Should I be worried about this?

[Mora]

So I’m looking for a Wrangler. My first one actually. I found an 05’ with 63k miles. Has had 2 owners. I don’t know much about the first owner but the second owner used it for trails such as anza borego, big bear, Frazier Park, and a few others. He let me know that he bent the front axle then replaced it. How hard is it to do that? Do you think this Jeep was abused? Should this be a vehicle I should be worried about? It would be my daily driver along with light trails and such. I’m going to be getting a pre-buy inspection along with brining someone with me to check it out.
Any info helps!

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/...oTempest&utm_medium=TRP&utm_campaign=atempest

 

[jws123]

You would have to hit something prty hard to bend a axle Also to Me it looks a bit pricey for what it is.

 

[Mora]

You would have to hit something prty hard to bend a axle Also to Me it looks a bit pricey for what it is.

I live in California so the price for wranglers and pretty high out here.

 

[Zorba]

For that money, I'd look out of state. Its not unheard of to find a Rubicon for that price.

 

[Jpodell]

Sounds like they used it for the purpose it was built. I wouldn't invest that much in upgrades to just drive down the highway.

 

[TJ4Jim]

That kind of money for an SE is over the top, mileage or not. Here in southern OR near the CA border SE's top out around 8K for cherry but are typically in the 6K area. The Ad states 6cyl instead of 4 cyl which was available in the SE at that point but is still uncommon.

 

[il buono]

Definitely pricey for an SE. Seems like the seller just wants to recoup some cost related to the quality parts put on the Jeep. Living in AZ, I've kept my eye on TJs that have popped up in California. Good deals do pop up. You just need to be patient and be glued to places like FB Marketplace, CL, and other sites people use to post locally,

 

[pagrey]

A quick read of the description and that thing has plenty at good parts to justify the cost. SE means nothing. I assume it means 2.4 or 2.5 but obviously not in this case. I don't know why a seller would tell you they bent an axle, be thorough on your inspection. Gears, e-locker, ARB locker, savvy skid, control arms, tuck, these are all high dollar mods on a low mileage 4.0.

 

[TJ Hunnicutt]

A quick read of the description and that thing has plenty at good parts to justify the cost. SE means nothing. I assume it means 2.4 or 2.5 but obviously not in this case. I don't know why a seller would tell you they bent an axle, be thorough on your inspection. Gears, e-locker, ARB locker, savvy skid, control arms, tuck, these are all high dollar mods on a low mileage 4.0.

Have to disagree. The SE only came with the 4-banger so, unless it went through a pretty expensive upgrade, it has a 4 cylinder, despite the "6 cylinder" in the tick-points. If it had been upgraded, you know damn sure it would be in the description.
It seems well built for off-roading but, if you want a highway drivable Jeep, pass on this one, it's too much for the 4 angry squirrels engine, and all the off-road ability may actually work against you a little for a daily driver. For a DD, just pass on all of the 4 bangers (all SE'a and some X's); they didn't get that much better mileage because they were so underpowered and they are flat useless on the highway.

 

[Squatch]

Have to disagree. The SE only came with the 4-banger so, unless it went through a pretty expensive upgrade, it has a 4 cylinder, despite the "6 cylinder" in the tick-points. If it had been upgraded, you know damn sure it would be in the description.
It seems well built for off-roading but, if you want a highway drivable Jeep, pass on this one, it's too much for the 4 angry squirrels engine, and all the off-road ability may actually work against you a little for a daily driver. For a DD, just pass on all of the 4 bangers (all SE'a and some X's); they didn't get that much better mileage because they were so underpowered and they are flat useless on the highway.

Actually, the 4.0 was an option in the SE for 2005 and 2006. I nicked this from Wikipedia:

SE: 1997–2006 models came standard with the 2.5 L from 1996–2002 production, and the 2.4 L from 2003–2006 production. The 4.0 L optional for 2005–2006. Standard features included an AM/FM stereo with two speakers (later, an AM/FM stereo with cassette player or single-disc CD player and four speakers), vinyl seats, and rear removable bench seat. This model was also available as a right-hand-drive (RHD) rural mail carrier model, which included right-hand-drive (RHD) and a flip-out front window for easy mail delivery. The rural mail package included a Dana 44 rear axle and hardtop with the 4.0 and the automatic transmission.

 

[AMS417]

Thought Super 30's came with 30 spline axles and carrier, listing says 27 spline. If it is indeed a 4.0 it might be worth a look. If its a 4 cylinder it would be a pass from me. Up to you really.

 

[TJ Hunnicutt]

Actually, the 4.0 was an option in the SE for 2005 and 2006. I nicked this from Wikipedia:

SE: 1997–2006 models came standard with the 2.5 L from 1996–2002 production, and the 2.4 L from 2003–2006 production. The 4.0 L optional for 2005–2006. Standard features included an AM/FM stereo with two speakers (later, an AM/FM stereo with cassette player or single-disc CD player and four speakers), vinyl seats, and rear removable bench seat. This model was also available as a right-hand-drive (RHD) rural mail carrier model, which included right-hand-drive (RHD) and a flip-out front window for easy mail delivery. The rural mail package included a Dana 44 rear axle and hardtop with the 4.0 and the automatic transmission.

Well, slap me around and call me Sally (or, Shirley, if your an Airplane fan). Thanks for the correction, Squatch!

 

[Squatch]

Well, slap me around and call me Sally (or, Shirley, if your an Airplane fan). Thanks for the correction, Squatch!

You wouldn't believe how many folks didn't realize that for the longest time, self included. You're good, Sally.

 

[TJ Hunnicutt]

...and, with that in mind...I still think I would pass unless you want to do some fairly serious off-roading. The majority of money and parts put into that build is definitely for trail riding and, though it would probably look sweet, wouldn't add squat to it's daily-driver functionality (probably reducing it due to stiffer ride). Again, for a daily with only mild off-roading planned, the price is too high.

 

[06TJ35's]

It has quality parts. Currie and savvy are the number one brands for our TJ’s. I think the price is fair(being in California) but the price can always get better! People are asking 15k if not more with rough country lifts and no armor. The lift can be the only “upgrade” they have and will ask 15k even for 97’s. It’s only worth looking at if it has the 4.0.
Edit: listing says it’s a 4.0.

 

[sourbluff]

Ask for the VIN. Then check it here https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=XXXXXX by replacing the underlined bit with the VIN. That will give you original build sheet so can know if can with 4.0.

Having previously bent the front axle wouldn’t worry me to much as long as was replaced with quality parts which seems this has. As I suggested before, find someone familiar with lifted Jeeps to help you look at it. Offer lunch and beer maybe a forum member will help you inspect it. They would be able to spot bad welds, severe abuse, etc.

If you find issues with this one, I know you are bit worried by it being in CO but you will be hard pressed to find a better deal than the TJR being sold be forum member linked in your other thread. Unless of course being manual is an issue.

For reference, I had my LJ shipped when I bought it. With additional charges for lifted and large tires I think it was $650. I had to extend my search because wasn’t finding what wanted locally.

 

[WHBNM]

If it's a 4.0 and drives down the road well (at speed) and is rust free Id consider it. Lots of upgrades to justify the cost imo. If it's a 4 banger I'd pass and use the 4-5k to upgrade a few things on something closer to stock with 6 cyl.

 

[LarryTJ]

Bent the front axle he must have trail riding it Hard. If your serious I would defiantly validate the lockers work as designed and spend the money to have a professional inspect them. If your just going to be driving it down flat dirt roads and daily driving as you mentioned this Jeep is over kill/way over built for you and I would pass on it and find something less abused but low miles.

Something more stock like this with 96K miles and few dollars less.

https://offerup.com/item/detail/908538051/

 

[TJ Hunnicutt]

Bent the front axle he must have trail riding it Hard. If your serious I would defiantly validate the lockers work as designed and spend the money to have a professional inspect them. If your just going to be driving it down flat dirt roads and daily driving as you mentioned this Jeep is over kill/way over built for you and I would pass on it and find something less abused but low miles.

Something more stock like this with 96K miles and few dollars less.

https://offerup.com/item/detail/908538051/

Hey, that looks pretty nice! Would need to inspect, especially the underside since there are no pics to even guess from, but if it's as clean as it appears, the price ain't bad for the mileage ('specially in CA) and it does not appear to be overdone.
Mora, I'd be putting eyes on this one!

 

[Mora]

Ask for the VIN. Then check it here https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=XXXXXX by replacing the underlined bit with the VIN. That will give you original build sheet so can know if can with 4.0.

Having previously bent the front axle wouldn’t worry me to much as long as was replaced with quality parts which seems this has. As I suggested before, find someone familiar with lifted Jeeps to help you look at it. Offer lunch and beer maybe a forum member will help you inspect it. They would be able to spot bad welds, severe abuse, etc.

If you find issues with this one, I know you are bit worried by it being in CO but you will be hard pressed to find a better deal than the TJR being sold be forum member linked in your other thread. Unless of course being manual is an issue.

For reference, I had my LJ shipped when I bought it. With additional charges for lifted and large tires I think it was $650. I had to extend my search because wasn’t finding what wanted locally.

I really loved the look of that other TJ in the other thread. But being manual was the only issue for me. If that wasn't the case, I would have easily bought it and shipped it to me! I should just learn how to drive a manual already aha.