Hello all, this is my new to me 1999 Jeep Wrangler Sport. It's been kept stock and includes factory hardtop. Manual with the AX-15. New to the forum so I apologize if this is posted in the wrong area and if I should be posting some of my queries in a tech and maintenance section somewhere.
It's a strange beast from what I've been reading because it lacks some features I thought were more standard. No center console, no tape and CD player, no rear defroster despite factory hard top. Wiring harness does not seem to include provision for rear defroster (but it does for rear windshield wiper) or potential overhead sound bar. All things which can be installed and this will be part of my projects for next year, after more important maintenance is completed. Luckily these are features which are pretty common to pop up used, so I'll probably add more than a couple missing premium factory options over time.
That said I am going around and replacing all the fluids. Already did engine, gearbox, and transfer case. I replaced the radiator (it was leaking) and hoses and I am in the process of flushing the engine coolant to remove stopleak from PO. Next up will be the axles and steering box. By the way, I attached a picture of the gearbox oil I found when draining. It was beige. Does this indicate anything particularly nasty I should prepare for? I caught a sample and have considered sending it for lab testing. But I'm not sure if it has ever been changed so it probably won't tell me anything useful.
Axles are 3.07, Dana 30 front and M35 in rear. Haven't replaced the fluid yet, it's on my list. Tires from PO are 28.9" (235/75R15). So according to this size chart I am geared way up for highway driving. This explains why the car feels so tired starting from stop and accelerating in 1st+2nd. Well, that and I am used to my daily driver which is a Camaro pushing a little over 500hp at the crank. Anyway I plan in the future to up the axles and for now I don't need to move anything particularly heavy, at most 100-200 pounds in the trunk. Besides, the extra 0.6" over stock floor clearance is a benefit for my working needs. So I'm just going to casually be on the prowl for good used beefier axles on sale locally and one day think about building 4.10 or 4.56s. Would like to lift the car a few more inches in the future.
Stay tuned.
It's a strange beast from what I've been reading because it lacks some features I thought were more standard. No center console, no tape and CD player, no rear defroster despite factory hard top. Wiring harness does not seem to include provision for rear defroster (but it does for rear windshield wiper) or potential overhead sound bar. All things which can be installed and this will be part of my projects for next year, after more important maintenance is completed. Luckily these are features which are pretty common to pop up used, so I'll probably add more than a couple missing premium factory options over time.
That said I am going around and replacing all the fluids. Already did engine, gearbox, and transfer case. I replaced the radiator (it was leaking) and hoses and I am in the process of flushing the engine coolant to remove stopleak from PO. Next up will be the axles and steering box. By the way, I attached a picture of the gearbox oil I found when draining. It was beige. Does this indicate anything particularly nasty I should prepare for? I caught a sample and have considered sending it for lab testing. But I'm not sure if it has ever been changed so it probably won't tell me anything useful.
Axles are 3.07, Dana 30 front and M35 in rear. Haven't replaced the fluid yet, it's on my list. Tires from PO are 28.9" (235/75R15). So according to this size chart I am geared way up for highway driving. This explains why the car feels so tired starting from stop and accelerating in 1st+2nd. Well, that and I am used to my daily driver which is a Camaro pushing a little over 500hp at the crank. Anyway I plan in the future to up the axles and for now I don't need to move anything particularly heavy, at most 100-200 pounds in the trunk. Besides, the extra 0.6" over stock floor clearance is a benefit for my working needs. So I'm just going to casually be on the prowl for good used beefier axles on sale locally and one day think about building 4.10 or 4.56s. Would like to lift the car a few more inches in the future.
Stay tuned.
