Been in the market for a pre-OBDII CJ7/Wranger for a few years, but never found any in my price range close enough for me to take a look at. Recently posted a "looking for" post to the local Jeep clubs(I'm a member, with a WJ) chat, and had an offer from a member, as he is losing interest and wants a boat. Hasn't advertised it, and keeps flip flopping about if he wants to sell or not(he admitted when asked, but if I want it and have the money, it's mine.) Took a look at it and took it for a test drive today. Told him I'd give him some time to make up his mind.
It was a full frame off build/frame replacement about 7-8 years ago, with a 5.7l Vortec(Chevy Transmission/Jeep transfer case) installed at that time. Only on the road in the summer, so no winter road salt rot. Frame is solid, Engine has a belt chirp, slight fuel leak from a hose to hardline connection. Aside from the usual dents and dings and slightly rusty body(rear tailight panel, rusty fender extensions, lower tub rockers were roughly bondo's and covered during the build, floorboards need replacement, ect(normal stuff)). There were a few stand out issues during the test drive.
First off, the steering seemed a big squirrelly. He didn't seem to have any trouble driving it as he drove for part of the test drive, but it seemed wandery when I drove. First time I've drove a Wrangler. Has a 4" suspension lift(settled quite a bit according to owner) + 2" body lift + what he thinks were 1 1/2" boomerang shackles. Not sure if it's my lack of Wrangler driving experience, a steering geometry issue, of just worn parts. I didn't think to look for swaybar/tracbar presence.
There is also a shake from the drive line. Owner attributed it to potentially being the rear pinion angle as it's got no shims to set pinion angle.
I'm honestly pretty set on buying it, but those couple issues give me a little pause. The plan for it is to be a street legal trail rig/backup to my daily driver, as the DD is going to need a decent amount of work in the near future.
It was a full frame off build/frame replacement about 7-8 years ago, with a 5.7l Vortec(Chevy Transmission/Jeep transfer case) installed at that time. Only on the road in the summer, so no winter road salt rot. Frame is solid, Engine has a belt chirp, slight fuel leak from a hose to hardline connection. Aside from the usual dents and dings and slightly rusty body(rear tailight panel, rusty fender extensions, lower tub rockers were roughly bondo's and covered during the build, floorboards need replacement, ect(normal stuff)). There were a few stand out issues during the test drive.
First off, the steering seemed a big squirrelly. He didn't seem to have any trouble driving it as he drove for part of the test drive, but it seemed wandery when I drove. First time I've drove a Wrangler. Has a 4" suspension lift(settled quite a bit according to owner) + 2" body lift + what he thinks were 1 1/2" boomerang shackles. Not sure if it's my lack of Wrangler driving experience, a steering geometry issue, of just worn parts. I didn't think to look for swaybar/tracbar presence.
There is also a shake from the drive line. Owner attributed it to potentially being the rear pinion angle as it's got no shims to set pinion angle.
I'm honestly pretty set on buying it, but those couple issues give me a little pause. The plan for it is to be a street legal trail rig/backup to my daily driver, as the DD is going to need a decent amount of work in the near future.