Top 5 Concerns in Purchasing a Used Jeep

***** PLEASE READ & SCREENSHOT IF NEEDED *****
DEVICES TO BRING:
- Flashlight
- Bottle Jack
- Code Reader
- Borescope
- Pad or Creeper
- Metal Object (screwdriver, hammer, etc...)
- Clean Towel
- Straight Edge (ex: level)

1) RUST:

- Body (fenders, floor pans, rockers, doors, tailgate, tub corners...etc)
- Frame (control arm mounts, crossmember, front and rear supports...etc)
- Suspension Components

2) DRIVETRAIN:

***Before Starting Vehicle***
- Ball Joints, Wheel Bearings, U-Joints, Bushings (Death Wobble Causes!)
- Fluid Leaks & Fluid Levels (Engine, Transmission, Transfer Case, Radiator, Power Steering, Brake Booster, Master Cylinder or Slave Cylinder, Differentials Front & Rear)
- Beware of Recently Changed Fluids!
- Engine Oil Color & Coolant Color (milkshake color is not good!)
- Overall Condition of Vehicle Wiring
- Amount Left on Brake Pads
- Tire Condition (smooth is good, not cupping or chunking)
- Bent Axle Tubes or C Gussets (use straight edge on housing)
- Check Hoses for Dry Rot (evap lines, differential lines, coolant hoses)
- Check Air Filter
- Check Suspension Components (for instance shocks & springs)
- Look at Backside of Tires for Wet Marks (could indicate a leaking axle seal, my driver side front is leaking)
- Scan for a Check Engine Light (don't trust the factory light!)
- Ask Owner about Differential Gearing (ex: 4.10, 4.56, 4.88, 5.13, 5.38..etc)

***After Starting Vehicle***
- Sound of Drivetrain (tick is upper engine, knock is lower)
- Color of Exhaust Smoke (white is not good!)
- Exhaust Smell Like Eggs? (faulty catalytic converter!)
- Smoothing Shifting of Transmission
- Shift into 4wd (engage 4hi and 4low)
- Engage Lockers (if applicable)
- Use OBD Reader to Scan Gauges (make sure they match the dash)
- Is Differential Gearing Adequate to Pull BIG Tires (is jeep sluggish)?
- Is the Braking Smooth When Stopping (warped rotor if not smooth) (do you hear a squeal, that is the low life indicator)?
- Tight Steering or Steering Slop (might be bad u-joints in steering shaft or steering box)

3) INTERIOR:

- Stained Carpet or Headliner (could be a leak)
- Condition of Knobs on the Dash
- Heat and AC Work Properly
- All Speeds of Blower Motor Work
- Soft Top and Hard Top Condition
- Cracks in Door Panels
- Condition of Glass (windshield & doors)
- Condition of Upholstery (roll bar padding, seats, steering wheel)
- Smoke & Pet Free
- Interior Accessories Condition (switch panel, radio, cb radio, lighting..etc)

4) EXTERIOR:

- Paint Damage
- Body Symmetry
- Rock Rash (wheels, tires, skid plates)
- Trimming for Larger Tires
- Body Rust (like stated in #1)
- Dents, Dings, Scrapes
- Original Paint & Decals
- Exterior Accessories Condition (lighting, antennas, winch...etc)

5) TITLE:

- Examine the Title (salvage, restored, branded, clean...etc)
- Check Vin (on the frame, tub, dash plaque, engine if possible...etc)
- Ask Previous History
- Why Are You Selling?
- How Many Miles Have You Driven It?
- CARFAX! (title report can tell you a lot about the jeep)

Thank you for watching and reading! Let me know if you have any questions below, and when it comes to jeeps...Keep it Classic!