Rust
Find out what axles are under it. It probably has a Dana 30 up front and a 35 rear. If you can find one with Dana 44 axles your a lot better off in the future if you are going to lift it and go bigger tires. Plus the Dana 35 is a c clip axle. Bad news.
Also check what gears are in it.
It sounds like transmission issue. If it was rotational you would hear it all the time. I would still start with obvious and start torquing down suspension parts and make sure they are all to spec. Drag link, tierod, control arms. Jack up front end and try to shake tires to see if ball joints...
Go with the Jk. I have owned several of both. The Jk's ride better and. I am driving a 2010 4 door all decked out and have 126k miles. Runs like a dream. I run a superchip programmer on it and have plenty of power. I just sold 2 Jk's that were 2 doors. Very nice also. More room on them verse the...
Here we go again with the comment CJ's are the only real Jeep. Any day you want to to see who's will crawl farther and easier. Come on. Just messing with you alittle. Lol
I will tell you the Jeeps are Addictive. You might start with a stock Jeep and like it but then you will be buying lifts, wheels, tires,Bumpers, Lights, Winches..They are an AWESOME ride and I have owned 7 so far..
2010 Jeep Wrangler 4 door with 94,000 miles and runs perfect never in shop except for regular fluid changes
before the lift and tires were getting 21MPG on hwy
after lift with 35" tires 14MPG
after adding Super Chip programmer $300 part 16 MPG and more power since heavier tires were added
I am on my second set of GoodYear MTR kevlars and love them in 35's first set got about 45,000 mile and sold them used for $400. I am on second set now.
I can't go this weekend I am going to an offroad park in South Carolina called GULCHES..We are wheeling all weekend and camping with GEORGIA TRAIL RIDERS...I will post a few pictures Sunday night when I get home