Wanted to say, hello and glad to be here!
Look to be picking up a 2001 Jeep Sport with the 4.0l and 3speed automatic tomorrow for our teen daughter. I used to own a 78 CJ5, so I'm not totally new to Jeeps, but it has been a few years since I stupidly sold the CJ. I also own a 77 Jeep DJ5 that is a pile of junk, basically, plans are to turn her into a Rat Jeep when I find time!
In any case, I'm here looking for a few questions on this TJ so I can get her started on her journey to become a Jeep Girl! This Jeep looks to be in great condition and is coming from a guy that rebuilds Jeeps and has for years with a GREAT reputation. This particular one came from Texas, but originated in Illinois for most of her life. She was hit in the back and I think Insurance Totaled it, but title apparently clean. CarFax shows it being a mild accident, but a few months later insurance seemed to deem it a total loss, but still clean title?!
It was the rear cross bar and receiver hitch that got hit with a dent to the skid plate on fuel tank. They pounded out the damage to the fuel tank skid plate, I saw it and the gas tank while they were out and before they rehung the bumper. They straightened and re-enforced the cross bar. They had it up on a lift, so I was able to walk under the entire Jeep and the only rust was a bit of extremely light surface rust that I think almost every vehicle I have ever owned has/had. There is no heavy pitting, no soft spots, the body mounts look near perfect, there were no visible leaks, minus the tranny pan, which they offered to fix, I said I'd handle to keep costs down and due to the fact I'll have the trans serviced. They checked all fluids. Only worn bushing on suspension was the sway bar link on passenger side front. Again, I said I could handle as I'll decide if I upgrade both or not. The more time they spent on it, the more they wanted.... He was very upfront about his costs and I explained my 'budget'.....we decided I would take on a few small items to keep costs lower.
My only two complaints were the a/c isn't very cold, carfax shows it it gets charged every few years, so I figure a small leak. I'll either throw a can of Freon in it for now or have my mechanic put in a dye and see if we can find the leak. The other complaint was a possible wobble at about 55mph, which I know might be the 'death' wobble I've been told about. It seems to go away, but is cause for concern. They are supposed to look into it and advise me. They thought maybe steering stabilizer? Again, all bushings look great and IF I go forward with this, I'll take it to my axle and wheel place and spend $20 for them to look everything over and tell me if they find anything. If it needs work, I'll want to know what parts to buy and replace. I've done this work before so thinking it shouldn't be a huge deal.....I'm just hoping to not HAVE to do it now.
I don't think the wobble is caused by the wreck, but if so I want to find out ASAP, while their 'dealer' warranty is in place. Feels like wind gust hitting it. Other than that she drives straight, the frame didn't appear tweaked anywhere, she brakes fine, accelerates fine, etc, etc. Even the carfax shows great service history! I'll also note I drive a Yukon XL Denali daily and don't feel 80mph winds in that beast, so this jeep is obviously a big change from that. So not sure if it was just that difference.
Anything I should be aware of or look at before handing over the check? I'll also note 4H, 4L and everything there seemed fine. No grinding, no noise and they definitely worked.
Next, I'd love to know what fluids you guys recommend on these. They checked both differentials and the transfer case and I believe changed the oil, but I'll likely drain all of them and refill, so I know myself what's in them. I've been running royal purple in my Chevy trucks, is that good in these? Is there a certain weight? What about the oil? Does it need any additives or anything?
This will be her first car and her school car, so for now I won't be doing anything crazy! I just want it to be reliable and fun for her.
Look to be picking up a 2001 Jeep Sport with the 4.0l and 3speed automatic tomorrow for our teen daughter. I used to own a 78 CJ5, so I'm not totally new to Jeeps, but it has been a few years since I stupidly sold the CJ. I also own a 77 Jeep DJ5 that is a pile of junk, basically, plans are to turn her into a Rat Jeep when I find time!
In any case, I'm here looking for a few questions on this TJ so I can get her started on her journey to become a Jeep Girl! This Jeep looks to be in great condition and is coming from a guy that rebuilds Jeeps and has for years with a GREAT reputation. This particular one came from Texas, but originated in Illinois for most of her life. She was hit in the back and I think Insurance Totaled it, but title apparently clean. CarFax shows it being a mild accident, but a few months later insurance seemed to deem it a total loss, but still clean title?!
It was the rear cross bar and receiver hitch that got hit with a dent to the skid plate on fuel tank. They pounded out the damage to the fuel tank skid plate, I saw it and the gas tank while they were out and before they rehung the bumper. They straightened and re-enforced the cross bar. They had it up on a lift, so I was able to walk under the entire Jeep and the only rust was a bit of extremely light surface rust that I think almost every vehicle I have ever owned has/had. There is no heavy pitting, no soft spots, the body mounts look near perfect, there were no visible leaks, minus the tranny pan, which they offered to fix, I said I'd handle to keep costs down and due to the fact I'll have the trans serviced. They checked all fluids. Only worn bushing on suspension was the sway bar link on passenger side front. Again, I said I could handle as I'll decide if I upgrade both or not. The more time they spent on it, the more they wanted.... He was very upfront about his costs and I explained my 'budget'.....we decided I would take on a few small items to keep costs lower.
My only two complaints were the a/c isn't very cold, carfax shows it it gets charged every few years, so I figure a small leak. I'll either throw a can of Freon in it for now or have my mechanic put in a dye and see if we can find the leak. The other complaint was a possible wobble at about 55mph, which I know might be the 'death' wobble I've been told about. It seems to go away, but is cause for concern. They are supposed to look into it and advise me. They thought maybe steering stabilizer? Again, all bushings look great and IF I go forward with this, I'll take it to my axle and wheel place and spend $20 for them to look everything over and tell me if they find anything. If it needs work, I'll want to know what parts to buy and replace. I've done this work before so thinking it shouldn't be a huge deal.....I'm just hoping to not HAVE to do it now.
I don't think the wobble is caused by the wreck, but if so I want to find out ASAP, while their 'dealer' warranty is in place. Feels like wind gust hitting it. Other than that she drives straight, the frame didn't appear tweaked anywhere, she brakes fine, accelerates fine, etc, etc. Even the carfax shows great service history! I'll also note I drive a Yukon XL Denali daily and don't feel 80mph winds in that beast, so this jeep is obviously a big change from that. So not sure if it was just that difference.
Anything I should be aware of or look at before handing over the check? I'll also note 4H, 4L and everything there seemed fine. No grinding, no noise and they definitely worked.
Next, I'd love to know what fluids you guys recommend on these. They checked both differentials and the transfer case and I believe changed the oil, but I'll likely drain all of them and refill, so I know myself what's in them. I've been running royal purple in my Chevy trucks, is that good in these? Is there a certain weight? What about the oil? Does it need any additives or anything?
This will be her first car and her school car, so for now I won't be doing anything crazy! I just want it to be reliable and fun for her.
