New TJ owner seeking advice on potential purchase

[M9fin]

Hi all,
I am a new member and also soon to be TJ owner. I have been offered a LHD 2005 2 door 4.0 auto with 30000km on it. It has been stood for almost 10 YEARS since the owner brought it back from Dubai to UK. What should I be looking for. I'll be getting it up on ramps at the weekend. Also is £6000 UK pounds a fair price?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Goatman]

As for price, I have no idea what is "fair" over there. That works out to around $9,000 us I think. With low miles and rust free that would be ok in NY where they salt the roads and everything wants to rust to worthless in 3 years.
It has always been that if you want to own a Jeep (a real Jeep. Not some 4 door Cherokee) you need either a good toolbox or a good bank account. I'm pretty sure parts are a lot more expensive on your side of the pond due to shipping, but deals can always be found.
If you can find a Jeep group over there to talk to that would be a big help for you. I know we have some folks on this forum from UK, Italy, Germany, and probably a few other places too. They could be a great benefit to get to know.
Rust is the main killer of Jeeps. Especially the frames. Check for rust around the control arm mounts as that is one of the first areas to go.
Welcome to the forum, I know you can learn a huge amount from these guys and gals. And good luck as a future TJ owner!
Cheers, mate!

 

[M9fin]

As for price, I have no idea what is "fair" over there. That works out to around $9,000 us I think. With low miles and rust free that would be ok in NY where they salt the roads and everything wants to rust to worthless in 3 years.
It has always been that if you want to own a Jeep (a real Jeep. Not some 4 door Cherokee) you need either a good toolbox or a good bank account. I'm pretty sure parts are a lot more expensive on your side of the pond due to shipping, but deals can always be found.
If you can find a Jeep group over there to talk to that would be a big help for you. I know we have some folks on this forum from UK, Italy, Germany, and probably a few other places too. They could be a great benefit to get to know.
Rust is the main killer of Jeeps. Especially the frames. Check for rust around the control arm mounts as that is one of the first areas to go.
Welcome to the forum, I know you can learn a huge amount from these guys and gals. And good luck as a future TJ owner!
Cheers, mate!

Thanks. Looking at it this weekend.

 

[Chris]

Any chance you could post some photos of it and the underside?

 

[Flivver250]

Dubai Jeeps are usually at the very least a rust free rig with a Dana 44 in the rear. AC as well. That would be expensive for Dubai but a fair price everywhere else. Is it still rust free?

 

[M9fin]

Any chance you could post some photos of it and the underside?

Will do, asap

 

[M9fin]

Thanks. Looking at it this weekend. Update.
Checked jeep over fluids and electrics.

Fired up and purs like a kitten.

Think it will need most bushes as perishing from 10 years outside. Paintwork should polish up nice.
Not really any marks on it.

Will post some before and after polish.

 

[Goatman]

You've got some rust on one corner and a mouse house in front of your windshield. There are a few leaks underneath. The trans pan looks the worst. These can all happen from sitting in storage. Tires and shocks will need to be changed out from age. Gas also. If it hasn't been started lately it would be good to change out oil first. 10 years sitting is as bad as 10 years running, just in different ways. Most rubber bushings and mounts will most likley need to be replaced.
All in all it appears to be in pretty good nick (UK talk!) And likely one of the better specimens over there. My understanding is there are few Jeeps around. More likley to find a WWII Jeep than a more modern Wrangler.
Knowing that all old vehicles will need some attention, this appears to be a decent vehicle to start with.
And most any problem you have you can come here and get some good, knowledgeable help with.
As for cost, you will have a better idea than we (USA) folks will.

 

[M9fin]

Any chance you could post some photos of it and the underside?

Hi Chris, I have posted some pictures and will upload more of exterior soon.

 

[M9fin]

You've got some rust on one corner and a mouse house in front of your windshield. There are a few leaks underneath. The trans pan looks the worst. These can all happen from sitting in storage. Tires and shocks will need to be changed out from age. Gas also. If it hasn't been started lately it would be good to change out oil first. 10 years sitting is as bad as 10 years running, just in different ways. Most rubber bushings and mounts will most likley need to be replaced.
All in all it appears to be in pretty good nick (UK talk!) And likely one of the better specimens over there. My understanding is there are few Jeeps around. More likley to find a WWII Jeep than a more modern Wrangler.
Knowing that all old vehicles will need some attention, this appears to be a decent vehicle to start with.
And most any problem you have you can come here and get some good, knowledgeable help with.
As for cost, you will have a better idea than we (USA) folks will.

Thanks Goat man.
I have started her up and sounds great, all works as it should. I will change the fluids soon and get her cleaned up/polished. Probably before I do any rubbers. Trying to source a complete poly Bush kit out (Any shippers you know of?) As will get all things done before on road. No rushing my end. It's just a toy really.
Thanks in advance all of you for any contacts and help.

 

[Chris]

That thing looks way to crusty for me. Lots of rust, and looks very neglected.

 

[Flivver250]

You can buy Jeeps like this (grabbed at random) all day long in Dubai. Almost always rust-free. Asking price about $5700.00 on this one. Shipping to the US about 2 grand, probably half that to the UK.

https://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/u...mNoPTEmaXNfYmFzaWNfc2VhcmNoX3dpZGdldD0x&pos=9

 

[q8ieng]

Good luck with the TJ, and I wouldn't say more than what my fellows have said..

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

That is a huge dose of surface rust.

To that I'll say, "Who Cares?" and here's why:

That rust is all on the outside where it's been "sandblasted" by driving in the middle east. There is no way it was ever driven in any salt since then.

Not one of the holes/slots in both the frame and various body parts in any of those pictures show any rust on the inside. What I see in those holes/slots is still originally painted surfaces. Yes something should be done about all that surface rust before something bad happens but I'd be surprised if that TJ's frame or body was any weaker than the day it came off the production line.

 

[M9fin]

That is a huge dose of surface rust.

To that I'll say, "Who Cares?" and here's why:

That rust is all on the outside where it's been "sandblasted" by driving in the middle east. There is no way it was ever driven in any salt since then.

Not one of the holes/slots in both the frame and various body parts in any of those pictures show any rust on the inside. What I see in those holes/slots is still originally painted surfaces. Yes something should be done about all that surface rust before something bad happens but I'd be surprised if that TJ's frame or body was any weaker than the day it came off the production line.

Thanks, I'll be cleaning up all the frame and waxoyling the whole underside and anywhere else I can get to. A good overdose of protection. I'll post more as and when I can.

 

[Goatman]

Skip the poly parts. Go with a good rubber set of mounts and bushings. Poly is best for people looking for more squeaks and vibrations and less movement or flex.

 

[M9fin]

Skip the poly parts. Go with a good rubber set of mounts and bushings. Poly is best for people looking for more squeaks and vibrations and less movement or flex.

Cool, thanks for the advice.

 

[Flivver250]

Strip the interior out, carpet and all and clean the heck out of that as well. Don't be surprised if you find a whole desert inside.