Please help spot any problems on 2005 Jeep TJ (college students first car)

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Nexnell

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illinois
Hi I am a recent college graduate looking to buy my first car for a road trip this fall. I really like this Jeep Wrangler 2005 X. I wonder if the community members would be kind enough to help me spot any problem before purchasing (see the pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/npyjAhPSM17upVpt5).

THANKS A LOT!!

Here is the description from the owner:

“2005 Wrangler with bulletproof 4.0l motor with 140k miles automatic transmission 4wd has hard top (removable) upgrade grill and bumper with built in lights. Lights on roof and hood are on a separate switch and can be removed if desired. Pioneer double din radio with cd player and back up camera option works with gps too new speakers throughout and kicker sub in back, recent water pump, alt, battery, starter fresh tune up 2 months ago with new coil pack”
 
Nexnell said:
Hi I am a recent college graduate looking to buy my first car for a road trip this fall. I really like this Jeep Wrangler 2005 X. I wonder if the community members would be kind enough to help me spot any problem before purchasing (see the pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/npyjAhPSM17upVpt5).

THANKS A LOT!!

Here is the description from the owner:

“2005 Wrangler with bulletproof 4.0l motor with 140k miles automatic transmission 4wd has hard top (removable) upgrade grill and bumper with built in lights. Lights on roof and hood are on a separate switch and can be removed if desired. Pioneer double din radio with cd player and back up camera option works with gps too new speakers throughout and kicker sub in back, recent water pump, alt, battery, starter fresh tune up 2 months ago with new coil pack”
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Yikes, those couple of rust spots would cause me to run.

But I do live in a relatively rust-free state, so I have a distorted perspective.
 
Depends on the price and condition of the inside of the frame (rust). The visible rust isn't a good sign. I do like the angry grill and hood mounted light bar though. :unsure:
 
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Visible rust is not a good indication, but won't stop you from a road trip. How mechanically inclined are you? before you leave for that trip, you should change all fluids, perform any maintenance that is necessary, and have enough time to build confidence that the darn thing is gonna run for you. No way to ruin a road trip faster than having an unreliable vehicle.

I'd recommend having a pre purchase inspection done. They will let you know what the Jeep needs and then you can decide if the purchase plus the cost of maintenance is worth it to you.
 
Do you have a good job ?? Jeeps are great but not cheap. Poor gas mileage, noisy, not much room, tend to need more and more mods, etc. Best for second vehicle.
Will not find a rust free Jeep north of TN. (exceptions to every rule) Rust can be a real problem.

Search on here for what to look for in a Jeep. (for example, 2005 auto transmission issues) Good luck.
 
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I agree with previous posts...
A THOROUGH inspection needs to be performed on the inside condition of the frame rails paying special attention to the areas where the transfercase skidplate mounts to the frame rail and the dog legs in the back where they go upwards to towards the spring mounts.
The body rust is concerning and will require an inspection of the underneath to see if there are more tub rust areas to be concerned with.
 
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tnjeepguy said:
Do you have a good job ?? Jeeps are great but not cheap. Poor gas mileage, noisy, tend to need more and more mods, etc. Best for second vehicle.
Will not find a rust free Jeep north of TN. (exceptions to every rule) Rust can be a real problem.

Search on here for what to look for in a Jeep. (for example, 2005 auto transmission issues) Good luck.
Click to expand...

Agreed on the second vehicle thing. I bought my LJ to "replace" my Cavalier in college. I ended up driving the POS Cavalier for years after the LJ as it was just so cheap to own and drive.

As others have said you need to thoroughly check inside the frame. For the rust states it seems it's not nearly as bad as some I've seen.
 
Also, for an 05, you're going to be replacing the PCM at some point as they fail at a high rate.. Figure $1K.

Another issue is the Oil Pump Drive Assembly, OPDA. It will need to be checked at some point if it hasn't been replaced. Roughly $100 for the part if needed.
 
Don’t want to be a Debbie downer, however at 140k miles, and if the water pump has already failed, that original radiator is most likely not far behind at all. It would be a bit of a gamble to make a cross-country road trip with it and it sure would suck to have the radiator crack and fail far from home base. The body rust spots can be dealt with and they are mostly cosmetic issues, however, if the frame is significantly corroded (delaminating and such, not just surface rust), that is a structural issue and not one that most want to deal with fixing. Keep in mind that while the frame may look fine from the outside, they typically rust from the inside out. Feel around the inside of the frame holes or use a camera scope to investigate. Common problem areas are the low spots at the base of the arches. If it’s not too bad, it can be preserved with some cleaning and coating.

x2 on the OPDA. It’s an issue for 05-06 4.0Ls that can cause engine failure, but not without warning signs that it needs replaced.

You never mentioned the asking price - we can sanity-check it for you.
 
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I'd find a 2nd Gen Tacoma if you need a utilitarian vehicle for a road trip. Otherwise just rent a car.

That rig has too much rust to deal with unless it's free.
 
Run away from this one.

Look for a vehicle from the south or west.

Look at a carfax to see that the vehicle stayed down south or out west all its life anywhere they don’t salt the roads or drive on a beach.

Rust will absolutely make it difficult to work on and keep drivable.

If you do not have mechanical abilities, tools and a place to work on an older Jeep you will need lots of money to keep it going.

My $.02 from living in Illinois and owning multiple Jeeps.
 
It looks like one of the front suspension arm brackets is cut. Could be the picture but it sure looks cut to me. You do need to look inside the frame for rust. If this is your first car and for a road trip I'd rethink your choice.
 
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You win’t find an 05 anything in Il without rust unless it came from the South or West. Jeeps are like Harleys lots of fun but at a cost of higher maintenance and added bells and whistles. Again without knowing the asking price it’s hard to give a concise opinion.
 
Nexnell said:
Hi I am a recent college graduate looking to buy my first car for a road trip this fall. I really like this Jeep Wrangler 2005 X. I wonder if the community members would be kind enough to help me spot any problem before purchasing (see the pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/npyjAhPSM17upVpt5).

THANKS A LOT!!

Here is the description from the owner:

“2005 Wrangler with bulletproof 4.0l motor with 140k miles automatic transmission 4wd has hard top (removable) upgrade grill and bumper with built in lights. Lights on roof and hood are on a separate switch and can be removed if desired. Pioneer double din radio with cd player and back up camera option works with gps too new speakers throughout and kicker sub in back, recent water pump, alt, battery, starter fresh tune up 2 months ago with new coil pack”
Click to expand...

You're gonna spend some time fixing it, and a lot of money on it. With that rust, you're gonna either cut it out and cover it up or cut it and weld it. I'm in that boat right now. You can leave the rust and let it get worse, but then you're looking at replacing the Jeep or doing a tub swap (assuming the frame is still solid at that point). The rear corner rust on a TJ isn't a rock chip type of thing. It's two layers of sheet metal that sandwiches salt, water, and dirt.

Toys are fun, but I'd wait for one that isn't gonna need a shit ton of body work. That's one of the most expensive parts of the Jeep to have redone, which doesn't agree with this economy and entry level jobs.

Also, the front fender has been repaired before. So expect bondo to be in other places, which makes auto body repairs way more involved.
 
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JKP said:
Also, for an 05, you're going to be replacing the PCM at some point as they fail at a high rate.. Figure $1K.

Another issue is the Oil Pump Drive Assembly, OPDA. It will need to be checked at some point if it hasn't been replaced. Roughly $100 for the part if needed.
Click to expand...

This is true
 
Tob said:
Don’t want to be a Debbie downer, however at 140k miles, and if the water pump has already failed, that original radiator is most likely not far behind at all. It would be a bit of a gamble to make a cross-country road trip with it and it sure would suck to have the radiator crack and fail far from home base. The body rust spots can be dealt with and they are mostly cosmetic issues, however, if the frame is significantly corroded (delaminating and such, not just surface rust), that is a structural issue and not one that most want to deal with fixing. Keep in mind that while the frame may look fine from the outside, they typically rust from the inside out. Feel around the inside of the frame holes or use a camera scope to investigate. Common problem areas are the low spots at the base of the arches. If it’s not too bad, it can be preserved with some cleaning and coating.

x2 on the OPDA. It’s an issue for 05-06 4.0Ls that can cause engine failure, but not without warning signs that it needs replaced.

You never mentioned the asking price - we can sanity-check it for you.
Click to expand...

$7,000 is the price tag for this Jeep
 
At your age and the experience of 42 more years than you and what I would tell my 23yr old self. I suggest you buy a good dependable vehicle that you can pay cash for. You are still in Life Building mode. Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs? Plenty of time to have expensive fun in your future. One of the hardest life lessons to learn is the difference between Wants and Needs. I don’t know your current financial situation, ie Student Debt, $7K is not much in the scheme of things but any 19 yr old vehicle is not going to be dependable. I wish you the best in your life and make sure you make the best of your youth.
 
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