Is this a good Jeep?

Jeep_Noob

Jeep_Noob

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2023
Messages
19
Location
Minnesota
Hi. First post and very new to Jeeps. The one thing I know about them is that rust can be a huge issue. That said, this is a Jeep I am looking at purchasing. Does it look good underneath? My
apologies if I haven't followed the forum's posting rules, but I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!
IMG_4463.JPG

IMG_4462.JPG

IMG_4461.JPG

IMG_4460.JPG

IMG_4459.JPG
 
Welcome to the best forum around. Grab a screwdriver and poke along the frame especially around the control arms looking for rust holes. That’s one of the weaknesses of a tj. I’ve seen a lot of rusty front fenders too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper and tr21triton
Thanks for all the feedback, I'll see what I can do to get those additional pictures. It's a single owner 2002 Sahara with 80,000 miles in Minnesota.
 
Jeep_Noob said:
Thanks for all the feedback, I'll see what I can do to get those additional pictures. It's a single owner 2002 Sahara with 80,000 miles in Minnesota.
Click to expand...

If it’s rust free in your neck of the woods then it’s something to take a good look at-

Keep in mind it is a 20+ year old vehicle and it’s going to need some little things- I haven’t got my hands on one yet that does not.

If they sent you those pictures they deliberately did not show you the frame and that usually is for some reason-

If you took the pictures go back and get pictures of the frame and listen to what these above posts are saying.

Rust can be dealt with as much sometimes it takes some pretty extreme measures depending on the extent of it.
 
Last edited:
On the second picture in the top right, you can see some rust on the outside of the frame. You'll need to get more photos of that frame and especially near the rear lower control arm mounts. Feel inside the frame for debris, rust flakes or chips, etc.

Although, for a 20+ year old TJ in Minnesota, first impressions doesn't seem too bad. More photos of the frame and torque boxes (Frame to body mounts) will tell.
 
"single owner 2002 Sahara with 80,000 miles in Minnesota."

Depends on price, but looks pretty good to me. What do they say about when they drove it ?? Learn a lot by talking to owner. D
 
Early 97-99 TJs like my 97 had issues like leak prone radiators, bad valve springs, crack prone headers, and defective catalytic converters that came apart internally. 2002 is just in the good mid-range that extended through 2004. 2005-6 TJs started having problems with the OPDA and PCM problems. This is strictly my personal opinion, no doubt some will disagree.

P. S. My 97 TJ had all four of those early TJ issues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: James9100
Jerry Bransford said:
Early 97-99 TJs like my 97 had issues like leak prone radiators, bad valve springs, crack prone headers, and defective catalytic converters that came apart internally. 2002 is just in the good mid-range that extended through 2004. 2005-6 TJs started having problems with the OPDA and PCM problems. This is strictly my personal opinion, no doubt some will disagree.
Click to expand...

I do know that the transmission options also got worse in the later years with the 42RLE, and NSG370.
Didn’t know about some of those issues though… thanks for a little bit more of the never ending TJ knowledge Jerry!

Edit: I’m feeling pretty good about having an 02 now :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jerry Bransford
Jerry Bransford said:
Early 97-99 TJs like my 97 had issues like leak prone radiators, bad valve springs, crack prone headers, and defective catalytic converters that came apart internally. 2002 is just in the good mid-range that extended through 2004. 2005-6 TJs started having problems with the OPDA and PCM problems. This is strictly my personal opinion, no doubt some will disagree.

P. S. My 97 TJ had all four of those early TJ issues.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely correct, Jerry. Spot on.



(Edit: My comments have nothing at all to do with the fact that I own an ’04…😉)
 
  • Haha
Reactions: John Cooper and Jerry Bransford
Top Bottom
Back