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Educate me about WJ buying

1K views 17 replies 10 participants last post by  tennesseewj 
#1 ·
A buddy of mine has been following my TJ's progression and he's got the bug. He wants a jeep to mildly lift and lightly wheel. He also has 3 youngsters to haul around, so that rules out the TJ. The JK can fit 3 children but are still too much for his budget for this project. He found this WJ and asked me about it so I ask those that know:

Dealership is the seller:
2002 WJ Overland Edition
93k miles
4.7 V8
$11,900 sticker

Good value? Pitfalls to look for, pros/cons, etc would be appreciated. I'm assuming the Overland edition is Exterior and/or interior dress up or does it come with desired hardware upgrades as well?
 
#4 ·
I'm assuming the Overland edition is Exterior and/or interior dress up or does it come with desired hardware upgrades as well?
The Overland should come with 4.7 HO as well as Quadra-drive, which means he'll have factory limited slips and the high-output motor. It takes premium but it's worth it. Other than that it's just dress-up I think.

As far as the price, that could change greatly depending on your area. Just check KBB, Edmunds, and the prices of similarly equipped WJs to see if it's fair.

I'd say the biggest pitfall is the dual-zone climate control because the blend doors always break. However, it's not the end of the world and I wouldn't let that be a deal killer.
 
#17 ·
The Overland should come with 4.7 HO as well as Quadra-drive, which means he'll have factory limited slips and the high-output motor. It takes premium but it's worth it. Other than that it's just dress-up I think.
My '04 Overland works just fine on regular gas...just doesn't kick A** as much as when I use the high-priced spread donchaknow? *S*
 
#5 ·
Check wjjeeps.com for info on the blend doors and such. Be sure the heated seats work, no noises in the front diff. (incorrect fluid in the diff) and the usual maintenance stuff. $11900 is about right from a dealer, private is almost always cheaper, but you have no recourse from them. Great vehicle as long as its kept up with.
 
#6 ·
02 was a good year, he might get lucky and have u joint front yoke which will save him time and agervation in the future if he gets rid of the 247, if thats whats in there. my 99 has 140k on it, i bought it at 98k. Runs like a top nad is easy to maintain and beat on regularly on the trail.

as mentioned look at the AC system see if the blended doors have gone out, check the brakes to see what style it is, all of this can be found on WJJeeps.com.

and offer them 10k with gas prices the way they are, i bet the counter offer will be 10.8
 
#7 ·
You'll want to make sure it has the new style of WJ calipers... they received a major upgrade in design halfway through 2002, so it may or may not have them. I don't remember what exactly the problem was that prompted the design change, but it was part of what prompted me to go for a 2003 rather than something earlier.
 
#8 ·
The Overlands also have some skids and rails installed standard, I believe. The Overland is the most trail-ready WJ out of the factory with the armor and the LSDs.
 
#9 ·
You'll also want to check the original factory options for the suspension type. I doubt it would be a dealbreaker by any means, but something you'll want to be aware of: Overlands came standard with the Upcountry suspension package, which, in addition to the skid plates tbm mentioned, came with heavy duty and somewhat stiffer coil springs. Jeep offered a free option to have quadracoil springs instead ("it's free, you might as well opt for it"). Problem is, the so called quadracoil springs were actually just the standard WJ springs, so it was a free downgrade in suspension components.
 
#11 ·
Thanks for all this useful information. There is a bunch of info in here that I'll get to him after I research the brakes and blended doors. :)



:eek: Actually, yeah. STL. However, there is another one of the same year and trim and similar specs in Des Moines, too.
 
#12 ·
The one at Hollywood is from Michigan. Make certain that the oil pan, trans pan, and brake lines do not show advanced stages of rust. That oil pan is thin and cheap and many have been replaced because of rust. Not a bad job, but about $700.
If you haven't before, check to make certain you can pull the codes for the dual zone HVAC system. If working, it probably won't be for long.
Also check the Rogue wheels (inside) for rust on chrome. They don't like winter.
 
#16 ·
I'd reccomend that you tell your friend to pass on that Overland...

#1 It's been auctioned twice... Tells me it have not been lovingly / meticulously maintained.

#2 Its from Rust Country

#3 Quadra drive + not maintained = Likely VC failure. Basically the T-case will be toast. Very Expensive!

#4 Most important $12K for an 02 with 95K is Way High. Period

Look on Craigs List... most of the private sales / good deals have moved there. I'd trust a private party with a Carfax 10X more than any stealership. Just get a Carfax & get it checked by a Mechanic that knows WJ's.

If your freind wants a good Deal on a WJ to build up. Tell him to look for one with low miles & a Select Trac II T-Case. This is the most solid and is close to what is in the Wrangler... but not interchangeable.

Up Country is nice but if they want a lift, they'll probably toss 1/2 or all of it when they lift it. The Limited Ed stuff they put on the WJ is the most likely stuff to break, Dual zone A/C System, Heated Seats, Quadra-Drive T-Case, etc. The Overland Skid plates are nice but you can still buy them for about $60 each.
 
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