Just took a TJ out for a test drive...

[topher91]

I have been looking at a few TJs and having driven a bunch of them already, it seems as though I'm not destined to find a problem-free one.  Well, tonight I took one out for a spin and I really liked it, less a couple issues: 

1.  When it was cold, it seemed as though it was having trouble taking gas.  I'd press the pedal and it would sort of bog out.  Once it warmed up, I could not replicate the problem and it drove fine for the rest of the (lengthy) test drive. 

2.  When I pulled the 4x4 lever, it was really stiff and we could not get the 4x4 to come on.  I currently own an XJ, and the lever pulls smoothly and engages fine.  In the TJ, however, it was very stiff and I had to pull quite hard to get it up to 4Hi.  Since I am looking at buying it from a Jeep dealer, the salesman said that he would have that fixed before purchase, but I'm wondering if this is something to worry about in the future.  I know parts are easy to find, but I don't want to get caught up in something potentially problematic. 

Any ideas?  the price is right and reflects its current condition (if he fixes the 4x4).  The body is in fantastic shape, as is the interior.  Everything else worked flawlessly, and it has the 4.0 in there which I really want.  Highway driving is smooth and it is otherwise a nice Jeep. 

Any input would be greatly appreciated. 

[vantagetes]

Does it still have the catalytic convertor? There are is an o2 sensor on in the cat that some people have the awesome idea of just wire tying up into the frame when the cat rusts out and they just add a piece of straight pipe instead of replacing it (ask me how I know).

There are a couple things that could be wrong with the transfer case, nost probable one is that the linkage underneath is misaligned or bent. If it's not the linkage then you're into shift forks, missing snap rings and general not goodness. If the dealer said they'd fix it then who cares? I'm sure if you mentioned it they would fix the low power when cold too. Like I said I'd guess the missing cat, they are like $200 new and finding a "used" one worth putting in is hit or miss. Hence why most people just delete it but neglect to address the O2 sensor issue.

[Immortal]

When we had our TJ, shifting into 4x4 was the same problem as you had. It was almost like the lever wasn't 100% lined up with the transfercase... took a little bit of a sideways shift to either side to get to engage nicely. I just chalked it up to VERY RARELY getting put into 4WD by the previous owner.

[vantagetes]

Or not properly supporting the transmission/t-case when you take the skid plate off. It WILL hang up there by itself but it bends the crap out of everything.