Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Avoiding a Money Pit

Lots of advice, but bottom line is you will have to go south of KY, VA to find a non rusty TJ and it will be near $10K. Sure some have found bargains, but you have to go quick. Tough to do if up in PA. AL, MS, GA, TN and TX are good places to look, but a good trip for you, but some of us would go look at it if reasonably close and you are really interested.

https://webejeeping.com/ these are good guys and have good jeeps, but not cheap.

I bought a nice 02 in Denver a year or so ago and he kept it for me until I could get out to pick it up. That is a little unusual, but happens.

Good luck D
 
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ironcladtopedo6974 said:
I've had my eye on that one. Waiting to see if he drops the price a little. I just sent him a message and he said he's the original owner and the pictures of the frame are extremely nice. I only saw one rust spot and it looked like it was surface rust that could be fixed with a wire brush and some coating in an hour.
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$9500 is actually a damn good price if it isn't too rusty. Post up the frame pics for us to look at. If the rust isn't bad, I'd jump on it at that price.
 
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ironcladtopedo6974 said:
I've had my eye on that one. Waiting to see if he drops the price a little. I just sent him a message and he said he's the original owner and the pictures of the frame are extremely nice. I only saw one rust spot and it looked like it was surface rust that could be fixed with a wire brush and some coating in an hour.
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If everything is as good as the owner says, it wouldn't still be for sale after 2 weeks for $9500.
 
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ironcladtopedo6974 said:
I figure we could turn it into something nice for her over the next 5 years so she has something when she gets her license.
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If you plan on keeping it long term, make sure to start with a good frame.
I bought mine in Alabama.
I know a few that won't even drive in the snow to avoid salt.
If it is for the snow, are you sure you want a manual?
 
97TJNM said:
$9500 is actually a damn good price if it isn't too rusty. Post up the frame pics for us to look at. If the rust isn't bad, I'd jump on it at that price.
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TheBoogieman said:
If everything is as good as the owner says, it wouldn't still be for sale after 2 weeks for $9500.
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I've got a few I'm keeping my eye on right now. They don't seem to be moving that quick around here. Plus I still gotta talk with the GF because she needs a car and this is going to be the spare/fun vehicle. Lot of moving parts right now, but I'm not in a rush.

LONGJP2 said:
If you plan on keeping it long term, make sure to start with a good frame.
I bought mine in Alabama.
I know a few that won't even drive in the snow to avoid salt.
If it is for the snow, are you sure you want a manual?
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I like a manual. I feel like I have better control. I've driven my manual Jetta TDI in the snow plenty, just need something to help out on the hills here. I plan to take care of any surface rust and coat it.
 
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It's not rust free but pretty damn good. Shouldn't take more that a wire brush and some time.

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trojandawg said:
Poke those rails with a screwdriver. Especially where they turn up at front and rear wheels. Also look hard between rail and skid.
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Planned to bring a flashlight, screwdriver and hammer to every one I look at. Might pick up one of those camera things too to get a good look inside the frame.
 
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LONGJP2 said:
Not bad for the money and/or your location.
Is the Jeep black, or did they paint the floors?
Probably more rust inside the frame than outside, but not a deal breaker if it's solid.
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Yes it is black. it looks like most of the rust is on the diamond plate trim piece (sliders?). And I feel like that could easily be taken off and cleaned up or replaced.
 
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ironcladtopedo6974 said:
It's not rust free but pretty damn good. Shouldn't take more that a wire brush and some time.

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The frame is highly suspect. Now, I do have the benefit of living in the desert, but that frame would be a hard pass for me. Up where you're at, it might not be the deal breaker it would be down here, though.
 
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Even if you bought a new one, as far as I can see they're ALL money pits. I have had 4 starting with a 51 Willys wagon. Between what you think is cool, and all the aftermarket marketing, you start thinking you NEED things but in all reality most of it is a WANT. My uncle got me started lots of years ago with a stock 4 cylinder CJ 3B. You would not believe the places we went. My opinion is that at least half of the capability of the vehicle is the driver and not the gear. " I am the weapon, the rifle is just a tool".

I have also found that adding ANYTHING causes you to add other things to COMPENSATE for what you added. Example is adding taller tires. Tires,then lift,then belly pan drop, then sye, then new drivelines, motor mounts. The least return you get is jacking it up. Now you have changed the center of gravity, and unless your intent is to take it into the rocks, for which it was never designed for, you are just cruising to cause yourself heartache over fucking up your daily driver. My thought here is that most guys on here will modify their Jeep till it reaches a state of tune that they can't legally drive it in the street.

Not tryin to shit on your young man parade here, but just point out reality. At any rate if you don't have dreams, life would not be worth living.
 
AndyG said:
If you spend that little on a TJ there is nearly 100% chance it’s going to be a huge money pit-


Your statement “without too much effort or tons of money” is a little out of school- the less money you spend to set it up the more effort will be required by you.

On the average, the cheaper the base vehicle the more work needs to be done.
If you’re trying to pay less so you can afford to build it the way you want, You are in danger of getting one that is not worth building.

I’m not saying that it absolutely cannot be obtained for under $10,000, But most of the ones I see at that price point need tons of work-Just to be dependable-

Tires, brakes, steering ,fluids, plugs,unit bearings, u joints,belts, hoses, cooling system and on and on are common place repairs on older vehicles, let alone anything from a harsh environment ages faster.

The last jeep I saw sell for 9,500.00 has nearly 20,000 in it, tons of sweat, and still needs adjustable control arms, a cv rear shaft and slip yoke eliminator.

A TJ will swap ends fast in snow and ice, the short wheel base gets confused as to who needs to be in front.
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T-Rex Dinosaur GIF


I paid $8900, no rust, put another ~ $14k into it and I’m ONLY on 31s 😖

But hey, now I have the SYE/control arms and CV shaft!
 
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First off you’re on the right track by doing your research. If you’re looking for a Good Cheap TJ patients is the key. Start stashing the cash now as more money will give you more options. Took me over 6 months with the wife and I scouring the Net multiple times a day. Found what I wanted 800+ miles away in Co and had the cash. My budget was 3 times yours but I wanted a Rubicon Unlimited manual. Not a FB guy so I did Autotrader and CL. For CL go to SearchTempest. You can put in the parameters you want and do area searches all over the country. Being a refugee from the rust belt I would Never waist my $ on a rust bucket. Keep looking at the For Sale and Member Finds listed in the Forum. This is all a part of the TJ adventure and you should look at it in that way. The Wrangler Life Style is not inexpensive but it’s sure a hell of a lot of fun and introduces you to great places and people.
 
I looked at a Jeep here in Va and the frame looked perfect on the outside. I stuck my fingers inside the frame holes and it was 1" deep with rust chunks. It sold the very next day ($11,500). I'm guessing, by someone that didn't know about Jeep frames and rust.
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TheBoogieman said:
But the price where you live would be much higher too.
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That's no shit. I saw a Sahara (2002, I believe, but not sure) a couple weeks ago for sale. It was well taken care of, with around 160k miles. It was listed for 12.5k. Gone in a week. Not sure what they sold it for, but I couldn't believe it was listed for that much.

Makes me happy I snagged up my 97 Sport for 7800.
 
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