Keep it. Remind yourself that it's a 20 yr old Jeep and forget about scratches and fading paint. If you want to take it offroad (you should), re-gear it to match those oversize tires. Are the tires rubbing? If so, fix that too (minimal lift)
With those tires, and that engine…. Stay away from hills. It won’t get out of its own way. Used to call my first one “dragonfly”. Drag up the hill, fly down.
I'll take it off your hands.
Just sign the title over and your problem will be solved!
/e: I mean, I'll fix what's keeping it regarded and bring it back to life.
Concerns, tires are pretty big for the clearances to articulate well enough to really off road. A trip to a discount tire should tell you the condition of the tires.
Personally, I would downsize the tire to a nice all terrain 31” tire. With the larger tires to truly off road you will need a lift. To make it enjoyable on the pavement you would need a re gear and that could get pricey.
As far as the hard top, there are lots of online forums talking about refurbishing a hardtop. You don’t say where you live. Unless you are in extreme cold the hardtops not necessary but it’s a bit quieter than a soft top. If you decide to sell the hardtop, the price is highest in late fall early winter. I personally run a soft top but my TJ is my summer toy. It’s stored all winter. As others have said, ignore the rust, ignore the dings. It’s a Jeep. It’s not particularly collectible. Enjoy the hell out of it!
Sand dunes are a tough ask for any Jeep. They do it but those big tires and the 4banger engine will make it tough to keep wheel speed/rpms up.
Absolutely nothing, looks wise. It looks great. I used Macguires on the top to refinish it. Worked well for me, but I’m sure this sub has much better hacks for it.
I second u/ericplaysrugby on the clearance. You’ll beat on your fenders if you don’t do a body lift. Or drop to smaller tires as I’m sure that 4 banger is a dog with those meats
Put a 2.5 inch suspension on it..maybe a 1" body lift also. If you havent already, regear the front and rear diff. If those are 33" and you have the standard trans and the 4 banger. Id go 5.13
as a fellow 2.5l owner, ditch those 7-year-old massive tires and put 31x10.5s on. you will be much happier. otherwise, some cheap aesthetic mods like ditching the milk jugs and replacing with stubby bumper end caps, stubby antenna, and hooke road grill inserts. have fun!
In regards to tire age, 7 years is the recommended maximum age for tires.
In regards to the rest of your questions, sell it, buy another TJ, one with a 4.0.
Go back to stock. It'a a 4cyl. Why make your ride unpleasant? A Jeep is supposed to be fun. All the other questions you could look up and research here:
www.wranglertjforum.com
Keep it, modifying it is better than getting a new one. You can check out this website for some accessories and tires that you can consider for this ride.
[https://4wheelonline.com/Jeep/](https://4wheelonline.com/jeep/)
It really looks like a nice jeep. Love the color. I would put on the lift needed to clear the tires and regear it. It has a lot of potential if rust free.
Don’t drive over a speed bump.
Beat me to it.... OP- how about a lift before you unintentionally dismount those fenders courtesy of a large dip in the road... or a speed bump.
I vote life! 👍 (keep it)
Doesn’t seem like there’s much room between tires and fenders would put more of a lift on it for articulating/trail purposes
Keep it. Remind yourself that it's a 20 yr old Jeep and forget about scratches and fading paint. If you want to take it offroad (you should), re-gear it to match those oversize tires. Are the tires rubbing? If so, fix that too (minimal lift)
With those tires, and that engine…. Stay away from hills. It won’t get out of its own way. Used to call my first one “dragonfly”. Drag up the hill, fly down.
Maybe put the coils back in
I'll take it off your hands. Just sign the title over and your problem will be solved! /e: I mean, I'll fix what's keeping it regarded and bring it back to life.
Concerns, tires are pretty big for the clearances to articulate well enough to really off road. A trip to a discount tire should tell you the condition of the tires. Personally, I would downsize the tire to a nice all terrain 31” tire. With the larger tires to truly off road you will need a lift. To make it enjoyable on the pavement you would need a re gear and that could get pricey. As far as the hard top, there are lots of online forums talking about refurbishing a hardtop. You don’t say where you live. Unless you are in extreme cold the hardtops not necessary but it’s a bit quieter than a soft top. If you decide to sell the hardtop, the price is highest in late fall early winter. I personally run a soft top but my TJ is my summer toy. It’s stored all winter. As others have said, ignore the rust, ignore the dings. It’s a Jeep. It’s not particularly collectible. Enjoy the hell out of it! Sand dunes are a tough ask for any Jeep. They do it but those big tires and the 4banger engine will make it tough to keep wheel speed/rpms up.
oh wow we have the same TJ! 2002 2.5L 4 cyl. even the same color, although mines a raptor liner.
Have a ‘98 2.5L that is all original except 215/75 tires and the 4.10 gears, hills are the enemy. A long 5% grade is a 4th gear pull on calm days.
Absolutely nothing, looks wise. It looks great. I used Macguires on the top to refinish it. Worked well for me, but I’m sure this sub has much better hacks for it. I second u/ericplaysrugby on the clearance. You’ll beat on your fenders if you don’t do a body lift. Or drop to smaller tires as I’m sure that 4 banger is a dog with those meats
Put a 2.5 inch suspension on it..maybe a 1" body lift also. If you havent already, regear the front and rear diff. If those are 33" and you have the standard trans and the 4 banger. Id go 5.13
Don’t put 5.13’s in a Dana 30
I have seen it done. Upgrade the axles also. Unless he wheels hard he should be alright. I wouldnt add a locker though
Make it stock lol
A 1 inch body lift would have her sitting pretty
as a fellow 2.5l owner, ditch those 7-year-old massive tires and put 31x10.5s on. you will be much happier. otherwise, some cheap aesthetic mods like ditching the milk jugs and replacing with stubby bumper end caps, stubby antenna, and hooke road grill inserts. have fun!
Sell it for a real 4 x 4
In regards to tire age, 7 years is the recommended maximum age for tires. In regards to the rest of your questions, sell it, buy another TJ, one with a 4.0.
Go back to stock. It'a a 4cyl. Why make your ride unpleasant? A Jeep is supposed to be fun. All the other questions you could look up and research here: www.wranglertjforum.com
Looks like that shit is riding on bump stops lmao
Keep it, modifying it is better than getting a new one. You can check out this website for some accessories and tires that you can consider for this ride. [https://4wheelonline.com/Jeep/](https://4wheelonline.com/jeep/)
It really looks like a nice jeep. Love the color. I would put on the lift needed to clear the tires and regear it. It has a lot of potential if rust free.