Been lurking for a bit and seem to have a grasp on know issues and what I'm getting into. Been speaking to a lady selling her 2003 SE7 with 150K on it. It's down south where I'll be on vacation in a week. Hasn't had it long, bought it as a camper hauler but have decided hauling a camper isn't their thing. Said she bought it knowing it needed some TLC. She put in a new radiator, said lugs were replaced cause they were "swollen" (huh) no window motor, new AC, changed diff fluid, and throttle body. Looks very clean. She's asking 3800 and I said if its in good running order as she says, not running hot, I'll offer a conditional $3500

Seem reasonable? Will be moving it from a warm weather environment to Michigan

 

Plan on offroading? If yes, the 2003 does not have Center Diff Lock..... and is the one model year which adding CDL is the most work involved to retrofit.

 

Yeah, I'd have to get a 2004 for that. Not serious off roading. Would use it in the Upper Peninsula on fishing and hunting trips. No rock crawling or anything like that. The occasional washed out trail in the spring. Mostly logging trails and two-tracks. I'd be putting less than 4000 miles a year on it.

 

Get a cheap bluetooth ODB reader (25.00) and Torque for your phone free on Android 5.00 on Apple.

Set it up on your own vehicle so you know how it works engine temp is the biggy
When you get down there hook it up check for pending codes and monitor the temps when you test drive at least 20 minutes. Include some long idles 2 or 3 minutes.

If it has a 180 thermostat you should run between 183 and 189 moving, 190ish and about 200 at idle. (degs in F) Mine would peak at about 200 to 202 at idle,then drop to 194 and stay there
Stock I believe is about 15 - 20 degs higher at any rate my Disco ran 208 to 212 moving and about 215 to 218 at idle on a stock Thermostat with a poor coolant situation
Ask flat out water leakage - sunroofs and windshield it can be very hard to track down

 

dont agree with this statement
i put a 99 differential on my 04 and a shifter assembly from a 04
it was super easy and even got the lights to work on dash
everything fit like it was meant to be there

 

Thank you sir, good info. Was going to buy an Ultra gauge just for that.