buying a tj

[bear]

Well the wifey has told me to retire my ambo hilux to just an offroader and go buy a tj . This will happen around xmas time due to finances.
I think i want the update version, 2000 model and its about what i think i can afford. Will i get a stocker 2000 model, manual only for $20k??
I have been told the 2000 has the new g/box up from the ax-15, supoose to be stronger?
what do you guys think
it will be a daily driver and a tourer 4 picnics etc.
it will stay mostly stock 4 a while

[DeWsE]

Well the wifey has told me to retire my ambo hilux to just an offroader and go buy a tj . This will happen around xmas time due to finances.
I think i want the update version, 2000 model and its about what i think i can afford. Will i get a stocker 2000 model, manual only for $20k??
I have been told the 2000 has the new g/box up from the ax-15, supoose to be stronger?
what do you guys think
it will be a daily driver and a tourer 4 picnics etc.
it will stay mostly stock 4 a while

Bear sounds like a very cool idea, but how are you going to fit the 10 kids in the back?

Sounds like the wife enjoyed the trip out with ya, if she's letting you buy another rig!

[Wooders]

You might be able to get a 2000 model for $20 - but you'll have to hunt pretty hard - BUT remember in summer they are a bit more popular - wet/cold winter days are much better buying
BTW the AX-15 is a fine box (although 5th is a bit weak) which was used upto 200, then is was replaced by the NV3550 - a slightly stronger box (but the AX-15 is still a good box)....
Theres loads of bits available that can make a TJ a great touring rig for 2 people.....but unless you start dragging a trailer about (which isn't a bad idea) it's a bit limiting for more than 2 people.....
Anyhow you'll be happy with it.....we know

[CrazyNuts]

Hi Bevan....about time you got a Jeep I know you are jumping up and down with happines

You will find it REALLY hard to get a 2000 TJ for $20,000. You will need to put an extra $2k in there to be honest.

Either way....good luck with the hunt.

[AussieCJ7]

Hi Bevan....about time you got a Jeep I know you are jumping up and down with happines

You will find it REALLY hard to get a 2000 TJ for $20,000. You will need to put an extra $2k in there to be honest.

Either way....good luck with the hunt.

You CAN buy a good 2000 TJ for 20K

I helped a friend buy one not so long back 2000 auto with 50,000Klm and what could only be described as imaculate for 19k

It was at the end of this guys lease and the soft top windows didnt have a single mark in them the only off roading it had down was about 3 trips on stockton beach and the paint was spotless

[LEXX]

Welcome to the latte sipping 4wd culture m8, make sure you join a local club to help with the Jeep fever.

I know a great 96 TJ for sale for 14,000.

[CrazyNuts]

Hi Bevan....about time you got a Jeep I know you are jumping up and down with happines

You will find it REALLY hard to get a 2000 TJ for $20,000. You will need to put an extra $2k in there to be honest.

Either way....good luck with the hunt.

You CAN buy a good 2000 TJ for 20K

I helped a friend buy one not so long back 2000 auto with 50,000Klm and what could only be described as imaculate for 19k

It was at the end of this guys lease and the soft top windows didnt have a single mark in them the only off roading it had down was about 3 trips on stockton beach and the paint was spotless

Yes....maybe in the eastern states but unlikely in WA

[mrp69]

2000 Model TJ for under 20k Definetely keep looking dont rush that is the key! I picked up mine this year for 19k with 53,000km 2000 Model Softtop in mint condition.

Good Luck!

[PK]

You would have np probs picking one up for under $20k in Melb, not sure about WA.
I have a 16 yo and a 9 yo as well as the boss, and we fit in ok, except we tow a camper trailer for weekend trips etc.

Come and join the forum at ausjeepoffroad.com.au and you may find a Jeep that suits, if not, there is heaps of info as its a dedicated Jeep site

[Ben]

You CAN buy a good 2000 TJ for 20K

I helped a friend buy one not so long back 2000 auto with 50,000Klm and what could only be described as imaculate for 19k

It was at the end of this guys lease and the soft top windows didnt have a single mark in them the only off roading it had down was about 3 trips on stockton beach and the paint was spotless

$19K, what a bargain. End of a 4 year lease odds are he had about a $13-$14K residual...would have like to have thought he could get more than a few $K bonus in his pocket!

Hope to hell my 2000 is worth more than that (AAMI sure do!).

[bear]

well been lookin as u do.
locally there was a 200 tj 80kms 4 $18800
so they are out there
will be waitin till xmas.
then i can go do cappacino strip, sip lattes and lleave my big blue ambo at home just so i can beat it up more for those slightly harder trips.
wife (she who must be obeyed ) stated its no to be modifed. Yer right
give it time!! lol
thanks guys

[bear]

Question.
Why do some tjs have half doors witha soft top and some have full doors witha a soft top .
which id the better option or is a hard top better????

[Thor]

Question.
Why do some tjs have half doors witha soft top and some have full doors witha a soft top .
which id the better option or is a hard top better????

combinations are just what the first person ordered off the showroom.
soft tops 'sport' came with half doors and soft door uppers. if it is soft top and hard doors it is likely to be a 'sport' with the original purchaser paying extra for the doors or rebadged renegade without the roof.
renegade came with full hard doors and the hard top roof and badged 'renegade'.

personal preference to which is better. the half door windows unzip (sometimes fatigue, fail.etc) and fold inwards which is a PITA if it's raining. half doors are good in the respect that they are the perfect height for leaning on, checking your line.etc
full doors you don't get the whole 'jeep thing' happnening just because halves are cool . but they have the obvious positives of noise, security (perceived?) and glass (doesn't scratch.etc).

[blu125]

I've got full doors......COMFORT, hardtop, bikini, jammer & duster. Plan half doors for summer....then I'll have everything.

[Jeeps]

It's not a real wrangler unless it's got half doors...or as wooders says, no doors!

[bear]

nearly bought one this week
2001, sport, white, 58000 kms reserve at auction was $18500
cant swing it yet!!

[duncan]

Bevan the new ones now straight from the show rooms come with soft roof and full doors thats the way they are being orderd now from the states well thats the way the guys at mandurah jeep do it then they also option up the hard roof for about 2 k .

[Rockram]

Who needs doors? As far as that goes Who needs a top?


I'm not sure how they get them over there. I believe here the 1/2 doors are standard equip. If you purchase hard top and soft top you get the full doors.

[bear]

hey nice rig!!
our police would have a field day with your 4by.
still i have to wait till xmas.

[Rockram]

Thanks. The police here in Iowa don't seem to care much about it. There is a lift law in Iowa but it's not enforced. I don't drive it on the street much.
However, I have had it up to 70mph and it runs true. I'd like to bring it to Oz and go wheelin' with you guy's, but if I'm going to get hasseled I geuss I'll just have to come over and hire a rig to go play. Or buy one there and ship it back.

[CrazyNuts]

You won't get hassled THAT much. All you will need is some flares and maybe some doors and she'll be right

[Jeeps]

I'm not sure how they get them over there. I believe here the 1/2 doors are standard equip. If you purchase hard top and soft top you get the full doors.

From what i've read on JU, it's same here now as it is in the US. Up until 2004, softtop TJ's had half doors and hardtop TJ's (or dualtops) came with full doors. From 2004, all softtops and hardtops have Fulldoors however halfdoors are still an optional extra, and it brings the price of the TJ lower too

[Wooders]

Crap it's a pre-98....he don't need dooors (just like I don't ).
But flare would be the main requirement

[Rockram]

Am I to understand this correctly? If I were to put extended flares to cover the tyres this would make me legal in Oz?

Here are the stats 258, t18, dana300, SOA, 38x14.5 Tsl sx, allied beadlocks, dana 44's 4.56 spool rear, Warn shafts w/CTM's, Detroit front, 4 wheel disc's, 6 point cage, 5 point harness,

For all the hardcore stuff on this rig it handles quite well. And I do have a full top with doors.

[AussieCJ7]

Am I to understand this correctly? If I were to put extended flares to cover the tyres this would make me legal in Oz?

Here are the stats 258, t18, dana300, SOA,(NEED ENG CERT) 38x14.5 Tsl sx(NO NOT FOR ON ROAD USE), allied beadlocks,(NO FOR ON ROAD USE) dana 44's 4.56 spool rear, Warn shafts w/CTM's, Detroit front, 4 wheel disc's, 6 point cage,(NEED ENG CERT) 5 point harness,(NOT FOR ON ROAD USE BUT CAN HAVE BOTH 3 POINT FOR ONE ROAD AND LEAVE THESE INSTALLED)

For all the hardcore stuff on this rig it handles quite well. And I do have a full top with doors.

See in line ( )

Unless you are coming over for a couple of years I do not see how it would be economically viable, if you are over for a couple of years for work I believe there is a provision for non australian citizens to bring a vehical and not have to comply with all of our laws but proove it was legal at home. Some of the US defence guys do that when posted over here. I can not find the details on it right now, maybe they have closed this loop hole ??

[JEEP1]

good luck with the 38s

[Rockram]

Sorry Bear, for the Hijack. What is the maximum tyre size allowed?

[Thor]

Sorry Bear, for the Hijack. What is the maximum tyre size allowed?

in Qld it is 1.5x the width of the widest tyres fitted by the manufacturer, and 15mm larger than the largest diameter fitted by the manufacturer.
this is unless you live in i think nsw and vic where larger sizes can be approved by an engineer.

[Wooders]

Planning to test this soon

[Ferozaahhh]

Hey I am looking at buying a TJ soon too!! I'm in Wanneroo so I'll keep my eyes peeled for ya mate.