Is this rust restorable or should I stay away from this Jeep?

benjo24

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Joined
Jul 17, 2022
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6
Location
Dallas Tx
Hello everyone,
I'm looking at purchasing this 2005 TJ tomorrow with 103k miles. I have a pre-purchase inspection scheduled but looking at the frame, should I even bother? Is this rust restorable or should I stay away from this Jeep? Thanks in advance.

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You’re looking at this in Dallas? Way rusty, looks like a Midwest Jeep.

Texas Jeep I have nothing close to this rusty.

The frame, actually I’m not seeing that it’s bad, but Limited pics. Others may see more, but the frame doesn’t look all jacked up, actually just some surface from what I see.
 
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You’re looking at this in Dallas? Way rusty, looks like a Midwest Jeep.

Texas Jeep I have nothing close to this rusty.

The frame, actually I’m not seeing that it’s bad, but Limited pics. Others may see more, but the frame doesn’t look all jacked up, actually just some surface from what I see.

Thanks for the response. CarFax stated two owners in Houston. Guessing maybe some flood but no flood damage reported? Also, the seller stated it sat in a field for 3 years prior so guessing that contributed a bit. It's all stock which I like.
 
I wouldn't touch that myself and Im in Virginia!! IMO keep looking...if it sat for three years pretty much everything will need to be gone through...all fluids, seals, ball joints, u joints, radiator and cooling, maybe heater core..ugh...all of the steering components (and everything else) are rusted, nightmare to get though all that...look at that front diff...ugh...keep looking and good luck!!! Here’s a pic of the 05 LJ I recently sold in Va that had 180k on it…and I really didn’t do much to it…if you buy it order up a case of Kroil!!


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Nothing in these pics worries me. But, the rear of the frame is where we need pics (between the T-case skid and rear LCA mounts). Look at the torque boxes underneath and under the carpet. Also, get a bore scope and look inside the frame. My guess is this one is OK.
 
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Look inside the frame. Diff looks like it's leaking. Axles and outside of frame look good.
 
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The answer depends on price. It's not horrible, but not good either for your area. If the price is right, frame is solid, and you're willing to do some work it could be okay. Definitely not a Jeep to pay a premium price for though!
 
If you think it could have been in flood, take a screwdriver and pull the front speaker covers near the door jam on each side.

Look in there to see if they have been wet. That’ll tell you.

Perspective, AZ guys say no way, rust belt guys say nice frame, ha.

I’d be as concerned about why it sat in a field 3 years.

This should be a low price, and don’t be delusional, will take a lot of work to make it look good.
 
like already said check the frame closely, stick your finger inside of the holes and feel for rust inside. if there is rust inside of the frame walk away ! the other rust doesn't scare me if the price is right. just know if you go to work on something your going to have to spray down any nuts and bolts to loosen them....
 
it's odd, rare to see so much rust on every component but at the same time the two limited views of the frame we see show a good frame, usually it's the opposite of that, the frame being one of the first to succumb.

I'm not sure what all the flood talk is about, wouldn't that thing have had to have been submerged for an extended time to do that kind of damage?

In the end though I agree to stay away, unless you relish the idea of cursing for 45 minutes every time you need to get any/every bolt out down there... every job will be miserable.
 
*Laughs in rust belt voice* Fawker's mint!

Looks like the worst performing penetrating oil would make short work of any fastener. I mean, the bolt threads and nuts are visibly distinct parts. The wheel of death and gas ax could be sidelined on this one.

Scuff it, shoot it, send it. Done.
 
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it's odd, rare to see so much rust on every component but at the same time the two limited views of the frame we see show a good frame, usually it's the opposite of that, the frame being one of the first to succumb.

I'm not sure what all the flood talk is about, wouldn't that thing have had to have been submerged for an extended time to do that kind of damage?

In the end though I agree to stay away, unless you relish the idea of cursing for 45 minutes every time you need to get any/every bolt out down there... every job will be miserable.

if it sat in a damp place for a long time it could look like that. my 2014 ram looks the same not quite as bad but same type rust and has never been in snow but gets parked under my porch where it is damp . rusted bolts dont scare me, rusted frames do !
 
if it sat in a damp place for a long time it could look like that. my 2014 ram looks the same not quite as bad but same type rust and has never been in snow but gets parked under my porch where it is damp . rusted bolts dont scare me, rusted frames do !

Everywhere in Houston is damp, ha.

It’s a swamp, no exaggeration. It’s why all the concrete roads there have a black moldy look to them, ha.
 
Everywhere in Houston is damp, ha.

It’s a swamp, no exaggeration. It’s why all the concrete roads there have a black moldy look to them, ha.

well that explains it. last time i took the ecodiesel in for a oil change the guy asked me if it had been up north, then he remembered I was local and we scratched our heads as to why all the rust all of a sudden ! after I thought about it when i was working it got driven daily and now that I'm retired it sits for 4-6 weeks and never gets driven because the jeep is my daily driver around town. my frame is perfect but all the lower stuff is rusted. like I said that jeep wouldn't scare me if the price is right, just stop on the way home and buy some ATF and acetone along with a spray bottle your going to need it !
 
You guys are killing me. I wish my jeep looked that good! Over here we are lucky to find something that still has some stuff we call steel! Haha.

I guess it’s all relative to the location and winter conditions.
 
it's odd, rare to see so much rust on every component but at the same time the two limited views of the frame we see show a good frame, usually it's the opposite of that, the frame being one of the first to succumb.

I'm not sure what all the flood talk is about, wouldn't that thing have had to have been submerged for an extended time to do that kind of damage?

In the end though I agree to stay away, unless you relish the idea of cursing for 45 minutes every time you need to get any/every bolt out down there... every job will be miserable.

2014 Houston had major floods that wiped out many houses, that could explain the rust covering every component.