TJ newb is looking for help

D

Dutchy

New Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2023
Messages
2
Location
Netherlands/Europe
Hey all!

My name is Chris and I live with my wife Raechel in The Netherlands, Europe.
My wife is American, born and bred in central Illinois.
She has wanted a Wrangler TJ Sahara ever since I have know her.

This year (2023) is the year I woudl like to buy one for her.
I would like to buy it in the USA and have it ready for her as a gift when we visit her family in August (2023), in Normal Illiois.
I am getting familiar with the car in as many ways that I can, so that I can search the area with the right parameters in mind.
My father in law is a (mercedes/Volvo) mechanic, so he will be able to verify if the car I find is good (enough).
In this forum I hope to learn as much as possible about the car, its pitfalls and maybe get some help in finding the ideal birthday gift for my wife.

So far I am impressed with the amount of knowledge (and threats) I have encountered on this forum.
You don´t see this kind of enthusiasm in Europe!

What am I looking for;

A TJ Sahara 4 liter
Dana 44 rear axle
Around the $10.000 mark.
Colour, ideally something light (Desert sand Pearl maybe)
Softtop

I know I am a greenhorn amongst you guys/girls on here, so please enlighten me with any wisdom you think I lack.

Thanks you
Chris
 
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Dutchy said:
Hey all!

My name is Chris and I live with my wife Raechel in The Netherlands, Europe.
My wife is American, born and bred in central Illinois.
She has wanted a Wrangler TJ Sahara ever since I have know her.

This year (2023) is the year I woudl like to buy one for her.
I would like to buy it in the USA and have it ready for her as a gift when we visit her family in August (2023), in Normal Illiois.
I am getting familiar with the car in as many ways that I can, so that I can search the area with the right parameters in mind.
My father in law is a (mercedes/Volvo) mechanic, so he will be able to verify if the car I find is good (enough).
In this forum I hope to learn as much as possible about the car, its pitfalls and maybe get some help in finding the ideal birthday gift for my wife.

So far I am impressed with the amount of knowledge (and threats) I have encountered on this forum.
You don´t see this kind of enthusiasm in Europe!

What am I looking for;

A TJ Sahara 4 liter
Dana 44 rear axle
Around the $10.000 mark.
Colour, ideally something light (Desert sand Pearl maybe)
Softtop

I know I am a greenhorn amongst you guys/girls on here, so please enlighten me with any wisdom you think I lack.

Thanks you
Chris
Click to expand...

Very cool gift idea for your wife!

Your #1 challenge will be finding a Jeep in/around Illinois that doesn’t have a rotted out frame. Look at the rear control arm mounts, where the transfer case skid meets the frame, and inside the frame via the four larger holes in each wheel well with a bore scope. Be prepared to expand your search to the southern states. These frames rust from the inside out. Illinois is a salt state. 🙄
 
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JMT said:
Very cool gift idea for your wife!

Your #1 challenge will be finding a Jeep in/around Illinois that doesn’t have a rotted out frame. Look at the rear control arm mounts, where the transfer case skid meets the frame, and inside the frame via the four larger holes in each wheel well with a bore scope. Be prepared to expand your search to the southern states. These frames rust from the inside out. Illinois is a salt state. 🙄
Click to expand...

That is indeed helpful.
Thank you
 
Welcome. Here's something you and your FIL should read before you begin your search:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-should-i-look-for-when-buying-a-used-wrangler-tj.375/
I don't know how many of that particular model were made, but you are likely severely limiting your options. If your wife isn't an expert on TJs, you could instead get a similar looking model and put aftermarket decals on it. Here are the Sahara's specs from this thread:

Sahara - 1997-2004
* 4.0L I-6 engine
* Body colored fender flares that are 1" wider than standard TJ flares
* Body color rocker sills
* Optional Dana 44 rear axle
* 16" wheels for 2000-2004 models
* 30" tires
* Full steel doors
* Unique seats and interior trim
* Sahara decals
Click to expand...

I hope you all find what you're looking for, good luck!
 
TheBoogieman said:
Are you trying to get his wife to leave him? Buy her a 4 cylinder and put Sahara decals on it? Maybe her engagement ring is a cubic zirconia? Now she's going to take it to a jeweler and divorce is coming. Her only option is living in Illinois. Black lesbian Beetlejuice is the mayor of Chicago. ;)
View attachment 391515
Click to expand...

always thought it was beetlejuice and al sharpton’s offspring.
 
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You specified a 44 rear end...I'm sure somebody will correct me here, but I believe the only way you're getting a 44 rear is if you meet one of these conditions (a) it's a Rubicon, (b) it's a 97 that happened to have a 44, (c) a "normal" TJ that somebody has already put a 44 into.

Regarding (b), I didn't think they had the Sahara package in 97 (or maybe just not that color), so you might be out of luck on that avenue. As a guy who pulls requirements out of people for a living, let's dig into why having a Dana 44 is a requirement. The Dana 35 is plenty capable, and unless you're doing some pretty decent wheeling & crawling, I wouldn't think it is anything you need to worry about. But it's your jeep, so you get to call the shots.

And to echo what everybody else has said, start with no rust. Then worry about the accessories.
 
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hear said:
You specified a 44 rear end...I'm sure somebody will correct me here, but I believe the only way you're getting a 44 rear is if you meet one of these conditions (a) it's a Rubicon, (b) it's a 97 that happened to have a 44, (c) a "normal" TJ that somebody has already put a 44 into.
Click to expand...

I believe it was an option, so there are some out there.

Just curious;
did they originally all come with a hard top?
 
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​
1999 -2000' Desert Sand Pearlcoat
Dana 44 rear axle is an option for all Sahara and Sport models. I paid $6,000 for mine with 100,000 miles on it.

SAHARA JEEP4 (2017_11_20 00_38_12 UTC).jpg
 
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Finding a nice clean one in that price range is going to be a big challenge!
 
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LONGJP2 said:
I believe it was an option, so there are some out there.

Just curious;
did they originally all come with a hard top?
Click to expand...

Well, at first I was going to say that I distinctly recall walking around the dealership lots while in HS and saw soft tops, but then I realized that the TJ didn't come out till my senior year of college. I didn't expect that dose of old this morning.
 
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