Recently, my passion for watches led me to realize that many Seiko watches get modified. In fact, I’m pretty sure the Seiko 7002-7000 dive watch a buddy of mine gifted me several years ago has aftermarket hands on it. In the automotive world, Jeeps are like Seikos because they’re also modified often. Likewise, it’s harder to find a stock Jeep than one with aftermarket parts on it. Our Pick of the Day is one of those rare finds: a 20K-mile 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara without a sky-high lift, a stadium’s worth of auxiliary lighting, or noisy, knobby tires. You can find it listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Grapevine, Texas. The video below shows an exterior/interior tour, the engine starting up, and a drive-by.
For 1997, Jeep released the second-generation (aka TJ) Wrangler. In addition to round headlights, it brought several other important updates: standard front airbags, an extended center stack, better access to the wider rear seat, and optional four-wheel antilock brakes. On-road ride quality improved thanks to the new Quadra-Coil suspension. Off-road, increased axle articulation, more ground clearance, and improved approach and departure angles made the TJ capable of going further over trails and higher into the wilderness.
This ’02 Wrangler Sahara has all that going for it and plenty more. If you ask me, it comes in the best color for the Sahara, Shale Green Metallic, which pairs perfectly with the Tan removable hardtop. That’s a combo that would look great during a desert off-road excursion or a fall trip up to a cabin surrounded by pine trees! An approach angle of 44.3 degrees, breakover angle of 25.4 degrees, and departure angle of 32.1 degrees, along with 10 inches of ground clearance, help keep the body a safe distance from Mother Nature.
Another great combo is the hearty Power Tech 4.0-liter I-6, which was factory-rated at 190 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque, and five-speed manual transmission. When the journey goes from pavement to packed dirt, the Command-Trac part-time 4×4 system’s traction is just a lever pull away.
One of the coolest things about this Sahara is its interior color scheme. The Dark Green and Camel Trailcloth front buckets and rear bench bring to mind rugged, outdoorsy knapsacks. Air conditioning, a factory CD player, and an eight-inch subwoofer integrated into the center console keep the cabin from feeling too rugged.
Behind the rear seat, the Add-A-Trunk feature provides 2.5 cubic feet of lockable, concealed storage space.
You can’t drive for long before you pass a Jeep Wrangler that’s been modified in some way. If you want one that stands out from all the rest, you can buy this stock, low-mileage 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara for $25,000.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
