Is this a good Jeep?

[Jeep_Noob]

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!

 

[C.J. Roberts]

The frame is where you need to concentrate. Especially by the trans mount skid plate and spring perches. If you can, crawl under it with a hammer a BANG on it. But from the pics, it doesn't look bad. What year, mileage, and where is it?

 

[R3ID05TJ]

All Jeeps are good jeeps. It's the owners that raise them bad.

 

[TJ Jim]

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.

 

[tr21triton]

need pictures of the frame where the skid plate is and forward of the rear tire where it goes up to help !

 

[Jeep_Noob]

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.

 

[AndyG]

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.

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.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

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.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

2002 was a very good year for TJs.

 

[Powers145]

Hello im new to the forum but not jeeps im in the twin cities if its in the area of minneapolis i can come with to check it out and do a walk around with you.

 

[AndyG]

2002 was a very good year for TJs.

With eight words Jerry just completely changed current NADA values forever.

 

[tnjeepguy]

"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

 

[BC Moto]

Looks alright to me, looks similar to what I saw when I purchased my 03 just 2yrs ago.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Stick your fingers in the frame holes. You will know how must rust is inside after that.

 

[James9100]

2002 was a very good year for TJs.

Just out of curiosity why do you say that? I’ve got an 02 but I’ve always thought 97-99 to be the best years as far as reliability. 2000+ there’s a lot more emissions garbage, plus the cylinder head probs from
2000 to 02-1/2 (I think).
Just curious

 

[Jerry Bransford]

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.

 

[James9100]

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.

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

 

[NashvilleTJ]

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.

You are absolutely correct, Jerry. Spot on.



(Edit: My comments have nothing at all to do with the fact that I own an ’04…😉)

 

[cpwolf]

Stick your fingers in the frame holes. You will know how must rust is inside after that.

Easy with where you’re sticking your fingers with other people’s stuff, @TheBoogieman with bad habits!

 

[John Cooper]

Easy worn where you’re sticking your fingers with other people’s stuff, @TheBoogieman with bad habits!

@TheBoogieman doesn't care where he sticks his fingers 🤣