Took a chance on a 2002

[KidsJeep]

Hello everyone. I recently picked up a 2002 KJ as a first car for my kid. I was reluctant as my research made me hesitant to take the chance but this seemed solid. One owner car, very good shape all around for its age and it was a good deal(I hope).

Looking forward to learning a lot and hopefully sharing some too. We have a few months before the kid will be licensed but until then, we will be working any and all things that may require attention.

Anyone have any suggestions on big concerns to look for right off the bat?

 

[eric1514]

I would change the oil and change the plugs.

 

[KidsJeep]

I would change the oil and change the plugs.

Oil is on the list, I’ll do the plugs too!

 

[pastorjeep]

I bought a 2002 for my 16yo daughter a year ago and got it for $600 because ethe engine was missing and backfiring badly. Turned out to be a rocker arm that popped off. It has been a great little car for her. We just installed a 2 inch lift this week. I was expecting a blown head gasket when we bought it because half of these on marketplace have a blown head gasket. I'm not sure why so many seem to blow without over heating?

 

[Country2003KJ]

Hello everyone. I recently picked up a 2002 KJ as a first car for my kid. I was reluctant as my research made me hesitant to take the chance but this seemed solid. One owner car, very good shape all around for its age and it was a good deal(I hope).

Looking forward to learning a lot and hopefully sharing some too. We have a few months before the kid will be licensed but until then, we will be working any and all things that may require attention.

Anyone have any suggestions on big concerns to look for right off the bat?

Check the PVC system hard plastic tubes and PVC itself.

Are all of the Coils the same vendor? Any OEM? I bought a 2003 5 years ago (nov 2020 with 94K miles) and eventually replaced all the coils with OEM along with the plugs. I did the plugs once before I did plugs and coils. All of the OEM coils measured same resistance whereas the 3 different vendor types installed were all different OHM's. The one thing I noticed when I bought mine was that there was the water vapor in the oil and made the filler tube covered in the milky white (water). Eventually it went away with consistant long distance driving instead of short runs to the store type of driving.

Clean the throttle body of the carbon build up.

I did replace all of the speakers as they were blown. They were the orginals. Most recently I replaced all rotors and brake pads all around. They were OEM from factory and after 23 years it was time.

 

[KidsJeep]

Check the PVC system hard plastic tubes and PVC itself.

Are all of the Coils the same vendor? Any OEM? I bought a 2003 5 years ago (nov 2020 with 94K miles) and eventually replaced all the coils with OEM along with the plugs. I did the plugs once before I did plugs and coils. All of the OEM coils measured same resistance whereas the 3 different vendor types installed were all different OHM's. The one thing I noticed when I bought mine was that there was the water vapor in the oil and made the filler tube covered in the milky white (water). Eventually it went away with consistant long distance driving instead of short runs to the store type of driving.

Clean the throttle body of the carbon build up.

I did replace all of the speakers as they were blown. They were the orginals. Most recently I replaced all rotors and brake pads all around. They were OEM from factory and after 23 years it was time.

This is great info, thanks! They really took care of this thing. But time and Midwest winters can do damage. Brakes were done recently, but the pedal travel is long so I’m planning to check them and probably flush and change fluid. I’ll probably be pulling this thing apart a little before my kid has full access, but for now she won’t be traveling much further than a few miles away. Can’t wait to learn more and busy some knuckles.