[06screaming]

Hi all,

Wife and I are looking at buying our first Jeep. I'm somewhat of a car guy and drive a full-sized Ford Bronco during the Winter and a Mustang during the Summer.

The Jeep caught my eye because it matches our Mustang in color (yellow with black wheels). I test drove it today and found it to be quite the fun drive. This would replace the Bronco as my DD during the Winter.

I've been a Ford guy my whole life and have only owned automatics. I do most of my own work on my cars and I'm looking for input on what to look for as we decide on this Jeep.

Details:
1997 Wrangler
4 cylinder with 5 speed
Appears to have 3" body lift
soft top
126,000 miles
Asking price: $9k

As a Mustang owner I can appreciate the "Jeep thing".

Are there specific things I should look at for signs of trouble/abuse?

Appreciate the help!

[Wheelin98TJ]

Check the gas tank skid plate and the transfer case skid for any dents.

Check around the door jambs for paint lines.

$9k for a '97 4 cyl would be a really high price for my area. Not sure about where you are, but here in Michigan, you can get an I6 TJ with similar miles for about $2-3k less.

[06screaming]

Thanks for the reply.

Price is high, I've found local ones on Craiglist that are similar for $2k less. They are even high for a dealer.

[Greydawg]

That price is about twice what it's worth. Seriously.
I sold my '97 4-cyl. with 50k miles four years ago for $5k, just to give you a reference.
I'd hold out for a six-cylinder; much stronger engine with almost the same mpg.

[TJaefick]

That's high here too, and everything is expensive in Charlottesville.

Before you even start looking at a jeep, you need to decide what you want it for. You already mentioned it'll be your DD, at least for part of the year, but what are your plans for off-road? If you don't expect it to leave the pavement often, then the parameters are much easier--you just need something dependable and well-serviced. If you are anticipating going off-road (and if you're not now, you will be ), then you'll want to start looking at the 6cy, and paying closer attention to the suspension, diffs, gear ratios, etc.

Auto vs. manual is a debatable subject around here, but the general concensus is to go with whatever you are most comfortable with. If I had my way, I'd have a selectable transmission

A couple of dents in the skids won't tell you much 'cause they can happen in one trail ride by an inexperienced driver, and don't reveal much information about how the jeep was treated in general.

Since you work on your cars, you'll have no problem incorporating that knowledge in the jeep and should be good to go for nearly all but the most major of repairs.

You have already discovered the single most helpful place in the world for your new purchase, so read the FAQ's and use the search function here in the forums (99% of your questions have already been answered a dozen or so times).

Best of luck and welcome to the Jeep World.

P.S. Sell the mustang--you're going to need the money

[randymack]

I would ask about the radiator. If PO hasn't replaced...it wont wast much longer. Little pricey too. can get it for 7K im sure

[hoosier724]

I agree with the radiator thing, seems 6-8 years is about the norm for the factory radiator. My 97 had almost 150k miles when I traded it a couple of months ago and they sold it at the lot for $6500. FYI just replaced the radiator on my current 03 about a month ago...it was the original...do the math...lol.

[fishinjeeper]

that seems extremely high. i dont know if the 4 cylinders came with dana 35's and the dana 44 option(both are rear axles). but if they did try to make sure you get a dana 44. that way if you want to lift it, or do anything you already have a stong axle and dont have to worry about dumping the money into it to make it stonger/rebuild it. also, if there are dents on the skid plates, transmission, gas tank, that would mean it has seen some wheeling days and there will be more wear and tear then a jeep that has just been a pavement pounder. hope it helps

[06screaming]

Many thanks for the ideas.

This is definitely a great home for Jeep fans!

[-Rudy-]

Originally Posted by 06screaming

Details:
1997 Wrangler
4 cylinder with 5 speed
Appears to have 3" body lift
soft top
126,000 miles
Asking price: $9k

As a Mustang owner I can appreciate the "Jeep thing".

Are there specific things I should look at for signs of trouble/abuse?

Appreciate the help!

Way too expensive and the body lift is a silly mod being that big.

Look for aforementioned dents in the skids. Drive it and turn it lock-to-lock while it's stationary. Listen for pops, etc.

I honestly would hold off on this one. I got my 2000 6 cyl/auto for $6k and only 90k miles on the clock. The only thing that sucks about it, is the D35 which isn't too big of a deal... just would have liked a D44.

Keep looking, Jeeps are a common vehicle and it shouldn't be too hard to find one that suits you and is also a great deal. Try to get one that is unmolested, as the will almost always be in substantially better condition. (I'm sure that being into mustangs, you see the same thing. I'm a former mustang owner as well. )

[J03_TJ]

If you are at all like me. I bought my Jeep cause I always kind of thought they were cool and didn't know much if anything about them. I ordered mine from the factory without knowing anything. Within 6 months I had it lifted and put 33" tires on it. Broke the Dana 35 rear axle within a month (my fault 4x4ing a little recklessly) Then bought a Dana 44 rearend out of another TJ. I'd keep an eye out for one with a Dana 44 rear end, tell tail sign is a metal diff fill plug vs. rubber (unless a aftermarket cover has been installed on the Dana 35).

[George Dickel]

Originally Posted by 06screaming

Hi all,

Wife and I are looking at buying our first Jeep. I'm somewhat of a car guy and drive a full-sized Ford Bronco during the Winter and a Mustang during the Summer.

The Jeep caught my eye because it matches our Mustang in color (yellow with black wheels). I test drove it today and found it to be quite the fun drive. This would replace the Bronco as my DD during the Winter.

I've been a Ford guy my whole life and have only owned automatics. I do most of my own work on my cars and I'm looking for input on what to look for as we decide on this Jeep.

Details:
1997 Wrangler
4 cylinder with 5 speed
Appears to have 3" body lift
soft top
126,000 miles
Asking price: $9k

As a Mustang owner I can appreciate the "Jeep thing".

Are there specific things I should look at for signs of trouble/abuse?

Appreciate the help!

Since you don't give the details, I'll guess that you have a 302 in that Bronco. You'll miss that power with a 4 banger. Find a 6. As for the Mustang, details? Is it a GT? If so, a GT and a TJ are a fun way of life. If not a GT, sell it and get one or pile more money into the TJ. Sorry but the only good things about my Stang revolve around it's power. I wouldn't own one otherwise.

[rainmn]

Walk away from that one unless they are willing to drop thousands of dollars off the price. As everyone else said - it's way high.

A few months ago, I picked up a '99 Sport (4.0, 5 spd) with 1/2 the miles of the one you are looking at (64k), for less money. From a dealer to boot.

[06screaming]

Originally Posted by George Dickel

Since you don't give the details, I'll guess that you have a 302 in that Bronco. You'll miss that power with a 4 banger. Find a 6. As for the Mustang, details? Is it a GT? If so, a GT and a TJ are a fun way of life. If not a GT, sell it and get one or pile more money into the TJ. Sorry but the only good things about my Stang revolve around it's power. I wouldn't own one otherwise.

Bronco has a 351 and yep the Mustang is a GT and that will be around for a long time. I can get my speed thrills with the Mustang, but driving the Wrangler was a different kind of thrill.

I hear everyone loud and clear on the price. I've found plenty nearby that are similar that are thousands less. It would be cool to have a yellow mustang and yellow Wrangler, so I may need to hold out for the right one to come along.

Thanks again for all the tips.

[vumuudar]

Get the 6 banger with the D44. Hold out until you find the right one.

Look for milk jugs too!