Jeep people
 

For the last year or so I've kept my eye open for a steal on a Wrangler 4.0 5 spd to play around with.

My dad is now thinking of splitting one with me since he is now without a plow vehicle. This is strictly a toy and likely would be kept down the shore in the garage all summer.

I know of differences in ride/suspension, but it likely wouldn't be seeing highway more than a handful of times a year. Is there anything else to look out for specific to each year?

FRAME RUST!!!!!!!!!!! Huge issues on all years!!!!!!!

OPDA issues on later years, google.

97-99? Dizzy. Later years have one giant coil assembly. Both have pros and cons.

Little interior differences early on, 03 was significant interior changes.

Dana 44 is highly sought after and more common in saharas but was still optional. Mine has one. Really only matters for big tires/wheeling. Dana 35 = 10 bolt

Lj's are stretched. Look a little funny stock but have lots of cargo room and look awesome with 3 inch lift and 33's :)

Rubicons are laced up pretty nice and a bit beefier so would handle the plow better.

I think most prefer the ax-15 5 speed which is 97-99. My 01 is and NV3550 (00-04) and I have no issues with it. I would just avoid the autos completely. 05-06 get the NSG370 which is a 6 speed.

Any modding plans?

Oh and **** yj's. Get a tj. Absolutely worth the extra cost. 8-)

I'm aware of frame rust and general items that pertain to all used cars like that (<-points to rust free 10 year old truck) :lol: I like seeing all of the "hey look at this sweet diamond plate I put on to cover the rust" Jeeps like http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5921670606.html

No modding plans outside of a better stereo and a trailer hitch. Won't be seeing off-road except for something like the beach. If I had to replace suspension and/or tires I would consider 1-2" lift and 31s since it wouldn't be much more, but I'm not modding it just to mod it. I'm buying it to have a fun little beachy manual convertible 8-)

I/we are only interested if it's a manual, and forgot that the last few years had the 6 spd.

Mid years Sahara :nod:

Nickapedia-
meet Jeepapedia, our resident Wrangler expert. /thread.

The moar important questions, soft or hard top? I have both :lol:

Full or half doors? Have full and soft half. Want hard half doors too :lol:

Man, next time I have Jeep question I'm hitting you up. My brother bought a 4.0/5spd/D44 2000 TJ and while it's in good shape it needs a fair amount of TLC. Starting with the beat stock suspension.

I recently acquired a Jeep, its for sale for the right price.

:lol: Sounds like a very good starting point! Maybe a little bds or ome lift would be a good idea?! :twisted:

Would you be willing to trade? I have an ls1/4l60e that's still attached to a rotten carcass. Willing to deliver!

:nod:

Full doors with a hardtop for winter, no top and no doors for summer most likely.

Details?

Too late bro.....It was my Jeep in his driveway. Damn guy feeds you tacos, gives you beers, and bakes you christmas cookies. Some pal.....

Dont forget the 0331 head in the 00-03(?) that likes to crack (dont know what year they fixed the issue in the tj/lj)

True and I do fall in that category yet have had no issues. I feel most have enough miles on them that if it hasn't happened yet, its not going to happen. Definitely worth noting.

Unless it overheats then its pretty much done. Also if you have the coil rail apparently the viper coil pack is cheaper, has a higher output, and is plug and play.

Oh yeah? I'll check the viper coil pack out....

Very cool. I like that it moves the coil away from the head heat and the damn stocker is expensive. I'd love to eventually do a 4 cylinder diesel swap just for fun. We'll see what cummins prices the R 2.8 at....

The bad 0331 head was 00-mid year 02. Easy check is to pop the oil fill off and shine a light down inside. If the 0331 head was replaced, you should see "TUPY" stamped right there between cyls 3 &4. That head is fine.

- Justin