2003 Sahara - Buying Advice?

[laketoys]

Looking for advice on this 2003 Sahara. 126k miles. Installed rebuilt transmission at 104k miles. All but 1,000 miles put on by the first owner who did the majority of the work. The interior is excellent. They owner is asking $14,500. I have not driven it yet, but will be meeting up with the owner on Wed. Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated. Thanks.


From listing:

Recent work includes:
- Replaced Transmission at 104k miles
- New transfer case
- New drive shaft
- New Headers, Manifold Gasket, seals, O2 sensor.
- New differential seals, fluids, pinion seal
- Front and rear thrust angle alignments and balance all tires
- New front and rear brake pads and rotors
- New Lower Ball Joints
- New Tie-rod rods and sleeve
- Track bar adjustment and tighten
- Flex joint rebuild for lift kit
- Shock remount and adjustments
- New timing cover and oil pan gaskets
- New radiator and hoses, clamps and seals
- Replace axle seals
- Recent Battery
- Rough Country 6" Long arm Lift and suspension

Features:
- Skyjacker Rock Lock Off-road Sway bar and disconnect
- Hanson front bumper
- SuperWinch EPi9.0 with remote
- New 35" Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires (35x12.50R15LT)
- Hard top
- Bimini top (never even put on), Tonneau cover and rear seat wind catch
- Undercarriage lights
- Re-enforced front axle
- Weathertec floor covers
- OX Lockers system and custom rear differential
- Tow Hooks
- Automatic transmission, 4L inline 6 cylinder engine with AEM Brute Force intake with dry flow synthetic filter
- High-lift jack
- Rockhard rear swing-out tire carrier with (2) 5-gal gas cans and upper cooler rack
- 4.56 Differential Gearing
- Slip yoke eliminator kit
- Lower Transfer case gearing
- Custom CV rear drive shaft
- 126k miles
- Cobra CB with auxiliary speaker
- Wired for towing flat on all fours
- Blue OX tow bar connection
- Custom extended skid plate

 

[laketoys]

Anyone have suggestions on changes for this build? Is the price fair? Thanks.

 

[Nick21]

Is there any pictures of the frame. Rust is usually the main concern when buying a used TJ.

 

[laketoys]

Is there any pictures of the frame. Rust is usually the main concern when buying a used TJ.

Just the rear photo posted above, along with this one below. I plan to check it out when I get there on Wed.

 

[GEEP4ME]

That thing has had a lot of work done to it.

Can you build one for that price?

You usually don't get out of, what you put into one. It seems like they are trying.

I'm no expert and I know TJ's have been holding their value, but that's $11,100 more than I paid for mine. A rotten apple to an acre of apple trees comparision. (meaning I don't have a tenth of the mods, repairs, etc (yet, LOL) that have been done to that one)

Seems high?

Looks really, really clean though.

 

[laketoys]

That thing has had a lot of work done to it.

Can you build one for that price?

You usually don't get out of, what you put into one. It seems like they are trying.

I'm no expert and I know TJ's have been holding their value, but that's $11,100 more than I paid for mine. A rotten apple to an acre of apple trees comparision. (meaning I don't have a tenth of the mods, repairs, etc (yet, LOL) that have been done to that one)

Seems high?

Looks really, really clean though.

I appreciate your comments. I've been struggling with the same thoughts, but I know the asking prices of TJ's are quite high right now. I've been searching Cars.com, along with a lot of Craigslist and Ebay, and I've seen many stock 03-04' Sahara's going for $2-3K under this one, but then I know he has a lot of money in these upgrades. Thanks.

 

[GEEP4ME]

Well, if it checks all the boxes for you, then it comes down to what you are willing to pay. There is usually room for negotiation, so, maybe you can get it for $14,499. Or, $12k, or $10k. Some buyers sometimes get steals. Some buyers sometimes pay a premium. Again, if it's what you are looking for, then its up to you and your banker.*





*banker may or may not refer to an actual banker. It could be the wife, the girlfriend, the girlfriend AND the wife, the cookie jar, the mattress or the getaway car driver once your wife/girlfriend finds out about your girlfriend/wife.

 

[laketoys]

Well, if it checks all the boxes for you, then it comes down to what you are willing to pay. There is usually room for negotiation, so, maybe you can get it for $14,499. Or, $12k, or $10k. Some buyers sometimes get steals. Some buyers sometimes pay a premium. Again, if it's what you are looking for, then its up to you and your banker.*





*banker may or may not refer to an actual banker. It could be the wife, the girlfriend, the girlfriend AND the wife, the cookie jar, the mattress or the getaway car driver once your wife/girlfriend finds out about your girlfriend/wife.

HA!HA! - In this case my "banker/wife" gave me permission to buy whatever I want. It's my 60th birthday present to myself! Since I can't install all this stuff, it helps to buy most of my wish list already installed.

 

[AndyG]

Anyone have suggestions on changes for this build? Is the price fair? Thanks.

Pull the air filter and see how much dirt is in the tube. Pass if you see much. Open filters like that can pass dirt .

They have a lot more in it , that’s been someone’s project a while.

Be sure it drives good.

It needs geared to 4:88 or 5:13, so hit em at 10-12 .

 

[laketoys]

Pull the air filter and see how much dirt is in the tube. Pass if you see much. Open filters like that can pass dirt .

They have a lot more in it , that’s been someone’s project a while.

Be sure it drives good.

It needs geared to 4:88 or 5:13, so hit em at 10-12 .

He said the 4:56 shifts well and into overdrive just fine. Do you think 35's will really benefit from 4:88 or higher? I know they are expensive. The Sahara came with a Dana 44, so does that help? I've had a few Jeeps, but i'm new to upgrades, so bear with my questions. Thanks.

 

[Rick Flair]

5.13 would be ideal for 35’s. If it was a Rubicon, 5.38 would be even better.

4.56 is way under geared.

As for the rig itself....if you would have modded it just like that....I guess. Long arm kit is junk. They all are.

Honestly, I think you can do better. I bought my rubicon with 58k, one owner and decent mods (changing out some things for personal preference) for the same money.

I’d pass but your local options might be limited.

 

[glwood]

What does "Lower Transfer case gearing" mean?

 

[Rick Flair]

What does "Lower Transfer case gearing" mean?

Didn’t they sell a 4:1 kit for the NP231?

 

[glwood]

Didn’t they sell a 4:1 kit for the NP231?

Yes, but if I was trying to sell a 16 year old vehicle for $14.5k, you can bet I'd spell that out, not put "lower transfer case gears" if it had a 4.1 kit. But that's just me.

 

[Rick Flair]

Yes, but if I was trying to sell a 16 year old vehicle for $14.5k, you can bet I'd spell that out, not put "lower transfer case gears" if it had a 4.1 kit. But that's just me.

Totally agree. Might be someone who bought it from the last guy who built it and had no clue what most of that stuff is. Case of “bought it cause it is a lifted cool Jeep, wait Jeeps suck to drive I need my money back” owner. Just a theory.

 

[AndyG]

He said the 4:56 shifts well and into overdrive just fine. Do you think 35's will really benefit from 4:88 or higher? I know they are expensive. The Sahara came with a Dana 44, so does that help? I've had a few Jeeps, but i'm new to upgrades, so bear with my questions. Thanks.

4:88 is considered the minimum for an auto with 35" tires