Tax isn’t bad here as it’s not based on emissions.
I’m also just trying to not look at L/100km figured!
Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 Build Log
- Thread starter Martynt74
- Start date
Tax isn’t bad here as it’s not based on emissions.
I’m also just trying to not look at L/100km figured!
Plot twist.
After an evening of messaging the guy with the lime coloured Jeep above and concluding that it was perfect. I went to bed with doubts and then woke up this morning and came to the decision that whilst it was the perfect car for me, it certainly wasn't for my wife, and i don't want to get a car she can't use just because it's what i want. Or then have to go and spend more on a second car.
I love the colour, and he's already done a lot of the modifications i'd want. But i convinced myself that those are all things i can do myself to any car i buy and is part of the fun too.
As such, i've emailed an offer on this. It's with a dealer and so is backed by a 1yr warranty and they'll also deliver it and do all the transfer paperwork. One of the things i was nervous of with a private sale given my lack of Spanish.
It's pretty much completely stock and done very few miles, compared to the above which had done around 200,000km. Not something that put me off as they were both very well looked after, but it's always a bonus and keeping it for as long as i plan to, should really help resale in the future.
It's also the 4.0 version which is pretty damn rare over here and scratches my itch for a big block engine which i've never had before.
Plans, will be LED headlights, tow bar and double din stereo. Then later on i might look at wider rims and arches as i think that's a great look. Possibly a chrome grille too as i love it on the blue one above. Probably a soft top too.
After an evening of messaging the guy with the lime coloured Jeep above and concluding that it was perfect. I went to bed with doubts and then woke up this morning and came to the decision that whilst it was the perfect car for me, it certainly wasn't for my wife, and i don't want to get a car she can't use just because it's what i want. Or then have to go and spend more on a second car.
I love the colour, and he's already done a lot of the modifications i'd want. But i convinced myself that those are all things i can do myself to any car i buy and is part of the fun too.
As such, i've emailed an offer on this. It's with a dealer and so is backed by a 1yr warranty and they'll also deliver it and do all the transfer paperwork. One of the things i was nervous of with a private sale given my lack of Spanish.
It's pretty much completely stock and done very few miles, compared to the above which had done around 200,000km. Not something that put me off as they were both very well looked after, but it's always a bonus and keeping it for as long as i plan to, should really help resale in the future.
It's also the 4.0 version which is pretty damn rare over here and scratches my itch for a big block engine which i've never had before.
Plans, will be LED headlights, tow bar and double din stereo. Then later on i might look at wider rims and arches as i think that's a great look. Possibly a chrome grille too as i love it on the blue one above. Probably a soft top too.
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Soldato
Looks great, the 4.0 is definitely the engine to have in those. I regularly drive an almost identical one only 4cyl and although it's not the type of car you drive fast, it could definitely do with the extra power of the 4.0.
Yeah, i think that i'd have always regretted not getting the 4.0 had i gone with one of the other, cheaper options.
In a rare show of restraint, i've resisted paying an extra €100 to get it delivered 2 days earlier (3 instead of 5). I planned out the journey, but worked out it was an 8 hour journey there with a combination of bus, train and walking and then would be a 5 hour drive back.
Luckily someone off a local Jeep facebook group i had been speaking to isn't far away and is going to have a look in person for me for a small charge to check it over in person, and i've had a couple videos sent showing both the car and underneath is decent detail. There's some surface rust, but nothing a bit of wire brushing and waxoil shouldn't fix. Next will be to break it to my parents that i could do with doing that at their house as they have a more secure area to work under the car. Otherwise i might hold off on that until i'm back here properly and have more time..... Or be lazy and pay someone
So, my wife made it pretty clear over the weekend she isn't thrilled with my purchase and has major regrets in giving me full authority. Think it was one of those situations where she "hoped" i would make a different choice. I found a newer 2008 Wrangler JK for sale not too far away, albeit for an extra €5k. I'd previously ruled this out as whilst it was much newer/comfier. It involved a considerable increase in length/width over the older TJ, and one of my wifes criteria was for a smaller car (i did *think* i was ticking boxes for her!)
Either way, it doesn't matter as after a brief chat with the dealer i've bought from. It's too late as the collection is scheduled for today with a 3rd party company and the transfer paperwork has been done. No big loss for me, however it's meant i need to make some adjustments to make the car more comfortable.
As such, i've changed the title and will use the thread to document any changes, these will likely be a long way away, as after delivery i'll only be here about 5 weeks before returning to the UK, and then aim to be back over here around November time.
Current Plans (Jeep purists look away now)
Sound Proofing - Seems Jeep did nothing from the factory, so some decent gains can be made here by fitting sound proofing under the bonnet and floorpan
Swap Seats - Fitting something comfy with lumbar adjustment - Possibly leather. Cherokee seats seem to fit the existing rails, although i imagine getting someone to fabricate new rails will be easy. This will likely come down to whats available rather than setting my heart on a specific seat.
Head unit upgrade - Get a double din stereo for Apply Car play
Fit central locking - This is the one i think will annoy me the most. I've really got fond of keyless entry/start in my recent cars, so having to go back and reach over to manually unlock the passenger door will be odd
Keyless start - Not as bothered about this as keyless entry, but might look into it
Electric windows - This is probably the big one for my wife. Especially since there's no A/C. She has a dodgy shoulder and so manually winding the window might be tricky
Beyond that, it'll likely be wider wheels/lift kit. Tow bar. Soft top install. LED Headlights. Maybe A/C install at some point if i can get competent enough!
Basically, this thing is gonna bankrupt me
Either way, it doesn't matter as after a brief chat with the dealer i've bought from. It's too late as the collection is scheduled for today with a 3rd party company and the transfer paperwork has been done. No big loss for me, however it's meant i need to make some adjustments to make the car more comfortable.
As such, i've changed the title and will use the thread to document any changes, these will likely be a long way away, as after delivery i'll only be here about 5 weeks before returning to the UK, and then aim to be back over here around November time.
Current Plans (Jeep purists look away now)
Sound Proofing - Seems Jeep did nothing from the factory, so some decent gains can be made here by fitting sound proofing under the bonnet and floorpan
Swap Seats - Fitting something comfy with lumbar adjustment - Possibly leather. Cherokee seats seem to fit the existing rails, although i imagine getting someone to fabricate new rails will be easy. This will likely come down to whats available rather than setting my heart on a specific seat.
Head unit upgrade - Get a double din stereo for Apply Car play
Fit central locking - This is the one i think will annoy me the most. I've really got fond of keyless entry/start in my recent cars, so having to go back and reach over to manually unlock the passenger door will be odd
Keyless start - Not as bothered about this as keyless entry, but might look into it
Electric windows - This is probably the big one for my wife. Especially since there's no A/C. She has a dodgy shoulder and so manually winding the window might be tricky
Beyond that, it'll likely be wider wheels/lift kit. Tow bar. Soft top install. LED Headlights. Maybe A/C install at some point if i can get competent enough!
Basically, this thing is gonna bankrupt me
Man of Honour
It's reasons like this that I never accept my wife saying "You choose" or giving me a vague idea and telling me just to grab whatever, granted it's normally snacks or something rather than a car but the same principal applies 
Looking forward to seeing what you do with it though.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with it though.
It's reasons like this that I never accept my wife saying "You choose" or giving me a vague idea and telling me just to grab whatever, granted it's normally snacks or something rather than a car but the same principal applies
Looking forward to seeing what you do with it though.
Well she always said that i never get the car i want (bar an old MX5 when it was a second car) and so gave me the decision.
I would've actually liked the JK model, but it's quite a bit bigger and also to get one in budget the only ones i've seen are imported and RHD which she said she didn't want. I think we may still end up with a second car, but will see how things go with the Jeep.
I can't wait, although i hadn't realised the hard top weighs ~70kg and so isn't really an option on my own. When we buy a place here i'll build some kind of winch, but for now it seems swapping over on the fly isn't a possibility! The JK i think has a 3 piece hard top which makes life easier.
Soldato
Should have gone with the lime green one, clearly the wife isn't going to be happy regardless (I can sympathise ) and that colour is fantastic 
) and that colour is fantastic
Should have gone with the lime green one, clearly the wife isn't going to be happy regardless (I can sympathise
Agreed. It also had a soft top, wider arches and loads of other stuff i'm going to be spending money on. Was pretty much ideal other than the engine.
Maybe at some point i'll get this one sprayed something equally ridiculous. Given how much is plastic (bumpers/arches) and the roof is removable. Surely it can't cost that much! Maybe a very, very bright Orange/Yellow
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So, my wife made it pretty clear over the weekend she isn't thrilled with my purchase and has major regrets in giving me full authority. Think it was one of those situations where she "hoped" i would make a different choice. I found a newer 2008 Wrangler JK for sale not too far away, albeit for an extra €5k. I'd previously ruled this out as whilst it was much newer/comfier. It involved a considerable increase in length/width over the older TJ, and one of my wifes criteria was for a smaller car (i did *think* i was ticking boxes for her!)
Either way, it doesn't matter as after a brief chat with the dealer i've bought from. It's too late as the collection is scheduled for today with a 3rd party company and the transfer paperwork has been done. No big loss for me, however it's meant i need to make some adjustments to make the car more comfortable.
As such, i've changed the title and will use the thread to document any changes, these will likely be a long way away, as after delivery i'll only be here about 5 weeks before returning to the UK, and then aim to be back over here around November time.
Current Plans (Jeep purists look away now)
Sound Proofing - Seems Jeep did nothing from the factory, so some decent gains can be made here by fitting sound proofing under the bonnet and floorpan
Swap Seats - Fitting something comfy with lumbar adjustment - Possibly leather. Cherokee seats seem to fit the existing rails, although i imagine getting someone to fabricate new rails will be easy. This will likely come down to whats available rather than setting my heart on a specific seat.
Head unit upgrade - Get a double din stereo for Apply Car play
Fit central locking - This is the one i think will annoy me the most. I've really got fond of keyless entry/start in my recent cars, so having to go back and reach over to manually unlock the passenger door will be odd
Keyless start - Not as bothered about this as keyless entry, but might look into it
Electric windows - This is probably the big one for my wife. Especially since there's no A/C. She has a dodgy shoulder and so manually winding the window might be tricky
Beyond that, it'll likely be wider wheels/lift kit. Tow bar. Soft top install. LED Headlights. Maybe A/C install at some point if i can get competent enough!
Basically, this thing is gonna bankrupt me
Cherokee seats are a good shout. Without doubt they are comfy, think giant armchairs. I miss mine.
Awesome. Maybe that'll shut her up (hope she never reads this! - Certainly don't mean it. I think she's genuinely happy for me that i've got want i wanted)
Here is a list of emails back and forth with the dealer arguing about being able to register the car! His guy was saying i needed to be registered on the local electoral roll thing, everything i've read said i didn't. It's been painful but they've put it through as i've asked. Not easy with rubbish Spanish. Thank god for Google Translate/DeepL!
Debating whether to buy a Bikini top in the short term. We're talking about £200 for a decent one here, including mounting brackets. However i've found this which allows a combination of bikini top, and soft top debating on how i feel. The issue being it comes from the US and certainly won't be here in time (and cost a small fortune).
www.quadratec.com
I probably need something for 5 weeks though. I don't want the Hard Top on, but at the same time. Some kind of roof would be handy!
Here is a list of emails back and forth with the dealer arguing about being able to register the car! His guy was saying i needed to be registered on the local electoral roll thing, everything i've read said i didn't. It's been painful but they've put it through as i've asked. Not easy with rubbish Spanish. Thank god for Google Translate/DeepL!
Debating whether to buy a Bikini top in the short term. We're talking about £200 for a decent one here, including mounting brackets. However i've found this which allows a combination of bikini top, and soft top debating on how i feel. The issue being it comes from the US and certainly won't be here in time (and cost a small fortune).
QuadraTop Adventure Top for 97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ
Complete Top Kit: The Quadratop Aventure top includes all of the necessary pieces to install onto the Jeep Wrangler TJ. The Topdeck, door surrounds, tailgate bar, front bow assembly, and tinted rear windows make this kit an easy to install option top enjoy the open-air driving experience.
I probably need something for 5 weeks though. I don't want the Hard Top on, but at the same time. Some kind of roof would be handy!
Soldato
If you need help with the Spanish let me know.
Awesome. Might take you up on that. Google Translate is good, but sometimes just doesn't quite fit.
Good old Amazon. 4 items, all coming on separate days! Never even gave an option to group them, so must all come from different warehouses in Europe
Sound deadening seems to have decent results and should keep the wife happy.
For the lols i may as well keep a running total of spend.
Car €16,150
Insurance €300
Sound Deadening €140
Hammock Top €20 (Mainly for shade, until i can get something better)
(Praying this thing comes apart easy, as i've just realised i have very few tools over here!)
Sound deadening seems to have decent results and should keep the wife happy.
For the lols i may as well keep a running total of spend.
Car €16,150
Insurance €300
Sound Deadening €140
Hammock Top €20 (Mainly for shade, until i can get something better)
(Praying this thing comes apart easy, as i've just realised i have very few tools over here!)
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Fears it may have been a scam have eased given i've now got a picture of the car on the transporter.
That is now replaced with todays concern. There's no chance the lorry is making it to where i'm staying (map below), so i'm going to need to meet the guy on the main road. Even the main(ish) road isn't particularly easy for it to reach so might even need to go to a local town.
Issue being that he needed a Spanish phone number as couldn't ring internationally. I've given my mums number. She's notoriously useless at answering her main phone, never mind the Spanish one!
I've also given the number of my landlord who isn't around today but offered to help.
Hopefully between them, they can communicate with the driver, relay to me and i can find the guy!
That is now replaced with todays concern. There's no chance the lorry is making it to where i'm staying (map below), so i'm going to need to meet the guy on the main road. Even the main(ish) road isn't particularly easy for it to reach so might even need to go to a local town.
Issue being that he needed a Spanish phone number as couldn't ring internationally. I've given my mums number. She's notoriously useless at answering her main phone, never mind the Spanish one!
I've also given the number of my landlord who isn't around today but offered to help.
Hopefully between them, they can communicate with the driver, relay to me and i can find the guy!
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Awesome, it's here and wonderful
A few things look like they need addressing, but looking forward to getting onto it. I will at this point admit that prior to this, i had never set foot in a Jeep Wrangler, never mind driven one. it's certainly more rattly that i was expecting although i don't know why i wasn't expecting it!
I've also found the pedals aren't made for people with size 12 feet! I keep mashing the brake.
My wife struggled to get in, they never seem much higher than a regular SUV, but the side has a lip to avoid any water ingress which means she struggled. Will have to add the side steps as a higher priority!
What my dad has only just pointed out, is that Spain are adding a ban on old vehicles in any city >50,000. That means we can't drive to Benidorm. What a shame!
A few things look like they need addressing, but looking forward to getting onto it. I will at this point admit that prior to this, i had never set foot in a Jeep Wrangler, never mind driven one. it's certainly more rattly that i was expecting although i don't know why i wasn't expecting it!
I've also found the pedals aren't made for people with size 12 feet! I keep mashing the brake.
My wife struggled to get in, they never seem much higher than a regular SUV, but the side has a lip to avoid any water ingress which means she struggled. Will have to add the side steps as a higher priority!
What my dad has only just pointed out, is that Spain are adding a ban on old vehicles in any city >50,000. That means we can't drive to Benidorm. What a shame!
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Have you considered using a vehicle with off road capability?
Proper voyage tonight. Around 50 miles in total down to the beach.
Heck of a lot of wind noise. Mainly the drivers side windscreen so need to look at seals and latches.
Looks like a prior owner has wired in an overhead light but done an awful job so that needs fixing.
They’ve also added door speakers but the passenger tweeter is missing. Drivers side is an alpine so not like they skimped.
Plus points being it drives well. Certainly felt better on the way home. Have a feeling the dealer may have had it a while sat still.
Down sides being some dodgy mods. Mainly the overhead light and speakers. It’s also a lot dirtier than I’d expect a car to be. There was even some coins in the ash tray!
I had cancelled the sound proofing stuff due to lack of tools. But may now buy a 1/2 socket set and do it anyway. Mine at home is 1/4 which won’t be enough as I want to get properly into maintenance on this thing.
Heck of a lot of wind noise. Mainly the drivers side windscreen so need to look at seals and latches.
Looks like a prior owner has wired in an overhead light but done an awful job so that needs fixing.
They’ve also added door speakers but the passenger tweeter is missing. Drivers side is an alpine so not like they skimped.
Plus points being it drives well. Certainly felt better on the way home. Have a feeling the dealer may have had it a while sat still.
Down sides being some dodgy mods. Mainly the overhead light and speakers. It’s also a lot dirtier than I’d expect a car to be. There was even some coins in the ash tray!
I had cancelled the sound proofing stuff due to lack of tools. But may now buy a 1/2 socket set and do it anyway. Mine at home is 1/4 which won’t be enough as I want to get properly into maintenance on this thing.