Keeping Uncle’s TJ in the family

[DuhJuh]

My wife and I are buying her uncle’s 2001 Wrangler TJ Sport. We know it’s going to either need frame replacement or repair but we get to keep it in the family and have it as a “fun” vehicle.

Just saying Hi and any suggestions on what else to look for in repairs, modifications, or improvements, I’m all ears!

 

[Chris]

Welcome to the forum! Check the underside thoroughly for rust, most notable the frame.

Don't forget to post some pictures as well, and be careful, these things have a tendency to empty your pockets!

 

[tnjeepguy]

Don't pay too much, rust is a killer for a Jeep.
Lots of advice here, search and you shall find.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/frame-replacement.56436/

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/2001-tj-frame-repair-and-cost.40488/

Not pretty.

 

[Irun]

Frames are available, but it's a fair amount of work to swap one. Check back where the gas filler is and behind the rear passenger wheel. Rust up under there can be a problem and expensive. As was said, if you get the Jeep cheap enough, and the tub is okay, it could be worth it.

 

[DuhJuh]

So I went and took some pictures. I've been both discouraged and encouraged by what separate mechanics and vehicle gurus have told me. Would love to get more opinions here.

I looked up a few places that make new frames (Throttle Down Kustoms was one) and the frame, parts, and shipping alone (~$5.8k) are about the same price for frame repair and parts with the labor that I was quoted (~$5.7k). I know I'm paying for nostalgia at this point, and I'm fine with that. As I said in the title of the post, it's my (wife's) Uncle's Jeep and I want to keep it in the family for hopefully my son to "cruise the strip" (of our one stoplight town) and have a fun car to drive. Plus, my personal preference, I like the way the TJ looks.

I was already able to replace out some rusty door handles, do some radio and speaker swapping, and the like. Now that I've gotten the taste for repair and restoration, I want to put this baby on the road safely and that starts with the frame.

 

[tr21triton]

welcome to the forum ! WOW there's a lot of rust everywhere on that thing. you're looking at a lot of work

 

[tnjeepguy]

Not just the frame. Rust throughout. If it were me; check brakes etc to make sure safe and drive for a while, top off etc.
If stored inside, will be fun for quite a while. The nostalgia wears off pretty quick after breaking a few rusted bolts off and cannot get them out.
Come down to TN/VA and south to buy one for yourself for $7-10K, with no rust. (advice from a guy that has learned that lesson the hard way !!)

 

[tr21triton]

Not just the frame. Rust throughout. If it were me; check brakes etc to make sure safe and drive for a while, top off etc.
If stored inside, will be fun for quite a while. The nostalgia wears off pretty quick after breaking a few rusted bolts off and cannot get them out.
Come down to TN/VA and south to buy one for yourself for $7-10K, with no rust. (advice from a guy that has learned that lesson the hard way !!)

So I went and took some pictures. I've been both discouraged and encouraged by what separate mechanics and vehicle gurus have told me. Would love to get more opinions here.

I looked up a few places that make new frames (Throttle Down Kustoms was one) and the frame, parts, and shipping alone (~$5.8k) are about the same price for frame repair and parts with the labor that I was quoted (~$5.7k). I know I'm paying for nostalgia at this point, and I'm fine with that. As I said in the title of the post, it's my (wife's) Uncle's Jeep and I want to keep it in the family for hopefully my son to "cruise the strip" (of our one stoplight town) and have a fun car to drive. Plus, my personal preference, I like the way the TJ looks.

I was already able to replace out some rusty door handles, do some radio and speaker swapping, and the like. Now that I've gotten the taste for repair and restoration, I want to put this baby on the road safely and that starts with the frame.

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check craigslist or bookface market place down here in the south. rust free frames are available for 2k or less if your dead set on fixing it up. but your going to need lots of patience and beer because your going to fight every single bolt on that thing....

 

[lBasket]

Hopefully that nostalgia is worth thousands and thousands of dollars to you... You could get a jeep in better shape for less than the frame is gonna cost

 

[DuhJuh]

Yeah totally aware the cost is gonna be high, and I'm not looking to throw good money after bad. Which is why I was hoping to get some opinions here. Thanks to all that have responded!

From what it sounds like here, getting a frame free of rust is about $2k, and then addition of freight or the gas to and from to pick it up. I am a total novice, neophyte, newbie Jeep owner, and have no clue how to even begin. Is it just calling junkyards and asking? Is there a webpage? Catalog? Then... it comes to doing the actual work. I am not equipped AT ALL to do that level of work. I grew up in a woodworking and cabinet shop, not a mechanic garage. I know myself, and that's way over my head. So who would I call? Local body shop / frame repair shop?

And thanks again for the thoughts and advice. So far I have had a great experience from this forum. Jeep people really are good people! =)

 

[OHFIVETJ]

Welcome to the group from the Island of Long, My name is Johnny & i'm a JEEPAHOLIC