LJ purchase—this guy deserves a nod

That's exactly what I did pretty much. Over 6 months I looked at and kicked tires and test drove about a dozen TJs. Most were already everything I eventually wanted to do. Lift. Tires. Bumpers. Winch etc. High miles. A few got bought right in front of me. Worked with a few dealers contacting me every time they got one in. One dealer had no less than 3 to 5 TJs on the lot at all times. Another dealer kept a constant rotation of one every time they sold one would get another one in right away. I kept himming and hawing. Until I finally was able to get a bone stock TJ with 53k miles that looks and drives like brand new. I can daily drive it until I get a truck and do everything I want to it without worrying what somebody else has already f'd up on it.

There's the saying "money talks and bullshit walks". Well if you got the money and you see bullshit. You can walk away.
 
here is where I am.
You can do like I am, purchase a little at a time. I replace the RC control arms bushings on the rear(RC had them in stock) I will replace all the control arms this year at some point, just saving up my money and paying as I go.
I will regear it either this year or next also.
 
When I bought my TJ, I thought of the 3" lift as a selling point.

After a 3 year journey where I replaced literally every mod that was on it, the lesson I took into buying my LJ was to get something as stock as possible, or if not stock, at least parts I recognized. I ended up going for one with a lift, but I at least knew too look for stupidity like a DPA and it didn't have any of that.
 
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The LJR I bought had the quality upgrades I wanted except for CAI with spacer and external roof rack. PO had the factory air box which I replaced. I will sell the rack at some point. PO had a log of all the maintenance he did. His garage was immaculate everything had a place and everything was in it’s place. I knew the jeep was well taken care of. He only sold it because he bought a new pick up and had no room for it. I think he had a tears in his eyes when I drove off. All I’ve done to it is replace the spark plugs. I paid a little more up front but I don’t plan on putting any more into it other than routine maintenance. I did have to look at a lot of crappy rigs before I found this one and make two 850 mile one way trips to get it but it was worth it to find the perfect rig for me.
 
You can do like I am, purchase a little at a time. I replace the RC control arms bushings on the rear(RC had them in stock) I will replace all the control arms this year at some point, just saving up my money and paying as I go.
I will regear it either this year or next also.

Yep, already there. My goal for the spring is to ditch the TC drop. But you gotta buy a whole bunch of other things to get there. Like now it’s the adjustable rear track bar. Unfortunately, I’m at the part where I have to buy a lot of pieces that work together rather than just the one piece.
 
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The LJR I bought had the quality upgrades I wanted except for CAI with spacer and external roof rack. PO had the factory air box which I replaced. I will sell the rack at some point. PO had a log of all the maintenance he did. His garage was immaculate everything had a place and everything was in it’s place. I knew the jeep was well taken care of. He only sold it because he bought a new pick up and had no room for it. I think he had a tears in his eyes when I drove off. All I’ve done to it is replace the spark plugs. I paid a little more up front but I don’t plan on putting any more into it other than routine maintenance. I did have to look at a lot of crappy rigs before I found this one and make two 850 mile one way trips to get it but it was worth it to find the perfect rig for me.
I can attest to that he got a great jeep with all components in perfect order. I got a chance to take it for short drive when I met him. I didn't know before this that there was LJR!:)
 
Good stories , appreciate all you guys hitting this ...it's tough when you don't have experience and they all look good to you.
 
Good stories , appreciate all you guys hitting this ...it's tough when you don't have experience and they all look good to you.
Man I got burned on mine pretty bad. I had know clue on what I was getting into. Mostly rust issues. I just decided to suck it up, fixer up and build it the way I want it. Learning alot. This Jeep will be in my family as long as it can be driven. The next one I buy wich will be in a year or two for my daughter will be inspected,inspected,inspected.
 
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Man I got burned on mine pretty bad. I had know clue on what I was getting into. Mostly rust issues. I just decided to suck it up, fixer up and build it the way I want it. Learning alot. This Jeep will be in my family as long as it can be driven. The next one I buy wich will be in a year or two for my daughter will be inspected,inspected,inspected.
And you have friends you can call on to help inspect if needed!!!!!
 
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