Final Chance to Stop Me: Input Requested

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley) 05/10/2020 at 15:47 • Filed to: None

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I went to see the Jeep today. The dealer was closed, so I took some cardboard to lay on and spent a good amount of time looking around the exterior.

I took info that Oppos have previously sent me and watched some videos on where to look for rust on a TJ. There is some light rust, but in MY opinion, it looks good for a 15 year old car. Frame is clean with only light rust in certain areas I could POR-15.

Overall condition is really great in my opinion.

For those of you just joining us the TLDR is: 65,000km/40,000 mile (rounding up) 2005 TJU/LJ for $15K CAD or $10,700 USD

Also, trading in a 2018 with 4 years of warranty left on a 15 year old car....

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 15:57

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That really doesn’t seem like a lot of rust and none of it appears to be structural. Te exhaust does seem a little crusty though.   My goodness am I glad I don’t have to deal with salted roads.

I say go for it, but I also am no expert.

I’ m curious. What's the trade in value in the Kia? 

DipodomysDeserti > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:00

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My JK managed to develop rust like that in the middle of the desert. Chrysler builds shitty vehicles,  so don’t overpay. If you’re dropping coin, you might as well buy a Toyota.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/10/2020 at 16:01

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Trade in value, $8K ish.  So with the tax savings around 9K?

Roadkilled > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:02

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The rubber bushings look aged and cracked. It may need them replaced on the front steering and suspension components to avoid Jeep death wobble. It’s probably not a problem, but you might want to get the front end in the air to check the play in the linkages.

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:03

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Overland build in 3... 2... 1...

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:06

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Looks good overall. One thing to note is (puts on flame suit) Wranglers are... difficult vehicles to live with. Which is to say they’re smallish, thirsty, and loud.  That said for offroad fun and not looking like every other jellybean on the road they’re a good choice.

ClassicDatsunDebate > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:12

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Expect that it will need ball joints and bushings . Our 07 does. Also that rust is to be expected on a Jeep of ‘a certain age’. It seems like a nice ride. I’m partial to the colour.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:12

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If you are going to trade in a perfectly reliable and perfectly practcial vehicle for a perfectly unreliable and perfectly impractical vehicle, this is it. And it only “ costs” you 1k Canadibucks, which are like real US dollars but slightly more inflated. So it's a win win!

jminer > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:12

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I’ve always loved those extended wheelbase jeeps, I had a CJ6 project for a few years but it was too far gone and ended up being a huge money pit.

That underbody rust looks very good to me as someone who lives in the rust belt. At that price and that condition it’s very tempting.

Seriously though it seems like a fair price for an interesting Jeep that’s relatively reliable. I would be very interested - but Just Jeepin’s adventures in unreliability with his Unlimited TJ would give me second thoughts.

Gone > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:26

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That exhaust is gross. Take a good hard look at all the frame side control arm mounts, welds, and surrounding f rame area. I would look at replacing the body mounts/bolts.
That front diff has been opened. Low mileage to do that, but age would make sense. Most people don’t service them ever.Somehow the a xle pinion seals aren’t leaking, must be empty anyways lol. T-case has standard leak at trans. No seal, just crack ‘em apart and use good RTV if so.

Nom De Plume > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:31

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Nope. Don’t believe you’ve expended desire to keep looking either.

Under_Score > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:38

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Even with like $5,000 of repairs if necessary, this is still NP. If it gets you out of the misery of the Forte while allowing you to keep an additional vehicle, go for it.

Plus, better chance it has AC.

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:41

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There is a little fluid at the bottom of the front diff. It may not get worse, but it’s not going to get better. Parking in the garage, driveway, out in the street? Can you handle an occasional drop? It appears they already had the diff cover  off and tried to reseal it.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 16:46

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That doesn’t seem bad at all. I would have to get rid of the chrome grille. 

Wacko > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 17:40

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That’s not a rusty Jeep frame, looks very, very solid. Needs some attention, but nothing scary.

I can’t talk you out of this one.

Captain of the Enterprise > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 17:44

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That seems like a good price for one of these. It also comes with the hardtop which is good. If you can afford it and the maintenance/repairs I say go for it. It’s a rare body style and seems to be in good condition based on the level or rust (Or lack of really for the age and being a wrangler)  and appearance. I’d test drive it for sure though first. 

Tristan > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 17:54

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If you expect me to talk you out of a low mile LJ with a manual, you’ve got another thing coming.

DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT

benstillerdoit.gif

whatisthatsound > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 18:02

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The other BIG thing is the synchros in the transmission. If there is any grinding during the shifts even going into reverse go ahead and run away because they are known to grenade themselves especially on 6 speed LJs. I learned this first hand. I'm not sure if the one you're looking at is a manual though. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 18:25

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I say NP. It’s not perfect but it’s a Jeep. That would sell for  $15k USD in Montana.

facw > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 18:46

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I’m not a Jeep guy, but this is what would worry me:

Something not great going on there. Seems like the edge of the cover is separated and bent (though I’m having trouble parsing exactly what is going on), someone has sloppily applied some sealant, and it looks like it is still leaking.

If you get this puppy, I’d budget for possibly replacing this diff (or at least a more skilled repair) , though maybe the leak is slow enough to live with.

Discerning > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/10/2020 at 18:49

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I'd be surprised if anyone vehemently disagreed with you. It's definitely a "lifestyle" vehicle.

RPM esq. > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 18:53

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As I am allergic to the ownership of boring and practical things, this seems like a great trade you’d be a fool to turn down. And I’m not even one of the numerous Jeep fetishists around here. .

Shane Moore > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 19:17

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Just picked this up yesterday. While not a LJ it is. A 2005 6-speed 4.0 with 79,000 miles. Now here is where my advice comes in. I looked at several YJ’s and TJ’s and owned a JKU for a while. Condition is 10% visual and 90% t est drive. I looked at a one owner 40k miles unmolested, no rust that drove like a pile. Clutch engagement was not consistent, clutch slipped at higher rpms, bad vibration at 50mph, whine from the input shaft, the list goes on of all the common issues of a TJ but visually it was stunning. I also drove a 200k mile example that drove great, steering was tight, clutch and transmission were dialed in and engine was strong. Interior was shot and the owner wanted too much for the high mileage. The one I settled on was a rare find at a used dealership that was ready to get a cash price on any car on the lot. The pictures of yours look to be well taken care of and any rust is minimal like others have mentioned. Also test how easy or difficult it is to go into 4H and 4L. I n 4H go forward and back a couple times just to make sure it’s engaged. Shift back to 2wd and listen for any hard binds or loud pops, mechanical sounds are normal just beware it’s not like a damaged spline in the transfercase noise. 

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 19:33

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I’m late to the game, but that seems fair for the end-run TJs. Although I can’t recommend a Wrangler as a DD, that one looks okay and I’d rather have a TJ than a JK. It will, of course, need all the suspension bits that you’d expect an older truck to need, so factor that in.

I personally wouldn’t do the deal you’re gonna do, but I probably have a longer commute than you do and a different cost/risk comparison. 

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 20:44

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As others mentioned, there is something going on with that front diff.

If it was my money, I would rather have a Prius, Fit, Mazda3, Civic Hatchback, Corolla hatchback or Hyundai Elantra.

And if AWD/4wd was the requirement, I’d rather have a Subaru of some sort instead. 

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 22:13

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Looks like the real trouble areas are rust free. Buy that thing!

jeepoftheseus > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 22:17

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Do it! Just remember that the TJ design process started about 30 years ago that was designed around a drivetrain that was engineered another 30 years prior to that. The frame looks good. Crack that diff open and get a new cover that seals properly. Baseline all fluids and, if you want to be super proactive, start collecting parts for a cooling overhaul before any big road trip. 

The chrome grille  is up to you but Lord have mercy just don’t give it angry eyes. 

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Shane Moore 05/10/2020 at 22:33

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Beautiful! Daily driver?

PorkChopsM > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 22:48

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I bought a TJ of similar vintage two years ago  and would recommend undercoating it with POR15. The diff cover that has already been pointed out can be replaced cheaply and resealed. Plan to take the hard top and doors off for warm days and love life. Rust is the enemy, get ahead of it. 

Shane Moore > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/10/2020 at 23:21

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Nope, the i3 is kinda... I have a company vehicle so I don’t drive my vehicles daily. Jeep is a toy, I always have a toy. Thunderbird Supercoupe, S2000,  Triumph Spitfire, Porsche 914. It runs the gambit but I have a supercharger sitting in the garage that I want to adapt to the tj eventually.