Might have found a gem (300k mile Rubicon)

[zwhite1999]

Am I insane for wanting to drive 3 hours to look at this 2004 TJ Rubicon with over 300k miles? It's at a dealer, and they're asking $8,900. They said bottom dollar would be $8,000. I'd offer a little lower. It had one owner, and was serviced at a dealer it's entire life with full service records going all the back to 2004. It is incredibly clean, might be the cleanest Rubicon I've seen yet under $10k in a 250 mile radius.

This would be my daily driver. Anybody have any input? I posted on some of the TJ Facebook groups also, and an overwhelming majority are saying to jump on it.

 

[Unique Username]

I don’t fear miles so I would look at it. If it all checked out I would buy it.
If you daily drive it you will find out it’s a Jeep but the service record may or may not show all the stuff that’s been replaced.

 

[SilverLJR]

Auto or stick? if its auto id probably stay away

But if its got full doors and a hardtop its worth 8k in parts so you cant really go wrong lol

 

[zwhite1999]

I don’t fear miles so I would look at it. If it all checked out I would buy it.
If you daily drive it you will find out it’s a Jeep but the service record may or may not show all the stuff that’s been replaced.

I currently daily a 2.5L automatic TJ with 183k miles. I can imagine this would be a very nice upgrade. I'm very familiar with the platform & handy enough to do my own maintenance.

 

[zwhite1999]

Auto or stick? if its auto id probably stay away

But if its got full doors and a hardtop its worth 8k in parts so you cant really go wrong lol

It's a 5 speed. The only thing wrong with it is the 4WD light doesn't work, and lockers don't engage. The shop said they put a new 4WD sensor in and it didn't fix the issue. He has not diagnosed any further.

 

[SilverLJR]

It's a 5 speed. The only thing wrong with it is the 4WD light doesn't work, and lockers don't engage. The shop said they put a new 4WD sensor in and it didn't fix the issue. He has not diagnosed any further.

hmm make sure its got the correct transfer case... but id be surprised if the compressors for the lockers weren't dead by now, the PO probably never used them, they run about 150 a piece used so you would need 2. that's probably the issue for the lockers.

 

[zwhite1999]

hmm make sure its got the correct transfer case... but id be surprised if the compressors for the lockers weren't dead by now, the PO probably never used them, they run about 150 a piece used so you would need 2. that's probably the issue for the lockers.

Still worth it at that point. I live in the rust belt, so finding one this clean without getting on a plane is borderline unheard of.

 

[Vtx531]

Eng, trans, tcase, axles - all are going to be worn out at that mileage. Ticking time bomb for expensive repairs even if DIY - I would stay away. I get not being afraid of high miles but over 300k is kind of crazy.

Theres probably a mechanical reason why someone would have traded it in. Don't be the sucker! Price doesn't even seem that great. How much for a nice one with 200k?

 

[zwhite1999]

Eng, trans, tcase, axles - all are going to be worn out at that mileage. Ticking time bomb for expensive repairs even if DIY - I would stay away. I get not being afraid of high miles but over 300k is kind of crazy.

Theres probably a mechanical reason why someone would have traded it in. Don't be the sucker! Price doesn't even seem that great. How much for a nice one with 200k?

The next nicest one around here has over 150k and is listed at over $14,000. Even ones with rust and untreated frames and higher mileage are fetching well over $10,000. This is by far the cleanest example. It's at a small dealer in a small town right now. One owner, older gentleman, highway miles. He retired and traded it in on a much newer Jeep. He was getting older and wanted more comfort.

 

[JMT]

I'd say no for that price. Maybe for $3,000. I bought a 2005 Rubicon for $7200 with 155k. $8900 and the lockers don't work? No idea there, but the pumps are not that easy to come by. You're buying used pumps for sure. You're rebuidling the engine soon. Who knows on the TCase. They need to be rebuilt. I bet it needs it.

 

[SuspectLJ]

body mounts appear to be spray painted, there's overspray on the tub. could be hiding something maybe?

I don't think it's a bad jeep but i wouldn't pay $8900 for it. You can find a rust free Rubicon from the south with half the miles for $1000 more if you look hard enough.

 

[zwhite1999]

I'd say no for that price. Maybe for $3,000. I bought a 2005 Rubicon for $7200 with 155k. $8900 and the lockers don't work? No idea there, but the pumps are not that easy to come by. You're buying used pumps for sure. You're rebuidling the engine soon. Who knows on the TCase. They need to be rebuilt. I bet it needs it.

There is an 06 Rubicon in less ideal shape but still decent an hour away from me. 6 speed and has not had the OPDA replaced. Paint is rough. 100k miles, owner said bottom dollar is $9,000.

 

[bucky]

Anything 3 hrs from CT is still the rust belt. I question why it’s so clean after 300K in the rust belt. Lots of driving just in the Summer? Is there a carfax for what that’s worth? Shouldn’t that have all the service records? If that dealer the service they should have service records. Use the vin to look up Edmunds value. Rule #1 is dealers lie and sleep well at night. Hard to tell from the pictures but I see inconsistencies in the paint. Overspray and areas with rust that would be hard to reach.

Invest the 3 hours and have a hard look at everything. Lift up the carpet, look at the seat bolts for rust and crawl under it and inspect everything.
Bottom line it’s not the end of the world money and you can always unload it with minimal loss.

 

[JMT]

There is an 06 Rubicon in less ideal shape but still decent an hour away from me. 6 speed and has not had the OPDA replaced. Paint is rough. 100k miles, owner said bottom dollar is $9,000.

I'd rather do an OPDA than an engine rebuild, tcase rebuild, pump replacement, and who knows what else. I'd have to see this 06 though. Note what someone said above about the body mounts being sprayed and who knows if they sprayed the frame to cover rust. LOOK inside the frame if you take the trip. These rust from the inside out.

 

[zwhite1999]

Anything 3 hrs from CT is still the rust belt. I question why it’s so clean after 300K in the rust belt. Lots of driving just in the Summer? Is there a carfax for what that’s worth? Shouldn’t that have all the service records? Hard to tell from the pictures but I see inconsistencies

It spent it's entire life in Maryland. Owner drove up north to trade it in at this small dealership. The Carfax reports all repairs and maintenance done since 2004 up until it's last service just before the current mileage. It's incredibly thorough and all there.

 

[JMT]

It spent it's entire life in Maryland. Owner drove up north to trade it in at this small dealership. The Carfax reports all repairs and maintenance done since 2004 up until it's last service just before the current mileage. It's incredibly thorough and all there.

I'll just say that 3 weeks ago I drove 3hr 15 minutes to Yakima to look at a 2019 Dodge Durango. It looked amazing and we looked at the Carfax in advance. Thought it would be the car for us. Got there, front bumper sensor was missing, rear tailight was cracked, bad spot missing paint behind the front driver door, seat belt ding would not stop even with the seat belt plugged in and the guy had no clue what was wrong with that, stereo would not turn on. Needless to say I wasn't buying that one. Looked great on paper and the internet. 3hr 15 minute drive back. Got home after midnight.

 

[zwhite1999]

I'd rather do an OPDA than an engine rebuild, tcase rebuild, pump replacement, and who knows what else. I'd have to see this 06 though. Note what someone said above about the body mounts being sprayed and who knows if they sprayed the frame to cover rust. LOOK inside the frame if you take the trip. These rust from the inside out.

That's a valid point. I'll attach some photos of the 06.

 

[macleanflood]

For a little bit more you could LS swap or put a Cummins crate motor in...that diesel will get you 25 mpg and pay for itself in the commute.

-Mac

 

[zwhite1999]

For a little bit more you could LS swap or put a Cummins crate motor in...that diesel will get you 25 mpg and pay for itself in the commute.

-Mac

If I had a bigger wallet, I'd say yes. Unfortunately I am on a budget and looking for a new daily. I am moving to Canada and will be purpose building this TJ for the snow and light trails.

 

[SuspectLJ]

that frame looks to have rust bubbling underneath the paint. it has definitely been sprayed.

I bought one of these to see the inside of a frame of a jeep we were gonna buy for my wife. saved us a lot of heartache.

edit: those rockerguards are wider than the factory ones that came on that jeep. probably something hiding under there too.