Project Jeep TJ/JK build

As you can see this search has taken a bit of a turn from some of the TJ's in the start of the thread. There were some nice ones I found online. I was also looking at some rough ones. We are looking at spending more now. So the JK's are more of the focus right now. And if I'm going with a JK I just feel I need to get the Unlimited (4 door) because of the kids and have the extra space. Which is odd because I was fine with the lack of space in the TJ.

I tried to buy this one but they say that a customer has a deposit on it so the search continues.



I have waited 24+ years so I guess I can wait longer (even though I want it yesterday). Just want to find one that I'm happy with. I have a sales person looking for me.

James

 

The black Rubicon had upgraded bumpers and a winch.

I'm hoping to get the dual top option and the Nav deck and the manual still. At this point, with the right price tag I wouldn't turn away a auto. But a manual is high on the list. The wife really wants to learn to drive a manual so I would like for that to happen.

James

 

Nice. What does he need to do to get it on the road?

She does. She drove my Escort when I had it many many years ago. Didn't drive it much but did drive it. I tried to teach here but she wouldn't listen to me when I asked her to down shift. I let her drive it around the sub division to get a feel of it for herself.

Picking up a car for her to learn on if I get an auto might be an option. Its extra money though. I could look for a really good deal on something, let her learn on it. Then detail and fix anything that needs to be fixed (make a thread for it) and then turn and sell it again.

James

 

That sounds like it will eat up a bit of money before hitting the road again.

She wasn't driving very long at the time. But I think it made it harder having me in the car with her. I agree that people should learn to drive them early. Its not necessary for everyone but it can help. I learned on an auto but did get to drive a manual shortly after. And then my first two cars were manual.

Not everyone can drive a manual but it is good for people to at least learn it.

James

 

This seems harder then finding a needle in a haystack. The dealer is still searching for me.

James

 

The green TJ? That is a nice color. I still don't have one. I have a dealer searching. The black one sold. They found a old guy that has one but he wanted way more then it is worth from what I hear. I also heard that it was in some nice shape. They found three others with them that won't part with them. They are looking in some other spots now. I'm hoping they can find something soon. I want one yesterday. It is driving me crazy.

James

 

The painful search continues.

We had our dealer contact a couple people on two Jeeps. One is an 08 Rubicon Unlimited.



It has an upgraded front bumper, Superwinch, 3" lift, 35" BFG tires, side steps and Gibson Metal Mulisha exhaust.

There was also a 2010 that I found that was white, dual tops and nav. Today that one isn't listed anymore. I would like to think that my dealer make a deal to purchase it yesterday afternoon so that is why it is down. I won't hold my breath on that.

Those are in Nova Scotia. Then there are some in Ontario but I'm looking at a flight, drive to a dealer, look it over, then buy or look at a couple other dealers. The distance between them is a few hours between them all. But some are north of the airport and some south. So it is a lot of driving if I want to see them all. It also means taking a couple days off work to go do it. Then a 1200 km + (745 miles) drive home before work Monday. I will look at local ones (not many to look at) before making the trip. I do have my brother and some friends in that area so I can make it a quick visit while I'm there so that is a bonus.

The other option is to work the deal from here. Have my buddy look at them and maybe someone else. Then have it shipped here. It would be a bit wild for me to make a purshce that big without seeing it myself but I could get lots of pictures and video sent to me. And I have been car shopping with my buddy before so I think he would look it over well.

Here are some of the ones I would possibly look at.

07 Rubicon Unlimited 154000 kms $16888



The rims need work and the kms are a little higher then I would like but I feel it is reflected in the price. One issue is the fact that someone put highway tires on it. That is about $1500+ to replace all 5. Maybe I could have that worked into the deal. That Green would be my wife's least favorite color for that year. I don't love it or hate it. It also has an upgraded double din Sony deck.

2008 Rubicon Unlimited 119000 kms $19000



Dual tops is nice. Looks like the tires might be decent. Its an auto which doesn't excite me but it is not a deal breaker anymore. I have to bend somewhere and I'm not willing to move off the Rubicon for another model so I have to bend more the transmission.

08 Rubicon Unlimited 92000 $22000



This one looks clean. It is in the higher end for price but looks really good. 6 speed manual.

There was a sweet 08 in Detonator Yellow that I don't see anymore.

08 Rubicon Unlimited 126000 kms $23000



This is a nice looking rig. Lift kit, rims, not sure the tire size but I'm sure they are larger then stock. I can't tell if it has upgraded diff covers or just painted.

09 Rubicon Unlimited 52000 kms $23700



As a kid I wanted a black Jeep with lots of chrome. Put a lift on it and bigger tires and I would have been in love. Now I'm going in a different direction. So all of that chrome would have to come off. Looks like it was well kept and low kms. Low kms makes me nervous at times. Cars don't like to sit around. But this might have been parked in a garage which helps. This one is in Quebec so it is closer but I know less people there that can go look at it for me.

2010 Rubicon Unlimited 72000 kms $26000



Mango Tango is the color. I really like it. This is an auto and no nav. If it had those or the dual top it would make it easier to try go for it at that price. Might be pushing my budget (which started in the $5000 range) way too far.

If I search Canada Trader I get about 40+ options when looking for a Rubicon. Not all are Unlimited. Some are two doors. Search for just Wranglers and I get over 700. That is what is making this search so hard.

Which one would you go for if you were me?
James

 

Your exhausted? Just think about how I feel on this end?

If you have a vehicle that you dreamed of that is basically in reach but you haven't bought one yet then you might know what I'm feeling.

It is wearing me out. I want the process over and done with.

James

 

My car has some more issues so the search is rushed now.

The 2010 Rubicon Unlimited that I thought was sold is still available. We contacted her but it is $24500 and it is just a bit to high of a payment for us. We might be able to do it but it could make things too tight. Sadly the one I want the most is out.

So I have to settle on a different model. Here are some of the ones I might go look at tomorrow.

2010 Sport Unlimited. $20995



2012 Sport $18995



2012 Islander $20995



The last one has the BFG off road tires. The others don't. The 2012 has the 3.6L and the others have the 3.8L. The 3.6L has 83 hp more.

James

 

I test drove a 2012. I like the power of the 3.6L. I like the space of the Unlimited over the 2 door but price is an issue. It looks like I will be in a 2 door JK very soon or a TJ as soon as I can get the money together and find the right deal. So it is still up in the air.

James

 

Well the search is over. I bought the 2012 JK Sport today. The salesperson had to pick up his daughter today so he wouldn't be at the dealership late. I really wanted to get it today. It was tough with us being down to one car. He took it home with him, along with the paper work so we could get it. He killed more then a few bugs with the front of the Jeep on the way home. So I had to wash it. Yes I still had the freedom tops off. My daughter wanted me to take them off for our drive home. I had no complaints. I left the tops off while washing because I wanted to go for another drive with it. I was just careful with the hose and didn't do the roof. So far I'm very happy.





I was drove the wife's car to work on Friday and today so since I was washing my Jeep I washed her car as well.




James

 

Went down a trail for a minute the other day with the wife and kids. They were laughing while bouncing around in the back.



James

 

Well I did my first upgrade. On Saturday I went and had my Goodyear Duratrac's installed at the dealer I bought if from. I had this done as part of the sale. They are 265/70/17 (32")



I went and got them dirty within an hour of putting them on. I am loving them so far. There isn't much more noise and they are great were great with the little I tested them. I was in a little bit of mud as well and they did great.

James