Is this rust bad?
- Thread starter KYProud12
- Start date
Up here in NY that is considered rust free. Can get that stuff off with a quick wire brushing. If that is all that is holding you back, I'd jump on it. A rotted out non-running wreck goes for more than that here.
Wow, that's a hard pass. I wouldn't touch that thing.
Go out of state and find a clean rust free TJ.
That thing needs an entirely new frame. Unless you want a huge project, I wouldn't even consider it.
I'd also like to point out that that frame is dangerous to drive!
Go out of state and find a clean rust free TJ.
That thing needs an entirely new frame. Unless you want a huge project, I wouldn't even consider it.
I'd also like to point out that that frame is dangerous to drive!
Artemis
TJ Enthusiast
The NW and SW rust snobs will say pass. See above lol. But if you want a project, go for it! For disclosure, I traded in my 04 TJ for a 19 JL because I didn't want the rust project!
derekmac
TJ Addict
If you want a project that you don't mind laying up for a while, and dropping a few grand into to make it safe and reliable, then it could be a go. If not, it should be a hard pass.
So doesn't that make you a rust snob?
You traded in your 04 TJ because you didn't want a rust project, yet I'm a rust snob?
Depends on what you want to do with it. If you want a project that you can daily drive while you collect parts, or want to make a couple bucks parting it out, or want to take it out into the woods and beat it to death, it's perfect.
If this is a vehicle you want to drive on the road with family and loved ones riding along then find something else. Almost guarantee that that frame above the skid is falling apart. It just hasn’t dropped the skid yet. And the mounts for the body, control arms, etc look very suspect.
Technically if it runs, it’s worth over $1500 in just parts. But do you really want to take that thing completely apart (Tub/body off engine out), source a frame, fix whatever body and floor pan rust is no doubt happening, then put it all back together?
If you are a gearhead with a shit ton of tools and skills, maybe. Otherwise to pay someone to do all that you are looking at over $5k easy...real easy. And months of downtime.
Just find a better one. Budget for a TJ (high mileage) should start at $7500 and go up from there ($10k+ for anything with lower miles or something with higher miles but built with quality parts).
Technically if it runs, it’s worth over $1500 in just parts. But do you really want to take that thing completely apart (Tub/body off engine out), source a frame, fix whatever body and floor pan rust is no doubt happening, then put it all back together?
If you are a gearhead with a shit ton of tools and skills, maybe. Otherwise to pay someone to do all that you are looking at over $5k easy...real easy. And months of downtime.
Just find a better one. Budget for a TJ (high mileage) should start at $7500 and go up from there ($10k+ for anything with lower miles or something with higher miles but built with quality parts).
There's some pretty aggressive bubbling on the rear frame. $1,500 to beat it up and play? Sure. $1,500 with the intent to restore and keep it? No way.
If you're considering it, take a hammer and hit various parts of the frame. It should sound solid and metallic, not dull like rusted weak metal.
If you're considering it, take a hammer and hit various parts of the frame. It should sound solid and metallic, not dull like rusted weak metal.
The different reactions in regions fascinates me. That frame looks like shit, yet those in the east say it isn't bad. Where we wheel its careful throttling and wheel placement, in the east its "hammer down!". Just a general observation...
As to the jeep posted above, I wouldnt touch it.
As to the jeep posted above, I wouldnt touch it.
Artemis
TJ Enthusiast
Yep! I loved my TJ, I just didn't want the project. If I were younger and had the know how, tools, garage room, etc I would be all over a project.So doesn't that make you a rust snob?
You traded in your 04 TJ because you didn't want a rust project, yet I'm a rust snob?
Zukey14
TJ Enthusiast
Mine is worse than that and was worse when I bought it and I have driven it over 2 years so from a rust perspective I would say likely you will be fine. If its just a toy, like mine I wouldn't have any issues with that. While you really cant fix rust unless you cut it off and weld in new there are things you can do to slow it down. Just make sure the frame is still solid by hitting with a hammer as other suggested you can always safety cap the skid bolts if it is as bad as suggested. For the money you could have a lot of fun with that for a couple years and part out the rest and get most if not all back or sell it to a junk yard for $500. $1000 for a couple years of fun isn't bad. But then again I live in Michigan where even your new cars have rust on them...
I live in the NE and I think it’s alot of rust. But $1500 isn’t a lot of money for a vehicle if you know what you’re getting. If it runs and you want to beat it up go for it. If your expectations are low for a $1500 vehicle then you’ll be fine. Like others said I’d at the very least make sure the frame is still solid before buying.
Edit: that guy who is driving the rusted out beat up postal Jeep to Moab paid $900 for it. So far he’s driven it over 1000 miles to Moab and has it on the trails.
Edit: that guy who is driving the rusted out beat up postal Jeep to Moab paid $900 for it. So far he’s driven it over 1000 miles to Moab and has it on the trails.
Signed up just to reply to you. The pictures only tell part of the story. You need to use a hammer and also check the thickness of the metal on the frame by removing rust at the holes in the frame and seeing how thick the frame actually is. Check your cats and manifold too. Be thorough! If it's still solid, I say go for it. Get it home, take a day to grind off as much of the rust you can, coat with some rust inhibitor and go have fun.
Word of warning, you will absolutely hate yourself if you plan on repairing/pulling bolts on that thing and do not like the challenge of torching/drilling out fasteners. If you are NOT going to ride it hard and prematurely break things, you should be able to run it for 2 years - no problem. Being from Michigan and VERY familiar with rust, it doesn't "look" too bad, but rust doesn't work that way. Verify. Good luck.
Word of warning, you will absolutely hate yourself if you plan on repairing/pulling bolts on that thing and do not like the challenge of torching/drilling out fasteners. If you are NOT going to ride it hard and prematurely break things, you should be able to run it for 2 years - no problem. Being from Michigan and VERY familiar with rust, it doesn't "look" too bad, but rust doesn't work that way. Verify. Good luck.
xackley
TJ Enthusiast
buy it. Power brush the frame and brush some paint on the outside. Pore some oil inside. You will get $4000+ worth and years of enjoyment. If you are thinking lift and huge tires, this jeep is a waste of time. If you want a back road convertible it will serve you well.
Anyone who says that frame is fine doesn’t understand how TJ frames rot. Sure, the outside might just have surface rust, but there is a 99% chance the inside is dangerously rotten. A wire brush and some paint will make it look fine, but it won’t make it safe to drive if the inside of the frame is falling apart. The rear control arm mount has already been repaired, so the rest of the frame is likely rotting from the inside out.
Body mounts are also shot. Would be one big rust project if you wanted to make it safe and nice again.
Body mounts are also shot. Would be one big rust project if you wanted to make it safe and nice again.
xackley
TJ Enthusiast
No one is saying the frame is fine. It is just not horrible yet. Lots of life left for light duty use.
RUN FOREST RUN !!!!
Looks like the body mount is ready to punch thru.
I think the body is worse than the frame
Guess whats behind the checker plate
And is that the trailer hitch bolt ?
Looks like the body mount is ready to punch thru.
I think the body is worse than the frame
Guess whats behind the checker plate
And is that the trailer hitch bolt ?
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A frame that has been pieced together because the inside rotted out is not horrible yet? I wouldn't drive that Jeep around the block nevertheless buy it.