New 2000 Sahara owner in NC

eminem

New Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2020
Messages
6
Location
Charlotte, NC
Hi All - I just bought a 2000 Sahara with 190K for $7000. It's super clean with no rust, 2 PO and appears to be well cared-for. Radiator and serpentine belt recently replaced. New Bestop sailcloth top 3 years ago. PO (since 2007) always serviced at Jeep dealer. The 4.0L engine is strong and clean and I didn't want to spend too much since it will mostly be a weekend toy for me, not my DD. Doors have never been removed and PO didn't know that back seat could be folded fwd or removed so that's the first thing I did, plus removing the little hinged shelf thing behind the seat. Next up: cargo liner and AT tires. I realize with the high mileage that I may need to do some engine/drivetrain repairs but I think I can get another 100K+ miles out of it with proper care. Looking forward to learning more about it from the forum.

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Great looking Sahara, I like it a lot!

Got any big plans for it, or just going to enjoy it the way it is?
 
Thanks guys! No major mods planned right now, just some 31 BFG KOs, grab bars, and floor liners. We'll see if funding for more is available later. It's a blast to drive. I just hope that starting out with the 190K miles wasn't a mistake.
 
If it was taken care of 190k miles is nothing for the 4.0. They will go 300k without much work. I'd be more worried about the suspension and look into that.
 
Before doing any mods, I'd like to do any service or updates to make sure the frame, suspension, drivetrain, body, and electrical are in good shape. I'm searching the forums for suggestions on what to look for, services to perform, etc. for high mileage (~200K) TJs.

Regarding suspension, what should I look for? It "seems" to be in good shape but I don't know if it's ever been updated, serviced, etc.

Any suggestions or pointers to related info is greatly appreciated.
 
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Before doing any mods, I'd like to do any service or updates to make sure the frame, suspension, drivetrain, body, and electrical are in good shape. I'm searching the forums for suggestions on what to look for, services to perform, etc. for high mileage (~200K) TJs.

Regarding suspension, what should I look for? It "seems" to be in good shape but I don't know if it's ever been updated, serviced, etc.

Any suggestions or pointers to related info is greatly appreciated.

Welcome and you've got the right approach! You can start with the basics of replacing ignition, brake, suspension and steering components, as needed. Changing all the fluids is also a good idea, including a full brake fluid flush. All of these things aren't that expensive or difficult and can be done in your garage or driveway.

In terms of making the 4.0L go longer, at 190K miles, keeping it cool and making sure you've got good oil pressure are two of the most important things you can do to help ensure a long service life. You mentioned a new radiator and belt, but do you know if the hoses, thermostat and water pump were replaced?

For the oil pressure, I generally start by replacing the valve cover gasket? What does this have to do with oil pressure? Directly, nothing. However they typically need to be replaced and once the valve cover is removed, you can get a good look at the top of the head. If there is sludge, due to poor oil change routines, this can block oil passages, resulting in insufficient oiling. Also, anytime I get a Jeep with that many miles, I install a new Melling oil pump. This is almost always done in conjunction with a Rear Main Seal (RMS) replacement. The TJ RMS is a two piece design and I've never bought a used 4.0L that didn't leak.

Lastly, don't be afraid to post up pictures of your frame, steering, and suspension parts. There are lots of eagle eyed folks here willing to help identify issues and make recommendations. If you have a question about something in particular, go here first. There is a wealth of information that is at your fingertips.

https://wranglertjforum.com/forums/tj-resources.121/
 
Nice one! My favorite color for a TJ! Change fluids, flush the cooling system. It's just getting broke in.
 
Welcome and you've got the right approach! You can start with the basics of replacing ignition, brake, suspension and steering components, as needed. Changing all the fluids is also a good idea, including a full brake fluid flush. All of these things aren't that expensive or difficult and can be done in your garage or driveway.

In terms of making the 4.0L go longer, at 190K miles, keeping it cool and making sure you've got good oil pressure are two of the most important things you can do to help ensure a long service life. You mentioned a new radiator and belt, but do you know if the hoses, thermostat and water pump were replaced?

For the oil pressure, I generally start by replacing the valve cover gasket? What does this have to do with oil pressure? Directly, nothing. However they typically need to be replaced and once the valve cover is removed, you can get a good look at the top of the head. If there is sludge, due to poor oil change routines, this can block oil passages, resulting in insufficient oiling. Also, anytime I get a Jeep with that many miles, I install a new Melling oil pump. This is almost always done in conjunction with a Rear Main Seal (RMS) replacement. The TJ RMS is a two piece design and I've never bought a used 4.0L that didn't leak.

Lastly, don't be afraid to post up pictures of your frame, steering, and suspension parts. There are lots of eagle eyed folks here willing to help identify issues and make recommendations. If you have a question about something in particular, go here first. There is a wealth of information that is at your fingertips.

https://wranglertjforum.com/forums/tj-resources.121/
Thanks for the detailed reply... very helpful.

When they replaced the radiator, they also replaced the thermostat and heater core. No mention of hoses or water pump (on invoice from Jeep dealer). It did say that this work was done because customer stated that it was overheating (not sure how much or how long). No leaks that I can see yet but I need to look closer.
 
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Now I'm wondering if I should change the water pump since it's apparently the original and 190K miles seems to be pushing it. It's not leaking but I'd rather be proactive than stuck on the side of the road somewhere. It seems strange that the Jeep dealer wouldn't have changed the water pump when they replaced the radiator and thermostat, unless it was too expensive for PO then. I've seen the videos and write-ups for changing the water pump but I'd probably look for a local radiator shop to do it, and compare to Jeep dealer price.