Hey guys, I'm looking into buying an 06' Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and although it is the smoothest Jeep I've ever driven, I am still weary about what I need to know before I jump into it. O never saw any big spots of rust other than small surface stains, there was no leaking oil where I checked, and the soft top was very clean. I know I need to check a few more things before I buy but they are asking 15,500 for it. Is that a pretty reasonable price? It also has no spare tire which I thought was sketchy, but I have no idea I'm just in love with this style. Any feedback would be great, thanks!
First time Jeep buyer
- Thread starter HazenN.
- Start date
That's not an unreasonable price for a rust-free Rubicon, especially from a dealer. But make sure the frame is truly rust-free; there are a lot of good resources on this site for how to inspect. Basically, you want to look for undercoating used to conceal rust. You want to feel inside the frame holes for chunks of rust. Problem spots are under the skid plate and at the rear control arm mounts. For 06, potential issues are OPDA and PCM; the former sounds like a gobbling turkey, or laughing monkeys as some say. The latter presents itself as hard shifting in the morning.
Test drive it to highway speeds if possible, which can clue you into a host of other potential problems, not the least of which is death wobble from a shoddy lift.
Test drive it to highway speeds if possible, which can clue you into a host of other potential problems, not the least of which is death wobble from a shoddy lift.
Look inside the frame. Behind the rear tires is a plastic fender well that can hold a lot of muck and slime that can rust through from the inside. Under the doors and tailgate around the drain holes. Front fenders on the top flat portion. Check all the drivetrain fluids. I found rear axle vent line laying in a bunch of muddy goo (near gas tank fill hose) and the rear dif was Full of water. Didn't check when I bought it. Luckily I did before i drove it more than to my house.
Check all the bushings and body and drivetrain mounts. Check that the lockers work. Check all the dash lights work correctly. Listen to the engine and trans when test driving.
That price is a bit high for my area, but you can sometimes save a buck at purchase only to spend 10× more after you get it home. Good luck. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first one you see, but also dont pass up the first one thinking the next one will be a better deal. Read as much as you can about TJs.
Check all the bushings and body and drivetrain mounts. Check that the lockers work. Check all the dash lights work correctly. Listen to the engine and trans when test driving.
That price is a bit high for my area, but you can sometimes save a buck at purchase only to spend 10× more after you get it home. Good luck. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first one you see, but also dont pass up the first one thinking the next one will be a better deal. Read as much as you can about TJs.
That body armor makes me weary. 9 times out of 10 if you remove that there is rust under it, not kidding.
If that thing is truly rust free then it is worth the price (that's about what a rust free one would go for). However, if it is rusted, it's not worth anywhere near that.
I wish I could be of more help, but without seeing more photos (especially photos of the underside), I can't give you real feedback.
That thing looks like the kind of rig I'd stay away from personally, only because it looks like someone did a bunch of stuff to it, and I'm not sure what. I'd have to actually speak with the previous owner (not a dealer) to find out what all they did.
If that thing is truly rust free then it is worth the price (that's about what a rust free one would go for). However, if it is rusted, it's not worth anywhere near that.
I wish I could be of more help, but without seeing more photos (especially photos of the underside), I can't give you real feedback.
That thing looks like the kind of rig I'd stay away from personally, only because it looks like someone did a bunch of stuff to it, and I'm not sure what. I'd have to actually speak with the previous owner (not a dealer) to find out what all they did.
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