[80cj]

i'm almost ashamed to admit it, but i am thinking of buying a TJ.

the prices here for CJ's is just crazy, and it is also gonna be my daily driver. so do any of you have any words of wisdom as to what to look for and what to avoid when buy a TJ. i am def going with a 4.0 and a 5spd. also probably looking for one that is mainly stock and hasn't been messed with too much. do they all come with d44's in them or are there others that i should worry about?

thanks all
shawn

 

[Guest]

Re: Looking to buy a TJ

get one w/ the 4.0l, no they dont all come w/ 44s be sure to find one that does(dana 35 sucks) My personal preference is the 5spd. Get a/c, i believe it upgrades the battery and stuff. I have a sahara, but its not worth the extra $$$ over the sport for fancy plastic bits. Go for the full doors, half ones are no fun. If youre a hardtop guy try and find one w/ it or else youll pay alot of $$ locating and buying one. Good Luck

 

[z50k2]

Re: Looking to buy a TJ

Here is mine for sale..
Ricky's TJ on JU for sale

I think holding out for a TJ with a rear 44 is a waste of time..They are definitely better, but not very common..
Ricky...seeya...

 

[Neurosis]

Re: Looking to buy a TJ

Damn! I wish I would have lived closer to you when I wanted my TJ, I would have bought that one. They go for a bit more around here.

 

[80cj]

Re: Looking to buy a TJ

btt--- anyone?

thanks all
shawn

 

[Neurosis]

Re: Looking to buy a TJ

There really isnt allot to look for in a TJ except for a few things. Most of them came with the same drivetrain.

Engine: either the four or 6 banger motors.

Transmission: 97 - 99 the AX-15 Manual or the 32 RH Auto.
99 - present you get a nv3550 five speed. Not sure which is better.

Transfer Case 97 to present NV231

Axles:

Front = Dana 30

Rear = Dana 35 or Dana 44 97 to present.

So, you probably want the 4.0 with the AX-15 since you want manual trans.

Other than that you can look for a dana 44 or buy a Rubicon.

 

[Guest]

Well based on my research and personal knoledge I recomend,

the 4 ltr
the 5 sp, ax15
if you get the sport and a 4 ltr it comes with a D-44,
but the 4 cilinder comes with lower gearing, 4.10 vice 3.73

if you can get a rubicon, put on a 3 in lift, you can run 33s easy and oh yea you will want new bumpers...

Don

 

[InfantryYJ]

In reply to:

if you get the sport and a 4 ltr it comes with a D-44

[/ QUOTE ]

Not all of them!! There's plenty out there 97-present that don't have 44's and are Sport's, the only way to truly know is crawl under it and look.

 

[Neurosis]

I agree with infantry, mine is a sport and has a 35c..... NOt for long though.

 

[Guest]

If you wheel go with a dana 44. It's not worth always thinking about the danty 35. Especially if you like bigger tires.

 

[Guest]

Really? when I ordered my 98 I ordered a sport with the 4ltr and I asked for a 44, the sales man said it comes that way... Oh well cant trust them guys...

 

[80cj]

so can you get a d44 with abs? or only with a d35?

thanks all
shawn

 

[InfantryYJ]

Yep, it's a "Really",....just go look at most of the Sports, they'll have a D35 under them, I know guys with 97's, 98's, 01's,...all of them Sports, and all of them have the D35.

 

[MTPockets]

If you wanted the Dana 44 you had to order it, even with a Sport. That MAY have changed in 2003. I think ordering the 30" wheel and tire package along with limited slip or something might have gotten you the D44, but I could be wrong. And the D44 is not available with ABS. I would highly reccomend the D44 if you can find one. Used car dealers probably don't even know the difference between the axles, so you might not even pay more to get a TJ with it.

 

[upalittle]

I've seen several ads mentioning the tow package and was curious if that included the Dana 44 in the rear. Does anyone know if this is correct?

 

[MTPockets]

I don't think the TJ ever had a factory "tow package". You could get a Mopar dealer installed hitch, and maybe some towing accessories, but these are not really integrated factory options. Used car dealers might see a trailer hitch and think it is a factory tow package.

 

[JEEPN]

In reply to:

I think ordering the 30" wheel and tire package along with limited slip or something might have gotten you the D44, but I could be wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope, even that could have gotten you the D35, ours had that combination. In '96 and early '97, the D44 wasn't even an option even if you wanted it, I know because I tried to get it.

In my estimation, the D35 is JUNK, ours blew up at 48K when the pinion let go. Luckily we had the extended warranty or it would have cost us $1,300 for the rebuild (or $300 for an 8.8).