Pros:
New battery
New refrigerant (vehicle has been upgraded from R12 to R134a)
New rotors
New starter
New starter switch
New starter relay
New brake pads (can't remember if I replaced the brake shoes)
New tie rod end and steering damper
Entire vehicle frame covered in RP-342 Cosmoline once a year (
RP-342 "HEAVY" Military-Grade Rust Preventive Spray)
Internal frame wax sprayed inside frame ~2015
New side mirrors (the good Euro style that don't vibrate)
New LED tail and running lights
All fluids replaced ahead of schedule.
Transmission is smooth shifting (I had an issue once, but it was only because the accelerator cable came loose, easy fix)
Engine rebuild done in 2005/2006 was done by a professional shop. See dropbox documents.
Cons:
- A few small, rust bubbles under the paint on the body, I've kept a bay through lots of waxing.
- Small spots of clear coat coming up in one area on the hood.
- Tachometer is not functional - digital one installed plus a boost gauge.
- Interior has some wear, small cracks on dash, a hole or two in seats, but otherwise not too bad.
- Oil drip about two drops per day and has never gotten worse.
- Starting system is probably the only one annoyance. Often the vehicle does not want to start after it was shut down while hot (say after an hour driving on highway in summer heat). After about 10 min of cool down it will then start right back up. I think maybe the heat from the engine increases resistance on the starter - only my theory though. It seems to have been a problem for other HJ owners for the 12V models (which is also this vehicle) based on my research. Never been stranded ever though, and it may just need a heat shield.
- The last issue just started about 3 weeks ago. About one in every 10 starts will end in a "click" of the starter solenoid. New battery less than a month old ameliorated it, but then it crept back. So possibly the starter is starting to wear out, or it may just need the terminals clean or cover tapped on to break free the carbon. It hasn't been a big issue for me because the vehicle always starts, and there is only a few components in the starting system. But if this is a concern for you I can purchase a new starter for the vehicle to go with it.
Otherwise that should be it. It is a great vehicle and I only have to sell it because we have another baby on the way. One day when I am old and retired I will be looking to buy myself another one, if not the same one again
Stephen
