Looking at a Jeep today

[ozarkroozer]

Hey guys. I'm usually in the land cruiser forum's so I'm definitely a newbie when it comes to jeep's. I'm going to look at a 1999 Wrangler Sahara w/ 119,000 k. I'm looking for something smaller to do some off roading in and this one just looks to fun to pass up. It's turn key w/lift, winch bumper, arb air lockers and some other goodies. Just wondering if there is anything that I should be aware of with these vehicle, any blaring things I should look out for. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[OttawaXJ]

check the tire size and check the rear end. if its a dana 35 and its 33 inch tires you might want to bring some spare shafts.

 

[PhulesAU]

you'll wan't a Dana 44 rear, depending on you driving Style. It is a WELL known weak point. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/ read thru the FAQ's

 

[Black Dog]

Wranglers with lift need a slip yoke eliminator on the rear output of the transfer case too.

 

[OttawaXJ]

Wranglers with lift need a slip yoke eliminator on the rear output of the transfer case too.

Or a transfer case drop.

Dana 44, Ford 8.8, and a few others make great replacements. in the mean time bring shafts.

 

[ozarkroozer]

Thanks guys, I'm going to check for these things and see what happens.

 

[Nigel Caffiene]

x2 on what everybody else has written.

Nice looking Sahara!

 

[ozarkroozer]

you'll wan't a Dana 44 rear, depending on you driving Style. It is a WELL known weak point. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/ read thru the FAQ's

I just read that the 99 wranglers have stronger axles. Not sure what size tires this has, I believe 33's. So if it's stock, should I still be concerned?

 

[The Swiss]

I just read that the 99 wranglers have stronger axles. Not sure what size tires this has, I believe 33's. So if it's stock, should I still be concerned?

I'd also be looking out for drive line vibes as an indicator that the lift took it's toll on the drive line. If you should be concerned or not all boils down to how attractive the price is and you feel comfortable getting your hands greasy and change a half shaft if needed. There are tons of aftermarkets and upgrades out there.

 

[ozarkroozer]

I'd also be looking out for drive line vibes as an indicator that the lift took it's toll on the drive line. If you should be concerned or not all boils down to how attractive the price is and you feel comfortable getting your hands greasy and change a half shaft if needed. There are tons of aftermarkets and upgrades out there.

This may sound dumb but how can you tell if the driveline is vibrating?

 

[BEVAN]

yes, my fav trim package !!!

 

[OttawaXJ]

This may sound dumb but how can you tell if the driveline is vibrating?

you'll feel a lot of vibrations.

"I just read that the 99 wranglers have stronger axles. Not sure what size tires this has, I believe 33's. So if it's stock, should I still be concerned? "

If its stock no, but if you go up in tires you sound upgrade to something bigger.

 

[OBX Seafari]

Great looking TJ Sahara, my personal favorite of the Wranglers.

Things to ask:

General: Who installed the lift? How old is it? What kind? Has it been regeared?

Tranny: Has the clutch been replaced?

Engine: The 4.0 is bulletproof

At the end of the day its a TJ, you could build one from scratch there are so many websites offering stuff on them. Rugged, spartan, and best of all...a JEEP!

 

[kjp98TJ]

I just read that the 99 wranglers have stronger axles. Not sure what size tires this has, I believe 33's. So if it's stock, should I still be concerned?

99 axles are the same as 97-03. 44 rear is optional.

 

[Lumberjack]

Check air compressor for ARB's and engage the air lockers, if oil comes out the solenoids, seals are bad, deduct fro price to get them fixed. Compressor, if ARB of that vintage, will most likely be noisy and take a few minutes to come up to pressure and will probable cycle every 25 - 30 minutes. They seem to last forever even though they sound like there going to throw a rod...

Dana 35, locker, 33"s or larger - asking for boom. Had one, fully polished turd too, Warn full floater, hardened axles, ARB locker, thought it would be fine under my easy driving style and 4 chipmunks under the hood .... broke it going down hill no less... some people drive on them forever without issue, the next guy breaks his leaving the driveway... In my case it broke 1,600 miles from home at the beginning of a week trip, luckily I had my Grand in the area and salvaged the rest of the trip.