Looking for input on used TJs

ZeusDaCat

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Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2022
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27
Location
Colorado
New to the forum but have been reading through a lot of threads as I'm in the process of looking for a used TJ and came across these two so far, both priced exactly the same without any rust issues

2002 Sport 4.0
- 143k miles with a 5 speed manual
- Lifted 4in on a rubicon express lift kit (which I've read is not the best)
- 33in tires
- Dana 44 rear but the owner does not know the gearing in it
- SYE but they've said the driveshaft is original

1999 Sport 4.0 - I test drove this one and it felt pretty solid
- 106k miles with a 5 speed manual (clutch just replaced)
- Lifted on 2in (ish) procomp kit - if I bought this Jeep I'd likely throw on some Rancho shocks given the love they get here
- 31in tires
- Dana 35 rear with 3.73 gearing
- No SYE/CV driveshaft

Given the goal of the TJ is to do light - medium offroading/overlanding out here in Colorado I was looking to only lift the Jeep to 2-2.5in and put it on 31s. However, the 2002 Sport is interesting because it does come with the Dana 44 and the SYE. However, it's not ideal they don't know the gearing offhand and it's not the shortest drive to go take a look at it in person.

I have the following questions I was hoping I could get some help on, thanks for all the help in advance!

1. 2002 - Is it bad practice to just install a SYE without a new driveshaft?
2. 2002 - If I wanted to drop the Jeep back down to a 2-2.5in lift I imagine that would be quite the expense as I'd have to replace most everything that got installed with the rubicon express lift kit? Another option is to install a CV driveshaft and upgrade to higher quality components to replace some of the non-ideal parts from the lift kit but I'm thinking this may be overkill given the goals with the Jeep?
3. 1999 - Would the money spent on changing the 2002 to be how I want be better spent on a SYE/CV driveshaft for the 1999
4. How much am I going to dislike the 3.73 gearing in Colorado and if the 2002 does have at least 4.10 gearing would that make enough of a difference to offset the costs of lowering the lift a bit?
 
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New to the forum but have been reading through a lot of threads as I'm in the process of looking for a used TJ and came across these two so far, both priced exactly the same without any rust issues

2002 Sport 4.0
- 143k miles with a 5 speed manual
- Lifted 4in on a rubicon express lift kit (which I've read is not the best)
- 33in tires
- Dana 44 rear but the owner does not know the gearing in it
- SYE but they've said the driveshaft is original

1999 Sport 4.0 - I test drove this one and it felt pretty solid
- 106k miles with a 5 speed manual (clutch just replaced)
- Lifted on 2in (ish) procomp kit - if I bought this Jeep I'd likely throw on some Rancho shocks given the love they get here
- 31in tires
- Dana 35 rear with 3.73 gearing
- No SYE/CV driveshaft

Given the goal of the TJ is to do light - medium offroading/overlanding out here in Colorado I was looking to only lift the Jeep to 2-2.5in and put it on 31s. However, the 2002 Sport is interesting because it does come with the Dana 44 and the SYE. However, it's not ideal they don't know the gearing offhand and it's not the shortest drive to go take a look at it in person.

I have the following questions I was hoping I could get some help on, thanks for all the help in advance!

1. 2002 - Is it bad practice to just install a SYE without a new driveshaft?
2. 2002 - If I wanted to drop the Jeep back down to a 2-2.5in lift I imagine that would be quite the expense as I'd have to replace most everything that got installed with the rubicon express lift kit? Another option is to install a CV driveshaft and upgrade to higher quality components to replace some of the non-ideal parts from the lift kit but I'm thinking this may be overkill given the goals with the Jeep?
3. 1999 - Would the money spent on changing the 2002 to be how I want be better spent on a SYE/CV driveshaft for the 1999
4. How much am I going to dislike the 3.73 gearing in Colorado and if the 2002 does have at least 4.10 gearing would that make enough of a difference to offset the costs of lowering the lift a bit?

Hey Zeus, I sent you email here so take a look when you have a min. I have a few thoughts for you.

Thanks.

Aaron
 
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Depending on the prices, I'd go with the 99' for your needs. You can always upgrade the Dana 35 shafts if you want to. The 02' will need 4.56 gears and you might want to replace the RE lift and shocks with something better anyway.
 
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Either they have an SYE or they have the stock driveshaft. Not both.

Yeah that's why I was confused when they said SYE and a stock driveshaft because the stock driveshaft shouldn't be long enough 🤔. Seems a bit suspicious and paired with them not knowing the gearing in the dana 44 it seems like it may not be worth making the long drive to even look at it.
 
Go with the 99. Sounds like it's 80% of the way to what you intend to build for. The dana 35 shouldn't be a liability unless you want bigger tires AND lockers. The further away from stock a used jeep is, the more likely you'll find nasty surprises to give you headaches in the future.

Get on it quick. They go fast these days.
 
I'm no expert, but the '99 sounds like the way to go to me - but I'm not sure which years had the crack prone heads. Anybody?
 
Thanks for all the help, ended up snagging the 1999 (took off the high jack for now to make it easier to see while driving haha). Had to get it emissions tested out here in CO and the guy at the place said it passed with flying colors 🎉

image_50436097.JPG
 
Welcome to the forum from Centennial! Where are you located?
That TJ will do most of what you want as it sits. Drive and wheel it for a bit before you spend any $$ on mods. And leave that jack in the garage.
Pull that hard top off while the nice weather lasts, late summer and fall are a great time to have it all opened up.
Enjoy.
 
Welcome to the forum from Centennial! Where are you located?
That TJ will do most of what you want as it sits. Drive and wheel it for a bit before you spend any $$ on mods. And leave that jack in the garage.
Pull that hard top off while the nice weather lasts, late summer and fall are a great time to have it all opened up.
Enjoy.

Thanks! Luckily it has pretty much everything done to it that we'd want to do anyway so won't be tempted to throw money at it. We're up in Westminster
 
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