Now is the Perfect Time to Buy a Jeep Wrangler
by Ian Parish
It seems like everyone I know likes the Jeep Wrangler, the timing is right to consider buying a newer used Wrangler. They are fun in the sun, 4 Wheel drive in the winter, and very capable off pavement. There is a large after market of parts available, which makes it easy to modify and upgrade.
I tell people I have a Jeep, and I love it. They ask what kind of Jeep, I say a Jeep Wrangler TJ, a Jeep Jeep? yes a Jeep Jeep. The Jeep Wrangler is one of the classic American cars, It seems like everyone has a jeep story, and everyone wants a Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep Wrangler has a great history starting with the military CJs then on to the CJ5, CJ7, the YJ, the TJ, and now the new 2007 JK model. Currently the DaimlerChrysler Corporation produces many different Jeeps but over the years they have stayed true to the open body 2 door small 4×4 Wrangler Jeep. Each year they make improvements and add capabilities, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is a good example of a nice well furnished vehicle that is extremely capable right off the show room floor.
If you are not made of money, and cannot afford a brand new 2007 Rubicon Jeep, it’s a good time to consider a Jeep Wrangler that is a few years old. The Wrangler TJ was produced from 1997-2006. This model was a very popular and the used market is flooded with lower mileage, clean, one owner Jeeps. I am not a car salesmen but I know every car on the market is gently used, and only driven to church on Sunday by a nice old lady. But beware when shopping for a Jeep some of them maybe nice and clean others may have been drive hard. Another reason the Jeep Wrangler TJ is a great value, is timing. The new model was just released and is in great demand at the dealerships, some dealers may have new 2006 models they want to sell cheap to make room for the new JK models.
Another thing to consider is the large after market of available parts to upgrade, and modify a Jeep. The Jeep TJ has been on the market for almost 10 years and in that time there has been a lot of really nice parts and accessories developed and refined for this model. Everything from full suspension systems, axle upgrades, tires, wheels, bumpers, racks, roll cages, and security systems. If you want a modified jeep, but don’t want to pay full price for upgrades, do a bit of shopping around. I am sure you can find a Jeep with a lift kit, upgraded tires, and other accessories ready to go. Remember when you are buying a used vehicle the cost of the upgrades and modifications the previous owner made to the vehicle are severely depreciated. When shopping for a modified Jeep do a bit of research and talk to the previous owner about who did the upgrades, and how the Jeep was used, where the upgrade work was done, and how it was maintained. Jeeps that have been be heavily used off road will show signs of wear that a normal car won’t. Look for scrapes and dents under on the underside of the frame, skid plates, and the rear gas tank skid plate. These could be a warning signs of future repair needs. A lot of Wranglers have been modified for looks and then spent most of the time driving in town and on the highway.
Once you are the proud owner of a new toy, there are lots of things you can do to upgrade and enjoy your new jeep. You can just take the top off and go for a summer cruise, or you if you are interested in major upgrades the parts and help is certainly available. Over the years I have helped a lot of my buddies, and answered a lot of questions, the most popular question is about about matching bigger tires and lift kits together. What size tires can I use with a 3 inch, or 4 inch lift, or what type of lift and work is needed to fit 33 or 35 inch tires? For more detailed answers to all these question check this Jeep TJ Lift Questions and Answers FAQ.
Like I said I have a 1999 Wrangler that I have done major modifications to, and I love it. It’s a fun and function toy, that our family really enjoys. If you have always want a convertible, and you like Jeeps, but have been putting off buying one, now is a good time to take the leap. Before you know it you will be modifying the jeep, joining a local jeep club and 4 Wheeling every weekend. Go for it!
About the Author
Ian Parish is an Jeep enthusiast and owner of RedJeePClub.com and RedJeep.com
RedJeepclub.com is a a resource for Jeep Wrangler TJ as well information about Utah Jeeping trails including a lot of pictures. www.RedJeep.com also sells books, videos, and gear related to Jeeping and Rock Crawling.
Jeep Lift Kits Winner: Installing a Rubicon Express Suspension
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4.5″ 07-10 JEEP WRANGLER JK & RUBICON 2 DOOR LIFT KIT $4,585.62 |
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Trailmaster 5″ 2007-2011 JEEP WRANGLER JK RUBICON Unlim 4DR Suspension LIFT KIT $3,913.84 |
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Jeep : TJ Rubicon, 3″ Lift Kit, Air bag fronts, Ready for OFF ROAD!! $3,500.00 |
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Rubicon Express Suspension Lift Kit RE7324 Jeep Wrangler JK $3,411.94 |
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Rubicon Express Suspension Lift Kit RE7344 Jeep Wrangler JK $3,411.94 |
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Rubicon Express Suspension Lift Kit RE7343 Jeep Wrangler JK $3,111.94 |
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Rubicon Express Suspension Lift Kit RE7323 Jeep Wrangler JK $3,111.94 |
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Rubicon Express 2007-2012 JK Wrangler Extreme-Duty Long Arm Lift Kit Jeep $2,848.00 |
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BDS 6.5″ SUSPENSION LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER TJ RUBICON EDITION 03-06 4WD 4.0L $2,799.99 |
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4.5″ 07-11 JEEP WRANGLER JK & RUBICON 2 & 4 DR LIFT KIT $2,782.76 |
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2004-2006 Jeep LJ Unlimited Rubicon Express 4.5″ Extreme-Duty Long Arm System $2,655.00 |
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1997-2002 Jeep TJ Wrangler Rubicon Express 5.5″ Extreme-Duty Long Arm System $2,640.00 |
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2003-2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler Rubicon Express 5.5″ Extreme-Duty Long Arm System $2,630.00 |
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2003-2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler Rubicon Express 4.5″ Extreme-Duty Long Arm System $2,615.00 |
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2004-2006 Jeep LJ Unlimited Rubicon Express 3.5″ Extreme-Duty Long Arm System $2,570.00 |
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1997-2002 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon Express 3.5″ Extreme-Duty Long Arm System $2,515.00 |
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2003-2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler Rubicon Express 3.5″ Long Arm System RE7213 $2,510.00 |
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2003-2006 jeep wrangler tj unlimited, Rubicon lift kit $2,133.33 |
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RUBICON EXPRESS RE7144 4 1/2″ SUPER FLEX SHORT ARM LIFT KIT 4 DOOR JEEP JK $2,110.00 |
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Rubicon Express Super-Flex Suspension Lift Kit RE7144 Jeep Wrangler JK $2,011.94 |
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Rubicon Express Suspension Lift Kit RE7330 Jeep Wrangler JK $2,011.94 |
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BDS 4.5″ SUSPENSION LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER TJ RUBICON EDITION 03-06 4.0L 4WD $1,699.99 |
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Rubicon Express Super-Flex Suspension Lift Kit RE7143 Jeep Wrangler JK $1,670.94 |
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2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler JK 2-Door Rubicon Express 3.5″ Super-Flex Kit $1,535.00 |
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1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ Rubicon Express 4.5″ Super-Flex System $1,395.00 |
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1997-2006 Jeep TJ/LJ Wrangler Rubicon Express 4.5″ Super-Flex System $1,380.00 |
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RCD Jeep Rubicon JK 4″ Lift Kit $1,235.00 |
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1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ Rubicon Express 4.5″ Super-Flex System w/ Springs $1,125.00 |
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4″ 03-06 Jeep TJ Wrangler/Rubicon Lift Kit – Soft top models! $1,086.95 |
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Jeep Cherokee XJ Rubicon Express 4.5″ Super-Flex Lift Kit Part # RE6130 $1,075.00 |
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2003-2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler / Rubicon 4WD Pro Comp 4″ Short Arm Lift Kit K3078BMX $1,075.00 |
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1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ Rubicon Express Extreme-Duty Long Arm Upgrade Kit $965.00 |
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1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ Rubicon Express 3.5″ Super-Flex System $965.00 |
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1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ Rubicon Express 3.5″ Super-Flex System RE8003 $960.00 |
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1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ Rubicon Express 4.5″ Super-Flex System w/ Add-A-Leafs $955.00 |
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2003-06 Pro Comp Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4″ Lift Kit $869.00 |
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1987-1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ Rubicon Express 2.5″ Standard Kit w/ Twin Tube Shocks $855.00 |
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1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ Rubicon Express 3.5″ Super-Flex System w/ Springs $755.00 |
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BDS 3″ SUSPENSION LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER JK 07-11 2DOOR 4WD 3.8L STD RUBICON $724.99 |
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2007-2012 Jeep JK Wrangler, Rubicon & Unlimited Pro Comp 2.5″ Lift Kit K3099BMX $715.00 |
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1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ Rubicon Express 3.5″ Super-Ride System RE8005 $710.00 |
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BDS 3″ SUSPENSION LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER TJL UNLIMITED OR TJ RUBICON 4.0L 4WD $699.99 |
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2007-2012 Procom Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2dr 4dr 4″ Lift Kit $699.00 |
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1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ Rubicon Express 3.5″ Super-Ride System w/ Springs $695.00 |
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TeraFlex Jeep TJ Rubicon 4 ” Lift Kit No Shocks $649.99 |
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2007-2012 Jeep JK Wrangler 2 Door Rubicon Express 3.5″ Standard Lift Kit RE7122 $640.00 |
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4.25″ Suspension Combo Lift Kit Zone Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ/Rubicon 97-06 J25 J26 $624.99 |
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4″ Suspension Lift Kit By Zone Jeep Wrangler JK 2 Door/4 Door/Rubicon 07-12 J14 $609.99 |
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Rubicon Express Standard Suspension Lift Kit RE7142 Jeep Wrangler JK $600.94 |
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4.25″ TJ Combo Lift Kit (1997-2006) Jeep Wrangler TJ & Rubicon with disconnects $589.99 |
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1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ Rubicon Express 3.5″ Super-Flex System w/ Add-A-Leafs $585.00 |
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1997-2006 Jeep TJ/LJ Wrangler Rubicon Express 3.5″ Standard System $585.00 |
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TeraFlex Jeep TJ, Rubicon 3″ Lift Kit No Shocks $577.99 |
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Zone Offroad 4″ Lift Kit for Jeep Wrangler JK 4Door. Rubicon, Renegade, X Sahara $575.99 |
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Zone Offroad 4″ Lift Kit for Jeep Wrangler JK 2Door. Rubicon, Renegade, X Sahara $575.99 |
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4″ Suspension Lift Kit By Zone Offroad Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ/Rubicon 97-06 J10 J11 $564.99 |
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4.25″ TJ Combo Lift Kit (1997-2006) Jeep Wrangler TJ (& Rubicon) $529.99 |
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Rubicon Express Economy Suspension Lift Kit RE7130RXJ Jeep Wrangler JK $512.94 |
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3″ Suspension Lift Kit By Zone Offroad Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ/Rubicon 97-06 J2 J3 $494.99 |
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3″ Suspension Lift Kit By Zone Jeep Wrangler JK 2 Door/4 Door/Rubicon 07-12 J12 $474.99 |
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1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ Rubicon Express 3.5″ Super-Ride System w/ Add-A-Leafs $460.00 |
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1997-06 Pro Comp Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon LJ 2″ Lift Kit $439.00 |
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Jeep JK Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited 2dr 4dr 2007-2012 Poly Spacer Lift Kit 2″ $434.30 |
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BDS 2″ SUSPENSION LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER TJ LJ RUBICON 97-06 4WD 2.5L 4.0L $399.99 |
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Rubicon Express Economy Suspension Lift Kit RE7130 Jeep Wrangler JK $382.94 |
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97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ/RUBICON 3″ Lift Kit with Lifted Coil Springs and Shocks!! $325.00 |
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BDS 1.75″ SUSPENSION LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER TJ LJ RUBICON 4WD 2.5L 4.0L $324.99 |
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Rubicon Express Economy Suspension Lift Kit RE7131 Jeep Wrangler JK $302.94 |
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PA 2″ Body Lift Kit# 982 Jeep Wrangler TJ/Rubicon 2005 $299.95 |
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PA 3″ Body Lift Kit# 983 Jeep Wrangler TJ/Rubicon 2005 $299.95 |
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MORE 1997-2006 Jeep TJ Body Lift Kit incl. Rubicon auto trans $295.44 |
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05-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon 6 Speed 3″ Body Lift Kit $284.95 |
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97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ/RUBICON 2.5″ LIFT KIT new coils $279.99 |
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1987-1995 Jeep YJ Wrangler Rubicon Express 6.5″ Spring-Over Conversion System $270.00 |
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1.75″ Coil Spring Spacer Lift Kit By Zone Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ/Rubicon 97-06 J1 $263.99 |
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2.25″ Jeep TJ LJ Budget Lift Kit w/ Rubicon Express Shocks $259.99 |
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BDS .75″ 3/4″ SUSPENSION LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER TJ LJ RUBICON 97-06 4.0L 2.5L $246.99 |
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2.25″ Jeep ZJ Budget Lift Kit w/ Rubicon Express Shocks $244.99 |
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PA 3″ Body Lift Kit# 973 Jeep Wrangler TJ/Rubicon 1997-2005 $219.95 |
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1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ Rubicon Express 2″ Budget System w/ Add-A-Leafs $215.00 |
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PA 2″ Body Lift Kit# 972 Jeep Wrangler TJ/Rubicon 1997-2005 $209.95 |
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1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ Rubicon Express 2″ Budget Spacer Kit w/ Shocks $195.00 |
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1997-2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler Rubicon Express 2″ Budget Spacer System w/ Shocks $195.00 |
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97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon TJL 3″ Body Lift Kit $189.95 |
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TeraFlex TJ 1″ Body Lift Kit Jeep Rubicon 1942100 $183.99 |
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PA 1″ Body Lift Kit# 951 Jeep Wrangler TJ/Rubicon TJ/Unlimited TJ 1997-2005 $144.95 |
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Air Lift 1000 Jeep Wrangler/Rubicon 1997-2006 Rear Kit# 60811 $129.95 |
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Air Lift 1000 Jeep Wrangler/Rubicon 1997-2006 Front Kit# 80702 $129.95 |
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ZONE 3″ BODY LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER TJ OR UNLIMITED 97-06 2.5L 4.0L RUBICON $114.95 |
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ZONE 2″ BODY LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER TJ OR UNLIMITED 97-06 RUBICON 4.0L 2.5L $108.75 |
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97-06 Jeep Wrangler / inc Rubicon 4 WD Rear Air Bag Kit $103.67 |
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ZONE 1.25″ BODY LIFT KIT JEEP WRANGLER TJ UNLIMITED 97-06 RUBICON 4.0L 2.5L $94.95 |