rusty_tlc said:
I found a super clean 98 with 147K for $14K. Until I drove it through the brush it didn't have a scratch on it. Plan on replacing the front diff. they are known for their penchant to break.
AFAIK the 100's in the US were not available with a front locker. An ARB locker in front solves the breaking diff problem and gives you a front locker.
I can vouch for Rusty's very clean '98. Their '98 with 147K was cleaner, not to mention completely rust & corrosion free (every bolt/part comes off as if it just rolled off the showroom), has rare OEM cloth interior, than my '99 with 69K when I bought it 3+ years ago.
NE/rust belt area rigs are typically priced about 10% less than SW/rustless areas due to the salt corrosion that attacks all undercarriage parts, bolts, etc. If I had to do it over I'd spend the extra 10% to get a non-salt area LC. Like most things it will take you a while to find a gem of a rig...but take your time and cover your bases...