Seeking opinions

[uss2defiant]

Hi all,

My 03 is reaching 190k miles.
So far it's been burning oil.
Everything else seems fine, knock on wood.

Is she going to make it to 250k?
She ain't the DD anymore. Average maybe 7k now a year. Drive her till she dies?

She needs UBJ and suspension.
Probably rear boomerang due to the clunk.

I'll be needing to do a ****** filter change and ATF transfer this summer. Might do a coolant flush depending on how its holding.

She'll need shoes in another year to two. Been doing a 5 tire rotation on it.

Any thoughts? Comments?
Thanks

 

[LibertyTC]

Ya the hardest things with a non DD/ high mile vehicle is determining if it is worth it, to spend$ & keep up with it all.
Burning oil ya, just make sure you keep it topped up, with reg oil changes too.
My Chrystal ball says with decent reg maintenance, the jeep will make it to the 250k mark!
Fix what you can & keep it around, the KJ is still a decent rig.

 

[turblediesel]

Keep fixing it.

 

[JasonJ]

Paid for..? Not rusted all to hell and back? Otherwise mechanically sound? I'd do what repairs can be done along the way, keep oil topped off and changed regularly, same with trans/trans fluid and filter.

On a non-DD, I'd be inclined to just put an inexpensive $60 rear UCA in it. It'll fix the clunk and tighten it up like it's supposed to, but doesn't need to be the expensive Mopar unit.

Suspension, I presume you mean shocks and springs. I'd cheap out here too; I'd put the Monroe quick-struts in the front, about $165 for the PAIR from 1A Auto, free shipping, and slap some basic $20 shocks on the back and an aftermarket OE-spec set of springs and call it done. About $250 or so and just be done with it. If it sags in 3-5 years, meh.. do it again.. or just leave it for another 3-5 until you hit 250k miles and re-assess if you're going to keep it from there.

I'd just piece by piece repair it.. if it's not rusting out, is otherwise reliable, just keep the drivetrain going and you'll be fine.

That is, unless you just don't like it or someone offers you a VERY good deal to just buy it. Then I'd sell, assuming you don't need this extra vehicle.

 

[uss2defiant]

Thanks for the comments.

Yes. It's been paid off. Hardly any rust issues since I'm in AZ.

I'm concern about the engine since I don't know how many times it's gone below the safe level.

I was married into it so oil level wasn't checked before.

Would it be worth it getting some PM done on it or don't fix it unless it's broken?

Thanks

 

[tommudd]

Always good to do some PM to it to bring it up to specs, having a vehicle sitting around is bad for it.

 

[JasonJ]

Thanks for the comments.

Yes. It's been paid off. Hardly any rust issues since I'm in AZ.

I'm concern about the engine since I don't know how many times it's gone below the safe level.

I was married into it so oil level wasn't checked before.

Would it be worth it getting some PM done on it or don't fix it unless it's broken?

Thanks

I would never skip preventative maintenance or any maint. as needed.. you need the vehicle to be ready to go when you need to drive it.. so don't neglect that.

How much oil are we burning here? I mean, mine goes through about a half a qt every 4000 miles.. not too bad considering 143k miles, runs strong.

 

[uss2defiant]

Sorry. Let me clarify. I meant PM on the engine since it's been low on oil before.
That's my biggest concern at the moment. I've already done the WP, auto belt tensionor and T-stat within the past 2-3 years.
No oil leaks on the valve cover.

I think it's burning about 2 quarts every 3500 miles.
I usually just top it off once to keep it in the safezone.

i've been saving up for the suspension but now I think that'll have to go towards a replacement engine.

 

[JasonJ]

I wonder if the oil consumption is from worn rings, valve seals, or all/more. Two qts per 3500 is quite a bit...How are salvaged engines from the parts yards near you? Some have found prices reasonable and mileages acceptable.. as opposed to a full rebuild.

 

[uss2defiant]

rarely have jeep libertys at the local yards but might be more options in PHX.
Unfortunately, I don't have the facilities to DIY an engine swap.

 

[JasonJ]

rarely have jeep libertys at the local yards but might be more options in PHX.
Unfortunately, I don't have the facilities to DIY an engine swap.

I was also thinking of other 3.7 equipped vehicles too, Nitro, Commander, et al.

But it's moot if you don't have a place and tools to swap it out.

 

[okiestate_gal]

FWIW, just had to replace the engine on my '02 last summer. Previous owner had the ****** rebuilt and rest of the body is in good shape. Paid off & I need it for winter travel (if we'd ever get some snow around here).

Anyway, we called around inquiring about a rebuild but found the cost was pretty close to buying a new engine. Bought a "boxed engine" from Advance Auto Parts, who delivered it my local mechanic shop. Cost of engine $2900 + labor 1600 = I have a reliable vehicle for a long time to come. Love the KJ and glad I spent the money.

 

[uss2defiant]

Hmmmm..... I guess I'll call around and get quotes. that labor sounds cheap, not sure if i can get it at that range here.

Any thoughts on the ****** lasting?

I wonder how long my cats will last burning that much oil.....

 

[LibertyTC]

Is this what the KJ really needs to make it more reliable than stock?
link: https://www.powertrainproducts.net/Dodge-3-7-Rebuilt-Engines-s/806.htm

 

[okiestate_gal]

Any thoughts on the ****** lasting?

Personally all I can do is speculate. I would think it's like the motor, once it's replaced it would be good for a long time. Seems like the stock transmissions have been a problem for the Libby's.

Maybe tommudd has a better idea on ****** life?

 

[jeeplib05]

I would just factor your options
Mine has around 193k I believe and it’s been nothing but *********** issues recently.
Every now and then, I get a CEL for O2s, suspension parts are worn out, radiator needed replaced, power steering pump was changed about 5 months ago and needs a new one, and just recently got a CEL for Crankshaft Position Sensor and I’m not even going to dive into trying to fix all of it. Not to mention it burns oil like crazy. Oh just remembered about my driveshaft sheering off on the freeway.
Which is a big reason I got my Q50S.. I’d rather have a payment on something reliable that I know will get me from A to B without a doubt, have plenty of power when I want/need and get good gas mileage as well. So I’ll probably be selling mine sometime soon.

Also saw that it’s not your DD.. same situation with me and it made it worse with it sitting all the time.
But like I said, I’d just weigh your options on what you want in a vehicle. Something you always have to fix, or even do excessive PM on something that is in your case 16 years old.
I made my decision!

Good Luck

 

[kage860]

Two quarts every 3500 while doing 7000 a year is only 4 quarts a year. For a knock around second vehicle I would try running a diesel oil like a 20w-50 before replacing the engine. Or just keep adding oil.

 

[randymorris]

Is this what the KJ really needs to make it more reliable than stock?
link: https://www.powertrainproducts.net/Dodge-3-7-Rebuilt-Engines-s/806.htm

That’s a good question. I’d love to hear some opinions on that if anyone has any.

 

[uss2defiant]

keep those thoughts/opinions coming!!

 

[artfull dodger]

yes please keep the opinions coming, my 04 has 178K on it, goes thru 2 to 3 quarts every 3k miles, does have a bit of a valve cover leak but I think the rest is getting burnt. No CEL and runs smooth and quiet. Body is really nice, but suspension is sagging/clunking and the trans has never been opened up yet. We are on the fence to build or send it down the road. Mine is my DD, we were planning a mild lift and some other upgrades. The 3.7L runs quieter than the 4.0L in my wife's 02 TJ for now. Mike the Aspie