It's kinda quiet on the message board, so I thought i would post something.

I think it is interesting to know what common problems are with particular jeeps ... here's what i've fixed/had fixed on my '97 TJ (218,000 k's, 4.0, 5 spd manual):

1. Transmission rebuild ($$$)

2. Engine replacement ($$)

3. Wiper motor

4. Wheel bearings ($)

5. Stress cracks in doors

6. Starter

7. 2 batteries

8. 2 Cat's

9. Door locks

10. Door handle

11. A/C (removed it because it quit)

12. Rust between fenders and tub, fenders and grill, tailgate area

13. Map sensor

14. Rad

15. 4 sets of tires

16. O2 sensors

17. Rebuild rear diff ($)

18. Rear axel seals

19. Pinion seals

What's left to be done:

1. Replace cat again

2. Replace front seats (vinyl and mechanism broke)  

3. Windshield seal

4. T-case (slips out of 4-high)

5. Install second child seat (d'oh)

6. Headlight bezel

7. Front and rear pinion seals

What i'd like to do:

1. 2" spacer lift

2. swaybar disconnects

3. Bumpers

4. 31x9.5" MT's instead of 31x10.5 AT's

That's it ... sorry if it dragged on.

Pete

WOW!!!!!!!!

I ordered my first jeep last week, an 04' rubi.  I worried alot about doing it but I have wanted a jeep for a long time and my current 4x4 truck is 9 years old.  The main thing I was worried about was with all the message boards problem posts, I take real good care of my stuff but I wonder about all the constant problems.

Rick

Keep in mind that there is more to this story.

I have had water contamination in the diff's, I'm not the best at regular maintenance, I put 50,000 k on it per year (with lotsa stupid pedal when buddy in his civic thinks he's fast).

There is no one who builds anything like it, so if i had the $$$ ... i'd buy another.

I would not consider myself skilled with a wrench, but i was able to install a 'new to me' engine without too much stress.

Now that i have learned this much about my jeep ... i'm looking for a wrecked one as a project.

Hope i didn't put you off.

Pete  

No you did not put me off. I have been bittin by the jeep bug real bad. I just hope I enjoy it as much as all the jeep owners I have talked to.

P.S. I also hope it holds together well.  Because I am not real good with wrenches.

Rick 

Wow, I also have a '97 TJ Sahara (111,000 k's, 4.0, 5 spd manual) and these are the same problems that I've run into:

5. Stress cracks in doors

6. Starter

7. 2 batteries

9. Door locks

10. Door handle

14. Rad

15. 4 sets of tires (Well, one set came used off of a 98 TJ, and the first set just sucked.)



17. Rebuild rear diff ($)

18. Rear axel seals

19. Pinion seals

20. Replace exaust from cat back

21. Replace gas tank (that was entirely my fault though.. whoops)

22. New rear ring and pinion

23. New rear posi (if only I had enough for a locker)

24. Re-weld control arm mounts on rear axle

25.  Two new windshields (is it just me or do they break easy?)

26. Fix the damn passenger side seat so it folds forward again

What's left to be done:

1. Exaust.. again, cat, and everything behind it

2. Aftermarket rear track bar (stock one doesn't jive well with aftermarket gas tank)

3.Get my windows to stop squealing like a pig when they're rolled down

4. Floor mats.. those things are TOAST.

5. Rear bumper w/ tire carrier ( it feels like my spare is going to go flying off every damn time I hit a bumpy spot on the freeway)

What i'd like to do:

1. Re-gear to 4.11s or 4.56s so I can run somthing bigger than a 31

2. Replace stock lower control arms to somthing w/ johnny joints

3. Front Bumper

4. Steel braided brake lines

5. 33x12.50r15s

6. Better cage

7. Locker(s)

Yep, that's a long list.  I blame half the problems on the fact that I got the jeep when I was 17 and REALLY stupid, and the other half on the fact that I'm 23 and mildly stupid.

-Brian  

Makes you wonder ... If you paid full price for parts and labour ... how close would you be to the price of a new TJ?

I bet at least halfway.

Pete  

I know the warantee cost of my wrangler long since exceeded any profits by chrysler

every one GET an EXTENDED WARANTEE!

Tranny

3 radiators

3 steering wheels

2 tops

brake booster

untold number of drive shaft seals

a couple of axle seals

a couple of driveshafts

manifold

swaybar links

starter

various wiring glitches

I forget the rest

I have a 97 wrangler sahara and have had few problems.  Its been through hell and beck and still runs good.  It has 130,000 miles on it and i change the oil ever 3,000 and the only thing that is wrong with it is the cracked winshield.  This is due to the box effect the wrangler gives off and does not deflect rocks or other debris very well.  I'm getting a 4" teraflex lift from www.trailquest.com next week along with some 35" grabber mts.  The guy who is putting my rig together is fixing putting new swaybars on and some other stuff to accomidate the lift.  Oh i get one of their famous bumper/tire carriers so i can haul my 35" tire around on the back.  Good luck with your jeeps. I guess i'm just the lucky one. haha

The only problems i've ever had was with the drivetrain.  I'm on my third engine, second transmission(which is starting to slip again), second transfer case, third front driveshaft, fifth rear driveshaft and a rear leafspring due to extreme axelwrap.