5th Feb 2007, 22:35
I have a 1997 Jeep Wrangler 4cyl. I could not be happier about my choice. I currently have 136000 miles on it with no problems. It does not use any oil in between changes and gets decent gas mileage. NO COMPLAINTS HERE. I guess I got a good one (Happy Jeeping!!!)
14th Feb 2007, 16:30
I have a 1997 Jeep Wrangler with 98,000 miles on it. I love my jeep and do most of my own work. Every vehicle has problems, and the more severe the workload the more repairs needed. First the modifications I have made:
- 2 1/2 inch lift (Rancho - if I had it to do again, I would have gone with the 3 inch terraflex)
- 33 x 12.5 tires
- Performance Jet Chip.
- Borla header {The original exhaust manifold cracked at about 32,000 miles so I replaced it with a borla header. The Borla just broke so I took it off and re-welded it. I was not impressed with the construction. Next time I will go with the Banks header.
- I have gone through the U-joints once
- Re-geared it to 4.10s
Problems:
- Blown one water pump
- Warped the front rotors (long hard off roading) Replacements were much better than stock and I have not had a problem since.
- blown the rear differential twice (probably due to off roading more than anything else.
Overall, with the amount of wheeling I do, I am very impressed with how well it has held up.
With all the modifications, I have plenty of power (some people think I have dropped a V8 in it) and still get around 16 - 17 MPG around town and 19 - 22 MPG HWY.
Oh one more thing. The flip seat cable broke and when I went to the junk yard to get one, there were NO flip seats. Must be a common problem if it is used a lot. I have 3 kids so it does get used A LOT!
29th Mar 2007, 22:50
You say your flip seat cable broke? I had my seats redone by an idiot (who actually did great work) and he apparently forgot to reinstall the flip seat cable on both sides. Just wanted to make sure you knew there was a hidden latch underneath the seats. It's just a flat lever sticking out, look hard and you'll see it, almost looks similar to a motorcycle shift lever. I was very happy when I found this because I thought my seats were ruined without the internal flip ability. Best of luck.
8th Aug 2007, 02:11
I have a 97 Wrangler 4.0...current mileage..300,450 and going strong...5 sets of tires, 2 mufflers, 2 blinker switchers...3 blower motors... Best jeep I've ever owned...I've had 2 and when this one goes.. Ill buy another... There IS NO SUBSTITUTE..
18th Dec 2007, 17:32
I bought a 97 4cylinder 5 speed manual transmission wrangler in July of 06 with 156,000 and just rolled 187,000 today 12/18/2007. I have not had any major problems. The wiper motor went around 170,000 after driving 6 hours with the wipers on in a blizzard, at 181,000 the rusted out rear brake line blew (thank you NY for snow and ice). The only problem I'm having now is it starting in the cold snowy weather of central NY. Injector cleaner is helping, but I have a feeling it is the fuel pump unfortunately inside the gas tank. If anyone else is have the same problem PLEASE let me no... I was told it could be an ignition module.
I love my jeep it gets me from point A to point B with no problems and in any kind of weather. I'm never going to own anything, but a jeep wrangler.
29th Aug 2008, 16:46
I have a 95 Wrangler 4 cyl. 5 speed and I love it, but I seem to lose power going uphill. It doesn't have much top end speed and it seems to heat up around the front and back tires and pull hard to the side at the same time??? This seems to happen around the 30 miles. Any thoughts?? Thanks.
20th Jun 2009, 16:32
Have a 97 Sport. Just hit 200,000 last week. Motor runs great, uses no oil. Replaced front fenders, bumper, grille, radiator, clutch, steering box, wheel bearings, ball joints, u-joints, shocks, and a new bikini top. These things are deer slayers!!! All repairs have been pretty simple. It's paid off and we wouldn't sell or trade it for anything. Hot Momma is good for another 200,000!!!
16th Mar 2010, 16:51
I just bought my first Jeep, 1997 Wrangler with 141,000 miles. It seems to road walk on side roads quite a bit, and on major roads slightly. It is stock, no lifts and has P235R15 tires on it. I don't know if that's normal, or do I need front end work, wider tires or what? I've always wanted a Jeep, and love this one.
21st Jun 2010, 09:32
Over 186,000 miles on my 97 TJ. Original owner and three sets of tires later. I had to replace the engine at 182k because of a thrown rod. That was due to my (then original), cat converter failing, after running through high water. The converter clogged, caused extreme back-pressure on the engine and warped the cam shaft slightly. It just took a few years for it to destroy the rest of the engine. Now I'm running a Jasper that I had installed for a little over two grand by a Mom & Pop shop. While the engine was out, I had the clutch and all the hoses replaced. Everything mentioned previously in other posts I probably have repaired or replaced. My paint seems to be okay though. (Note: Since then, there has been a Cat recall and a Gas Gauge recall). And yes... I wouldn't trade my Jeep for anything! My "first" car was a 73 MG Midget - and they had "The Wave" too. Driving the Jeep is like driving the MG, only a lot better - because it runs anywhere!
29th Jan 2007, 18:54
Three years ago I bought a used 1997 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0 liter with 78,000 miles on it. I already had a 1996 Cherokee with the straight 6 4.0 liter engine and in my opinion it is the BEST engine ever design for a shade tree mechanic like me. The only major problem I've had actually happened on both of my Jeeps. It seems that the exhaust manifold has a tendency to crack at the weld where the "y" joins the exhaust pipe. I was told it is common for Jeeps of that era because there was an expansion/contraction problem. An after-market replacement had a more flexible tubing at cylinders one and six and this has fixed the problem (to the tune of $600 each!) I also have the "peeling paint syndrome" on the Wrangler mirrors, but that is an easy fix. My Wrangler now has 125,000 miles on it and still runs as good as ever. I love my Jeeps and wouldn't trade them for anything (except a new one). I guess it's a "Jeep Thing"!! Happy 4-wheeling :-)