Pointers for buying a used 2005 Rubicon

[Thorsteenster]

Hey guys, I'm looking at buying a 2005 Wrangler Rubicon with 110k miles for $12k
Anyone offer any advice on what to check or expect, such as maintenence wise with 110k miles.

Thanks!

[meatmonkey]

Nice vehicle, but many have been abused.

Check the undercarriage for the usuall rock rash. Check all the fluids, and bring a jack to check the unit bearings and ball joints, as well as front axle and driveshaft U-joints, and make sure the yokes are tight in the bearings. Make sure the diff's lock and unlock.

Have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth with the rig off and the tires on the ground to check for play in the tie rods and panhard mount. If it has any sort of lift, check for play at the steering sector shaft.

Check the motor mounts for having split/torn/missing rubber isolators. Same goes for the trans mount.

If you include pics I could give you a better idea as to what to expect. 12k for a cherry one that's a 6 speed stick is good, but for an abused, poorly modified one it's a poor deal.

[Thorsteenster]

He says mostly highway miles, and there's only three pics but they look good. It's about a 2 hour drive from so I want to ask the owner some questions and go with the intention of buying. I found it on CarTrader.
Cars for Sale: 2005 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 Rubicon in Shippensburg, PA 17257: Sport Utility Details - 312624638 - AutoTrader.com
I've had my eye out for an orange Rubi manual for sometime now and have only come across a few.

[Coops]

Check the under carrage for brush rash, indicator for if it was wheeled hard.

not a huge deal but check the rad to see if the plastic tanks are leaking

check to make sure the lockers engauge, lines are ok.

Dip your finger in the diffs, trans and tras case to check the color of the fluid for water or silver filings

Peel the floor carpets back and look for rust and exessive dirt

Do all the fans speed work? Trivial but the resistor board is known to fail

.... that's all I can think of at the moment

[Thorsteenster]

Well, probably a lost cause anyway, with the mileage as high it is I don't think I'll get financing.

[Thorsteenster]

With good care and maintenance, how many miles could I expect out of a 2005?

[k9popo]

Have a dealer check the OPDA for excessive wear...In the 05-06 models they changed the design and there have been ALOT of failures...

Other than that it should be fine, but that would be number one on my list over checking fluids and shit like that...Its a Rubicon im sure it was wheeled just change the fluids when you buy it make sure the lockers work and theres no knocking and whining, but if the OPDA is shot that will suck ass and be fairly expensive to replace...

BTW-I own a 06'

The 4.0 has been around forever...Just treat it right and you'll be good to go...

[ColquittCustom405]

Buy an XJ!....

[Thorsteenster]

Thanks for the heads up about the OPDA K9, helluva an issue there.

So, the biggest reason I got my eye on this one is I like the orange. It seems to be within price range of 100K miles +/- 10k, and anything much less jumps a few thousand.
So now I'm wondering if I should spend more for something 50 - 75k mile wise and forget orange.
For the time being it'll be a commuter, about 20 miles a day, while I do some maintenance to my DD. Then I'll be looking at road trips to go wheelin', on average 4 - 6 hours one way.

[k9popo]

I bought mine with 60k for 16k so 12k is actually a pretty good price IMO...If you want it get it but if the miles scare you and you want to wait until you find another orange one you can but you may never find it...

If its what you want do settle...

[Thorsteenster]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Orange is far and few between, and none I've seen have been closer than a 100 miles anyway.
Biggest thing I'm hesitant about is driving two hours to see it in case I find something that changes my mind.

Thanks for your input K9!
BTW, how long ago did you buy yours, how many miles now, and manual or auto?

[Thorsteenster]

So I'm going out Saturday morning to have a look and hopefully drive away with it. Maybe even home......

[k9popo]

Originally Posted by Thorsteenster

So I'm going out Saturday morning to have a look and hopefully drive away with it. Maybe even home......

Woot!!!

Hope it works out for ya, I love mine

[Thorsteenster]

Yeah, I'm trying to contain my excitement. I just got my license back from a 7 year break in driving and have never bought a car for more than a thousand. Add to that wanting a Rubi since they came out, then in orange, and yeah, I'm getting a little giddy.....
Last Jeep I drove was an 83 CJ7, last I owned was a 76 CJ7 about 20 years ago and I haven't been wheelin' in 10. This weekend the Jeep, next weekend fully testing suspension and drivetrain!!

[Rig Rocker]

Good Luck

[BigBaller]

...ruuuuunnn!

[Thorsteenster]

Went and picked her up today, and all I can say is it's been hard to stop cruising around, it's a blast to drive!
Can't wait to hit a trail with it.

Everything looks good on it aside from the two lowest speeds on the fan switch. Now Monday morning it's off to DMV and dealer to check OPDA.

As much as I loved my CJ back in the day, it's not quite like my Rubi.....

[TURTLE]

110k miles for 12k? I know its a rubi, but I got my TJ which was 4 years old with 36k on it for 12k. Seems like a ton of miles for that much money.

Hope it works out for you though.

[Coops]

Originally Posted by Thorsteenster

the two lowest speeds on the fan switch.

Check the resistor block for the fan control in behind the glove box. There should be a plug with 6 wires or so (I forget how many) and it should be held into the plastic pipeway with a couple screws. Probably some blown resistors.

[Thorsteenster]

Originally Posted by TURTLE

110k miles for 12k? I know its a rubi, but I got my TJ which was 4 years old with 36k on it for 12k. Seems like a ton of miles for that much money.

Hope it works out for you though.

$12.9k. Maybe you found a helluva deal, but that was ballpark for other Rubicons with +/- 10k of 100k. 50k to 80k were jumping in price from $18k to $20k. Searching within a 500 mile radius of DC this pricing was very typical. The only other orange Rubi I found was in Beaver Creak MD with 60k'ish for $18.5.

Originally Posted by Coops

Check the resistor block for the fan control in behind the glove box. There should be a plug with 6 wires or so (I forget how many) and it should be held into the plastic pipeway with a couple screws. Probably some blown resistors.

Sweet, thanks man. Not that bigga deal but I'll check it out when I get around to giving the interior a good cleaning.
I've been running it on 3 and just adjusting the hot/cold mix.