Used KJ - What should a buyer look for?

[bones1918]

Longtime TJ owner looking for a kid-friendly car here. KJ seems like a good option.

I found a 04 used 5-speed 3.7 KJ with <100 K miles for around $6000. In true TJ form, i refuse to drive an automatic.

The KJ looks clean inside and out, and the undercarriage looks pretty good for a car with just under 100K. Carfax is clean. It's rocking street tires with good even tread wear, so I don't detect any alignment problems.

The clutch makes kind of a sucking/popping sound when first engaged. I've never heard that sound before - no idea what it is. The dealer said they will knock $500 off and just assume the clutch needs to be replaced. It test-drove great, 4wd engaged fine on the fly and low-range engaged fine from a dead stop.

I'm brand new to the KJ world. What should I be looking for? Whats the sucking/popping sound?

 

[Dave]

Welcome to the forum.

I can't help you with the clutch question but my thought is that it probably cost more than $500 to replace it if that's what it needs. If this is a Jeep dealer then get them to replace the clutch as a condition of purchase. Just my thought on it.

The only other thing to check is the LBJ recall to see if it was done . It was a recall so if done, fine. If not, it is free. Any Jeep dealer can check or you can check on line at the Jeep website under owners services. You need the last 8 of the ser # and while you are at it you could get a build sheet.

Dave

 

[rockymountain]

Just don't call it a car. It's anything but. Weird strange things happen when people call them cars. KJs don't like it.

 

[bones1918]

Dave, what's the LBJ recall? left ball joint?

And i'd do the clutch myself. 500 would more than cover it

 

[gtommec]

LBJ= Lower Ball Joint..allthough not all KJ's were covered in the Recall, It all depends on where the Jeep was originally sold.

 

[KJJosh]

Glad to see you made it over here from NovaJeepers.

Like Dave said make sure the LBJ recall was done...