OttawaXJ

momo steering wheel would fix that.

Chihlidog

Sounds like a darn good deal to me. I have an '01 in pretty good shape, it's my stock DD. I did have the head crack, right in the middle just like everyone said, but it was also after an overheat, it wasnt random.

The front speakers is a totally common issue, and I myself have a problem with the driver's side window. It goes all the way up, but the motor wont stop so it grinds until you force it to quit pushing. You'll find electrical gremlins...the rest of the windows likely dont work from their own switches, dumb stuff like that. But overall great vehicles that year, IMO. You'll never regret going from a 2.5 to a 4.0

toxic

I love mine! I have had more fun, and more compliments on my Jeep this summer than anything I've ever owned.

breakthecycle128

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm still trying to strike a bargain with the dealer. I'll post pics if i buy it. I hope it works out.

dilljeepo

the winding noise could also be the front dif, but if those bind then it's usually more of a humming noise. The speakers are E-Z to fix, two or three screws holding on the door panel, two for the speaker. Just take it off and solder the trouble wires strait to the speaker, no more problem. Both mine didn't work it was easy to fix.
Everyone on here has said to buy it, but (I gotta be different) when a hitch looks even slightly used I'm put off buying that vehicle. You don't know if the people were dumb and towed with part time 4wd (BAD) and that's why your front end makes a noise. Or if they were really mean on the engine and it might have a small crack. Leaking fluid means you HAVE to fix SOMETHING, and when electric things don't work, well thats just the tipping point for me. I'm really picky though, almost slightly OCD lol but I'd think seriously about the fact the previous owner towed a lot, that's really hard on drive train (and automatic, did he put it in OD? Trans might be bad as well)

Anyways, thats the total pessimistic view lol sorry but someone had to say it

BTW- does it have part time 4wd?

breakthecycle128

No i appreciate it man. those are all potentially serious issues. My overall impression with everything I've learned here and elsewhere is if i can get it cheap I is likely to be a good deal. I'm not going to pay more than 2500 for this vehicle- and it's very likely to be worth that.

and yes- it does have part time 4wd.

breakthecycle128

Well, I'm picking up the jeep monday. I drove it down to a guy I met recently that runs a Jeep-only fab shop. He checked out the tranny and said it's a really minor t-case issue. I feel a little better about getting an auto- he was raving about the aw-4 tranny- says they're bulletproof. He also checked the block and said it's already been replaced. The carfax was sqeaky clean, and I talked him down to 2700- so I figured it to be a pretty decent deal.

any recommendations on where to start to find the oil leak?

Turbo X_J

1. Valve cover gasket.
2. Oil filter adapter.

MurderedXJ

What was the issue with the transfer case whine do you remember what it was. My 01 also has an odd whining noise that im hoping a flush will fix but it may be more than that. Good luck on the buy.

breakthecycle128

Thanks Turbo XJ. And- no I don't remember exactly. But I'll find out and post. It would help if I had a better understanding of how the tcase works. I believe he mentioned something about a plastic piece in the tc that gets worn out.. but I could be off on that. I'm gonna take it to him next week so I'll post my findings then.

MurderedXJ

Sounds good thanks.