new to me 1997 TJ

TXST8tj · 10-29-2007, 10:49 AM

i sold my 2002 TJ Sport back in April

i learned a lot with that jeep....the type of wheeling i like to do. the overall setup i would like to have, etc.
it was time to get another one and i knew exactly what i wanted to start with. i was looking for the cheapest TJ i could find. if it ran, that was a bonus. i will be doing a pretty custom build, head to toe with this jeep, so i did not want to buy someone else's project, or pay for things that i did not want. things like dents and peeling paint, or an ugly interior were all things that would drive the price down and fit the bill even better.
i found a 1997 Wrangler SE with a running 4cyl, 5 spd, with 122k miles for $4000. it was pretty dirty inside and out. plenty of stuff to fix/clean/replace.
the previous previous owner painted the door skins and dash grey to cover the factory tan. looks terrible and is mostly peeling. i picked up some paint stripper and have started taking the paint off. it is working great so far. i need to paint the fender flares with some Fusion. need to pull the dirty carpet. need to clean the seats which are actually in really good shape for 10 years old and 122k miles of use.
it came with a brand new pioneer cd player and polk speakers.
the soft top is a bestop supertop that is 1 year old. it is in great shape but the design is horrible. not sure what they were thinking with that one.
mechanically, it is sound. it runs and idles great. no leaks. no smoke. no noises. shifts smoothly. xfer case shifts in and out of gears smoothly and engages.
issues when i picked it up.....DIRTY oil. apparently they hadn't changed the oil in some time, but they did add plenty of oil to it. when i changed it, there was 8 quarts of oil......in a 4 quart capacity!
there was no brake fluid and the power steering fluid was very low.
the grille, hood and passenger fender have dents. no biggie. who needs fenders anyway.

i have already changed to oil once. i will change it at least 2 more times in the next month just to get a good flush. i will change all other fluids also.

the pics...

TXST8tj · 10-29-2007, 10:53 AM

after some of the paint stripping....

**chris_doing** · 10-29-2007, 12:07 PM

Nice find, congrats

TXST8tj · 10-29-2007, 12:21 PM

thanks!

i forgot to mention some of the things i have planned for this jeep...going with a LOG, high ground clearance build

LS1
auto trans
Atlas II
d60 front
14 bolt rear
full hydro steering
stretched wheelbase
custom links
coilovers
BTF rear frame kit
42s
no front fenders
compcut rear and maybe dove tailed (depends if i ever want to use a full top again)
full cage tied to frame
custom dash/console

**Dr. Marneaus** · 10-29-2007, 07:45 PM

its a well known fact that 4cyl 1997's are the best jeeps around.

TXST8tj · 10-30-2007, 04:19 PM

i don't know about that 4cyl part...and the steering wheel is kinda weird.

i sold the Bestop Super Top.
pending wife approval, i have a line on a CHEAP 4" lift (she's the one insisting on it anyway). will pick up some black steelies and keep an eye out for some cheap 33s. it will at least be a little more fun while i'm collecting parts.