1998 Jeep Wrangler

SUV

2.5L

Manual

1J4FY29P2WP708310

Clear

Gasoline

Someone is going to get a great deal here for sure! This is a 1998 Jeep Wrangler SE, 2.5L 4 cyl., 5 speed. It's known as the “TJ”. This is the last Jeep with somewhat similar dimensions to the original Jeep CJ with its narrowness for going down trails, and the last Jeep with a 4 cylinder engine which this one has. Yet it is the first Jeep with all coil spring suspension and is far better than the older YJ as far as ride and handling, due to that all coil spring suspension. This is a complete classic as far as I'm concerned. All of the Jeeps from the very first Jeep available for civilian use, went like this: CJ, YJ, TJ (this jeep), JK (current model). There have only been 4 major models in the history of this line! Obviously, I would be keeping this for sure, except for the following reasons: Five years ago we moved from Kansas to Texas, south of Dallas. It doesnt snow here south of Dallas at all to speak of. I would definitely still keep this but here in Texas, we just almost never use it. I start it every couple of months and that's about it. We are going to sell it here on Ebay, with no reserve, since we want this to go to someone who will use it and take care of it as I feel we have. I think the pictures and my description will speak for themselves! This vehicle has some tasteful modifications as shown in the pictures and I will describe the major ones: 1. This has the big 6 cylinder radiator, a big flex a lite electric fan and a 180 degree thermostat as shown in the picture. I've always had much better performance with this combination and it also opens up about 15 more HP for the engine. 2. K&N air filter, good for the life of the vehicle, with a cover over it for extra protection from the dirt, shown in the picture. Also gives 10 more horsepower. I've owned and used K&N air filters more than 25 years and always had great performance from them. 3. Magnaflow performance exhaust, but it is not louder than stock. Flows better and gives better performance, 5 more HP. 4. Accel coil with high performance accel plug wires, shown in the picture. When you combine all of the above performance options- there is now enough power out of the 4 cylinder engine to decently pull 5th gear on the highway. 5.This vehicle has no a/c, of course, which when you think of it- is a/c something you want when you are out on the trail? Doesnt make sense to me! Therefore, I put cut-off valves on the heater hoses, (shown in the underhood picture) which allow you to cutoff the flow of hot water going to the heater core in the summer. Why would you want to run around with a tank of 180 degree water inside of a vehicle with no a/c in 100 degree weather? 6. Remote oil filter mount. The oil filter is a bit difficult to reach, but it is not now. Shown in picture and works great! 7. This has an optional rear seat which is split folding, shown in the picture. We have 3 members of our family so this often came in handy. 8. Heavy brush guard added to front, with winch option, and removal of all 4 'milk jug' bumper ends. All jeepers remove those ugly 'milk jugs' and no I do not still have them! Most TJ owners give those things away if you want them. 9. The stock fog lights aren’t really very good, but this Jeep has KC HiLites, and they are much better quality. 10. Tow hitch added to back and trailer wiring installed, too. I never really towed much but this is really handy for bicycle racks, storage racks, etc. 11. 31X10.5R15 tires with decent aluminum rims added. Also 2” coil spring spacer lift installed. 12. Rancho heavy duty adjustable shocks installed on all 4 corners. I love these shocks; you can adjust them to a stiffer ride for better handling, or if you like a softer ride you can do that too. No more 'ox cart' like ride as in the YJ, especially with these superb adjustable shocks! 13. Under the belly skid plate. Very solid skid plate protects the oil pan while still being able to easily change the oil. 14. Ability to flat tow. Flat tow tow bar comes with this, and it works great. Flat tow magnetic tail lights come with this and they work great too! (if you dont want the tow bar and magnetic tail lights just let me know and I'll keep them) 15. Owners manual, a TJ service manual, plus an extra Jeep manual provided with this sale! Now for the few items that slightly detract from this vehicle: 1. There is a slight 'popping' noise from the exhaust manifold, which goes away after the vehicle warms up. This is the well known stock exhaust manifold getting ready to go out. It should be replaced with a banks or a borla exhaust header and that problem is solved. 2. Either the alternator, water pump, or power steering pump bearing is starting to get noisy and will need replaced soon. 3. The brakes will push half way down before engaging braking action. The vehicle stops fine, but I would definitely have the brake job done before driving this much longer. 4. Slight hail damage to the hood. Not noticeable in pictures and barely noticeable in person, but there are about six slight 'bumps' in the hood. No paint damage. That's about it. I would not recommend driving this on the highway until the brakes are fixed, but many people add a D44 rear axle, which could include disc rear brakes, locker axle, different gearing like 4.88 etc. This is what I would do if we still lived in Kansas. I'll leave it up to the next owner whether they want this to remain stock or fix it up even more. This is obviously an emotional sale. After all, we bought this Jeep in January 2003, with 79,000 miles and now it is 2015, more than 12 years later, and only has 86XXX miles; obviously this is just getting going. It's better than it was when it was sold brand new more than 17 years ago! We brought our now 11 year old daughter home from the hospital in Kansas City in Dec 2003. The winter blizzard was so bad that Kansas City was closed to any vehicle except 4WD, (search the storm) and the hospital actually offered us another day in the hospital since the roads were all officially closed! I asked my wife if she felt well enough to go home, she said 'yes', and I told the hospital staff- “we have a Jeep TJ outside, warmed up ready to go- we're going home!” We obviously went home without any problem. I have plenty more Jeep stories but I think you get the point. I feel I've been very honest about this classic vehicle. Therefore, there will be absolutely no price adjustments or markdowns. Whatever you bid on ebay is exactly what you will pay. There will be NO NITPICKERS WHATSOEVER. Do not come here to my home and nitpick my jeep, thinking you will get a price markdown- IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. This is the most classic vehicle I've ever owned and I think it shows. I want this to go to someone who will care for it as I have. We've never offroaded this hard or towed heavy trailers, etc. You can see the suspension is not sagging at all and is even on all four corners. I guarantee the engine compression meets the factory standard for compression, and I will check engine compression in front of the customer to prove it if desired. (If a vehicle engine compression is good, then obviously the oil has been changed, it has been driven appropriately, etc. If the vehicle had been not treated appropriately, this would show in engine compression). You can also crawl underneath this vehicle and see there are no dents, no off road damage, etc. This of course has a clear title and a good autocheck from 79,000 miles that goes with the vehicle. Partially because of the brakes, and since some folks would have to drive this vehicle to get it home, and due to the brake condition that's not really a good idea: I will deliver this Jeep with my own trailer or by flat towing for only $.50 cents per mile one way charge, up to 400 miles away. In other words, if you live 400 miles from Gatesville, TX., and want this delivered, you will have to pay for it in full, plus pay a $200. delivery fee and I flat tow or trailer it directly to you. We flat-towed this from Kansas City to south of Dallas, TX and it worked great. You're welcome to flat-tow it home yourself, with no charge of course, if you have a vehicle such as a pickup or SUV that will tow about 4,000 lbs. Payment: $250. mandatory from paypal within 48 hours of auction close. Remainder by FEDERAL POSTAL MONEY ORDERS, MANDATORY, easily obtain at any US Post Office. Just bring your cash, cashier's check, whatever, to any US POST OFFICE and obtain FEDERAL POSTAL MONEY ORDERS.