Budget TJ build

[Mowgli]

My neighbor has a 2002 tj that be bought brand new in 2002. He told me one day he was thinking of selling it. I ended up picking it up from him for $3200. It has a soft top but has tons of holes in it. He is a teacher and the kids there kept cutting his windows. It also has a oil leak that I'm trying to chaise down. He said he got $1400 of ac work done a few months back but then is ended up with a leak somewhere else so the ac does not work right now. He put 31x10.5x15 tires with American racing rims. Had 126k miles.

I already have a 2012 jku so I'm going to make this my weekend mild trail rig. I'm going to budget by self at $6500 including all original maintenance since I don't really know what's been done to it.


My to buy/do list

Change fluids in
-oil
-transmission 32rh plus new filter
-transfer case
-d30 front/pinion seal
-d35 rear

-buy soft top (rampage top or oem?)
-fix ac

Setting the budget at $6500
-jeep $3200
-title transfer $482
-wheel spacers x5 $115
-head light $13
-bolts to extend brake light $3
-locktite $8
-head gasket,oil change, trans mount $111
-fluid for diff, rtv, transmission filter, TC fluid, degreaser $96
-front bumper $220
-rear bumper $free
-frame tie in $45
-cb antenna $15.00
-cb antenna mount $19.50
-oil pump drive gear $60.61
-trailer harness $28
-ac freon $80
-soft top $410
-lift $320
-spark plugs $59.54
-fan clutch $48.00
-radiator cap $5.70
-window tint $43.30
-coolant flush kit $60
-thermostat $15

Total $5,457.64

Still have $1,041.36







Here is the stock pictures as I got it.

Polished up the American racing a little. Still need a lot more!!! But they are better than what they where.

Painted the fenders and installed my rubicon wheels and tires after buying spacers. 32". Look Way better I think

 

[Mowgli]

Here is my oil leak I have no clue where is coming from

I also noticed that the front diff looks a little wet but no drip. I'm thinking is need to do the pinion seal on this one

 

[Mowgli]

Sorry this seems a little fast coping this over from another forum onto the great expo!

Changed the valve cover gasket since I notice a lot of oil towards the rear of the cover and figured that is what was dripping down the back of the block and making all the mess. But I guess I was wrong. It is still dripping but not as much or as fast so I guess that was part of the problem.

Also changed the fluid in the d35 with valvoline non synthetic 80w-90 that is comparable with my slip rear diff.

Still much more to do before I trust it

 

[PetitFrereArmada]

I think it looks good. I hope that price was fair to you. Hopefully you get everything as best as you can and start hitting the trails soon.

 

[mizeide]

The leak looks like the rear main seal. Not too difficult of a job and there are lots of write ups on how to do it. It is very common in the tjs. Also if you're looking at a top checkout the spider web shade. My wife loves hers and she daily drives it even in weather. For a full soft top the best top sail cloth is worth the extra $.

 

[Mowgli]

Took it for a drive after I put the rubicon tires on. So many people get rid of these(myself included) but they are such a good tire.

Mizeide that's what I've been reading a lot of. Common leaks on the tj are the valve cover and rear main seal. I just did a oil change so I won't tackle the rear main seal till I'm due for my next one. Wish I would have done it at the same time now.

I've looked at the rampage top cause I like how the windows store in it. I'd like to get a top on pretty soon so I don't mess the dash and seats up with all the texas sun we have here.


I think the price was pretty fair?? They normally go for about $7k-$9k in this area for that condition.

 

[offroadaction]

I think it is a good price, especially if you can do the work yourself. Look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[heehawhardy]

What a great purchase! Looks great

 

[tarditi]

People don't like the Rubicon moab wheels because of the backspacing... great for 31-32" tires, but if you're running 33+ you'll get a lot of rub unless you put on spacers. Rockcrawlers generally dislike spacers because of the stress it puts on the hub ends - they would rather have wheels with a different offset usually.

The TJ doesn't look bad for 12 years old... good luck tracking down the leaks.

 

[Catfish37]

Man that's a good buy! Nice looking jeep

 

[jscusmcvet]

That is a great purchase price. As for tops, if you are interested in saving money on that part, I bought a smittybilt top for my sons 2000 TJ a year ago. It has turned out to be a great product. Fit great and is holding up really well. Very inexpensive.

If you don't have the soft top hardware though, you will need to look at the rampage or a similar frameless top.

Wheel and tire combo switch made a huge difference. Looks great.

John

 

[Zeep]

Looks like you found a great buy! If you have the inline 6, your rear main is the culprit for the oil leak. Similar TJ's around here go for around 7-10k.
Please explain the bolts to extend the tail lights?

 

[Mowgli]

That is a great purchase price. As for tops, if you are interested in saving money on that part, I bought a smittybilt top for my sons 2000 TJ a year ago. It has turned out to be a great product. Fit great and is holding up really well. Very inexpensive.

If you don't have the soft top hardware though, you will need to look at the rampage or a similar frameless top.

Wheel and tire combo switch made a huge difference. Looks great.

John

I do have the soft top hardware. I'm really not sure if I want the oem style or the rampage frameless.

Looks like you found a great buy! If you have the inline 6, your rear main is the culprit for the oil leak. Similar TJ's around here go for around 7-10k.
Please explain the bolts to extend the tail lights?

It actually haven't leaked anymore after the valve cover gasket change. I'm thinking it was all the oil on the back of the block that when it warmed up would drip down looking like it was still leaking

The spacers go under the rear break light to raise it up. I got the wrong pitch bolts when I went to Home Depot so I just took it off for now.


Took it for a little off reading with the GF the other day. Hopefully I didn't get water in the rear diff since I just changed the fluid. It didn't seem deep enough for that I hope. It handled great and the 4 wheel had no problems shifting from 2-4hi.

 

[Zeep]

Simple enough to find out. Just pull the fill plug, and dip a small allen wrench in to see if it is milky or not.

 

[Mowgli]

Order a fast back soft top that the windows store in the top to drive it bikini style but have quick access to windows. Should have that in 2 days.

Also thinking of ordering this lift.

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-combo-lift-kit-646-7.html

2.5" of spring lift and 1.25 of body lift