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

[kc0tma]

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.

[Heady Expedition]

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.

[fasteddy47]

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

If you feel a buzz in your butt......driving down the road say 30 to 50.....that is driveline. If you feel it in your hands or steering wheel....most likely front end.

[ozarkroozer]

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.


Thanks for the heads up. This is why this forum is so great. Good practical knowledge base. I'm checking her out at lunch today, way better prepared.

[Jis4Jeep]

If it doesn't have a SYE your looking around $300
Then you will need drive shaft $300

That takes care of your vibration in the rear if it has but if you dont have adjustable arms on the current lift on the rear you may still find a little vibrations at certain speed.

Dont be scared of the 30 or 35 axels like the board member say its about driving habits just take it easy I run 30 and 35 on a x with 35 inch BFG KM2 and an OX Locker in the rear and do some good wheeling here in the High Desert. Not saying they are bullet proof 44's of course are better. But I know plenty of people with 44's that have blown them up because they drive like idiots on the trail. Carry spares you will be fine.

If I could build my jeep all over again I wouldn't go higher then 32 or 33's and put a tummy tuck on the jeep with high-line fenders. All in all the Jeep is a great vehicle and stock can do very well on the trails:coffeedrink:.