4.0 motor and high miles

cliffish

TJ Expert
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Oct 22, 2017
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St James, NY, United States
I am a former JKU owner looking to get back into the game. I came across an 05 with the 4.0 motor, the vehicle looks very clean from top and below, both factory full and half doors, 4" lift (might be a bit much?), it would be my DD although would have several other cars available if there were any issues. Would any of you be afraid of this engine @160K on it? He is asking above 10K though for the jeep.

thx
 
Simple answer, no. They are known to go much longer than that with proper preventive maintenance.

Does the prev owner have any records indicating maintenance performed?

Did you pull the dipstick and have a look?
 
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have not looked at it physically yet, this is part of the description:
- 4" suspension lift kit
- Ion Alloy 17" wheels with Nitto Terra Grappler Tires (Tires have plenty of tread)
Recent Maintenance Include:
- Radiator
- Oil pan gasket and OPDA (Oil pan drive assembly)
- Water pump
- Heater core
- New U-joints & New stabilizing joint
 
I would be more concerened about the brand of lift if you want to make it a DD. Chesper lifts ewual harsher ride. The engine should be fine if maintained as previously stated.
 
4.0s ar known to last an incredibly long time. One guy on here has 600k miles on his 4.0 and the only major work he has had to do are replace two transmissions (which is to be expected with that mileage). The point being though, he's never had to open the engine to do any internal work. Other than typical maintenance item, the internals have held up to 600k miles.

With higher mileage 4.0s there's only a few things I worry about:

1) The transmission. Figure that most transmissions won't last more than 200k miles without needing a rebuild, or at bare minimum a new clutch (if it's a manual). Automatics tend to go out sooner depending on how they were maintained.

2) The cooling system. I would say the number one cause for most roadside break downs is cooling system failures. Every 120k miles (or 10+ years) or so, it's wise to do a cooling system overhaul, which you can read more about here Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ. It's not that expensive, and it will give your TJ a new lease on life. A new cooling system (assuming you use OE parts) should last 100k plus miles and 10+ years easily.

Other than that though, as long as it was properly maintained and is mostly rust free, I wouldn't worry about it.

It's also worth mentioning that a clean TJ (regardless of mileage) will hold it's value pretty darn well. I paid 20k miles for my 2005 Rubicon with 65k miles. I see them regularly go for anywhere between 20-25k with this sort of mileage in the condition that mine is in. That is only for Rubicon models of course. The non-Rubicon models will go for cheaper.
 
  • 160 Miles is barely breaking a sweat for that motor...as was previously stated though, maintenance history is key.
 
Im almost @200k w a rattling sound that kicks in after its warm. No oil burn issues and moves when it needs to. My point is, if it’s in great shape w no rust and everything maintenance is up to par, I wouldn’t hesitate. Even if there’s no records of maintenance, but everything runs as it should, TJ’s are so modular in comparison to Jk’s, I wouldn’t be so concerned w the miles. Above 10k however, it better be clean! Really clean and capable.


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Thanks, looking forward to less electronics, getting sick of wife's c300 Benz, and my current 14 explorer with enough electronics to launch the next space shuttle.

Anyway they did not know the brand of the lift as it was not spelled out on the receipt from the shop...just showed a cost of $1200.00 installed (LI, NY prices) :suspension lift, springs/shocks,f&r track bar, and alignment.
 
...getting sick of wife's c300 Benz, and my current 14 explorer with enough electronics to launch the next space shuttle.

....cost of $1200.00 installed (LI, NY prices) :suspension lift, springs/shocks,f&r track bar, and alignment.

lol same thing with my old Trailblazer. It was a box of electronic modules with gremlins running wild!

As for the lift and install price: that seems about right for LINY. If it drives great, I wouldn’t be so concerned w brand. Aftermarket items are a tough sell and people seem to always want to up the price on their installed equipment.


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My other option is to try and find a clean stock one closer to 100K for $8000 range and build it up and find oem half doors....
The half doors seem real expensive used and are almost always really marked up.
 
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8k and low miles is tough, I’d think. I finally found a TJ for a buddy in north Jersey. 167k miles but literally the cleanest frame I believe I’ve seen for the year, ever, this side of the state. Literally had me asking, “how is this possible?” They settled at 8,100 bucks out the door. The down side: it was incredibly ugly. Cheap, gaudy mods done via invention.


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They’re just so hard to find in really good shape AND ‘upgraded’ for less than 10k. So maybe you get a gem. Let us know how it goes.


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My other option is to try and find a clean stock one closer to 100K for $8000 range and build it up and find oem half doors....
The half doors seem real expensive used and are almost always really marked up.
IMHO:

I consider it a liability to buy a "modded" jeep from a stranger.

Find the lowest mileage, rust free Jeep in your budget and work from there. Try the southern States for more rust free.

100k for 8k? Good luck.
 
IMHO:

I consider it a liability to buy a "modded" jeep from a stranger.

Find the lowest mileage, rust free Jeep in your budget and work from there. Try the southern States for more rust free.

100k for 8k? Good luck.

I think it depends on what mods the stranger used.

If he used cheaper, lesser quality mods, such as skyjacker and pro comp, then yes stay away. What else did he go cheap on?

But if he used higher quality mods, like Currie, then hell yes.

It’s not always a “liability” to buy a modded vehicle from a stranger.
 
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