What would you pay for a TJ that's been sitting for a long time?
- Thread starter Yoda
- Start date
Man. I just don’t think I could choose this for a starting point for a build.
The widow knew that there was some rust but wasn't aware of the extent underneath. Price is now $800. I can definitely get my money back in the plow, hardtop and doors alone. But I don't want to do this to part it out and make a couple bucks. I want a project.
I have a habit of resurrecting things back from the dead. I'm tempted to get it and take the body off the frame and start wirewheeling and see how things really are. I'm not afraid of a few frame patches because if this is worth keeping I'll have it for a long time. replacing the whole damn frame isn't a big deal either.
It's the floor that bothers me. It was really hard to take the pictures that I did as there was junk piled around it with snow on the ground and it had flat tires so it was hard to see everything.
The guys out west and down south are going to say RUN! But those in the rust belt know that the good ones are harder and harder to find....and are getting expensive!
This is a free project, do I start digging in or do I run like hell?
I have a habit of resurrecting things back from the dead. I'm tempted to get it and take the body off the frame and start wirewheeling and see how things really are. I'm not afraid of a few frame patches because if this is worth keeping I'll have it for a long time. replacing the whole damn frame isn't a big deal either.
It's the floor that bothers me. It was really hard to take the pictures that I did as there was junk piled around it with snow on the ground and it had flat tires so it was hard to see everything.
The guys out west and down south are going to say RUN! But those in the rust belt know that the good ones are harder and harder to find....and are getting expensive!
This is a free project, do I start digging in or do I run like hell?
Vtx531
TJ Addict
Im in the rust belt - I would pass. Some things aren't worth saving. You could put it a ton of money and it still will be a patched up pos. I get wanting a project but I think this would turn into a nightmare.
Even the list of "good" is no good
Even the list of "good" is no good
i would get it and part it out ! way too much damage there to tackle ! you can easily triple your money on a part out and roll it into another one in not such bad shape. your going to fight every bolt on that thing. i dont mind a fight but damn your taking on a whole platoon with this one !
Solid pass for a rebuild. It may work if you want to buy it, take it apart and keep some things like maybe the hard top. Sell most what you can to get some money out of it and scrap the rest. The tub and frame I would consider past the point of salvaging.
Yeah. I'm thinking about picking it up and worse case I make my money back and keep the good stuff like the doors, top and interior panels/dash for myself.
I'm thinking I could cut the body mounts and lift the tub off the frame and give it a real look. Wirewheel the peeling paint and crust off the frame and see what's left.
There is a thread here where someone replaced the floor panels and torque boxes and I think his floor is in similar shape. Pretty straightforward.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/getting-started-on-my-floor-pans-and-torque-boxes.55030/
i would definitely buy it at $800. sell the plow, hard top and doors. hell the side panels around the doors can bring $600 each if not rusted out and still have the hood and interior and more parts left
Worst case I make my money back and save the good parts for the next carcass that comes around.
Best case things aren't as bad as they appear in the photos and some of it is rebuildable.
Best case things aren't as bad as they appear in the photos and some of it is rebuildable.
Fyi....some market research on TJs near me.
A basket case (like this one but even worse)...$2k+
Good body, rotted frame...$3.5k+
Runs, drives, high mileage, everything is worn out....$5k+
Everything is in great shape but high mileage.. Like stock....$10k+
A basket case (like this one but even worse)...$2k+
Good body, rotted frame...$3.5k+
Runs, drives, high mileage, everything is worn out....$5k+
Everything is in great shape but high mileage.. Like stock....$10k+
Rest assured all you'll find when you dig in deeper is more rust!
I'd buy it. Sell the plow. Try to get the engine to spin. Do some maintenance and hit a trail or two just to have fun.
We did that with old cars when I was a kid. Pool our money, buy an old car off a farmer, do some movie type stunt driving, and sell it to someone looking for a demolition derby car. Nothing says offroading like a Plymouth Fury full of guys.
This you can treat better and if you can do minor stuff to get it going, drive it offroad without worry about dings, dents, scratches, and paint. What are you going to do, break it?
If you can't get it going sell a couple parts, the plow, and the rest to a junkyard. If you get the engine running you can flip it for more.
We did that with old cars when I was a kid. Pool our money, buy an old car off a farmer, do some movie type stunt driving, and sell it to someone looking for a demolition derby car. Nothing says offroading like a Plymouth Fury full of guys.
This you can treat better and if you can do minor stuff to get it going, drive it offroad without worry about dings, dents, scratches, and paint. What are you going to do, break it?
If you can't get it going sell a couple parts, the plow, and the rest to a junkyard. If you get the engine running you can flip it for more.
Factor the cost and time to restore this compared to flying West and driving a rust free jeep home. Not worth my time. Buy rust free.
Is it worth $800? Sure. You can part it out and easily double your money. But you don't want to part it out. You want a project.
How much is your time worth? Because that is going to be a very, very big project. You need full-length Safe T Caps at a minimum. That's $900+. (You can get Pocono for less.) That frame is 100% rotten in the usual places. Replacing the torque boxes is NOT fun on these Jeeps, let alone one with literally every single bolt seized like this one surely has. Then you have to fix all the body rust.
I'll say it again... how much is your time worth? Is it worth less than flying down to Texas and buying a basket case redneck swamp donkey for $7k with a shitty Sky Jacker lift that is 100% rust free? You tell me.
How much is your time worth? Because that is going to be a very, very big project. You need full-length Safe T Caps at a minimum. That's $900+. (You can get Pocono for less.) That frame is 100% rotten in the usual places. Replacing the torque boxes is NOT fun on these Jeeps, let alone one with literally every single bolt seized like this one surely has. Then you have to fix all the body rust.
I'll say it again... how much is your time worth? Is it worth less than flying down to Texas and buying a basket case redneck swamp donkey for $7k with a shitty Sky Jacker lift that is 100% rust free? You tell me.
I think I'm going to buy it. I'll sell the plow and start taking it apart and strip it for good parts and start making my own inventory of good stuff.
When I get there I'll separate the body from the frame and see how bad things actually are. I HIGHLY suspect the body and frame is not worth my time and if so I'll just call the junkyard and have them pick them up.
I can then either find a frame and tub separate from one another and build a great TJ from scratch.....or find a cheaper rust free TJ from out west or down south somewhere and bring it home.
The only problem with finding and bringing one home is the added cost of travel. Probably $1k+ for a plane ticket, hotel and gas to bring it home. Probably about the same to have it shipped. Though, having a tub and frame shipped will be costly too. Kind of sucks either way.
To find a TJ locally worthy of a rebuild, I'm go to have to spend $5k+.
What does a worn out, rust free bargain TJ go for out west or down south these days?
When I get there I'll separate the body from the frame and see how bad things actually are. I HIGHLY suspect the body and frame is not worth my time and if so I'll just call the junkyard and have them pick them up.
I can then either find a frame and tub separate from one another and build a great TJ from scratch.....or find a cheaper rust free TJ from out west or down south somewhere and bring it home.
The only problem with finding and bringing one home is the added cost of travel. Probably $1k+ for a plane ticket, hotel and gas to bring it home. Probably about the same to have it shipped. Though, having a tub and frame shipped will be costly too. Kind of sucks either way.
To find a TJ locally worthy of a rebuild, I'm go to have to spend $5k+.
What does a worn out, rust free bargain TJ go for out west or down south these days?
I am in the NorthEast. Sorry to say, this would be a big pass for me. It's the sum of the potential issues rather than one in particular. Even as a potential project car for $800 it's over the top. Just hassle of getting it home tips my scales past the entrance fee.
Being on Long Island, rust is no stranger but better options for a project base are out there. Be patient. Walk away.
If the body and frame aren't likely to be worth your time... what about this project is? The frozen motor? The 25 year old interior? Making my money back on the plow or hard top wouldn't do it for me. The widow should pay you for getting it off her property...
Being on Long Island, rust is no stranger but better options for a project base are out there. Be patient. Walk away.