Opinions on best Jeep model for a smaller budget

BaddestCross said:
I've seen a couple late 90s TJs around $6k but I don't know enough about anything other than JKs to help him make an informed decision.

Also would need advice on what to look for when shopping for any of these models as far as common problems that should be addressed or aware of.

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
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Agreed! Iv been looking at TJs lately. A few of my buddies are wanting to get into wheeling and like the TJs. Don’t know to much about others besides the JKs either.


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BaddestCross said:
Interest and skill isn't an issue. Time and space may be an issue, though. I'm sorta leaning CJ because I'm betting they're easier to work on due to the lack of modern conveniences. [emoji41] We're both into working on older cars... Computers in vehicles annoy me. 🤣

The goal would be - whatever he ends up with - to stay away from basket cases. I've had to deal with other people's problems before and it's never fun.

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You sound a lot like me. I personally stay away from early Fuel injected/early Computer (basically any OBD1)

Leaving you with an early model YJ with 4.2 carb. They are easy enough to work on but did have some early smog equipment and vacuum lines galore.

Or 97+ TJ OBD2 with 4.0. In my area I see them occasionally for what looks like a decent price (sight unseen). You could probably pick up a very high mileage one with some rough edges in that price range.

I have actually owned both 88 YJ and a 98 TJ. They are both great in their own ways. I to this day wish I hadn't sold the YJ. I was young and what seams like simple issues to deal with now, I didn't have the knowledge/skill set to deal with as a teenager. Oh well [emoji849]

Good luck to your son with whatever he ends up getting. Hope to see him on here as a new member/new jeep [emoji482]
 
Well, thanks for all the info and advice... I've been taking a crash course on XJs these last couple of weeks and my head is swimming.

I know it wasn't the favorite amongst XJ aficionados, but we came across a good deal on an almost bone-stock 2001 Sport. The guy we picked it up from builds some crazy cool XJs and had bought this one too build for his brother, but his brother decided he wasn't into Jeeping.

It's got a few cosmetic issues and the suspension definitely needs an upgrade, but the guy had preemptively replaced the infamous head on the 4.0L with one from a 98. The motor pulls strong and the trans shifts smooth. Transfer case shifts easily. All-in-all, I believe this will become a great daily and trail rig for my son. We'll probably start a build thread when things start happening, but until then, here's Fiona's yet-to-be-named cousin...
image-20180923_173826.jpg

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
 
BaddestCross said:
Well, thanks for all the info and advice... I've been taking a crash course on XJs these last couple of weeks and my head is swimming.

I know it wasn't the favorite amongst XJ aficionados, but we came across a good deal on an almost bone-stock 2001 Sport. The guy we picked it up from builds some crazy cool XJs and had bought this one too build for his brother, but his brother decided he wasn't into Jeeping.

It's got a few cosmetic issues and the suspension definitely needs an upgrade, but the guy had preemptively replaced the infamous head on the 4.0L with one from a 98. The motor pulls strong and the trans shifts smooth. Transfer case shifts easily. All-in-all, I believe this will become a great daily and trail rig for my son. We'll probably start a build thread when things start happening, but until then, here's Fiona's yet-to-be-named cousin...
View attachment 311141

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Congrats. Looks good.
 
BaddestCross said:
Lol. I'm already dreading dealing with the wiring. 🤣

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98XJ06LJ said:
Must have gotten a bad one. My 98 has 248,000 miles on it and the only thing I have replaced is a crank sensor and an alternator.

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Sorry didn’t mean to be a downer, I paid 3k for her xj and have probably put that much in it, chance we took I guess and lost


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JKbrick said:
Sorry didn’t mean to be a downer, I paid 3k for her xj and have probably put that much in it, chance we took I guess and lost


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I don't think 3k is bad. 3-4 about what I expect will be needed for this one. Lift, tires, probably wheels, bumpers, etc.

The good thing is that it's streetable as it sits and we can build as my son puts some money together to buy parts. Right now I've gotta replace the hinge pins and bushings on the driver door and there was an evap leak code that may be just a gas cap.

What I did find today was the guy pulled the fuses on the ABS. He said it was because he doesn't like ABS, but when I put the fuses back in all sorts of random codes were thrown so I think there's a short in one of the speed sensors or something causing the PCM to throw a fit.

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