Future KJ Owner, What Do I Need to Know?

[MrSamNC]

I'm looking to get an '02-'07 KJ in the near future. What are things to look out for when looking at KJs? Any known-issues or common problem areas? Any model years to avoid?

Many Thanks!

 

[CzarKJ]

rust around the 3rd brake light and behind the spare tire. CV boots. Ball joints (harder to tell). and then just the general misuse and abuse of a nice truck. Anything else I am missing from the past month of conversations? haha

 

[Luke]

rust around the 3rd brake light and behind the spare tire.

you betcha ... and the bottoms of the doors!

 

[u2slow]

If you are looking for a 6spd one... steer clear of any that pop out of reverse. Means the internal shift rails are bent (often from a 6th/Reverse mis-shift) and there's no easy fix. Rebuild or replace.

2005 is the last year you could get without ABS. One less 'feature' to give you grief.

Rear disc brakes were optional in the early years. (02-04?)

There's (at least) 2 different transfer cases too... I have the simpler part-time one with a lever (NP241) which has only 2wd, 4Hi, N, 4Lo.

 

[stn]

Drivers seat adjustment lever

If you see one that's snapped off, and you think it's an easy quick fix...it's not I thought I'd be able to buy a new lever....but you need to buy the whole seat. I ended up tapping a new bolt into mine to remount the lever.

 

[capeKJ]

If it was me I would also double check the coolant and make sure someone hasn't mixed coolant types....would suck to buy it then get home and see it has green non-hoat coolant in it. I actually stopped by a jiffy lube to see if they'd accept used oil not long ago and a guy was in there at the desk screaming at the employee because one of the guys put the green stuff into his 03 sport

 

[mopar4u]

Front hubs/bearings are a fairly common source of failure. Cheap and easy fix.