Bought a 2003 TJ Sahara - Need Recommendations on a Lift, etc.

[JSFoster75]

So, I picked up a 2003 TJ Sahara Hard Top today with 163,000 miles. He was asking $8,500, I offered $7,000 on the spot and he took it...

Jeep has:

• Never had the hard top removed.
• Came with a brand new Soft Top (still in the box)
• Has never been off road and the 4 wheel drive was only used to get up their driveway in the snow a few times over the years.
• 4.0 L Straight 6 engine
• No rips/tears in cloth seats
• has original radio and awesome sound system
• Cold A/C

Known Issues:

1. Minor frame rust, taking it tomorrow to get a repair estimate
2. Code: P0122 - Throttle Position Sensor, Voltage Low
3. Code: P0456 - Evaporative Emission Leak Monitor Small Leak Detected
4. Rust Spot on fender, sand/paint door handles - Low Priority

Current owner had it since 2005 and his wife used it to commute to work, they weren't much into off-roading.

Wanting recommendations on size lift to put on it, and tires/wheels?
Was thinking 35's (maybe Rubi take-offs), don't want to spend a fortune on them as this will be our off-roading Jeep.
Any other recommendations?
Planning to put new bumpers and a winch on it at some point.

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[hoag4147]

So, I picked up a 2003 TJ Sahara Hard Top today with 163,000 miles. He was asking $8,500, I offered $7,000 on the spot and he took it...

Jeep has:

• Never had the hard top removed.
• Came with a brand new Soft Top (still in the box)
• Has never been off road and the 4 wheel drive was only used to get up their driveway in the snow a few times over the years.
• 4.0 L Straight 6 engine
• No rips/tears in cloth seats
• has original radio and awesome sound system
• Cold A/C

Known Issues:

1. Minor frame rust, taking it tomorrow to get a repair estimate
2. Code: P0122 - Throttle Position Sensor, Voltage Low
3. Code: P0456 - Evaporative Emission Leak Monitor Small Leak Detected
4. Rust Spot on fender, sand/paint door handles - Low Priority

Current owner had it since 2005 and his wife used it to commute to work, they weren't much into off-roading.

Wanting recommendations on size lift to put on it, and tires/wheels?
Was thinking 35's (maybe Rubi take-offs), don't want to spend a fortune on them as this will be our off-roading Jeep.
Any other recommendations?
Planning to put new bumpers and a winch on it at some point.

May want to join the TJ forum. Possibly better input/help in there. I use to belong to that group and they were helpful.

 

[JSFoster75]

May want to join the TJ forum. Possibly better input/help in there. I use to belong to that group and they were helpful.

Awesome, thanks. I just found it and signed up.

 

[Xcoaste]

4” lift will work well with 33” tires. Nice Jeep.

 

[JSFoster75]

4” lift will work well with 33” tires. Nice Jeep.

Thanks, and thanks.

 

[hoag4147]

Awesome, thanks. I just found it and signed up.

Years ago I went with the Rubicon Express 4.5” lift and added an 1” spacer front to accommodate weight of bumper and winch. Had 35s on 15” wheels. Switched out driveshaft to a Adams Double Carden so we didn’t have to drop transfer case. Fun Jeep, had it for 6 yrs.

 

[Sidspider]

Congratulations!
$7000 for a clean TJ is a steal up here in the northeast. Let us know how the frame estimate goes.
Take your time with it, put some miles on it and hit a few trails. Pretty soon you’ll know exactly what you want to mod.
Good Luck!

 

[JSFoster75]

Years ago I went with the Rubicon Express 4.5” lift and added an 1” spacer front to accommodate weight of bumper and winch. Had 35s on 15” wheels. Switched out driveshaft to a Adams Double Carden so we didn’t have to drop transfer case. Fun Jeep, had it for 6 yrs.

LOVE IT!!!

 

[JSFoster75]

Congratulations!
$7000 for a clean TJ is a steal up here in the northeast. Let us know how the frame estimate goes.
Take your time with it, put some miles on it and hit a few trails. Pretty soon you’ll know exactly what you want to mod.
Good Luck!

definitely a steal, he only had it sitting out for two or three days, this morning when I stopped to look at it on my way to church another guy pulled in the parking lot to look at it but I texted him first LOL then we came back and looked at it after church and bought it.

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