Help with buying a Wrangler

[eoint]

Hi Guys
you are probably all sick of answering this question so feel free to ignore this thread but I am looking at buying my first wrangler and needed some advice. I am looking at a 2007 or 2008 and was wondering what sort of mechanical issues I should look out for (if any). I have done a lot of research on the net and all accounts seem to be that the wrangler seems to be a bit dodgy. Is this the case in your experience? I would love to know how you guys find you wrangler. I know the 07 models were known for some stalling issues, what was that???? and how is it fixed? Are parts easy to get? Is it a big issue? How common are death wobbles? Are they just confined to cars that are modified?
I know you don't buy a wrangler for the on road comfort but understand that I have spent the last three years in Malaysia driving a Proton so going to a wrangler will be like going to a Merc compared. On road comfort does not bother me, I will be buying a wrangler for off road use.
Any help and info would be greatly appreciated, I am on the edge of going with a wrangler and just need a push in the right direction.
By the way anyone know a good dealer in Perth, it is where I am from. I am closest to Melville Jeep. Anyone know anyone selling a wrangler.
Cheers guys
eoint

[wranglertj]

i have a '07 JKU rubicon, so obviously petrol, Mechanically they dont have too many issues and as far as being dodgy i disagee. I have had a trouble free run since new except for DW but now sorted. This was due to aftermarket componetry that was substandard.
All cars have issues and there are minor ones on the JK but nothing like portrayed by the select few.
You will get plenty of feedback i am sure and there is stacks of info on here that is very useful. The price you pay for a JK is exceptionally good value and leaves plenty of cash left over to make a good vehicle even better. A pathy still sets you back nearly $60000 and in my opinion they are not that flash.
They are a pretty easy to work on as not a overly complicated machine but if you mod it incorrectly around suspension and steering you are likely to end up with some handling issues. Do it correctly and you want have them

Perrsonally a great choice in vehicle and my '07 has been excellent and done plenty of offroad trips as well

[Bryceee]

If i could get my JK again ( 07 2dr Used) I would of gone to Wanneroo, the salesman at Melville did not know a thing about a Jeep. even less than I knew.
Plus the service at Wanneroo is fantastic

[Banshee]

The stalling issue is largely due to a comparitive lack of low end torque from the V6. Less of an issue with the Rubi as it has lower ratio difs than the Sport. (3.73:1 v 3.21:1) V6 max torque is around 4k where the CRD has it from ~1.6k-2.4k (working from memory of the last time I looked at the specs...)

The only issues I have had are a hose that came off it's clip & chaffed through in the engine bay causing major coolant loss (heater hoses rubbing on the EGR pipe) and the rear left seat headrest doesn't release & fold when I drop the seat, (will be fixed next service, a cable has come loose in the seat.)

Any other issues are due to the 2" Old Man Emu lift that was just springs & shocks affecting castor & makiing the steering vague & flighty. This will be rectified by the PPM LCAs I have coming shortly.

The biggest issue I had was that I bought it from QLD 2nd hand & to register it in NSW I needed to get all the numbers sighted by the RTA. And Jeep often doesn't bother stampping an engine number on...

[robbo1959]

I have an 07 CRD 4 door which I bought new and love it,I've had no issues with the day to day running of it.It now has 50000ks on the clock.I've looked at replacing it with a new WK but I'll stick with my JK because it's great.

[Gravel]

I have an 07 V6 and done a fare bit to mine and use it as DD as well. No real issues to speak of.

It’s been a great 3 years plus...

When it comes to funny front ends as mentioned by Banshee above some do and some don't.

I have a 3"OME lift, adjustable track bars etc (OEM control arms) and no issues on 33's drives really well. Just make sure your tyre pressures are right and everything is bloody tight underneath and you should be fine...

PS over 88000 on the clock

[jklad]

The JK Wrangler is no different from any other vehicle in the sense that the early-build vehicles of the brand new model (with a completely new body, chasis, drivetrain and interior from the previous model) are where most of the faults showed up, before they were identified & rectified over the next few years. In the case of the JK, '07 and early '08 built vehicles had the most issues, before re-design and re-engineering solved many of these issues for later built JKs.

As long as the vehicle you're looking at buying has been regularly maintained by a good dealer from new (ask to see the full service history) then most of these issues would have already been sorted out by recalls and warranty work as they often show up early in the JK's life.