Want to be needs advise

[hop234]

Hi Guys and girls,
We are looking at becoming jeepers
The vehicles we are searching are the KJ range. { I think}
It must be a manual as we intend to flat tow it behind our motorhome.
Can you advise anything we need to be aware of when looking.
I know its a broad question, but anything will help like hidden rust spots, gearbox trouble. I have found one that says it has had the CV joints replaced yet it has never been off road.
Thanks
Col

[Stressball]

I have never done it but not sure why you believe it must be a manual. A quick google search shows plenty of people doing it. With the correct procedure it appears to be ok. See the link attached. Transfer case in neutral and gear select in park with the key in one click forward position.



http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=21482.

I'm sure there will be plenty of opinions on here on this one. Jeep lost forum also had some info on this.

As for the KJ itself, there are a few things to look out for dependant on if you choose diesel or petrol but on the whole I would think the petrol would be the safer choice with less chance of issues. There seems to be a steady flow of questions regarding issues with the diesel but few with the petrol. Again, if you can find a good clean diesel with great service history then go for it but any diesel without a good service history would be questionable. I've got an 05 petrol and never had any dramas engine wise. If your chasing fuel economy and any sort of mileage then diesel is your choice hands down. The petrol is thirsty! The usual kj issues after mileage are the window mechs fail due to a crappy plastic bit. Easily repaired with a steiger replacement. Suspension components, Bushes etc will require attention on higher mileage cars and the aircon will most likely not be cold on most models unless it has been repaired. Cv's and unis will require attention but that said after 80k I've only just had to do my first cv on the transfer case end of the front propshaft. I'd say they are all pretty minor and no real show stoppers. Go for it! A comfortable ride and quite capable off road. The front diffs are not strong for abuse but I'm guessing you don't plan on rock climbing. As a tourer you'll have no problem.

Plenty of good advice and aftermarket stuff available for them if you know where to look and i'd say you have already found the key to it right here on AJOR.

Good luck.

[NTRubicon]

I thought with flat towing all you need to do is put the transfer case in neutral, so it shouldn't matter if you have a manual or auto transmission. That being said, just make sure the KJ you're looking for has a tow bar, or has had the recall done from last year http://smah.drive.com.au/motor-news/...619-2ohpr.html

[hop234]

thanks guys,
I'll check them out.
My understanding is that the transfer case in neutral only disengages the front end. If thats so, the rear wheels are are turning everything in the auto but the oil isn't being pumped through the cooler, hence boils the oil.
I might be wrong for the reason, but its a strong opinion in the RV world, only manuals.
Cheers
Col

[NTRubicon]

Originally Posted by hop234

thanks guys,
I'll check them out.
My understanding is that the transfer case in neutral only disengages the front end. If thats so, the rear wheels are are turning everything in the auto but the oil isn't being pumped through the cooler, hence boils the oil.
I might be wrong for the reason, but its a strong opinion in the RV world, only manuals.
Cheers
Col

Transfer case in neutral, transmission in either 4th (manual) or drive (auto) so you don't spin the out shaft while towing. there has been reports of people leaving both in neutral and heating up inside the transfer case because more parts were moving than necessary and bearings dried out. the input shaft spins all the time when the engine is running, and not at all when the engine is off, so when the transmission is in gear, the output shaft won't spin either, and thus no excess movement.

Might have issues with towing the weight of a KJ, I think they curb weight at 1500-1950kg don't they (KJ owners chime in at any stage here)

[Dissociative]

Don't recall hearing about any particular widespread AC problems with the KJ, what is it specifically you've come across?

Originally Posted by NTRubicon

I thought with flat towing all you need to do is put the transfer case in neutral, so it shouldn't matter if you have a manual or auto transmission. That being said, just make sure the KJ you're looking for has a tow bar, or has had the recall done from last year http://smah.drive.com.au/motor-news/...619-2ohpr.html

Link doesn't work but if that's the free towbar recall they haven't started doing it in aus yet, looks like it's not far away though.

[Jeepboy79]

There are heaps of good quality KJ out there. Understand you need manual but try and look for a diesel if you can. The V6 are perfectly good cars but the diesel will you give you better engine longevity amongst other things. When inspecting one you need to look for the obvious things around the exterior. There is nothing terribly bad about someone having taken them off road before. If the car has a huge amount of modifications then that might be an indication the precious owner was a keen off roader. Mine ha absolutely no modifications but it has gone off road. There are a couple of small impacts underneath the car but nothing troubling. Have a good look underneath and that will be a tell tale sign. If there are no impacts then that tells you the either they were extremely careful or the car has never done any serious 4wd.


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