Advice! on 98 TJ

The computer could go bad, and you could be out several hundred bucks. They told me that this would happen when I bought my 1995 YJ new, if I didn't purchase the $1,500 "service contract" that they were pitching. So far, in

Hi AZ,

I just bought a 97 TJ SE, with 93,000 ++ miles.

My impression is that the most likely thing to go wrong is various lights wiring. Such as brake lights, or turn signals, etc. I know that my turn signal lever doesnn't return to neutral, on it's own, after a turn. My hazard warning switch works hard too.

Kelly Blue Book states that any vehicle should accrue no more than 15,000 miles per year, under normal usage. So, ya pays yore money, and takes yore choise....

My TJ is a four cylinder, so I avoid big fat tires, and other speciality items like that.

Other than that, like one of the guys here told me "Welcome to the Dark Side."

Matt

I've got a 98 TJ Sport I drove off the Pitre Scottsdale Jeep lot in April of '98. It has 98k on the odometer. The AC system stopped holding a charge last summer. That's the most major issue. Otherwise, there was a TSB for the instrument panel fixed under warranty. The upper radiator hose sprung a pinhole leak about 4 years ago in the Phoenix summer. That cost me $5 to replace myself. The original rear pinion seal is notorious for leaking. And that's it as far as repairs.

I'm up to four vehicles now (two teenage drivers soon to be licensed) and I try to keep the miles on the Jeep down since it's my favorite (and also sucks the most gas). My biggest concern is how long the clutch is going to last. There are no symptoms of it going bad, I just wonder with my shifting habits how long it will last. It's the only manual transmission vehicle I've ever owned.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

mc

Jerry

amyzam wrote:

most common problem is exhaust manifold cracking.... not a biggie... 100 part if yer a diy er or 150 labor from most shops

Sheesh...I remember when I first subscribed to this NG back in '98...your red TJ was a puppy, now, it's almost 10 yrs old! I'm not surprised at the 162k, but the orig clutch is pretty amazing considering the terrain you play on.

tw _____________________________________________________________________

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase') A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II. _____________________________________________________________________

Jerry Bransford wrote:

Yep that was a while back, though my '97 is not "almost" ten years old, it is ten years old this month... HEY! Coincidentally, I just realized it's exactly its 10th birthday today!! Its build date was 3/6/96! Wow!

Jerry

twaldr> Sheesh...I remember when I first subscribed to this NG back in

Sounds like it's time for cake, ice cream and a shot o' jaegermeister. _____________________________________________________________________

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 > Yep that was a while back, though my '97 is not "almost" ten years old,

There is some sorta strange Jeep Karma workin' here. :) I'm still freakin' out about the ten years though. _____________________________________________________________________

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase') A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II. _____________________________________________________________________

Jerry Bransford wrote:

I drove off the lot 12-20-1996. It was built a week earlier. I just "celebrated" it's 24th oil change, 780 miles too late.

I sinned!!!!!!! Forgive me, Jeep $DEITY! Every 3000 miles, I missed 72,000, so I did it today at 72,780.

Happy Birthday Geezer!!!!

My 98 has 114+K, I recently replaced the exhaust. Had to replace the intake manifold twice. Still has the original clutch, replaced the throwout bearing when the engine was swapped. Mind you the swap was due to rolling it. That all so led to the radiator being replaced with a used one. My biggest issues with the rig have all been caused by lift, tires, suspension, rolling, wheeling, rocks, etc. Its locked and loaded with a 6" lift and 35's. Personally, I wouldnt trade it for anything.

-jenn

Thanks for giving me hope Jerry.

BTW, do you downshift?

I downshift out of habit and am still on my original factory front and rear brake pads.

mc

Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday dear Jerry Jeep Happy Birthday to you

Tomes

Hey, I'd just like to thank everyone for all your advice..i didn't know there were so many Jeepy people out there! Feel like i'm announcing a birth but... im buying a jeep! yay! im so excited. It's a 97 TJ, and she's lovely! I'm sure I'll be posting more questions on this site... hope you'll give me some good advice! As I said, thanks for all your help, and no doubt will speak to you again, Thanks! Amy

Hey Amy - welcome to the Dark Side. I'm a relative newcomer to both the group and to Jeeps.

I will tell you about Jeeps. I bought my TJL a year ago on a whim. It's noisy, bouncy, cramped, drafty, sounds and handles like a semi, swills fuel like swine, has a distressingly huge turning radius, accellerates too slowly, and it's a pain to get in and out of.

And I love it so.

Much like finding your soul-mate, your attachment to your Jeep will quickly deepen to the point where friends and family will question your sanity. SUV owners will gaze with envy, young guys will grin and wave, and soccer mommies will sneer every time you drive by.

And you will love it so.

-JD