Buying a used modded Jeep

[MadSc13ntist]

I’m looking at buying a used JL or JT and I see a lot that have already been modded that I like but I’m leery about used lift kits. I can either find one unmodded around $30k and throw $8k at it or find one around $38k that has a lot more than $8k in mods already done to it. What experience do yall have buying used already modded and any recommendations appreciated? I’m in southeast Texas and would really be on beaches, trailers and mud but not a lot of rock climbing. If I do the build myself it would most likely be Metal cloak 3.5 mid arm true dual with 35’s to start. It will also be my daily and I drive 60 miles round trip daily. Thanks ahead of time.

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[YBABRAT]

I'm not into buying used modded. But with my practical mind I can give a tip or two on helping with decisions.

Bypass cheap mods... if they are of quality additions, and well taken care of, mostlikely they were done right and will save you when counting costs of replacing or adding if not already on the jeep.

Make a list of top dog upgrades and upgrades you can live with.

Look over all additions and think of could youu do better. wiring and fitment of lights, tire and wheel selection, interior mods, battery, and how auxiliary battery was removed or disabled.

I got my Wrangler in Galveston, TX. It was 98% stock, but modded with top quality parts. K&N intake with synthetic filter, Oracle Lighting backup lights, Bartact paracord grab handles, and Diode Dynamics clear side markers. I replaced the backup lights and removed the grab handles, and kept the two others installed. From the looks from my purchase Texans seem to buy quality stuff, so you may have options in your favor.

 

[AK66]

My general approach to buying used modded vehicles, not just jeeps but back from my VW times as well, is to avoid them no matter how tempting it is. Unless it's done by someone you know and trust and the mods are exactly what you need.

 

[MadSc13ntist]

Thanks. It’s hard not to fall into temptation when you see a sick ride. Even with quality parts I still wonder how hard it was driven, what was neglected or what issues does it have they didn’t want to repair before dumping it. But I can still have that argument on a stock jeep. Part of me feels if they were into modding with good parts maybe they maintained it well also. But when it’s stock there’s no clue a to how much they cared about it. I feel like either way is a gamble.

 

[rickinAZ]

I'd start by searching for a Jeep where the owner has documented all the work they've done, can explain the background of each modification, and has used high-quality parts that complement each other. I’m probably an outlier, but I keep a spreadsheet detailing the installation date, a full description of each part, and its cost for every modification in my build. I also note which items I installed myself and which ones were done by a shop (including the cost). Having this kind of documentation is super helpful for troubleshooting down the road and getting the right replacement parts when needed. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are owners out there who are even more meticulous than me, with three-ring binders full of invoices and everything organized. That’s the kind of Jeep you’re hoping to find—a rare unicorn.

What you definitely want to avoid is a Jeep that’s just a mishmash of leftover parts and whatever was cheapest to grab at the time.

I see way too many posts here where people ask, “My neighbor’s got these parts he’s selling. They’re not exactly for my model, but will they just bolt right up?”

 

[MadSc13ntist]

I found one that has a Moab Ind lift and reached out to them with the vin and they gave me the complete build sheet for it. That one gives me the most warm and fuzzy feeling out of the others I’ve seen. There is one on here I really like in CA that had the engine replaced but it’s still got close to 100,000 miles on the rest of it. Great build though.

 

[3TV]

Test drive it before you get your hopes up. Two years ago I toyed with the idea to build another TJ project. I had owned three of them before and thought it would be a fun trail rig. There happened to be what appeared to be a well built one parked on Main Street with a for sale sign on it. I stopped and looked at it and it appeared to have good quality parts on it, such as Teraflex's top of the line long arm suspension. I test drove it and I was shocked. It felt unsafe at any speed. I turned around and took it back, and told the owner I wasn't interested.

 

[Flip]

Every used modded jeep I looked at had the cheapest parts on the market installed on them. All I saw was a total replacement. I passed, no regrets.

Best of luck friend.

 

[MadSc13ntist]

And that’s what I don’t want to happen. Most of the ones I see I like are either 3 or 4 hours away. I may line up a few in the same city and drive out one Saturday to test them

 

[Flip]

Test drive it before you get your hopes up. Two years ago I toyed with the idea to build another TJ project. I had owned three of them before and thought it would be a fun trail rig. There happened to be what appeared to be a well built one parked on Main Street with a for sale sign on it. I stopped and looked at it and it appeared to have good quality parts on it, such as Teraflex's top of the line long arm suspension. I test drove it and I was shocked. It felt unsafe at any speed. I turned around and took it back, and told the owner I wasn't interested.

Awhile ago, I test drove an old 1993 YJ that looked well built. Basically the same experience. I drove it to the end of his street, only 15mph. I turned around, dropped it off and said no thank you. It was a gosh dang death trap.

 

[AK66]

Thanks. It’s hard not to fall into temptation when you see a sick ride. Even with quality parts I still wonder how hard it was driven, what was neglected or what issues does it have they didn’t want to repair before dumping it. But I can still have that argument on a stock jeep. Part of me feels if they were into modding with good parts maybe they maintained it well also. But when it’s stock there’s no clue a to how much they cared about it. I feel like either way is a gamble.

Patience is the key. Look for stock jeeps that have a good carfax with all the maintenance listed. There are lots of people who never open the hood themselves and go to the dealer even for windshield wipers replacement. Those are safe to buy and sooner or later you'll find one.

 

[Heimkehr]

I’m looking at buying a used JL or JT and I see a lot that have already been modded that I like but I’m leery about used lift kits. I can either find one unmodded around $30k and throw $8k at it or find one around $38k that has a lot more than $8k in mods already done to it.

What experience do yall have buying used already modded and any recommendations appreciated?

My brief experience with purchasing used [anything] that has been modified by the previous owner is what eventually informed my decision to buy new only, where and when I'm able to do so.

I didn't like being at the mercy of the PO's skill, or absence of skill, until I had the time to go through the item from stem to stern, fixing any mistakes that I found (and there was always something that needed attending to.)

I get what you're saying, regarding the idea of capturing more value by letting the seller take the depreciation hit. My view is that there's more to it, not least the quality of the work, the reliability of the Jeep, and the safety of every occupant in the vehicle.

My vote is to spend $30K and invest in only what you decide on, and on your schedule.

 

[MadSc13ntist]

I think in the end, that’s what I’m going to do. The idea of having one already modded sounds nice but being able to put my own and making sure it’s done right is something you can’t pay for

 

[The Last Cowboy]

I would want receipts for the parts, and the labor. Also, I would want to know that a quality shop installed the lift, or that the owner can establish his competence if he did the work. I would also want it inspected by a quality shop.

In other words, not worth it. Most of those lift kits will be lower end. Most of the wheels are cheap, and most of the tires are cheap Chinese brands. I've seen it time, and time again. Most of those modded Wrangler get auctioned and sent to second chance used car dealers. The ones that have the good stuff on them get sold before they get put on the lot or auctioned.

There are all kinds of used Wranglers coming on the market now, the fallout of Covid "stimulus" end of the world buys, and people distancing themselves from the Stellantis implosion. There should be plenty of bone stock, low mile units out there right now. Not to mention, the end of top off driving season for most of the country.

 

[YBABRAT]

Thanks. It’s hard not to fall into temptation when you see a sick ride. Even with quality parts I still wonder how hard it was driven, what was neglected or what issues does it have they didn’t want to repair before dumping it. But I can still have that argument on a stock jeep. Part of me feels if they were into modding with good parts maybe they maintained it well also. But when it’s stock there’s no clue a to how much they cared about it. I feel like either way is a gamble.

To add, away from mods... is with today's vehicals milage and hard driving depends on service records and past owner or owners. I was lucky to have a single owner around my age. I discovered not discover past owner age until I did some public searches. The jeep had multiple phones in Uconnect with family names. The title had the owners name, so in public record I pinpointed the original owners age and location. I only used what I found to determine responsibility of ownership. Looking as service records, everything was in check. So I looked at milage and end of warrenty being the reason to trade up. So high milage and good maintenance records was a better deal than below 25K on odo with multiple owners. Engine broken in and runs great... so great I am driving it harder than most through the mountains, and as of recent cross country.

Now at over 114K on ODO, using 0w-20 the engine sounds great when started (no ticks), and the jeep tracks well, and only becomes jumpy in bad roads. No wander and very responsive with steering input.

Test driving will be your friend. Any weird noises or odd feel, may be easy fixes or money lost in making a good deal.

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