What's this TJ worth?

Nickfpharmd

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Joined
Jan 15, 2023
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Hartford, CT
Hey guys. Seriously looking at a ‘97 with standard transmission, new paint, brakes, and rebuilt 4.0L 6 cyl with only ~13k mi on it. Recently dud a frame swap with no rust. (This is in NE). Interior is in good shape. Half doors only. Soft top only with a bit of wear. Thanks in advance for the input.
 
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Hey guys. Seriously looking at a ‘97 with standard transmission, new paint, brakes, and rebuilt 4.0L 6 cyl with only ~13k mi on it. Recently dud a frame swap with no rust. (This is in NE). Interior is in good shape. Half doors only. Soft top only with a bit of wear. Thanks in advance for the input.

I bought one very similar, the paint is either new or original, if new they did a very good job as I have not found any evidence of a re-paint. Engine, transmission and clutch renewed with 10,000 miles on it so far, not a speck of rust, no Bondo or body repairs, no accidents, interior perfect except for the usual door panel cracks, B&M short throw shifter. Undercarriage and frame perfect, it's never seen rust. It's a real beauty and I wanted it, price was $17,900 and the guy wouldn't come down. After looking at a lot of junk I wasn't going to let it go so I paid his price and proudly drove it 200 miles home. Now for the bad. I sent in an oil sample as I do on all my vehicles, came back with coolant in the oil. Cracked head. So I hooked it up to my Superduty and towed it 125 miles to the guy who rebuilt the engine who has nothing but 5 star reviews, but he must not have known about the heads cracking on the 2000/2001 Jeep 4.0 and had put back the factory head. Anyway after 3 years, 2 owners and 10,000 miles on the rebuild there was no warranty for me but he installed a new one at his cost for labor and head gasket/bolt kit and I paid for a Clearwater head, it's been 1,000 miles and all seems well, I'm watching it close and have sent 2 oil samples in.
Am I sorry I paid 18K for a Jeep with a cracked head? No, absolutely not. It was an easy fix, way easier than fixing rust damage, bad paint or a beat, worn out Jeep. I wanted a TJ with a MT and nothing else and this one is as close to new condition as I have seen. I'm glad I found it and I'll fix anything else it needs just like I just fixed the fuel pump and will be replacing the water pump at some point, it dribbled once but never again so I have a new Mopar sitting on the shelf.
So I've got 20K in it but who's counting anyway?
 
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OOhh that's a beauty. Mine is a hard top and I don't have wheels that nice. If I had to guess I'd say they want $20,000-$24,000 If it's what you want and it won't take food off your family's table why not?

edit: I lowered my guess due to not original frame. Maybe less if there is any Bondo or body repairs which would drop it considerably more IMHO.
 
I bought one very similar, the paint is either new or original, if new they did a very good job as I have not found any evidence of a re-paint. Engine, transmission and clutch renewed with 10,000 miles on it so far, not a speck of rust, no Bondo or body repairs, no accidents, interior perfect except for the usual door panel cracks, B&M short throw shifter. Undercarriage and frame perfect, it's never seen rust. It's a real beauty and I wanted it, price was $17,900 and the guy wouldn't come down. After looking at a lot of junk I wasn't going to let it go so I paid his price

Like I always say: "it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it"
 
You'd have to buy smaller, "better looking" wheels, new smaller tires (or lift it). Factor all of that in on the price. The rebuilt engine needs to have a transferable warranty too.
 
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I’m guessing @TheBoogieman would say about $9000

I only paid $9500 for mine when it was 6 years newer than it is now. I wouldn't pay $9,000 for that unless they bought new wheels and tires first. Then, let me smash that angry grille overlay right in front of them. 🤫 I also would want a 3 year warranty on the rebuilt engine.
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The angry bird grille should be good for $1K off the asking price!

When I was looking for a TJ, if it had an angry birds grill I didn't even look any further at that one.

I know some folks love them, but if I were Dracula an angry birds grill would be garlic.

OP, expand your search area.

That seems quite high for my area (Southeast).
 
Frame swap would have me looking at the torque tubes (body mounts). I sold one like this probably 7 years ago for around $8500. Frame was swapped, floors patched, torque tubes replaced.

I think if everything is done properly around $9k wouldn't be crazy. Sure some people find better deals, but a better deal is the outlier. There are plenty of people paying $4-8k for TJ's that probably shouldn't even be on the road.

Edit: I see much more than $9k post. For close to $15k, I would be looking for a nice lower miles original Jeep.
 
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Hey guys. Seriously looking at a ‘97 with standard transmission, new paint, brakes, and rebuilt 4.0L 6 cyl with only ~13k mi on it. Recently dud a frame swap with no rust. (This is in NE). Interior is in good shape. Half doors only. Soft top only with a bit of wear. Thanks in advance for the input.

I'm always really suspicious when someone goes through the expense of having an engine rebuilt and then wants to sell it shortly after.