Should I buy this Rubicon?

JeepguySC

New Member
Joined
May 15, 2019
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8
Location
Greenville SC
It’s a one owner rubicon and he lived up north for half of the vehicles life and it does have surface rust and a couple iffy spots that are questionable. Body looked great and no rust in engine bay. 03 with 150k. I’m pretty hands on and not afraid of taking on a little project but I don’t want to get too deep. What do you guys think.

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Hahaha yea I bet. It lived in MD from the time it was purchased until like 3yrs ago since he moved to SC. 03 rubicon 5speed with 6cylinder with soft top 150k miles. It’s a buddy I work with so he’s going to sell it to me for $5500.
 
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Also has a little bit of rust in one of the front fenders but the rest of the body checks out and I’m going to check it out again before I buy it and beat the frame with a hammer to see it has any weak spots

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That doesn't look great but for the right price anything can be a good buy. How many miles on this, ask price, any other details. The skyjacker lift scares me because that is a sign the owner may have cheaped out and neglected other items.
 
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Also has a little bit of rust in one of the front fenders but the rest of the body checks out and I’m going to check it out again before I buy it and beat the frame with a hammer to see it has any weak spots

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Was it used for snow plowing? Lots of drill holes on the front bumper. Any idea what was previously there?
 
That doesn't look great but for the right price anything can be a good buy. How many miles on this, ask price, any other details. The skyjacker lift scares me because that is a sign the owner may have cheaped out and neglected other items.
150k miles trying to get it got $5500
 
By the rust-belt Craigslist standard, the condition is mint.

At $5500, I'd probably jump on it with "Plan B" as parting it out if it was that bad.
 
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I'd be surprised if a Plan B was needed. I see lots of stuff I'd call surface rust. The only area that looks like it is more than surface rust is where the hitch bolts on and where the skid plate mounts to the frame. The skid plate is pretty much where my worst rust was and pretty much looked like that one. Luckily it wasn't so bad that I didn't need to do anything more than sand, paint, and fluid film before our Ohio winter.
 
I'd be surprised if a Plan B was needed. I see lots of stuff I'd call surface rust. The only area that looks like it is more than surface rust is where the hitch bolts on and where the skid plate mounts to the frame. The skid plate is pretty much where my worst rust was and pretty much looked like that one. Luckily it wasn't so bad that I didn't need to do anything more than sand, paint, and fluid film before our Ohio winter.
Check this one out

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I want to say no, but at $5500, run it until it doesn't run anymore and sell the axles and Transfer case. You have $2k (low end) in axles and an $800-$1500 241 TC.
Worst case, you will get your money back by parting it out if it comes to that.

Edit: Half doors- Another $500
 
Check this one out

I ain't scared/deterred by that. Invest in your preferred flavor of penetrating oil and let everything soak for a few days. It's a fine opportunity to hone your broken bolt/spinning capture nut/stripped fastener removal and repair skills. For example, a body lift install will likely require a full weekend.
 
I have an 04 rubi and bought it in similar condition. Mine was from Alberta and is rusted about the same. I would see if your buddy would take 5000 because of the rust.
 
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The rust by the back bumper is a fairly easy fix if you can weld. The rust by the belly pan is more concerning. Heat and lube those bolts for few days before attempting to remove.
If your hammer doesn't find any holes, it is still time to remove all the flakes you can find, then paint, then oil the inside, boiled linseed or fluid film the entire underside.

Here in NYS I keep seeing wranglers for $7000+ with frames that are beyond repair and frames that have been sprayed with black goo over the the flakes.
 
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