Kuboske
Active Member
I had a friend tell me about a Wrangler TJ, a 2000 Sport model, that had both engine, and transmission problems that he had heard about being for sale. The owner thought it had a blown head gasket and some bad syncronizers. He gave me the phone number and I kind of forgot about it. I finally decided to call the guy and get the story and it pretty much matched what I had heard. The guy said he wanted it gone, and told me I should come take a look.
I finally, maybe, two weeks later, decide to go look. Expecting to find a rusted out junker, with all kinds of issues, I was surprised at the condition of both body and frame. A one-owner Jeep, and from Austin, Texas, until he moved to Indy, a couple years ago. 143000, miles.
I quizzed him on what the Jeep did, when he thought the head gasket blew. He told me it had a large puddle of anti-freeze under it when he came out of Lowes, one day. No steam looking exhaust smoke, didn't get hot, and when I checked the oil fill cap, no milky residue on the bottom of it. No indication of oil in the coolant, at all. Now I'm thinking maybe just a simple water pump failure.
Anyway, I gave it a think for a couple days. Not really looking for any more projects, my shop is full. I decide to offer to bring my trailer and a very low amount of cash. He takes it, and now, I have two Jeeps.
The day after I trailer it home, I have it running. The radiator was leaking. That is all. Good sounding, 4.0L, too. None of that lifter noise, so many have. He was correct about the trans. The salvage yard seems to think a pull out, NV3550, is worth $800. I can rebuild this one for around $400.
So, now, I'm trying to decide what to do with it. I was going to fix it and flip it, But, after getting it, I just want to keep it.
I could, A. leave it bone stock and let my Daughter drive it. She says it's "cute". I might as well put "Barbie" stickers on it.
B. Go mild lift and 33's on it, so I at least think it looks cool and allow her to drive it, and me as well, from time to time. It's got Dana 35/30s and 3:73.
(My wife likes this option and amazingly, thinks I should keep both Jeeps.)
C. Go absolutely wild with a probably $15,000, shopping spree at GenRight, and Currie, and build a super trail Jeep. (MY favorite option.)
So, anyway, since this is show-and-tell, I will try to include some photos.
I finally, maybe, two weeks later, decide to go look. Expecting to find a rusted out junker, with all kinds of issues, I was surprised at the condition of both body and frame. A one-owner Jeep, and from Austin, Texas, until he moved to Indy, a couple years ago. 143000, miles.
I quizzed him on what the Jeep did, when he thought the head gasket blew. He told me it had a large puddle of anti-freeze under it when he came out of Lowes, one day. No steam looking exhaust smoke, didn't get hot, and when I checked the oil fill cap, no milky residue on the bottom of it. No indication of oil in the coolant, at all. Now I'm thinking maybe just a simple water pump failure.
Anyway, I gave it a think for a couple days. Not really looking for any more projects, my shop is full. I decide to offer to bring my trailer and a very low amount of cash. He takes it, and now, I have two Jeeps.
The day after I trailer it home, I have it running. The radiator was leaking. That is all. Good sounding, 4.0L, too. None of that lifter noise, so many have. He was correct about the trans. The salvage yard seems to think a pull out, NV3550, is worth $800. I can rebuild this one for around $400.
So, now, I'm trying to decide what to do with it. I was going to fix it and flip it, But, after getting it, I just want to keep it.
I could, A. leave it bone stock and let my Daughter drive it. She says it's "cute". I might as well put "Barbie" stickers on it.
B. Go mild lift and 33's on it, so I at least think it looks cool and allow her to drive it, and me as well, from time to time. It's got Dana 35/30s and 3:73.
(My wife likes this option and amazingly, thinks I should keep both Jeeps.)
C. Go absolutely wild with a probably $15,000, shopping spree at GenRight, and Currie, and build a super trail Jeep. (MY favorite option.)
So, anyway, since this is show-and-tell, I will try to include some photos.
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