Thoughts on potential first TJ purchase

[ldeer77]

Hey, long time lurker here and am currently looking for my first TJ. Haven't been able to go look at this one yet, but this is a video I was sent by the dealer: https://view.bbsv2.net/bbext/?p=lan...EEB0&vid=72dc8338-b806-47cb-8d40-a8be27794b19

The build sheet and Carfax show that it was sold in New Jersey, but didn't stay there very long, came out here at like 10k miles. Thought I saw some surface rust as he was going around the wheel there...but obviously I'd look under it better if I go see it. This is the inventory link: https://www.bellevuehonda.com/vehicle-details/used-2000-jeep-wrangler-sahara-1J4FA59S3YP766262

Anything jump out? I was quoted 8500 for it.

 

[Strngmn81]

Looks good. but the vid went so fast underneath...would have to see it in person..and really inspect the rust..

 

[Chris]

Hard to tell from the video that happened so quickly. I'd be more interested in seeing high resolution photos of the underside.

 

[ldeer77]

Did finally go look at it and didn't see anything past superficial rust underneath. No suspicious painted-over parts either. The muffler appeared super corroded though. Ended up passing on it as it had some other issues. I'm curious though, it was making a warbly whine mostly in third gear upon accelerating and just at that speed, over 30 mph. Am assuming it was an issue with the rear diff, but does anyone have experience with a sound like that?

 

[Chris]

That could have been anything from a unit bearing to a u-joint. Hard to say for sure.

 

[ldeer77]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/whirl-like-noise-accelerating-decelerating-driving-04-tj.8915/ it actually sounded just like the first video in this thread. the dealer sheet mentioned the rear diff but said nothing specific about it.