If you consider "tinkering a lot" changing the oil and basic maintenance, then a TJ is certainly not for you.
Yep. Mine was fine then too, but age catches up. My 97 XJ has 260k miles. The wiring rots and melts eventually.
Took me months of screwing with things to discover this, stranded on the side of the road and it would magically “heal” after a bit. After that was fixed, the engine would stall turning left because Chrysler put the cruise control on the TPS circuit and when the clock spring dies, it grounds that whole sensor circuit out and the ECU faults.
At 200k, you should swap the timing chain set, especially if you’re hearing a tick. Transfer case chain will also be close to done as well, rebuilds are easy though.
I’ve done the oil pan and rear main seal twice. Before that, my 4.0 was a really good dust abatement device.
Fuel pump should also be swapped about this time.
Both driveshafts were rebuilt. Same with the front axle shafts and diff seals.
Crank Position Sensor should be close to dead as well. Only replace with Mopar, aftermarket doesn’t last.
Steering box and power steering pump committed suicide at about 220k. Fairly easy swap. Replace the high pressure hose while you’re in there.
I’ve had the tubular manifold crack and leak twice. Never re-welded, always replaced.
Plastic tanks on the radiator weep. Always.
Stock steering is hilariously under-sized. Same with the track bar.
Wheel bearings will need replacement soon.
Ball joints should be swapped, especially on 35s.
They’re super simple and reliable, but they’re not immune to 20+ years of (ab)use. Mine has been on nearly every trail in the southwest, 5 day treks across the Mojave, and a fun backup vehicle. You just have to pay attention to it because it’s an old ass car now.
Like I said, tinkering. Thanks for the negative rep though, set me straight. :biggrin:
