I found this low mileage tj for sale good condition 50,000 miles good exterior and interior condition but curious about the rust. I don’t know if it is bad or if it can be handled. I will attach some pictures and hope to see some opinions.
Is this too big of a rust problem?
- Thread starter Craig O
- Start date
Yes, that is too big of a rust problem in my opinion (unless you want a project). If you ever try to sell it, consider that the resale value will be next to nothing.
Guaranteed that frame is rotting from the inside out... guaranteed.
I wouldn't' touch that thing with a 10 foot pole.
Guaranteed that frame is rotting from the inside out... guaranteed.
I wouldn't' touch that thing with a 10 foot pole.
Thank you I Appreciate was thinking the same thing just wanted a second opinion before I Passed up on such a low mile tj
The low miles are nice, no doubt. However, with as many TJs as they made, there's tons of them out there with low miles and no rust at all. You may have to pay a little more, but from a resale value perspective, it's worth it.
Some of those rusted out TJs are bordering on dangerous to drive.
xackley
TJ Enthusiast
For a jeep in the NorthEast it could be a lot worse. It is still surface rust in the pictures. My concern would be the rust between the belly pan and frame. It looks like the belly pan has never been dropped. Depending on the price, the seller should agree to someone removing the pan and examine the entire frame. If the price is reasonable, just stick your finger in the frame holes and check for big flakes of rust.
It has spent its life on Nantucket so I am pretty sure that the sand has caused most of the rust, I will probably just play it safe and keep going with my search, but boy I can’t wait much longer to get a tj
Artemis
TJ Enthusiast
What frame holes are you guys taking about? Sorry I'm not mechanically inclined to such things. I only know the simple things like fluids. And is the belly pan that rectangular black pan?
That circular hole on the left near the control arm mount. Stick your finger in there and feel around. You'll be able to tell how rusted the frame is by feeling for rust chunks.
Artemis
TJ Enthusiast
Is that on the front of the Jeep or the rear? The holes you should be looking in are right next to the rear tires. Those look like the front to me.
Artemis
TJ Enthusiast
That frame certainly isn't happy and will need some attention soon. I would beat the bottom of the frame with a hammer in between the two circular holes that you have looked into on both sides of the frame. If you start to make holes in the frame, it probably isn't the best idea to drive around.
Artemis
TJ Enthusiast
The rust comes from the bottom of the frame (that is where the salt and water sit). The worst part of the frame will be in the middle (like where the transfer case skid plate mounts). Water goes in the hole you just felt the rust in and then flows downward into the middle of the frame on either side of the Jeep. Then the bottom rusts inside out.
I just poked my finger in that hole on mine, no rust flakes but a ton of sand/dirt in there...best way to remove? flush from front/rear or try and get a micro vacuum hose?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073DVV1KT/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073DVV1KT/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Jack the front of the Jeep up and put a hose in the circular hole at the front of the frame. Let it run on either side of the frame for a good amount of time. Then go to the car wash and blast the inside of the frame out from every hole you can fit the nozzle in. Then repeat with the hose. Should get most of everything out of the frame.
I wonder what I could rig up with my power washer to fit in those holes? I don't know of any self service washes down here...I will rig something up with either the hose or PW
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Isn't a pressure washer a lot more powerful than a car wash sprayer? I'd be careful. Might be taking the factory coating off with a pressure washer. That coating would be fairly hard to reapply. Never a bad idea to eastwood the inside though.
I've been thinking about this too.
Cut some drain and clean out holes in the frame and use a sewer jetting nozzle on the power washer. It flushes the debris back toward you.
Here's an example:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078MSW8ZJ/?tag=wranglerorg-20