Hi, so I moved to northern California a few weeks ago for college. Last week my aunt told me she was selling her tj with 40k miles for 5k and asked if I was interested. I said I was super interested and now I have a jeep. I really know very little about the community and wanted to get involved and was hoping for some tips or advice from some experienced jeepers (I also just really wanted to talk about my jeep because I am super hyped about it). I have already bought seat covers, floor mats, and was thinking about buying a winch and new soft top as my sof top is brownish and old and I would like to get a black one. I was also going to spray paint all the faded gray parts on the sides of the car black as I feel white and black would look nice (the car is white). But yeah I figured this would be a good place to start to get involved with the jeep community!
Any advice for a new Jeeper?
- Thread starter Spencer Ford
- Start date
Main thing is to take care of any deferred maintenance. Check oils, lube zert fittings, check on any, through search, problems with your year Jeep. Winches and other aftermarket mods can wait.
Welcome to Norcal and the forum! My favorite color TJ! I used to be in that neck of the woods back in 87, attending Humboldt State.
Go check out Samoa Dunes. I believe you can still take your Jeep out on the sand. Not sure if Samoa Cookhouse is still open, but if so, check it out.
Go check out Samoa Dunes. I believe you can still take your Jeep out on the sand. Not sure if Samoa Cookhouse is still open, but if so, check it out.
Drive it for a few months and get a feel for how it handles or what it may need taken care of before going overboard and spending on frivolous things when there may be a few hidden gremlins or issues you haven't yet picked up on that need addressing first. I understand wanting to get to the fun stuff first but give it time, you may change your mind with what you want or the direction you take.
Welcome to this forum.
How long did your aunt own that TJ and how much paperwork regarding maintenance came with it? The less time she owned it the more paperwork from previous owners will help.
Where does you aunt live? No I'm not planning on stalking her but knowing roughly where it's spent it's life is always good to know. Really close to the ocean, on the beach or even in the snow needs some slightly different stuff checked than spending it's life in Arizona or Alabama.
You seem to have some good plans but put them on hold until you're sure all the fluids aren't beyond their acceptable use life. Change the stuff needs changed, like fluids, brake shoes, whatevers then driving it for a while to figure out what you really end up wanting may seem kinda slow but it's much better than doing something then redoing it with something else. Heck I may even be crazy but if your top is still in usable condition and just looks bad because it's brownish you may be able to just hit it with the same black paint used elsewhere. New soft tops sure aren't cheap. You'll probably not be happy for long with the cheapest one you can find and that money may be needed for something else anyway.
Just try to go slow and Good Luck!!
How long did your aunt own that TJ and how much paperwork regarding maintenance came with it? The less time she owned it the more paperwork from previous owners will help.
Where does you aunt live? No I'm not planning on stalking her but knowing roughly where it's spent it's life is always good to know. Really close to the ocean, on the beach or even in the snow needs some slightly different stuff checked than spending it's life in Arizona or Alabama.
You seem to have some good plans but put them on hold until you're sure all the fluids aren't beyond their acceptable use life. Change the stuff needs changed, like fluids, brake shoes, whatevers then driving it for a while to figure out what you really end up wanting may seem kinda slow but it's much better than doing something then redoing it with something else. Heck I may even be crazy but if your top is still in usable condition and just looks bad because it's brownish you may be able to just hit it with the same black paint used elsewhere. New soft tops sure aren't cheap. You'll probably not be happy for long with the cheapest one you can find and that money may be needed for something else anyway.
Just try to go slow and Good Luck!!
Soft tops come in several colors. You may have a dark tan top, or a khaki colored top, so unless there are rips in the fabric, or the zippers are fubar, a good cleaning may be all that's needed.
My key points:
- never wheel alone.
- the Wrangler is more tractor than sports car, so please respect its limitations on curves.
- the "domino effect"
There are very few upgrades to this Jeep platform that have not already been discussed and documented by others. You can save money by learning from them, and also listening to your Jeep as it will tell you what it needs.
The TJ is a very forgiving vehicle platform, making it a terrific learning opportunity if you're not already mechanically inclined.
- never wheel alone.
- the Wrangler is more tractor than sports car, so please respect its limitations on curves.
- the "domino effect"
There are very few upgrades to this Jeep platform that have not already been discussed and documented by others. You can save money by learning from them, and also listening to your Jeep as it will tell you what it needs.
The TJ is a very forgiving vehicle platform, making it a terrific learning opportunity if you're not already mechanically inclined.
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Rubicon88
TJ Addict
Color interior? If it's tan...get a tan top.
You will get sick of black with a tan interior/carpets etc
You will get sick of black with a tan interior/carpets etc
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
Read, research, and read some more, seriously.
Don't start buying anything until you have a long term game plan in mind. I encourage you to check out the TJ Resources as well. I've compiled some of the best resources and threads into that sub-forum.
Don't start buying anything until you have a long term game plan in mind. I encourage you to check out the TJ Resources as well. I've compiled some of the best resources and threads into that sub-forum.
I’m not trying to be cute but at 40,000 miles and $5000 who cares....I would even buy a four-cylinder at that price and use it for a V8 swap.
Hug your aunt ...service it and make sure it’s safe...Check the date codes on the tires... make sure the lug nuts are tight and it has enough oil.
All I can say from here is if you’ve got a TJ , your college age and live in North California it sounds to me like you have it made.
The advice that I would give you today is not what I would’ve done at your age... at your age it would’ve been focus on the stereo system, be sure you can get a cooler behind the backseat, And make sure there’s nothing going on with it that would get you pulled over.
Thats not the person I am today...But I will say you may have something that you might consider hanging onto long-term ... keep school a priority If that is the direction your life needs to go ....don’t start something with the jeep that would make you take a job to make extra money that would get your mind off what you really need to be doing.
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Arizona Jim
New Member
My son's first car was a CJ7 automatic that he drove for a year then he bought my CJ7 stick shift and drove it through High School and then 5 years of college. He took it with him to California and used it in the field as a Geotech. It served him quite well and the only thing he added was bigger tires. I guess what I'm trying to say is leave it alone for now, except doing all the preventative maintenance mentioned in previous posts and enjoy the heck out of it.
If it's in a rust free state this Jeep can become a long time project for you and provide you with lots of memories over the years.
If it's in a rust free state this Jeep can become a long time project for you and provide you with lots of memories over the years.
Welcome! We love talking about Jeeps!
I would absolutely follow all the great advice here, check out everything on the Jeep, get acquainted with it. Don't start upgrading right away. And read, research, then ask questions. Oh if I could go back in time...
I would absolutely follow all the great advice here, check out everything on the Jeep, get acquainted with it. Don't start upgrading right away. And read, research, then ask questions. Oh if I could go back in time...
This is a little bit of a derail but it’s relevant ...and I want the op to hear it among this crowd...there is soooo much on how to “build” these and how to fix the consequences of that...people even get on here and start the conversation as if “building “ it wasn’t optional. Before they’ve even bought them sometimes.
The only reason I have one “built “ is it came that way ..and was messed up and i didn’t know my options. My 06 is barely lifted on 30.5” tires and just walks right up really treacherous stuff.
We really need to not lose site of the fact that Jeep “ built “ these quiet well and they dont have to be reinvented.
Sure I love the lifted look and big tires and cool rims and cool bumpers and winches and lights, but that stuff isn’t mandatory and comes with baggage.
Stock Rocks and well maintained beats poorly set up any day. Not preaching a sermon, but we may need to stop every now and then and look at the baseline and how capable it is and how good it works. It will get you through college and big tires don’t make for better grades.
Good thread and very good post from our members.
The only reason I have one “built “ is it came that way ..and was messed up and i didn’t know my options. My 06 is barely lifted on 30.5” tires and just walks right up really treacherous stuff.
We really need to not lose site of the fact that Jeep “ built “ these quiet well and they dont have to be reinvented.
Sure I love the lifted look and big tires and cool rims and cool bumpers and winches and lights, but that stuff isn’t mandatory and comes with baggage.
Stock Rocks and well maintained beats poorly set up any day. Not preaching a sermon, but we may need to stop every now and then and look at the baseline and how capable it is and how good it works. It will get you through college and big tires don’t make for better grades.
Good thread and very good post from our members.
First thing you need to do is pull all your student loans and dump that stupid factory grill and get you an angry bird one. Then add a snorkel for when you're driving in 4 feet of water. Then get a 6 inch long arm lift with 1 tons and 37s with bead locks. Oh and don't forget the light bar above the windshield. Then get your high curb edition badges too.
Or just do like everyone says drive it for a while get a good feel for it and then see what it needs and upgrade as you go.
Also like someone else said if you're gonna go offroad take a friend at least one of you needs a winch preferably both because when you need it Murphy will be there and one will not work.
Or just do like everyone says drive it for a while get a good feel for it and then see what it needs and upgrade as you go.
Also like someone else said if you're gonna go offroad take a friend at least one of you needs a winch preferably both because when you need it Murphy will be there and one will not work.
Oh yeah and download your service manual. Between it, this forum and YouTube you can fix most anything on it.
Thread 'Jeep Wrangler TJ Factory Service Manuals (FSM) & Technical Documentation' https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/
Thread 'Jeep Wrangler TJ Factory Service Manuals (FSM) & Technical Documentation' https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/
Sell it, take the profit, never look back. Your entering a life that no treatment will save you from. You will be broke from this day forward!
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