Gem or Junk? I need a new Jeep fast

[LandSquid83]

Bottom Line Up Front: My TJ of 13 years was totaled in an accident (not my fault) on Monday and I need a new vehicle fast!

I want another Jeep but would like to upgrade from the 2004 X Series to a TJ Rubicon.

I'm active military and current conditions mean I can't travel. I found a Rubicon at a dealer in New Jersey for $9,900 but I'm not a gearhead and I don't want to get screwed.

Can anyone take a look at these specs and photos and tell me what, if anything I should be wary of?

From the Dealer's description:
2004 Jeep Wrangler RubiconBlack with Black interior & Black hard top5-Speed manual 6 Cylinder engine 134,750 miles Loaded with options from the factory as well as these custom upgrades: 4 inch Rough Country lift 33 inch tires with 15 inch Black steel wheelsSafari Snorkel Winch Aftermarket Steel bumpers KC fog lights Factory features include:Factory front and rear lockersOff road group4:1 Rock-Trac HD Part Time 4WD SystemHeavy Duty Dana 44 Front & Rear Rear Axle RatioAir ConditioningFront air bags AM/FM CD radio with display Clean CarFax report, the link to the report on our site. 4.96% financing for 60 months is available with qualified credit! Please contact Steven Sasson We will be happy to accommodate a Pre-Purchase Inspection at our location or at a local shop. We can arrange transport anywhere in the with Confidence from Legend Car Company! Legend Car Company has been selling cars in NY & online for over 20 years. Dealer of the Year one of the highest rated dealers in the country based on customer reviews.

Additional Information
Skid plate(s), Center console, Power steering, Steering wheel: tilt, Axle ratio: 4.11, Power brakes, Locking differential: front, Locking differential: rear, Limited slip differential: rear, Clock, Radio: AM/FM, Gauge: tachometer, In-Dash CD: single disc, Spare tire mount location: outside, Wheel diameter: 16 inch, Wheels: alloy, Removable roof: soft top, Front wipers: intermittent, Front airbags: dual, Rear seat type: split-bench, Front seat type: bucket, Upholstery: cloth, Rear seat type: bench

 

[Chris]

The frame is clean, which is the most important part.

It has a shitty lift, a stupid shift knob, and a pointless snorkel, but those can be easily fixed (minus the snorkel since someone had to cut a large hole in the fender for it).

Nonetheless, for that price, I would say it's a good buy given that it's a Rubicon and it's got a clean underside.

 

[TJ2]

Nah.

Look for an OEM Rubi - for that is a wishi-washi mod with few rusted spots.

 

[L J]

That's much nicer than I'd expect for a northeast TJ.

 

[Mike_H]

Beware. I don't think I'd ever buy a TJ from the Northeast, sight unseen. Especially from a dealer. They can make a frame look really good, but it will be hiding some issues.

I see rust in the hood seams, under the rocker panel, in the rear cross member. I see a paint mismatch on the front bumper. Those things are not enough to keep me from looking at it, but they are enough to keep me from buying it site unseen.

 

[namunyoska]

Looks nice but make sure you also check the floor boards for any rust. If no rust there then I agree it looks pretty clean for the price. Still, having been screwed over by a NJ dealer when buying a Jeep before, I wouldn't trust any of them, even if they gave me the Jeep for free. Maybe I'm just cynical.

Seriously, it does look pretty clean. Get a pre-purchase inspection at a nearby shop for like 50 bucks to keep your mind at ease. If the dealer gives you a hard time and makes excuses about the pre purchase inspection, walk away and don't look back.

 

[LandSquid83]

All good info fellas. Keep it coming! Anyone know what the part is under the hood with the rag underneath it?

 

[RMETeeJay]

Cruise control servo.

 

[FJQue]

Looks like most of the little bolts under the hood are rusted, may be hard to work on overall. I'd try to find a tastefully modded one or a stockish one from down south or out west..

 

[2001slvrstntj]

Yeah, see some rust but overall I am impressed being from a salt state. Looks decent but be sure to check it out first hand.

 

[AndyG]

It's going to have more rust than it appears probably .

If the 6th digit of the VIN isn't a 6, it ain't a real Rubi...that is the Mark of the Beast .

That's an overall good price , my guess is it's been repainted, and has a checkered past ..but that's a guess.

The problem with the shift knob is you have to drive with a first baseman's mitt on to make it legal.

Thanks for you military service, be careful shopping in the north east ...frame rust is prevalent .

 

[fourpointzero]

I live in NJ. That said, I dont trust a single Jeep coming from the NE, including NJ. unless I can see it myself, I dont believe it’s ‘rust free’ or ‘surface rust only’.

They’re located way down south Jersey. Nice pricing but really a gamble buying anything site unseen out of the NE.

 

[LandSquid83]

If the 6th digit of the VIN isn't a 6, it ain't a real Rubi...that is the Mark of the Beast .

Confirmed, she's a beast!

 

[LandSquid83]

I live in NJ. That said, I dont trust a single Jeep coming from the NE, including NJ. unless I can see it myself, I dont believe it’s ‘rust free’ or ‘surface rust only’.

They’re located way down south Jersey. Nice pricing but really a gamble buying anything site unseen out of the NE.

No love for your Garden State Home?

 

[fourpointzero]

No love for your Garden State Home?

Because I said “I don’t trust a single Jeep coming out of the NE, including NJ”?

I certainly don’t like the cold or the salted roads. Worse than that, the property taxes. Hell no!

 

[LandSquid83]

More pictures from the dealership.

 

[Brian83]

damn I feel bad for those of you living in the rust belt.

 

[1J4FY]

The frame is clean, which is the most important part.

It has a shitty lift, a stupid shift knob, and a pointless snorkel, but those can be easily fixed (minus the snorkel since someone had to cut a large hole in the fender for it).

Nonetheless, for that price, I would say it's a good buy given that it's a Rubicon and it's got a clean underside.

What is shitty about the lift? From what I see in the pics, it looks like it has Rubicon Express control arms and front trackbar. Shocks can be swapped out easily and affordably if the Rough Countrys aren't cutting it. I'm with you on the shift knob though Don't need a snorkel unless swimming

 

[tworley]

Torque box is starting to rust out in the third to last picture.

 

[S.McArthur]

That’s either a scam or someone is using the pics as a scam, I’ve seen that Jeep for sale all over the place.