Need some opinions on frame conditions

GorillaBiscuit said:
@jodomcfrodo the second jeep has 135k miles on it. I guess the maintenance he focused on was oil changes and tire rotations. Lol
The problem here at home is that people who have these jeeps will not sell, and the ones who do sell, want as much and sometimes more than a brand new one. The tj rubicon jeeps I've found up here in excellent shape have been priced between 25 and 29 thousand bucks!

@Serbonze , when I look a lifted jeep, all I see is problems. People with lifted jeeps use their jeeps a lot harder than someone who just daily drives. When you use your jeep hard, your are more likely to break things. This is the logic in my head, it is by no means supported by facts or real world experience. That is why I'm here getting opinions from people who actually use their jeeps and have experience with these types of modifications.
I'm here to learn! Lol
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I tend to agree with you (though it seems we are in the minority here). I wouldn’t buy an already modified Jeep, especially if I planned on daily driving it. An already lifted Jeep has most likely been taken off-road, which is not what I’m looking for in a used vehicle. While people might disagree, that’s just the way I see it. Off-roading takes its toll on every part of a Jeep. No use in buying something that’s been taken Offroad when you can get a stock Jeep.

I’m not sure what your budget is, but you should be able to find a nice, stock, TJ for anywhere from $15k-$20k (Max). I wouldn’t bother with anything much above $22k or $23k. That seems excessive to me. It might take some waiting and some traveling, but it can definitely be done.
 
jodomcfrodo said:
I tend to agree with you (though it seems we are in the minority here). I wouldn’t buy an already modified Jeep, especially if I planned on daily driving it. An already lifted Jeep has most likely been taken off-road, which is not what I’m looking for in a used vehicle. While people might disagree, that’s just the way I see it. Off-roading takes its toll on every part of a Jeep. No use in buying something that’s been taken Offroad when you can get a stock Jeep.

I’m not sure what your budget is, but you should be able to find a nice, stock, TJ for anywhere from $15k-$20k (Max). I wouldn’t bother with anything much above $22k or $23k. That seems excessive to me. It might take some waiting and some traveling, but it can definitely be done.
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All I can say is that my modified Jeep would be in the top 1% of all Jeeps on the road today.
 
@CodaMan right on, I know there are people who lift their jeeps just for looks, but I just assumed that once your jeep gets lifted, the first thing you want to do is take rock crawling and mud bogging. Again, this is all assuming and we all know the definition of assume! Lol

@glwood , awesome, this is the kind of feed back in looking for, people who have real experience with what lifted jeeps ride like. I've only ridden in jeeps that were in really rough shape, and probably didn't have the best components.

@Serbonze , I really did not even think of people doing this! I just thought once people had their jeeps lifted, they kept them that way forever.

I guess I just need to focus on the frame and engine and not worry so much about a lift, I just assumed that stock jeeps are in better condition. Again these are all assumptions, and illogical thoughts in my head. That is why I'm here taking too you guys, so that I can get advice from people who actually know things.
 
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GorillaBiscuit said:
...I guess I just need to focus on the frame and engine and not worry so much about a lift, I just assumed that stock jeeps are in better condition. Again these are all assumptions, and illogical thoughts in my head. That is why I'm here taking too you guys, so that I can get advice from people who actually know things.
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You should be concerned with the condition and or abuse of all Jeeps. I have seen just as many trashed stock Jeeps as I have trashed "built" Jeeps. Just take a really close look at any prospective purchase. It's not that hard to tell if it's been abused, and on the flip side ... if it's been maintained well.
 
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@jodomcfrodo , yes, you understand my fear of buying someone's problem! Something constantly being abused, and not taken care of. When I see a lifted jeep that's all I can think of.
But, I'm really trying to be open minded, and focus on the jeep itself and not how high it sits.
 
First, I completely respect your opinion of looking for a non-lifted Jeep. If that’s what you want, then that’s what you should get.

Just something from my perspective. If the owner of that Jeep had it out rock climbing or mud bogging, the frame and under carriage would look nowhere near as clean as they do. There would be evidence all over it. The likely scenario of that Jeep is someone wanted it to look good while driving around with larger tires, so they got an inexpensive lift to facilitate clearance for street use.
 
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No.1 thus far looks to be the better of the two.

For what it’s worth, my TJ feels and tracks down the road just as nice as stock. Heck, the first ride after the install, all I kept thinking was how much better it drove. It certainly felt tighter w the new track bar and stock replacement control arms.


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@Serbonze , I was wondering whether or not the jeep had a body lift as well as the rough country shocks. And yes, one of the reasons I do like this jeep is that I feel that it's pretty clean.
Are 285/75R16 tires the same as 33 or 31 inch tires?
 
I have no idea. Didn’t you say 33s in a previous post? Or did I misread that?
 
Yes, the tire size calculator on the interweb says it equates to 32.8", but the guy at the place selling the jeep says it's equivalent to 31".
I tend to believe the tire size calculator, but I still want to ask here.
 
I'm guessing it has a body lift also. It looks like there are pucks or something between the rear bumper and the body. I don't think that's stock. Or I guess it looks different because it's not a stock bumper. I don't know. Lol
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GorillaBiscuit said:
I'm guessing it has a body lift also. It looks like there are pucks or something between the rear bumper and the body. I don't think that's stock. Or I guess it looks different because it's not a stock bumper. I don't know. Lol
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that looks like a stock rear bumper milk jugs removed and about a 1.25" body lift
 
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GorillaBiscuit said:
I'm guessing it has a body lift also. It looks like there are pucks or something between the rear bumper and the body. I don't think that's stock. Or I guess it looks different because it's not a stock bumper. I don't know. Lol
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That is a body lift, no question. I cannot say how much, but a tape measure will answer that question. Also, 285 metric tires generally are considered 33" equivalents. So now you know why there is room for that sized tire with only a 2.5" lift. That's one way to do it. My impression is the previous owner wanted the 33s for looks, not offroading, considering the shape of the undercarriage.
 
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I agree with glwood, and now knowing that there is a body lift I have a little more respect for the prior owner. :)
 
Yea, I thought that guy was wrong telling me they were 31's. The interweb tire calculator does not lie! Lol

The jeep has the suspension and body lift, and it also has the locker mods done.
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This is by far the cleanest jeep I'm looking at, it's an 06 rubi from AZ. It's really rust free, and has only 43k miles. I really like this one, but they want $23,000 for it. I've been haggling the price for a week and a half but they won't budge. Lol
I just don't know if I am willing to pay that much. Hopefully it sits on their lot for a while and they come down a little bit on the price.
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GorillaBiscuit said:
This is by far the cleanest jeep I'm looking at, it's an 06 rubi from AZ. It's really rust free, and has only 43k miles. I really like this one, but they want $23,000 for it. I've been haggling the price for a week and a half but they won't budge. Lol
I just don't know if I am willing to pay that much. Hopefully it sits on their lot for a while and they come down a little bit on the price.
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What does the outside look like? I'm not really up to date on prices, but $23k for a regular rubicon with 43k seems a little excessive. Would expect to pay around $19k for it AFAIK. If it is an LJ, then it might be worth that much.
 
have to agree, you're focusing on the wrong thing..... I'd be WAY more concerned that the second Jeep blew a trans and replaced it with ???? than a silly 2" lift kit LOL.
 
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