Jeep Wrangler

24

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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    jvc wrote: »
    at least while you are looking for that "perfect" used condition daily driver Jeep Wrangler and until is it all set then keeping and using the Nissan is good advice

    I think it is absolutely great that YOU are taking responsibility for YOUR own decision in what YOU want and how YOU want to spend YOUR money.

    That's the thing, the Nissan is in "near perfect" condition - this is the only picture I can find which has a small scratch - it's hard to find a Jeep in similar condition.
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  • NotaSuv
    NotaSuv Posts: 3,856
    edited July 2009
    Have owned Wranglers for the past 20 years...its a love/hate thing....but they are a blast to drive..have driven the newer models but too car like for me so 2006 or earlier is my choice...if you can buy a unlimited the lil extra in lenght is WELL worth it, and they keep a lil better resale as not alot of them out there...straight 6's will run forever..stay away from any 4....my auto tranny has been just fine I do alot of off roading especially during hunting season..will cruise thru 6 inches plus of snow at 60mph....have 46,000 miles on mine and besides oil changes not a penny spent otherwise....it is a GAS PIG...a brick on wheels..good luck with your search....
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2009
    Keep the Maxima for now and save for something you really want. Buying a Jeep in that price range is asking for trouble.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • NotaSuv
    NotaSuv Posts: 3,856
    edited July 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    Also, I'm on a student budget and want to spend $2000-3000 max. I have no problem with an older Jeep as long as it runs.

    Some audio gear may have to go...

    As Face stated at that price point it might be a problem even with older models for that price point......but there are deals out there today you just need to search them out...
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Keep the Maxima for now and save for something you really want. Buying a Jeep in that price range is asking for trouble.

    You know I like projects though...
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    You know I like projects though...
    There's a difference between a project car and buying someone else's headache.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    Okay, so spend the $2,000 or so on parts for the Maxima?

    Tires - $450
    Get door dings painted - $300
    Brakes - not sure about the cost
    Radiator - can I do this myself? Old one's rusting...
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    forget about cosmetics stuff...unless it is rust and structural.
    fix all the safety and basics first.

    you'll have to recycle the radiator fluid to someone that is
    authorized to handle that.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    jvc wrote: »
    forget about cosmetics stuff...unless it is rust and structural.
    fix all the safety and basics first.

    you'll have to recycle the radiator fluid to someone that is
    authorized to handle that.

    I just did the coolant change myself... took the used coolant and brought it to a gas station. They accepted it free of charge.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    I actually did the following myself:

    1. Oil Change and Filter - easy enough except the oil filter was hard to get off
    2. Transmission Fluid - only 4 quarts came out when I dropped the pan, is that normal?
    3. Air filter - have one of those K&N reusable filters, clean every 3,000 miles
    4. In-cabin microfilter - installed it myself, very simple
    5. Top off brake fluid (just needed a little)
    6. Added power steering fluid (again, just needed a little)
    7. Check battery fluid (needed a little)
    7. Check CV joints - both are fine
    8. Added Coolant - Drained and filled radiator, bled the radiator
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    NotaSuv wrote: »
    Have owned Wranglers for the past 20 years...its a love/hate thing....but they are a blast to drive..

    very nice Wrangler.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    I meant the radiator is rusty, I discovered that when I drained the radiator to change the coolant.
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    you could power flush the radiator next time
    and also make sure all the rad fluid is out of the block...
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    I did, the fluid is clean but the radiator (mounts and fins) looks rusty from the outside.

    Also people on the Maxima.org forum say 5 quarts of transmission fluid should come out, I only got 4 but that was all it needed to fill up to the full mark...
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2009
    If I were to pick out a jeep I would not worry too much about scratches and stuff like that. If its too perfect you will be afraid to take it anywhere.
    madamx
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    madmax wrote: »
    If I were to pick out a jeep I would not worry too much about scratches and stuff like that. If its too perfect you will be afraid to take it anywhere.
    madamx

    Did you see the pics I posted of the Maxima? There's a few minor scratches, but it's only if you look for them you will see them.
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    here is a fun website
    project jeeps

    http://www.jeffdanielsjeeps.com/
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    I guess the best thing to do is look at many used Jeeps to find the good ones (and know which problems come up most frequently). I've already set up appointments with a few sellers - will look at the condition.

    Also will try to price a radiator and see if I can do that myself...
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    if the radiator is not leaking I would wait...

    price estimating is good to be aware. if and when replacement is needed.

    Rust is common on East Coast cars because of the road salt during winter ice storms.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    jvc wrote: »
    if the radiator is not leaking I would wait...

    price estimating is good to be aware. if and when replacement is needed.

    Rust is common on East Coast cars because of the road salt during winter ice storms.

    Well, the radiator isn't leaking but I have another problem.

    The heat shield, or whatever it's called, that covers the catalytic converter is rusted through and is rattling. It fell off by itself today but after jacking up the car, I saw that the entire exhaust (all the pipes) are rusted.

    How much would it cost to replace the pipes from the catalytic converter to the muffler? They don't seem like they will last much longer.
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    I recall a thread on Club Polk about a lady that own a car and whenever possible bought lifetime guarantee parts and maybe labor.

    Had huge mileage and got free batteries because of the guarantees.

    pay me now or pay me later as the saying goes.

    prices depend.
    stock OEM
    aftermarket
    stainless steel
    etc....

    ....gotta shop around ......
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    The trans is leaking too...
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    This is exactly what I am describing - this person has the exact same problem.

    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090331175250AARMIzc
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited July 2009
    Also have a leak from the rear main seal, I posted this pic before:

    attachment.php?attachmentid=37594&d=1231892880
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    welcome to the world of Car Repair.

    time to ask your family professional mechanic for advice.....

    how many miles on the maxima
    what model se , gxe, or gle ?
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited July 2009
    Get yourself a real 4x4, the original Toyota LandCruiser FJ40. Goes where Jeeps fear to tread. :D

    GoodDayAtTheRaces.jpg

    Seriously, the only other 4x4 that could go where I went was another LandCruiser, an FJ55. In fact, he went I few places that I wouldn't go because he was just flat out crazy.

    As no one has mentioned this yet.....4x4's handle considerably different than cars and the inexperienced 4x4 driver can find themselves in trouble very quickly. I'm not even talking about off road driving as that is a whole other ball game, I'm talking just on the street. I mention this because I know you are young and therefore an inexperienced driver to start with. So, unless you plan on doing serious off road driving might I suggest you find a 4x4 with a lower center of gravity than a FJ40 or Jeep type of vehicle.

    One other thing about 4x4's, they may go places that cars can't, but when you hit the brakes, they are all the same and in fact, a 4x4 can be worse. I've seen lots of fools in wreaked 4x4's that seemed to have thought otherwise.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,834
    edited July 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    As no one has mentioned this yet.....4x4's handle considerably different than cars and the inexperienced 4x4 driver can find themselves in trouble very quickly. I'm not even talking about off road driving as that is a whole other ball game, I'm talking just on the street. I mention this because I know you are young and therefore an inexperienced driver to start with. So, unless you plan on doing serious off road driving might I suggest you find a 4x4 with a lower center of gravity than a FJ40 or Jeep type of vehicle.

    One other thing about 4x4's, they may go places that cars can't, but when you hit the brakes, they are all the same and in fact, a 4x4 can be worse. I've seen lots of fools in wreaked 4x4's that seemed to have thought otherwise.

    +1000

    Read the above paragraphs, and read them again til you have committed them to memory.

    Excellent advice, IMO. (and you know I drive a 4X4 as my daily rig)
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    I am NOT sure but finding a Toyota LandCruiser FJ40 might be an adventure.
    I have not seen that many available like Jeep TJs .

    had a chance to buy a Toyota LandCruiser that had a Chevy engine.
    missed the opportunity, just did not have the cash.
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    found this one
    it looks like it needs much work.

    1967 FJ40 Toyota Landcruiser - $2800 (NewBloomfield, PA (Perry County))

    http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/1256428120.html
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  • apc
    apc Posts: 779
    edited July 2009
    Wranglers are a blast! I love mine, but am glad it's not a daily driver. Mileage sux, but the top off and a nice day is hard to beat. Here's my Rubi:

    IMG_10871.jpg
    Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend.
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