The dig begins.

[KidsJeep]

I recently picked up an 02 KJ and while I did purchase it from the original owner I didn’t dig too much. I asked for the regular stuff like maintenance history and I drove it around a bit.

It’s a 25 year old car! It drove ok I’d say with my only concern being the suspension felt loose. No real clunks or bangs-just kind of wandering. The underbody is shockingly clean but there’s some grease on the transfer cases and the oil pan is pretty rusty. I plan to jack it up tomorrow and check the suspension more closely. One thing we have noticed is the steering wheel does not return to center on its own very well after turning.

The big find was this plug it “performance chip”. I didn’t notice it when I looked at the vehicle originally and it’s kind of inconspicuously placed. It’s made by Performance Chip Revamp…I do not know why people fall for this. $75 will not get you 60WHP and 8 more mpg-otherwise everyone would be using them.

I’m thinking I’ll take it off but the vehicle seems to run just fine so I may leave it be.

Oil and plugs tomorrow. I’ll post photos!

 

[Country2003KJ]

I recently picked up an 02 KJ and while I did purchase it from the original owner I didn’t dig too much. I asked for the regular stuff like maintenance history and I drove it around a bit.

It’s a 25 year old car! It drove ok I’d say with my only concern being the suspension felt loose. No real clunks or bangs-just kind of wandering. The underbody is shockingly clean but there’s some grease on the transfer cases and the oil pan is pretty rusty. I plan to jack it up tomorrow and check the suspension more closely. One thing we have noticed is the steering wheel does not return to center on its own very well after turning.

The big find was this plug it “performance chip”. I didn’t notice it when I looked at the vehicle originally and it’s kind of inconspicuously placed. It’s made by Performance Chip Revamp…I do not know why people fall for this. $75 will not get you 60WHP and 8 more mpg-otherwise everyone would be using them.

I’m thinking I’ll take it off but the vehicle seems to run just fine so I may leave it be.

Oil and plugs tomorrow. I’ll post photos!

I picked up an 03 in Nov 2020 with 94000 miles on it. I found lots of online data thru the Carfax type of service and there was the original sales receipt from 2002 in the glove compartment and the maint records showed alot of oil changes, trans fluid, recall notices, etc. I did a recall check and all recalls were completed.

With all of that being said I also did a OBDII check when I did a test drive and sort of new what I needed to attend too. The Airbag System and the ABS were two error codes with yellow caution lights that popped up occasionally. These codes popped up once in awhile and I cleared them. I started looking at the systems over time and the Airbag System was the right front sensor. I removed it and reinstalled it after trying a new sensor and the problem was fixed. The ABS sensor was related to needing new rotors as they were the OEM and were worn to their limit. So, I solved the real problems.

I did clean the throttle body, replaced the PVC system tubes and PVC valve. Eventually I replaced the rear coils and shocks and front struts and all the bump stocks. This part of it made the ride real smooth the hard bumps when away.

I did these things a little bit over time along with the blend door repair. It has stayed on the road and passed inspection every year. I did replace the entire speaker system since they were all cracked and blown. But the real coup was the Airbag system as that has to work and there should be no dashboard airbag lights. I have had zero issues with the engine or transmission or 4WD or differential. I did replace the water pump as it was the OEM. I have 121000 miles now and looking for new tires. So, enjoy the ride and tinkering.

 

[KidsJeep]

I picked up an 03 in Nov 2020 with 94000 miles on it. I found lots of online data thru the Carfax type of service and there was the original sales receipt from 2002 in the glove compartment and the maint records showed alot of oil changes, trans fluid, recall notices, etc. I did a recall check and all recalls were completed.

With all of that being said I also did a OBDII check when I did a test drive and sort of new what I needed to attend too. The Airbag System and the ABS were two error codes with yellow caution lights that popped up occasionally. These codes popped up once in awhile and I cleared them. I started looking at the systems over time and the Airbag System was the right front sensor. I removed it and reinstalled it after trying a new sensor and the problem was fixed. The ABS sensor was related to needing new rotors as they were the OEM and were worn to their limit. So, I solved the real problems.

I did clean the throttle body, replaced the PVC system tubes and PVC valve. Eventually I replaced the rear coils and shocks and front struts and all the bump stocks. This part of it made the ride real smooth the hard bumps when away.

I did these things a little bit over time along with the blend door repair. It has stayed on the road and passed inspection every year. I did replace the entire speaker system since they were all cracked and blown. But the real coup was the Airbag system as that has to work and there should be no dashboard airbag lights. I have had zero issues with the engine or transmission or 4WD or differential. I did replace the water pump as it was the OEM. I have 121000 miles now and looking for new tires. So, enjoy the ride and tinkering.

Thank you for this info. I asked about the air bag issue which I read about before-no dash lights. Good tip on the carfax! I’m seeing a lot of things I want to work on, definitely the power steering pump is at the top of the list now.