Is this too big of a rust problem?

I really don't read rust threads any more . I just type in "Rust is bad , buy one without rust" and hit " post reply".
 
I really don't read rust threads any more . I just type in "Rust is bad , buy one without rust" and hit " post reply".
Yep I think you are right. Already started working on getting my friends and family paperwork from my aunt and now checking out the new JL
 
I see so many nice ones for sale in the Southeast with absolutely no rust.

The cost of driving to get one is way cheaper than trying to salvage a rusted one.
 
I found this low mileage tj for sale good condition 50,000 miles good exterior and interior condition but curious about the rust. I don’t know if it is bad or if it can be handled. I will attach some pictures and hope to see some opinions.


View attachment 60696 View attachment 60697 View attachment 60698 View attachment 60699 View attachment 60700 View attachment 60701
By looking at the pictures you are showing her I do not see any major rust issues it all looks like normal surface rust for a jeep with some age on it. Me personally and in my opinion I would purchase this jeep if it was reasonably priced.
 
By looking at the pictures you are showing her I do not see any major rust issues it all looks like normal surface rust for a jeep with some age on it. Me personally and in my opinion I would purchase this jeep if it was reasonably priced.

Surface rust implies internal rot. My frame has much much less external surface rust than that and it is getting replaced due to internal rot.
 
Surface rust does not always imply that the inner frame rot is worse.

It really does. If the entire outside of the frame has seen enough salt to gain a significant amount of surface rust, the inside of the frame has seen enough salt to rot out. You'll be hard pressed to find a Jeep with heavy external surface rust and no internal rust.

What is true is that a lack of surface rust does not imply a lack of frame rot. My Jeep, for example, has next to no surface rust, but the inside of the frame is rotten. Hell, I could probably post a photo of the outside of my frame and everyone would think it is rust free!
 
Rust bad. By Jeep with no rust. Cheaper. Better.
 
To buy an old jeep without any rust in the northeast is impossible, with the exception of one that lived it's life in the south or west and were transported north. They are few and far between here. The bottom of the southern jeep will look like the one in the pictures within a few years if it a daily driver.
To buy an old jeep in texas or other salt free state would either be sight un-seen, or would require spending a lot of travel and time in motels in a far away area in order to inspect the vehicle and make sure someone didn't do a bunch of messed up modifications.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cjaama
There is no such thing as a Jeep that spent any part of its life in the Northeast with less rust than that. You can keep looking, but the only thing you’re going to find will be worse, treated with POR-15 or simply masked with paint.

People have very different perceptions of what is bad rust depending on what part of the country they’re from. I would be all over that if the price was right. Obviously, others in this thread are cowering at the mere sight of it.
 
Hang on!!! This is nothing to throw in the towel by any means. What year? Im going to guess early 2000's. The frames on the later jeeps have 3/8 holes drilled behind the control arm mounts for draining, which can be easily duplicated. These frames rust because they hold debris inside the frame and it stays saturated. So running a hose inside is not the best solution unless you clean up the stuff inside. First check for holes and soft spots. There are plenty of threads that show the prime spots to focus on with this frame. If its worth it, Stick a shop vac in the circular hole and use a long blow gun to start pushing the particals towards the vacuum. Then use a dead blow or mini sledge to pound around the frame. This will let anything ready to fall, fall. Or show bad rotted material. Then repeat the vac and air push step. There are sewer jetting options that can be taken also (pressure washer and special hose with jetter nozzle). Eastwood makes a inner frame coating that works amazing when this sucker is cleaned out and free of debris.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BBQBOB and Artemis
Pressure wash it to get all the loose rust off of it, paint it with rust inhibitor, let it dry and then undercoat the crap out of it. I live in the North East of the United States and that's just considered surface rust to us and that's how we would handle it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cjaama
These frames rust from the inside out. So covering them in undercoat will likely hold the rust behind the coating. You need to tackle the problem from where it starts, the inside of the frame.