Buying a TJ

Scott89s

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Good morning gentlemen,
Looking for some advice on buying a TJ.
My buddy has a 01 TJ 2.5l 5 speed very clean and well maintained only rust is top of fenders. Its bone stock never off road only thing is it has 185k he will sell it to me for 3k should I jump on that? I've been looking on Craigslist alot had a 6cyl in mind but it's gone my budget is 4k. I don't care about the power difference in the 4 and 6. Will this motor last me past 200k or am I going to be replacing it is the question everything on the forums is 4.0 this and that. So if any 2.5l guys could help me out it'd be much appreciated.

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Good morning gentlemen,
Looking for some advice on buying a TJ.
My buddy has a 01 TJ 2.5l 5 speed very clean and well maintained only rust is top of fenders. Its bone stock never off road only thing is it has 185k he will sell it to me for 3k should I jump on that? I've been looking on Craigslist alot had a 6cyl in mind but it's gone my budget is 4k. I don't care about the power difference in the 4 and 6. Will this motor last me past 200k or am I going to be replacing it is the question everything on the forums is 4.0 this and that. So if any 2.5l guys could help me out it'd be much appreciated.

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The 4 cylinder is good past 200k if it has been well maintained. You will enjoy the Jeep as long as you know you will not get the same performance as the 6. It is still an excellent machine.
 
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Thank you I'm not worried about the power it's just going to be my weekend warrior for trails here in MI and to and from work which is less than 5 miles round trip

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Yes, that engine will last you easily to 300k IMHO. Of course, the catch there is that that's only going to happen if you maintain it properly. With 185k, there is no doubt in my mind you're going to need to overhaul the entire cooling system (if it hasn't already been done) since it will be on it's way out.

Check these threads out:
Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ
Jeep Wrangler TJ Radiator Replacement

A cooling system overhaul wouldn't set you back that much, but would be highly advisable at that kind of mileage. You'll also want to replace all the fluids and potentially be prepared to replace little things like u-joints and bushings.

Of course, I'm assuming that no maintenance was ever done to it.
 
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Thank you I'm not worried about the power it's just going to be my weekend warrior for trails here in MI and to and from work which is less than 5 miles round trip

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The 4 banger is a great trail rig when properly set up and geared correctly. You will love it.
 
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My 2.5 has about 126000mi (203,000km) on it and most of that are hard city miles. 3 months after an oil change, it still looks like new on the dipstick and I'm putting lots of miles on it. Sturdy little engine!

Bearings and wear items might need a little looking at but nothing major. As long as the transmission isn't doing anything weird. I've got a lot of bearing growl in mine (new tranny on the way!)
 
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That's a killer deal. I'd scoop that jeep up. Don't be afraid of the mileage. Does he have maintenance records? Like Chris said, cooling system refresh, plugs, tune up stuff, etc. Ujoints will probably rear its ugly head soon, but easy stuff to fix.
 
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No records I know he maintained it regularly as in oil and such

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I'll check it for sure. I know it just had a oil change prolly getting rid of the Dana 35 for a Dana 44 on the near future. It has novak stickers in it from previous owners so idk what all the did to it other than undercoat the frame and tub my buddy has only had it a little over a year. The previous owners were elderly so I'm gonna assume the took care of it based on the condition I did notice the u joint straps look new and beefier

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Elderly owners is typically a good thing. The ones that were owned by kids tend to be beat to hell and neglected, most of the time!
 
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I'll check it for sure. I know it just had a oil change prolly getting rid of the Dana 35 for a Dana 44 on the near future. It has novak stickers in it from previous owners so idk what all the did to it other than undercoat the frame and tub my buddy has only had it a little over a year. The previous owners were elderly so I'm gonna assume the took care of it based on the condition I did notice the u joint straps look new and beefier

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You may want to ask a few of the guys on here with 2.5's about the Dana swap. You may be better off sticking with the 35 and installing a Super35 kit. That would beef your current axle at a better price unless you get a banging deal on a 44. You wouldn't want to run anything bigger than a 33" tire anyway with the 2.5.
 
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That is a damn good deal just don't drive it on the highway long distances if you don't figure out why other people driving will let you know haha


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You may want to ask a few of the guys on here with 2.5's about the Dana swap. You may be better off sticking with the 35 and installing a Super35 kit. That would beef your current axle at a better price unless you get a banging deal on a 44. You wouldn't want to run anything bigger than a 33" tire anyway with the 2.5.

X2
 
You may want to ask a few of the guys on here with 2.5's about the Dana swap. You may be better off sticking with the 35 and installing a Super35 kit. That would beef your current axle at a better price unless you get a banging deal on a 44. You wouldn't want to run anything bigger than a 33" tire anyway with the 2.5.
x3
 
I was gonna get a 44 outta a tj with rear disc already for 450 33s is all I plan on and 4.56 gears maybe a front lunchbox

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Yes, that engine will last you easily to 300k IMHO. Of course, the catch there is that that's only going to happen if you maintain it properly. With 185k, there is no doubt in my mind you're going to need to overhaul the entire cooling system (if it hasn't already been done) since it will be on it's way out.

Check these threads out:
Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ
Jeep Wrangler TJ Radiator Replacement

A cooling system overhaul wouldn't set you back that much, but would be highly advisable at that kind of mileage. You'll also want to replace all the fluids and potentially be prepared to replace little things like u-joints and bushings.

Of course, I'm assuming that no maintenance was ever done to it.
What all should I replace on the motor beside water pump? Should I be looking into a full rebuild kit? They're fairly cheap like 350 for a full kit. Of course I don't wanna do it if it's not needed but also don't wanna get stranded somewhere.

So far my build list is:

2.5" RC lift with adj trackbars and sway bar quick discos
New front and rear bumpers
New tube fenders to get rid of rust holes all together
Radiator and water pump
Tune up and all new fluids
4.0 throttle body and spacer
This will all be done within the first month

Later mods are
Winch
4.56 gears
33s
New top

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What all should I replace on the motor beside water pump? Should I be looking into a full rebuild kit? They're fairly cheap like 350 for a full kit. Of course I don't wanna do it if it's not needed but also don't wanna get stranded somewhere.

So far my build list is:

2.5" RC lift with adj trackbars and sway bar quick discos
New front and rear bumpers
New tube fenders to get rid of rust holes all together
Radiator and water pump
Tune up and all new fluids
4.0 throttle body and spacer
This will all be done within the first month

Later mods are
Winch
4.56 gears
33s
New top

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I wouldn't be worrying about anything on the engine other than the cooling system. It isn't close to needing a rebuild yet, that's for sure.

If you have the money, I'd get the 2.5" OME lift. It's the best 2.5" lift on the market. Rough Country is cheap, but there's a reason for that... They're considered bottom of the barrel garbage in terms of lifts. They ride so bad it's not even funny.
 
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