PLEASE Forgive the Wrangler Question

[DickensCPA]

Please forgive this Wrangler question in the Gladiator forum but this is the only Jeep forum I'm a member of and I'm driving and having to do this over the phone, not in front of computer.

I got my Gladiator a few months back and looking to pick up a Wrangler for my son for some father/son little trips. I'm on my way to look at this Wrangler and from the pics on my phone it's a 2018 but from the grill and gauge cluster it's the JL and a Sport.

I can't be 100% until I get there but it looks to have 35s at least and maybe 37s. Lot of underbody pics and it has a lift but appears to have been a mall crawler. It only has 33k miles on it but I'm going to assume it has stock 30/35 axles and 3:45 gearing.

I'm also gonna assume the salesman will have NO idea if the previous owner changed or upgraded the gearing, I can probably look and tell if the axles have been upgraded - BUT let's assume stock axles and gearing.

Would it scare you off from buying this knowing the previous owner drove some or most of those 33k miles with that lift and tires on stock axles and gearing?

I live in middle TN and my son will do no towing and we definitely don't have mtns, rocks or anything of that nature. Pretty much some mud, maybe some ruts in a fire/logging road - you need 4WD but no rock crawling. Just concerned about the transmission and damage to diffs.

TIA I really appreciate any help even though it should be Gladiator specific.

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[XJFanatic]

It wouldn’t scare me. What motor does it have?

Reports from the JL sport guys are the 2.0T is just fine power wise for 35s and live able for 37s. The 3.6 is live able with 35s and a dog with 37s.

Stock sport axles have been holding up rather well with 35s and pretty good wheeling.

 

[869 KPH]

I wouldn't be bothered by it as long as the work that you can see looks competently done. If the upgrades to better support 35s or 37s are already on your mind, then you can only be pleasantly surprised if you tear into it and it's already been done.

Price would be more important to me, really.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

I’d assume that unless it’s got a tuner present, it doesn’t actually have 33K miles on it. I doubt many people would think about or care about that though. It should technically (though I’m sure no one ever does it) be noted on the vehicle title as “not actual” mileage. Yes, I’m a lot of fun at parties. ?

The vast majority of folks do not regear. Unless it’s specifically mentioned, I’d assume that the gearing is stock.

 

[DickensCPA]

Thanks for the replies, unfortunately I had to reroute I got a call they rushed my Dad to the hospital and I was 4 minutes late saying goodbye.

 

[NachoRuby]

I’d assume that unless it’s got a tuner present, it doesn’t actually have 33K miles on it. I doubt many people would think about or care about that though. It should technically (though I’m sure no one ever does it) be noted on the vehicle title as “not actual” mileage. Yes, I’m a lot of fun at parties. ?

I'd think most people correct the speedometer, and therefore the odometer, just so they don't get pulled over all the time, if nothing else. 31s to 35s makes a big speedometer difference. I don't know for sure, of course, but it seems most tire shops would mention it, and most owners would want their speedometer to be correct.

You don't need a tuner present for that. The dealership can do it. They did mine. Or a Bluetooth obd reader and jscan app can, and there'd be no tuner left in the car. Mine is calibrated, and I do not have a tuner in the Jeep. I have a tazer, but I don't use it unless I'm off-road.

 

[DocMike]

Drive it. You will know if it has had a regear.
I have 35s and 4.88.
Did not last one week with 35s and 3.73.
The sport axles hold up well, just don't "send it"

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

I'd think most people correct the speedometer, and therefore the odometer, just so they don't get pulled over all the time, if nothing else. 31s to 35s makes a big speedometer difference. I don't know for sure, of course, but it seems most tire shops would mention it, and most owners would want their speedometer to be correct.

You don't need a tuner present for that. The dealership can do it. They did mine. Or a Bluetooth obd reader and jscan app can, and there'd be no tuner left in the car. Mine is calibrated, and I do not have a tuner in the Jeep. I have a tazer, but I don't use it unless I'm off-road.

I wouldn’t assume that, personally. Lots of folks get tire and wheel packages delivered to their house and install it themselves. For someone that put no more thought into it than “I like those rims” or “I want bigger tires…” I wouldn’t assume it was done.

Good call. I wasn’t sure how far back the need for a computer tuner went.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks for the replies, unfortunately I had to reroute I got a call they rushed my Dad to the hospital and I was 4 minutes late saying goodbye.

Damn man, really sorry to hear that. I have an older father with heart issues so I dread someday getting that call.

 

[DickensCPA]

Damn man, really sorry to hear that. I have an older father with heart issues so I dread someday getting that call.

I literally lost my Mom a few months ago and lost my Dad today on what would’ve been Moms bday.

 

[Rusty PW]

Thanks for the replies, unfortunately I had to reroute I got a call they rushed my Dad to the hospital and I was 4 minutes late saying goodbye.

So sorry to hear this. I lost my dad some years ago like this. Mom called and told me to get my ass to the house. Found my dad on the kitchen floor. Did CPR until the EMT's showed up. I couldn't save him.

 

[Geoarch]

It wouldn’t scare me. What motor does it have?

Reports from the JL sport guys are the 2.0T is just fine power wise for 35s and live able for 37s. The 3.6 is live able with 35s and a dog with 37s.

Stock sport axles have been holding up rather well with 35s and pretty good wheeling.

The Rubicon Gladiator with 4.10s is fine with 35s even crawling and especially with a MT.

 

[DickensCPA]

I had some funeral stuff to take care of and we go at 9AM to meet and finalize services.

I really didn’t feel like going home after leaving the hospital so I went ahead and looked at the Jeep.

It was a one owner and I asked if it came from up north but it was from FL. I casually made a comment about someone spending a lot on an aftermarket rear bumper but left the front stock. Also noticed no spare tire or spare carrier and the backup camera wire was dangling.

Made them pull up the Carfax and it had been rear ended, which I could’ve gotten over if fixed correctly but it had also been rolled and had a salvaged title.

For a 2018 with that going on I wasn’t feeling $38,900 and they wouldn’t budge on price.

I TRULY appreciate the replies. Thank you.

 

[Rusty PW]

Salvaged title....run....don't walk away........run. They're hiding a lot.

 

[same_O_G]

Really sorry to hear about your loss. Thoughts and prayers, man.

And I'd definitely have passed on that too. Especially at that price

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