Contemplating Wrangler

[Big D]

Hi
Im thinking about buying a wrangler but i have heard that wranglers before 2001 have alot of problems and always need fixing and maintance?
I want a honest answer please.

Thanks

D

[Steve F]

Hi
Im thinking about buying a wrangler but i have heard that wranglers before 2001 have alot of problems and always need fixing and maintance?
I want a honest answer please.

Thanks

D

Never heard that before, and it's not like they changed after 2001 (well not until this year anyway) so a 2002-2006 would be no different. They need maintenance like any other 4WD though.

Cheers
Steve

[Wooders]

Nearly all the problems with my 97 have been self-inflicted.....

[ed.]

Nearly all the problems with my 97 have been self-inflicted.....

I was going to post that.

If you have a look at how the TJ guys attack the trails you'll see why there's so many failure reports

[Big D]

lol ok then. But the powersteering box leaking, i know thats a problem they have, how much is it to get it fixed roughly?

Also, id prolly buy a 1997-2000 model wrangler, and i am wondering how many L per 100k's it uses, just normal driving.

Very much appreciated

Dylan

[GV]

Aren't rear main seal failure and cracked exhausts two common faults with the 4.0 donk?

[Steve F]

Rear main seal seeping is common, but not specific to any year and doesn't normal get so bad that it has to be changed (mine is damp but doesn't leave oil on the garage floor) cracked exhaust is not as common but does happen. A lot of the time it can be put down to dud engine mounts or just plan abuse as most Wrangler owners who go offroad don't muck about

To answer the other questions, some have had powersteering box leaks but I don't know if it is common and no idea how much to fix. L per 100k's can be anywhere from 11 on a stocker on the highway to 19 around town on a lifted truck. My XJ runs 32's with 4.5" lift etc and uses around 16 on average, that includes offroad etc Around town it's higher but on the freeway crusing its about 11 (according to the trip computer)

Cheers
Steve

[Big D]

thanks alot for the info. took a bit to reply but worth the wait

im only worried about the fuel then i guess. 16 is kinda high as i would mod the TJ.

Thanks again for info

Dylan

[Suspension Stuff]

thanks alot for the info. took a bit to reply but worth the wait

im only worried about the fuel then i guess. 16 is kinda high as i would mod the TJ.

Thanks again for info

Dylan

I don't think you can escape from the fuel issue no matter what 4WD you have. Most 4WD's are over 20L/100k easy.

For the driving I do in my ZJ it averages 15L/100K. My statesman averaged 13L/100k's. I can live with that.

It think the fuel usage would jump up to about 22L/100k if you sit in traffic most of the time and as said before 11L/100K on the highway.

Shane

[Big D]

Well i own a suzuki sierra at the moment which averages around 10L/100k's so im not used to high fuel usage lol. I think ill try put lpg in, should help alot.

[Wooders]

Bit of tape over the guage and then just open the wallet and fill her up when she beeps at you......best not bother worrying about fual consumption too much

Yeah the rear mains are notorious for leaking - but they are easy to fix if they get bad...but most of the time they just weep enough to moisten the rear of the sump.

Power steering box leaks are also common - usually mre common when running larger tyres etc.
Replacing the pitman shaft seal (most common) is pretty simple and inexpensive....but if englected rebuiling the box can cost a bit more ($400ish)....

Pinion selas are another ommon leaking item - but are also cheap fixes (about $10/seal)....
But really they aren't a bad thing that some people make them out to be....

[Big D]

i know there not bad cars lol. my m8 has 1 and its awsome. wish i had more moneys

[Danzo]

Well i own a suzuki sierra at the moment which averages around 10L/100k's so im not used to high fuel usage lol. I think ill try put lpg in, should help alot.

I was looking at buying a wrangler aswell, and puting it on lpg untill I found out the price $4000 maybe a little less but more then likely a bit more, oh yeah did I mention this was the cheapest quote I got so far.{ Metropolitan AutoGas} Bruce McColl. unit 1, 80 Lever Street Albion,
I had 5 people recomend me to him and he does fleet cars aswell so they know there stuff. I was quoted $2700 for gas in my sierra - the only down side is I would have to have the tank in the back, Cant put enough under the car to make it worthwile.

Getting back to Jeeps.
I do believe the rear yokes are week and if you want bigger then 31" tyres you should replace that before anything.

read some of the other posts in here I think they cover most week points, aswell I have heard that some of the jeeps have a lame wiring loom behind the dash and some people have had to replace the loom because of certin reasons.
Not 100% sure because I dont own one.
But i have seen them do some crazy stuff, and I still would like one.

also I have seen 3 different cruiser utes and pootrols try to follow and cant (weather it was because of the pussy factor of the other drivers?? dont know) But then again I have seen some zooks get some tricky places where wranglers cant, Mainly due to size and weight though.
my 2c

[Big D]

Can TJ doors be swapped? Like i mean if i buy a TJ with the zip plastic windows, can i buy the full door with the wind up and down glass window and swap it later on?

[sir_camel]

Yep. I've done that. Gone from half doors to full doors. You can even get full soft doors.

[Big D]

thats awsome then. any idea where i could get some full doors from and how much theyd cost roughly?