thing to make it look a bit better but not lift related. I want to do it right so I will save up for that.

Just took a trip to Walmart for fluids that I will be replacing....I need to hit up another Walmart for more. I am doing engine oil, t-case, front and rear differentials, and transmission flush. PO had the entire cooling system replaced on 10/2017. Fuel pump and brake flush was done a couple years ago(he gave me a stack of receipts, none show basic fluid changes) Is there any other preventive maintenance I can do?


Here's what I ordered:
KC Hilites halogen Headlights (have HID in other cars, dont want reliability issues)
Trueshield mesh top
Trushield wrap around net
Weathertech 3D front mats
Crown automotive Stock style replacement fender flares
RR organizer with cell phone mount


Here is my short term wants:
Soundbar without speakers. Does that exist? I want to upgrade the entire system to my specs.
1.5" Spacers until I get my lift, and wheels of choice.

Long term is 35s done right with supporting mods. I can wait a couple years to do it right and shop for sales.

Ps: This is not my DD and I live in a apartment but I cant leave it taken apart in the parking spot.

 

[Alex01]

Nice looking jeep and great find. I did the same idea of slowly building mine until I could put 35's on. You seem to be on the correct path. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Kiwi TJ]

Hi all!

I'm Beto and just got a new to me 1999 TJ Sport auto with 52k miles this past sunday from the original 87 yr old owner. It has the factory option Dana 44 with Trac-lok. I ordered a few thing to make it look a bit better but not lift related. I want to do it right so I will save up for that.

Just took a trip to Walmart for fluids that I will be replacing....I need to hit up another Walmart for more. I am doing engine oil, t-case, front and rear differentials, and transmission flush. PO had the entire cooling system replaced on 10/2017. Fuel pump and brake flush was done a couple years ago(he gave me a stack of receipts, none show basic fluid changes) Is there any other preventive maintenance I can do?


Here's what I ordered:
KC Hilites halogen Headlights (have HID in other cars, dont want reliability issues)
Trueshield mesh top
Trushield wrap around net
Weathertech 3D front mats
Crown automotive Stock style replacement fender flares
RR organizer with cell phone mount


Here is my short term wants:
Soundbar without speakers. Does that exist? I want to upgrade the entire system to my specs.
1.5" Spacers until I get my lift, and wheels of choice.

Long term is 35s done right with supporting mods. I can wait a couple years to do it right and shop for sales.

Ps: This is not my DD and I live in a apartment but I cant leave it taken apart in the parking spot.

Nice colour and great low miles.....welcome to the forum.

 

[superduty]

Looks like a great find. Clean TJ

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[GTboosted]

Its interesting about the "great find". It was a find but not cheap IMO for a 20 year old vehicle.

I've always talked about Wranglers with my gf.....for years. Even went to the LA car show for the new JL. Anyway on Saturday night I was drinking a few beers and looking for big vans for camping on craigslist when I came across the post. It was listed in the RV section. It was 12 am but the Wrangler looked good and I was hoping it was cheap so I dumped my beer and went to bed. Woke up at 5 am to use the bathroom and waited till 7 am to call the number listed. Owner told me he still had it but wanted to sell it with a RV as a combo but may sell it for $8.5k. Ouch. I asked if I could at least look at it and he agreed. He was 47 miles away.

I went to look at it with my kids (3yr old and 6 yr old) and gf around 9 am. He told me he has multiple parties interested in the combo so he couldn't sell it just yet. I left disappointed but with motivation. I didn't know 20 year old vehicles can have good paint like that. So when we got home we drove around "nice areas" looking for one and a for sale sign lol! Drove around with grumpy kids for a couple hrs...Then had lunch and drove home with no luck.

Around 5 PM he called me back and told me I could get it if I wanted. He also dropped the price $1.5k by himself. He said I can pick it up for $7k because he didn't want me to pay a lot even though similar ones are going for 10-12k online(His words)


Drove straight there and did the paper work and when he gave me the keys he said "here's $500 back to you, enjoy the jeep with your family and use this in case you break something on it". His wife said "get it dirty!".

I literally hugged him because that is money he already had in his hands. It was an awesome buying experience and I dont think I can replicate it...even though I didn't get it at a "steal" I knew I got a good deal. Him and his wife were passionate about everything they mentioned about it.

Anyway that day I drove around 300 miles even though he's only 47 miles away.

 

[Kiwi TJ]

That's has to be one of the best stories I've ever heard about buying a vehicle:campeon:......You and you Jeep are certainly meant to each other, and I no doubt you and your family will have many hours and days of fun in it.... Well done sir

 

[glwood]

Well, I have to say, $6.5k for a TJ in that condition, with those miles, officially qualifies as a steal! 20 years old or not. TJs don't sell like Corollas...

If you read some of the threads about other's travails as they search for a TJ that isn't a pile of rust, held together with some bedliner, you'll see what I mean.

Great TJ, cool color (chili pepper?), excellent buy, wonderful story.

 

[firemanast]

Sweet ride!

 

[CodaMan]

That's a great price for a California Jeep. Congrats!

 

[Alvin A]

Great story and clean looking TJ.

 

[superduty]

That was a steal.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Fonz54]

Its interesting about the "great find". It was a find but not cheap IMO for a 20 year old vehicle.

I've always talked about Wranglers with my gf.....for years. Even went to the LA car show for the new JL. Anyway on Saturday night I was drinking a few beers and looking for big vans for camping on craigslist when I came across the post. It was listed in the RV section. It was 12 am but the Wrangler looked good and I was hoping it was cheap so I dumped my beer and went to bed. Woke up at 5 am to use the bathroom and waited till 7 am to call the number listed. Owner told me he still had it but wanted to sell it with a RV as a combo but may sell it for $8.5k. Ouch. I asked if I could at least look at it and he agreed. He was 47 miles away.

I went to look at it with my kids (3yr old and 6 yr old) and gf around 9 am. He told me he has multiple parties interested in the combo so he couldn't sell it just yet. I left disappointed but with motivation. I didn't know 20 year old vehicles can have good paint like that. So when we got home we drove around "nice areas" looking for one and a for sale sign lol! Drove around with grumpy kids for a couple hrs...Then had lunch and drove home with no luck.

Around 5 PM he called me back and told me I could get it if I wanted. He also dropped the price $1.5k by himself. He said I can pick it up for $7k because he didn't want me to pay a lot even though similar ones are going for 10-12k online(His words)


Drove straight there and did the paper work and when he gave me the keys he said "here's $500 back to you, enjoy the jeep with your family and use this in case you break something on it". His wife said "get it dirty!".

Beto - you are a lucky guy. Best of luck with the new TJ. Sweet looking ride.

Fonz

I literally hugged him because that is money he already had in his hands. It was an awesome buying experience and I dont think I can replicate it...even though I didn't get it at a "steal" I knew I got a good deal. Him and his wife were passionate about everything they mentioned about it.

Anyway that day I drove around 300 miles even though he's only 47 miles away.

 

[Rob5589]

Welcome aboard! Lots of great wheelin to be had in So Cal.

 

[Chris]

I'm not sure I've ever seen a soundbar without speakers. But if you want a soundbar without speakers, why not just remove the soundbar entirely? After all, the entire point of it being there is for the speakers.

Normally for preventative maintenance, I'd tell you to refresh the cooling system. However, since that's done, I think you don't have anything to worry about. Also, with 52k miles, most things should be in good working order, so I wouldn't worry too much about maintenance, especially since the cooling system is done. Change the fluids, flush the transmission, and I think you'll be good to go!

The good thing about this is that you sound like a smart guy. Normally someone just wants to throw 35s on it with a cheap lift. Then they end up kicking themselves months later because they wish they had gotten a better lift and done it right. Take the time and save your money, all the while doing your research on what you long term plans are for the Jeep. That's the smart way to do it, and it sounds like you're on track!

Aside from the faded black trim (which is normal), that thing looks super clean!

 

[dmatt13]

WOW!! What a great deal (and story) for here in So.Cal. Heck, his original asking price for a TJ with Dana 44/lockers and that low of mileage was very good and would have sold in hours if listed separately. Congrats and good luck on the build.

 

[GTboosted]

Thanks guys!

The reason why I want a bar without speakers is because I want to put my own in there. All the new ones I see online have them included and I am sure I would be replacing them so a bit waste of money I think.

Does anyone know if its advisable to get the ac vacuumed and recharged. Right now it works good.

 

[GTboosted]

WOW!! What a great deal (and story) for here in So.Cal. Heck, his original asking price for a TJ with Dana 44/lockers and that low of mileage was very good and would have sold in hours if listed separately. Congrats and good luck on the build.

Yes, I agree. I just happened to stumble upon it because I was looking for a van in the RV section. He had the RV and wrangler listed a few days and when I talked to him he said he would rather sell them together and a few people had called him about it but he was going to wait a few more days to decide if he would split. I asked if I could at least look at it and he said sure come on down. When I saw it I asked to buy it but he said we would let me know in a few days. Not sure why he called me back the same day and sold it for 2k less but I feel I got a good deal.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Just took a trip to Walmart for fluids that I will be replacing....I need to hit up another Walmart for more. I am doing engine oil, t-case, front and rear differentials, and transmission flush.

Nice Jeep! What fluids did you buy? The transmission you have in your '99 is fussy about what gear lube it gets. A few other areas are fussy too.

 

[JMT]

That’s a steal! Great buy and great story. Neat to find people out there like that!

I have a 1 5/8” Budget Boost and the four shocks for sale in the “Parts for Sale” section if you want another steal. LOL!

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/2”-rubicon-express-budget-boost.11289/

I did the same as you, used the budget boost till I was ready to do a suspension lift. Good times. 300 miles on your first outing. I love to drive mine too!

 

[GTboosted]

Nice Jeep! What fluids did you buy? The transmission you have in your '99 is fussy about what gear lube it gets. A few other areas are fussy too.

Thanks, I got all basic Valvoline stuff. 10w30 conventional oil, 80w90 gear oil. ATF+4 synthetic(all ATF+4 are synthetic?)

That’s a steal! Great buy and great story. Neat to find people out there like that!

I have a 1 5/8” Budget Boost and the four shocks for sale in the “Parts for Sale” section if you want another steal. LOL!

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/2”-rubicon-express-budget-boost.11289/

I did the same as you, used the budget boost till I was ready to do a suspension lift. Good times. 300 miles on your first outing. I love to drive mine too!

Thanks for the offer man but I will leave it as is for now. The PO has 2" spring spacers up front and replaced the shocks last year. I think I'm good until I go for the full lift and wheels. Right now I am looking at wheel spacers so the wheels are not flush with the fenders.