what's wrong with my baby?

[indiemo]

Ok, since I bought my TJ a little less than 2 years ago, with 65K on it I've had to replace a transmission, catalytic converter, pinion seals, oil pressure sending unit, and now the corroded radiator. I'm up to about 82K on the odometer now. Being that I've barely wheeled the thing since I've owned it, do these repairs seem excessive? Should I dump this thing and try to find another one? I'm starting to wonder if the guy I bought it off of didn't run it in salt water or something. I'm not really upset about it, I figured that was just the joy of owning a Jeep. But some of my friends have started to question why I always seem to be repairing something which has caused me to wonder myself. Just looking for some opinions.

 

[L33TJ33P]

sounds like the previous owner just dogged the crap outta it.

 

[jps4jeep]

It is possible that you have a lemon, one bad apple in the whole damn bunch. I have a 94 wrangler that has 110K and other than a well needed clutch, and performance mods, it has never had any fixing done to the drivetrain. A fellow jeeper and family friend has a 89 yj laredo that was purchased new and had 285K on the motor prior to rebuild. But I also know someone who had a 97 TJ with a 4.0 ax15 and it was nothing but hell, things constantly broke or had to be replaced. everthing is reletive. Most of things you are replacing seem to be breaking way before their time. all jeeps have there weak spots. the 258's have vacumn and carborator troubles, later YJ's have faulty e-brakes, less than capabile radiators. The ax5 transmission has been know to need the syncros replaced around 75K (from what I have heard)

On the other hand, maybe all the issues you have had are all thats going to be wrong. maybe all the bugs are gone and from here on out, it will be smooth sailing. It all boils down to you, do what you think is in your best interest.

Sounds like you have invested some dinero into your TJ, if you sold it now, all that money would be a loss, and what if the new one has the same issues.

Personally, I would stick it out, but I think that is cause I have some wierd emotional bond with my vehicles that makes the wife jellouse

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Why get rid of it, it's got so many new parts

 

[jeepin916]

hmmmm thats alot of fixing. i think the guy b4 u just didnt take care of it and really hammered it when ever he took it out. iv heard of bad apples but that seems excessive.

 

[joejeepny]

I am with bounty. Those repairs dont sound excessive. Where was the jeep driven. Hard city commuting or drivin in the counrty. If its driven in the snow belt you gotta watch out that it aint rotten out on ya. If the frame rails and the tub are good everything else is replaceable. Just deppends on what you want and what your willing to pay for. Can you fix things yourself. When something goes bad on my truck I look at it as a good reason for an UPGRADE!!!!!!! Yeah NEW STUFF for the JEEP.

 

[hi_c]

All the things you mentioned are related to poor driving habits and neglect (hopefully on the part of the previous owner). I would just be sure to take care of it and try to do more work yourself. Not sure about PA's emmission laws, but I'd just gut or remove that cat and straight pipe it. Put the good stuff in your new transmission (if manual, Pennzoil Synchromesh or Redline MT90) and flush your radiator twice a year, at the beginning of each new "extreme" season (Summer & Winter). Change that oil and filter every 3k miles and keep everything lubed. Go to Lowe's and get your own lube gun and lithium grease for $30. This will help the life of your "new" jeep.

I also just started using Castrol GTX High Mileage oil... that stuff rocks. I think I'm gonna start another thread on it to see if others have used it. I highly recommend it.

C