“The Wrangler is capable off highway, and the Truck Trend staff can introduce many unwilling passengers. We’ve scared the pants off to prove that point. If a college football injury or last week’s snowboarding fiasco makes you less mobile than usual, a Wrangler will get you to places you’d otherwise never visit. Anything like that, which you can’t put a price on, automatically becomes a good value.” MotorTrend, Nov. 2002 

For consignment, a 2002 Jeep Wrangler with a title verified 148,814 actual miles. After our consignor took possession a few years ago, it was gone through to make sure it was in good working order and would pass inspection. If you’re ready to learn what that thing is in “It’s a Jeep Thing,” here’s the perfect opportunity.

Note: This vehicle is sold with a Pennsylvania reconstructed branding on the title 

Exterior

If Batman drove a Wrangler, this would be it. This triple black Jeep is dark as night with nearly nothing veering from the monochromatic presentation. The wheel flares, bumpers and bull bar, mirrors, hinges, door handles, and yes, even the wheels are black. Those 15-inch Jeep wheels carry LT rated tires with a mid 2019 date code and with 10 ply construction, there’s plenty of life left with one extra mounted on the back just in case. Side mirrors are mounted on the cowl while half doors carry sliding windows, and the rest of the Jeep is covered in black canvas. Fog lights and D-ring shackles adorn the front and the rings are blue, adding a blip of color to the black fascia where all lights are now LED. Imperfections are limited to some thin paint on the diamond steel plating on the fender and rock chips up front. 

Interior

We find black and charcoal on the inside beginning with the textured plastic door panels with lower storage bins that drain which is a nice feature for beach and outdoor adventurers. Vinyl is the surrounding base for the cloth bucket seats which have a muted Aztec like design and that’s carried over to the small rear bench. The driver’s seat shows compression and a tear in the vinyl but all others are in clean condition. A simple gauge cluster lives under a single piece of plexiglass with essential read outs and a digital odometer while the center stack holds the JVC AM/FM/CD player and basic A/C panel. The shifter rises from the center console on the floor with a rubber boot and cup holders are provided to front and rear passengers on either side of the armrest/storage bin. The carpet below shows some wear on the drivers side and also in the cargo area which can be accessed through a small rear door.  

Drivetrain

The Jeep is equipped with the 4.0 liter inline six cylinder with fuel injection and rated at 190 horsepower. There’s some enhancement under the hood with a stainless steel air intake tube and blue silicone hoses. Meanwhile, a 5-speed manual sets the Jeep in motion and 3.07 gears are found in both front and rear axles. 

Undercarriage

Plenty of surface rust on the underside as one might expect with the mileage and only a film of residual oil on the pans. There is evidence of frame repair and bracing. The single exhaust flows through a stainless steel muffler and exits via a chrome tip. Suspension front and back is made up of a 4 ink with coil springs while brakes are configured as power discs up front and power drums in the back. 

Drive-Ability

The desirable 4 liter starts up without hesitation and we row the gears to get this black 4×4 onto our relatively flat test loop. The hills of Morgantown always call to us when we’re in a Jeep, but we’re limited to our property which will do for now. Plenty of power underfoot and smooth tracking with not the racket of knobby tires as these are good for street application and roll smoothly. We note the A/C is blowing cool but not cold and other than that, all functions available on this basic 4X4 operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

Looking for a beach cruiser or a reliable winter runabout? This Jeep fits the bill and would also make a great daily driver with curb hopping capabilities and a dashboard that’s ready for the rubber ducks that are sure to follow. They say life’s too short to drive boring cars and we agree of course, and who doesn’t feel a tinge of envy whenever they see someone driving a Wrangler? Now it’s time to be on the other side of that adoration with the dark knight!