Looking for advice on first Wrangler TJ purchase

MagMan

Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
47
Location
Western Kentucky
Hey all thanks for adding me. I'm looking at a 2002 wrangler with the 2.5l 5 speed. I owned a grand cherokee before, but always wanted a wrangler. If you guys dont mind, what do I need to look for so I dont get ripped off. From what I was told it's all stock.
 
Welcome to the disease... Theres no cure for it. As far as owning a tj.

Check the frame. Put your fingers in the frame holes. And piles of loose rust I would walk. Frames are number 1 to go on these jeeps


And welcome to the forum
 
Frame is the big deal. As the other guy said, put your fingers in the holes and see if there are any chunks of rust falling off. Also check for rust where the skid plate meets the frame and behind where the front lower control arms tie into the frame and in front of where the rear lower control arms tie into the frame. Surface rust is fine and easy to deal with.

The 2.5L is a good little motor. If you have plans to go big, say 35’s+ then you’d want to hold out for a 4.0. The 2.5’s are known around here as ‘the four angry squirrels.” If all checks out well with the frame, then check to see if the Jeep ihas any codes thrown. Key off-on-off-on-off-on and they should flash on the odometer.

If all is well, go for it. Change all your fluids so you have a baseline, change your plugs, etc...just do solid maintenance and start to get to know your TJ.

Ask questions about everything here on the forum, and I mean everything. The first two things I added to my TJ are the only two things I removed later. So checking here with all the user experience will save you tons of money in the long run, and these little Jeeps beg for money...

Post up a pic of the rig....speaking of pics, here’s mine, 2 years ago December it was stock.
DBF4AF7B-FDB8-4ADB-8A1A-344D7C652C38.jpeg
 
Well I'm old man and old school biggest tires I'd ever put on it would be 30s and as far as lift I'd never get into it if it had a lift. Lol.
 
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Then you should be good to go if all the mechanics and frame check out. If you’re not comfortable looking at the mechanics, take it to a trusted mechanic.

The 4 cylinder’s usually go for a pretty good price, much cheaper than a 4.0. It should be good to you. Post up those pics when you get a chance. We love to see TJ’s of all types
 
What would this 02 has 114000 miles soft top has A/C he said everything works as it should be worth? it has M/T tire on it that look to be 75% or better
 
What would this 02 has 114000 miles soft top has A/C he said everything works as it should be worth? it has M/T tire on it that look to be 75% or better
I don’t know, maybe $7K.
 
I was thinking of a range between $5-8K. It woudl be a nice little rig. They can do a lot, even stock.