Might have found a gem (300k mile Rubicon)
- Thread starter zwhite1999
- Start date
I bet you would. Are you getting the extra $6,000 they're asking?
Better than that garbage. LOL. His chances of finding one with no rust in the NE are not very good.
You should pass on that 04 TJR w/ 300K and what appears to be painted rusty frame for $8900.
As much as you want to buy a TJ; I would save your money until your vehicle budget grows.
Buy a different Jeep or other style vehicle that will fit you needs without needing numerous repairs.
As much as you want to buy a TJ; I would save your money until your vehicle budget grows.
Buy a different Jeep or other style vehicle that will fit you needs without needing numerous repairs.
That TJ is over your budget when you add the $1000 for new tires plus unknown cost of getting the lockers to work. The first thing I did when I test drove my 05 Rubi was to engage the 4x4 and lockers. That’s why you’re buying a Rubicon in the first place. I also bought a pair of backup pumps.
Have you looked at TJs in the area of Canada you’re moving to?
Have you looked at TJs in the area of Canada you’re moving to?
I have, the selection is even slimmer and condition is worse on average. I have about a month or two to purchase a vehicle otherwise I have to push off my move. I am heart set on a TJ because I want to move everything from mine to the one I buy & sell the rest to recoup the money. Mine is a 2.5L auto on 33s with a cracked frame and 184k miles. It won’t like the 8+ hour commute.
It’s kind of a less than ideal situation, but I am willing to accept a not-perfect example because it’s what I’ve always known. If I can get 3-5 years out of whatever one I buy, I will be very content. I just don’t want the frame to fall apart while I’m driving. I take good care of them. My frame was spotless from 2015-2023, and then I stopped maintaining it because I parked the Jeep, bought another car, and the TJ became my ice cream cruiser and trail rig. That’s when the rust and rot really developed.
I want a Rubicon because why wouldn’t you want the best of the best? If I had to, though, I’d settle for a different trim as long as it still met my criteria. Lockers aren’t crucial for the driving I’ll be doing. If I could find a clean example with lower mileage and a Dana 44 with disc brakes I’d probably scoop it up. I was about to buy an 04 Rocky Mountain edition until I found a rough part of the frame behind a shock mount, but that had a Dana 44 and checked all the other boxes.
yep he should save up some more money and save himself from a lot of headaches !
Found this 04 Rocky Mountain edition, 163k miles on the chassis, motor replaced at 120k with a 35k mile one. Full Bilstein coilover suspension. Needs tires. Spent its life in far south NJ, now in NY. Mechanically sound. Owner asking $5500, would probably take $4500. Dana 44 with drums, Tuffy center console.
So glad I live in the desert. It’s hard for me to get a grip on having to settle for a rust bucket. I grew up in Wisconsin and know what. It’s like to work with rust. My 05 has less rust than a 2yr old car in the NE.
Drive south to find a rust free Jeep. Don't settle, because you'll need to rust proof it good before going to Canada.
p.s. Make sure the tires aren't bald like the ones you've showed us. It's a big expense. Rubicons are useless if you're not planning on rock crawling IMO. I have one ONLY because I got it for $9500 back when it was worth $14,000.
p.s. Make sure the tires aren't bald like the ones you've showed us. It's a big expense. Rubicons are useless if you're not planning on rock crawling IMO. I have one ONLY because I got it for $9500 back when it was worth $14,000.
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Where are the coilovers? Looks like standard suspension setup to me. If it runs and you are dead set on another TJ sourced out of the NE, this isn't a terrible option given the price and age of the motor. Remember that you'll need to drop another $1,500 on tires unless you swap over what you've got on your current jeep.
With the rusted frame that I observed in several of those pictures; that would be a HARD PASS....
Just spray paint it and pretend you never saw it. Problem solved.
That frame has been painted and it’s covering potential trouble. You know what Maryland to Ct brings is rust. Travel south and buy a rust free TJ for a couple bucks more. You will definitely not regret it.
Pay $6k for that jeep no more and still maybe too much with those miles
Pay $6k for that jeep no more and still maybe too much with those miles
You guys are all great. After years of lurking and finally making an account and getting all this feedback – I’m gonna have to hang out on here more often. I appreciate all the feedback. You all make valid points.
I am looking down south as well, but it’s almost like most people know what they got and are charging a premium. I have family in Myrtle Beach and could fly there dirt cheap. I’m not opposed.
I just stumbled across an 05 LJ today a hour away that is bone stock and owned by a 72 year old gentleman. It is very very well specced and very clean. It’s got all the premium packages and security package. 113k miles, as well. I am arranging to go see it. I really hope it’s as nice as the photos because I will be going with cash in hand.
I am setting my expectations, being that I live in the rust belt, but I am becoming very picky. I will accept some slight rust, but the cleaner the better. It would be the price I’d be paying for not flying somewhere and getting one, but at the end of the day this won’t be my last Jeep. An LJ would be nice for my specific use case right now.
I am looking down south as well, but it’s almost like most people know what they got and are charging a premium. I have family in Myrtle Beach and could fly there dirt cheap. I’m not opposed.
I just stumbled across an 05 LJ today a hour away that is bone stock and owned by a 72 year old gentleman. It is very very well specced and very clean. It’s got all the premium packages and security package. 113k miles, as well. I am arranging to go see it. I really hope it’s as nice as the photos because I will be going with cash in hand.
I am setting my expectations, being that I live in the rust belt, but I am becoming very picky. I will accept some slight rust, but the cleaner the better. It would be the price I’d be paying for not flying somewhere and getting one, but at the end of the day this won’t be my last Jeep. An LJ would be nice for my specific use case right now.
either take a boroscope with you or atleast stick your finger in the hole in the frame just in front of the back tire and feel around. that will tell the tale. A scope is best but you can tell if the inside surface is smooth with your finger.