[Caddac]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums, particularly because I am looking to buy a TJ this summer. I have some general plans for it (4" lift, ~33" mud tires) and I'm also going to be using it every day for driving. I'm looking to buy one in white when I do, but since they aren't as common as other colours, I am keeping black as an option as well. I was just wondering, do you guys have any tips when looking for a used Jeep?
Edit: For example milage, looking for certain rust spots, good/bad years, etc...
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Caddac]

bump. I really need some help guys.

[R U STUCK]

Well you are definitely up north. In Pa. we look for frame rust because the road salt from our winters are terrible. It also depends on what year the TJ is also. Some years have their own quirks. Higher mileage with the 4.0L isn't such a big deal. Obviously try to get the 6cyl. But the 4cyl. isn't a horrible engine. Did you find a certain year that you are looking for? Certain options? A/C, hardtop/soft top. Auto? Manual?

[Jason]

Various years have various things to look out for, like the 05 - 06 OPDA thing for example. What's your year range and budget?

In general, everything you would look for in any used car applies (leaks, damage, obvious abuse, etc.). Jeeps, begin designed as off road vehicles, may have off road damage, so look out for that.

Black is terrible to keep clean and shows every little scratch.

[Caddac]

A/c isn't much of a bother for me, I barely use it in the summer or winter. I'm a college student, so my budget is within $10,000 (I've been saving up my own cash). I would like to look at one at least within the 2000 era, but a late 90's doesn't bother me too much either. I wanted to get manual transmission, with a hardtop so that my parents won't cringe as much about the safety.

And if anything, I'd love to find one that is already lifted just to save on costs. The only problem is the small amount of white TJ's available

[spearheadbill]

check out carmax.com and when you get it ENJOY

[VietVet67]

I'd be looking at CL and E-bay--maybe the local paper-as i am doing --good luck --Glenn

[Jason]

$10K puts you at 2003 at the newest, but closer to 2000 for a clean one. Assuming the safety concern is about roll-over accidents, the fiberglass hardtop is not much more protection over the soft top. The (little) protection comes from the roll bars. Be careful with previously lifted Jeeps. There's a lot of ways to lift a Jeep, most of them are wrong. You don't want to deal with someone else's mistakes.

[Caddac]

Originally Posted by Jason

$10K puts you at 2003 at the newest, but closer to 2000 for a clean one. Assuming the safety concern is about roll-over accidents, the fiberglass hardtop is not much more protection over the soft top. The (little) protection comes from the roll bars. Be careful with previously lifted Jeeps. There's a lot of ways to lift a Jeep, most of them are wrong. You don't want to deal with someone else's mistakes.

very good to know. I was looking at pre-done lifts in order to avoid the cost of getting it done myself, but now, I guess not. And which type of roll-cage is best? bolt-on or welded? I'm guessing welded is stronger for obvious reasons.

[Jason]

What I meant by the statement on the cage was that the existing cage provides the protection in a roll over, not the top. So get any top you want. There's no need for a weld on cage for you unless you're doing some crawling where roll over is likely. If you feel that you need extra protection, look at bolt-on cage additions; don't spend the money on a full weld on cage.

If you are willing to do your homework, you can buy a lifted Jeep. You just have to know what you are looking at.

[Caddac]

Originally Posted by Jason

What I meant by the statement on the cage was that the existing cage provides the protection in a roll over, not the top. So get any top you want. There's no need for a weld on cage for you unless you're doing some crawling where roll over is likely. If you feel that you need extra protection, look at bolt-on cage additions; don't spend the money on a full weld on cage.

If you are willing to do your homework, you can buy a lifted Jeep. You just have to know what you are looking at.

Alright. Thanks for the help. If I am looking to buy a Jeep already lifted, should I ask about how/who installed it?

[lauderdalechad]

If your looking at a lifted jeep I personally would want paperwork with it (brand/size of lift). The truth is lifts dont cost much at all anymore..$500 us dollars will get you a 4" rough country lift and with a few hand tools and a friend you could install it yourself in a day. Go to roughcountry.com and look at their new 4" n20 lift kit and install video so u can see the install process and go from there. Zoneoffroad.com also has good inexpensive lift kits.

And Jason is right...u should be able to get a decent tj 2000-2003 between $7-10k
Canada might be a lil more expensive tho

[Billy]

Looking to buy a TJ. Advice?

dont?

[Dwebber18]

I'd echo what others have said. I had a 2000 Cherokee and just recently bought a 2004 Wrangler 4.0 with 93,000 and I paid $11,700. I felt that was a little much but it was fair when compared to others for sale. As for the lift, just make sure you do a good inspection and are realistic with what you want. Buying a stock Jeep is a better assurance that it hasn't bee offroaded or abused(but it's no guarantee). If you do get a lifted Jeep make sure you really check out what type of lift it has and do some homework if you are unfamiliar with it, you very well might want to change it once you get it. Mine came with a 2" Skyjacker BB, and I'm looking forward to swapping it for a real suspension lift once I save some cash but it's fine right now.

[JaikYJ]

The best site in ontario for jeeps is kijiji.ca
With your budget you should be able to find a nice low milage jeep if you're willing to drive for it. I'm driving 14 hours to go get my TJ next week.