Newbie looking at tj
 

Hi guys. I've decided to by a jeep. Looking at TJs 2002 to 2005. Found a 2003 TJ Sport with very low kms and looks in excellent shape. I have 3 questions/issues:

1. It shimmies at about 80-90k. I think this is just wheel balance.
2. It needs new rubber. It has 15" on it. Can I put Goodrich Mud-Terrain, T/A 31" X 10.50 R
15LT M&S radial tires on 5-bolt rims from a 92 YJ on without mods?
3. It doesn't like to start until the 3rd try, then starts without issue though is seemed to gasp a bit at first. Guy said he'd get it fixed on Monday. Is this something to be scared of?

Thanks for you help. Will be a jeep owner soon; this one or another.

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

Hey Man Congrats on the Purchase!!

Definetly you want to aware of a lot of things.
1) See if you can jack the wheels up and give them a spin ...then grab the top and bottom and try to move it towards you and back.. if its all solid.. your right. If its not, tons of potential issues. Ball Joints, U Joints, Bearings. .. and on.
2) What is 15"? you mean the rim? TJ is a 5 x 4 1/2 bolt pattern, if I remember correctly the YJ is the same, thought not a 100 percent. Take one of the tires with you, test them on the tire when checking #1. 3/4 in socket with take the lugs off. 31 in is THE MAX you can stuff into a TJ with out a lift, doing so you may have potential tire rub at full turn, and hitting the bump stops when going over bumps.. lol
3)Potential starter problem, very easy to change out yourself with a couple of hand tools. I did it on some snow covered ground in about an hour. After that it could be battery, alternator, wiring, IGN.

Look at the axles themselves, google JEEP AXLEs and learn what type of axles it has. Your looking for Dana 44, though unlikely as most Sports came stock with D30 / 35 ~ which means poor performance and lots of money to in put for 44's or better. Basically the shape of the cover and type of fill plug will give it away.
Look in wheel wells, and under neath the frame for rust spots. Look at all the axles, drive shafts for play, wear, leaks at the pumpkins.
Find out all the information you can about it. Last oil change, air filter change, diff fluid change, tranny / TC fluid change, spark plugs.

I think thats alot for now, good luck!

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

welcome to jeepscanada

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

Welcome to the forum.

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

Thanks for the welcome guys. I haven't bought a jeep yet but should do so within 10 days. I test drove another one from a dealer today, a 2003 Rubicon (87k) with a 4" lift and 35" tires. It has a grindy feel at low speed which disappears with speed, probably road noise from the super aggressive tires. This seems to be an awesome jeep but I probably won't do much more than deactivated logging roads rather than real off-roading. I could take the large tires of and put 31's or 33's on.

I'm torn between the the pretty black TJ Sport or the rugged TJ Rubicon.

2003 JEEP TJ SPORT 4X4

2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Victoria City, Victoria

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

I'd save myself 3K+ and use some of that savings to upgrade the lower mileage vehicle.

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

I pulled the trigger on a one-owner 2003 Rocky Mountain Edition. Will pick it up next Saturday. Will post pictures sometime after that. This is the ad pic. Looks more navy blue than in the pic.

Attachment 4287

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

Looks like a nice jeep.

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

welcome,and nice jeep

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

Thanks for the welcome and comment on my new (to me) jeep. I got a build sheet from the dealer today and confirmed that my jeep is a Rocky Mountain Edition but it was built with a Dana 35 and not a 44. I had thought that all RME's came with the 44 but I was wrong on that. Love the jeep, though.

Now I need to put tow plates on it so I can flat tow it behind the camper. I have a Stowmaster 5000, just need the base plates.

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

I was pretty sure all RME's came standard with the D44. You're saying your build sheet lists it as a RME with a D35? Must be a Canadian thing :beerchug:

I thought you would like this. Not exactly your year but it applies to most Jeeps:

NOW I understand what "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand" means! - 2004 Jeep Wrangler - Epinions.com

windsor777's Full Review: 2004 Jeep Wrangler
In August of 2004, I purchased a Jeep Wrangler Rocky Mountain Edition. This is my first Jeep, however I had some Jeep experience as one of my friends owns a 2003 Wrangler X and another owns an older CJ-7.

The first thing you will notice about the 2004 Jeep Wrangler is the lack of creature comforts. Jeeps are built on simplicity and are servicable by even the most novice of mechanics. Also, I haven't heard the 7 speaker sound system, but the 4 speaker system sounds very thin with absolutely ZERO bass. (Read my other reviews on how to fix this).

Hard top or Soft top or both? My Jeep originally came with just the soft top and I intended on buying a hard top for it as the weather got colder. However, I noticed that it never felt colder inside the Jeep. 2002 and newer Jeep soft tops are made of sailcloth, which is much thicker and durable than earlier designs. That combined with the fact that Jeep heaters kick out as much heat as 50 hair dryers, saved me at least $1500, plus time and storage space for a hard top. They simply are not necessary unless you like the rear wiper and defroster options.

What options should you get?

I have driven both manual and automatic equiped Jeeps and found that neither transmission is superior to the other. I intend on using my Jeep for casual off-roading and did not wish to shift while going up a large hill, so I opted for an automatic transmission.

Look for the Dana 44 rear axle if you intend on upgrading tires or doing any off-roading. This axle is an option on X, Sport and standard on Rocky Mountain Edition, Columbia and Rubicon models. People get along fine with the standard Dana 35 rear axle, even when doing off-road driving with larger tires. However, if you intend on going to 33" or larger tires, opt or wait for a Jeep with the Dana 44. It will give you piece of mind and besides, you'll probably just end up swapping it out later if your Dana 35 breaks.

The ride is stiffer than your typical luxury style, but I'm sure you already expect that if you're looking at a Jeep Wrangler. 1997 and higher years are considerably more bareable as Daimler Chrysler changed to coil springs from leaf springs after purchasing Jeep. So if you have been in a 1995 (YJ) or older Jeep, don't judge a newer one (TJ) on that ride.

The Jeep Wrangler may be a two door vehicle, but the passenger fold and tumble seat provides very easy access to the rear seat. The rear seat will also fold and tumble towards the front of the Jeep, should you need more space. If that isn't enough, it is easily removed entirely from the vehicle.

If you get a soft top, one thing that I definitely recommend is some form of window storage. I like to carry mine with me in case I get stuck in a thunderstorm. Look into a Clover Patch window roll. They are about $75 and allow you to roll your windows up safely, without scratches and keep them with you.

Over all, this is a very versatile vehicle and moreso, just FUN! It will outperform any currently offered SUV, H2's definitely included. It is economical, will get you to work in the snow, will let you tan in the summer, will tow a boat or do just about anything else.


Recommended:
Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 21000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2004
Model and Options: Rocky Mountain Edition

And the funny part is I paid 5K cash for my 98 2.5 and enjoy it just as much!

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

I read that on the web and it is one of the things that made me think that a D44 was standard on the RME, but not the only source. Can't argue with the build sheet though.

I will drive this jeep for a year or so before deciding if I absolutely need the D44. If so, then I will make a decision to put one in or look for a Rubicon.

This is a quick pic I took on the way home (I posted it on another thread). It is Patriot Blue (read navy blue in Cdn) which is better than the bright blue I in the ad pic).

Attachment 4284

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

just bought an o2 tj sport and lov'in it.

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

Hey everybody, my wife and I just bought an 06 sport TJ. Going to pick her up tomorrow night. She is silver with both the hard top and the soft top, 4.0L, 6 speed. She only has 53,000kms. Can't wait to start driving!!

Re: Newbie looking at tj
 

very nice..so you'll be upgrading by the weekend....lift,wheels,bumpers...and so on