Specialized7

Hey everyone, well this last weekend i totaled off my ford explorer, i was a active member on explorerforum. And if you mention anything about a jeep there well you can already guess what happens.
So here i am looking at:
"97 jeep tj 5 speed manual, 4L 6cyl. Towing package, seat covers, k&n air filter, mud tires, kc lights and covers, fog lights with covers, cd/mp3 player, rear tail light cage covers. Hard top only,"


Anyways im going to look at it today i have been messaging the lady back and forth.
What are common problems with these?
is 200 000kms to high for a jeep? my buddys have had 4 runners with over 300 000 that they drive daily.
is the v6 decent on gas?
my dad used to have a yj and he always complained about it being so cold in the winter.
are the newer tjs better?
Please any input would be great, ie common ares to check?
The girl is asking 5500 but is reasonable.
what should i offer?
Thanks everyone in advance

LostSoul

To be honest, now you are on a Jeep forum asking about Jeeps, so most of the people on here will blow smoke about how great they are. TJ's are a nice starting point, but not a great off road machine unless it is heavily modded. 200K On a 4L is not bad at all, they are inline 6 not V and are a tough motor. As for cold they are not bad, been in a few on some cold days. Fuel economy has never been great on these trucks, it is like pushing a brick through the air and asking how it flies. It should be on par with your Exploder, maybe slightly worse. From what I see it looks clean, but $5500 seems a little high to me, I would go in at $45-4800. The biggest thing you should ask yourself and be honest is what are your intentions with the truck, will it be wheeled or just run on the street and what are you prepared to do to it to make it last off road if you are doing that with it.

Specialized7

Hey man thanks for the great reply, I was going to offer 4500 for it if i like it, she called and said i couldnt look at it until tomorrow now. i found another one its got 33's and a 4cyl, Im not sure if it has been re geared or what but wouldnt those tires be hard to turn?
also how are the 4cyl motors in these?
he is asking 7250 for it its a 97 sahara 114 000 kms, He doesnt say anything about a lift, i didnt think you could clear 33's on a stock jeep?
This rig will be my daily driver, but it has to pull my quad and i do go off roading quite a bit. mind you i do work out of town so it will see about 4 hrs of highway driving a week.

RiponredTJ

I'm really happy with my 98 four banger, but I'd suggest If you want a DD that can pull a load and off road regularly to go for the 6. You won't like a stock 4 with 33's.

You will have rubbing issues with the tires, and 7250 sounds way high for a 97 stock 4 cylinder.

Specialized7

yea thats kinda what i thought, like the vehicle is over 10 years old.
I went to go look at the 4 banger and as soon as i showed up he said it sold.
i started talking to him and he said the 4 banger was great for cruising around town and 4x4ing but on the highway it wasent to great with the 33's and the gas milage wasent very good either.
whats the biggest tires i can fit on a stock jeep?
i was limited to 31x10.5 with my explorer
3" BL i could fit 33's
Im pretty excited to get a jeep haha

LostSoul

31's should fit stock, but to be honest if you are going to start running it off road, then make up your mind on how big you want it and still have it remain good on road and build it to suit.