What to Look For on a LJ

[mjonesjr84]

I'm going next week to look at this 2005 LJ Rubicon 4.0 and 42RLE with 92k miles. He is the second owner and has had it a nice October 2021. It was in Dallas until 10/21. It has a Fabtech lift with coils in the front and outboarded rear shocks. It does have 5.13 gears and ARB lockers in the factory Dana 44 axles. The frame seems good from some of the pictures he's sent.

What should I look for specifically that the 2005 had troubles with?

My plan would be to swap my TJ's axles into this since they are beefier than the TJ Dana 44's as well as most of my electronics, bumpers, etc. The stuff off this would go back on my TJ and I'll sell it.

 

[Ctdriver86]

Good looking rig!!

I would assume the basic; opda, spare pcm with the auto.. that’s really all I know with the last LJ I had.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Good looking rig!!

I would assume the basic; opda, spare pcm with the auto.. that’s really all I know with the last LJ I had.

Those are a couple of things I'd have as spare parts if I bought it.

 

[Mullet Jeeper]

I saw that jeep on marketplace a while ago. Did you end up buying it? Looks nice!

 

[mjonesjr84]

I saw that jeep on marketplace a while ago. Did you end up buying it? Looks nice!

I looked at it Wednesday. The pictures are deceiving, even all the extras I asked for. The rear axle was puking gear oil, oil leaks everywhere on the engine, suspension needed pulled out, cleaned and all new joints, coilovers needed new springs and rebuilt, interior was an inch deep of funk, and on and on.

It took me about 5 minutes to decide to not even make an offer. He came down a couple grand before I looked at it. He'd have to came down $10k again before I'd even consider it.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Obviously lovingly cared for eh?

 

[mjonesjr84]

Wound up picking this up yesterday. It was more than I wanted to spend, but the cost to replicate it would be 3x what I paid for it. 2013 JKU w/ 128k miles, Dana 60 front, shaved 14 bolt (13 bolt) rear, stretched 3" rear and 2" front, 3 link front/rear, front & rear SwayLocks, KMC Grenade beadlocks, 40x13.50x17 STT Pro's, and PSC hydro assist. This will be even easier for the kids to get in/out of instead of having to crawl around a cage in the LJ.