possibly getting a jeep, need some advice from current owners

[Hotshot8792]

I am right now looking at purchasing a 1998 Wrangler Sport 4x4 with the 4.0 Inline 6. The car looks to be in great shape as it only has 31,000 miles on it. After inspecting it a little on the outside, it seems like it has been in a wreck. Found out that it has been in a minor and major car accidents (2 accidents). After inspecting it mechanically, the front differential has more metal shavings than you would expect from a car with 31K miles, but i'm planning on leaving it in 2WD all the time so the front differential will not be used, although i will plan on replacing it eventually. I am going to inspect the frame of the car to see what kind of condition the frame of the car is in. The guy is asking a good price on it. I guess my question is, if the frame seems to still be in good shape, do you think it would be fine to buy it, or should i pass and wait for another good deal to come around. Thanks

[djmoore85]

i hav a 94, only thing major i replaced was tranny. i like it a lot, fixin to sell it, but they are easy to work on. the 4.0l is an awesome engine, i changed the oil the other day, engine has 174000 and the oil came out brown and clean like an almost new car. runs strong, hav pulled f350s out of holes, Rams out of holes and even an expedition. if frame is still good, i say go for it if price quoted is decent. i highly recommend wranglers to anyone considering buying one. good luck

[Hotshot8792]

thanks, yea they were asking 8300 for it, i am going to inspect the frame of the car today before i have to take the car back to them, and if the frame is good, i'll jump on it as it seems like a fun car to drive. My camaro just aint fun anymore, especially since its only firing on 6 of 8 cylinders lol, and it has 173,000 miles on it so i wanted to get rid of it and get another car in its place. Thanks for your help.

[Hotshot8792]

actually, this just came to mind. The front differential should be ok as long as i keep it in 2WD mode, correct?

[fredjacksonsan]

If it's been wrecked, (twice) I'd definitely pay the $25 or so to get a CARFAX report on what was damaged; you'll be able to make a more informed decision that way.

As far as the shavings in the front differential, I believe on that year of Jeep that the front hubs are always engaged; so that set of gears will always be turning while you're driving, it just won't be hooked up inside the transfer case. So you'll be looking at replacing sooner rather than later. I'd try the simple fix first, that is to drain and replace the fluid and re check it again in 5K miles.

[fredjacksonsan]

But the 4.0 is a great engine and should last a long time; 31K is not alot of miles for any vehicle that's 6 years old. I'd be curious why it has only been driven 5K a year??

[Hotshot8792]

we did a carfax and called the insurance company, the damage was only to the body. A body shop inspected it and said there was no frame damage. I'm gonna buy it anyways just cause of how cheap it is for the mileage.

As far as only having 31K miles for 6 years, thats what happens when an old man owns a car.

[fredjacksonsan]

Sweet! Sounds like a good deal then, hopefully the ole fella didn't have it offroad.

[Hotshot8792]

i dont thing he did much of anything with it. The original factory plastic wrapper is on the bars for the top showing that he's never even taken the top off the car before.