Corner armor... goes on, never comes off?

[jrmcafee]

Tell that to all the JK and JL owners you see who never leave the pavement. They’re “cool SUVs” at this point.

With the exception of maybe the ones in the 40’s and 50’s, I guess my understanding has been that’s what they always were.

Yes I bought one that was allegedly built for a different purpose (although I consider it suspect to put 7” of lift and 35/12.50’s on a 2.5L). At the same time, I got one with 83k of original miles, an always TN vehicle with no rust, and after some elbow grease the beginnings of a pretty solid Jeep it seems for less than $8k. I’m feeling decent about it. Trying to trade as much as I can to keep what’s in it as low as possible but I think I can definitely get the money back out if it turns out not to be what I think it can.

 

[chuck47]

With the exception of maybe the ones in the 40’s and 50’s, I guess my understanding has been that’s what they always were.

Yes I bought one that was allegedly built for a different purpose (although I consider it suspect to put 7” of lift and 35/12.50’s on a 2.5L). At the same time, I got one with 83k of original miles, an always TN vehicle with no rust, and after some elbow grease the beginnings of a pretty solid Jeep it seems for less than $8k. I’m feeling decent about it. Trying to trade as much as I can to keep what’s in it as low as possible but I think I can definitely get the money back out if it turns out not to be what I think it can.

Just reading through this thread, I'm wondering how you possibly test drove a 2.5L TJ with 35's and a massive lift and thought that it was a good choice for a family vehicle? The JKs and JLs have really just become modern station wagons for people who have unrealistic expectations about the types of "adventures" they are going to go on with their kids, but the TJ is considered the end of the wrangler era by many for a reason.

Maybe at the time it would have been an okay choice for a family vehicle, but there are just so many reasons why I would never want a TJ for that purpose.

 

[jrmcafee]

Just reading through this thread, I'm wondering how you possibly test drove a 2.5L TJ with 35's and a massive lift and thought that it was a good choice for a family vehicle? The JKs and JLs have really just become modern station wagons for people who have unrealistic expectations about the types of "adventures" they are going to go on with their kids, but the TJ is considered the end of the wrangler era by many for a reason.

Maybe at the time it would have been an okay choice for a family vehicle, but there are just so many reasons why I would never want a TJ for that purpose.

1) I bought it non-running and fixed it. The point is well-made though: I could have done some more reading before I bought my first Jeep. At the same time, most of the stuff I’d found after about 3 months of searching was 175k+ mileage or hillbilly garden variety, so when I found one south of 100k and south of $10k, I grabbed it.
2) Our family has a 2017 Honda Pilot for the daily school runs and grocery-getting. This was intended to be the fun rig and I think once the BL is out and the 35’s become 31-32” ATs, it will be.

 

[chuck47]

1) I bought it non-running and fixed it. The point is well-made though: I could have done some more reading before I bought my first Jeep. At the same time, most of the stuff I’d found after about 3 months of searching was 175k+ mileage or hillbilly garden variety, so when I found one south of 100k and south of $10k, I grabbed it.
2) Our family has a 2017 Honda Pilot for the daily school runs and grocery-getting. This was intended to be the fun rig and I think once the BL is out and the 35’s become 31-32” ATs, it will be.

I completely understand that! It is hard to find anything decent with under 100k under 10k. The fact that it is just going to be a "for fun" vehicle makes way more sense in my head. I was just imagining trying to take young kids on a roadtrip in the back of a TJ...

For sure, once you get the 35s off it will be a huge improvement. I have a 2.5L with 31s, so I can't imagine how horrible it would be to drive on the street with 35s, not to mention that tire size is too much for a Dana 35. Do you know what the gearing is on it?

 

[jrmcafee]

I completely understand that! It is hard to find anything decent with under 100k under 10k. The fact that it is just going to be a "for fun" vehicle makes way more sense in my head. I was just imagining trying to take young kids on a roadtrip in the back of a TJ...

For sure, once you get the 35s off it will be a huge improvement. I have a 2.5L with 31s, so I can't imagine how horrible it would be to drive on the street with 35s, not to mention that tire size is too much for a Dana 35. Do you know what the gearing is on it?

It’s got 4.88 gears, so it does have that going for it. I have a few folks lined up to take the 35’s off my hands once the BL comes out and I can run something smaller. For now, I’m living life in 3rd gear.

It’s a bit of a shame honestly. The tires are brand new GY Wranglers.

 

[chuck47]

It’s got 4.88 gears, so it does have that going for it. I have a few folks lined up to take the 35’s off my hands once the BL comes out and I can run something smaller. For now, I’m living life in 3rd gear.

It’s a bit of a shame honestly. The tires are brand new GY Wranglers.

Yep, you will have guys beating down your doors to get their hands on those. You'll probably appreciate the gearing when you drop down. I don't get a whole lot of use out of 5th, unless it's on a flat stretch of highway.

 

[AndyG]

I completely understand that! It is hard to find anything decent with under 100k under 10k. The fact that it is just going to be a "for fun" vehicle makes way more sense in my head. I was just imagining trying to take young kids on a roadtrip in the back of a TJ...

For sure, once you get the 35s off it will be a huge improvement. I have a 2.5L with 31s, so I can't imagine how horrible it would be to drive on the street with 35s, not to mention that tire size is too much for a Dana 35. Do you know what the gearing is on it?

Actually SE's under 10k are fairly common in these parts.

 

[B34C0N]

I would pop the gas filler shroud off and check in that side if it's dented. And somehow on the other side before removing the guards.

The PO of my Jeep put diamond plate corners guards on that were a poor fit and looked bad. I took them off to find both corners dented.

On black the poison spider ones aren't bad at all

 

[chuck47]

Actually SE's under 10k are fairly common in these parts.

Lucky bastard, I paid 5k for one with 157k miles. First one I found up north that wasn't rusted to shit.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Actually SE's under 10k are fairly common in these parts.

Under $6000 in very common in my area for SE TJs. I paid $1800 for my only 2.5L. It was a YJ though, with no AC or power steering. I sold it to a neighbor for $5,000 with 196,000 miles on it. It was my first Wrangler. I promptly bought a "Cadillac like" riding XJ.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

So much hate for the diamond plate...

 

[Goatman]

When I had my CJ7 the kids would BEG me to take them out on the back trails and woods in the area. 3 kids in the back. Tight fit for sure, but they loved it. Hopefully they will all turn into Jeepers too. 1 already has!

 

[TheBoogieman]

So much hate for the diamond plate...

View attachment 234488

It was a "must have" on CJs.

 

[AndyG]

Under $6000 in very common in my area for SE TJs. I paid $1800 for my only 2.5L. It was a YJ though, with no AC or power steering. I sold it to a neighbor for $5,000 with 196,000 miles on it. It was my first Wrangler. I promptly bought a "Cadillac like" riding XJ.
View attachment 234469

Yes sir I see 6500 to 8000 commonly...That's usually when I get excited then find out it's a four cylinder. they will often be in just fantastic condition.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Yes sir I see 6500 to 8000 commonly...That's usually when I get excited then find out it's a four cylinder. they will often be in just fantastic condition.

Same here. I'm currently looking for a 02' auto. Every decent deal is a 4 cylinder.

 

[jrmcafee]

Yes sir I see 6500 to 8000 commonly...That's usually when I get excited then find out it's a four cylinder. they will often be in just fantastic condition.

Yeah I agree, no shortage of TJs in that price range. However TJs that are south of 100k mileage and don’t have rust, tube fenders, and are absolutely beat to pieces, a little more rare.

Hindsight being what it is, I would have paid a little more for something in the 150-170k mile range that was 4.0 and had been driven regularly.

 

[jrmcafee]

It was a "must have" on CJs.

This one is a little bit of a time capsule I think. It’s had less than 1000 miles put on it in the past 12 years, so most of the aftermarket was likely added in the very early part of the 2000’s.

 

[TheBoogieman]

This one is a little bit of a time capsule I think. It’s had less than 1000 miles put on it in the past 12 years, so most of the aftermarket was likely added in the very early part of the 2000’s.

That's a double edge sword. Less miles is usually a good thing. Not being driven enough and sitting is usually a bad thing. Seals dry rot and leak. If you didn't overpay and it fits your needs, enjoy and have fun with it. I sold my only 4 cylinder Jeep because it had no AC or power steering. It would run 70 mph highway with stock tires no problem. It was also great in the snow because it didn't have enough power to spin the tires.

 

[TheBoogieman]

This one is a little bit of a time capsule I think.

I found a rare YJ/TJ. Must be a 1996' Hybrid

 

[AndyG]

Yeah I agree, no shortage of TJs in that price range. However TJs that are south of 100k mileage and don’t have rust, tube fenders, and are absolutely beat to pieces, a little more rare.

Hindsight being what it is, I would have paid a little more for something in the 150-170k mile range that was 4.0 and had been driven regularly.

I made the mistake of getting one with extremely low miles a few years ago and it about drove me crazy.