TJ with salvage title

NevadaMike

NevadaMike

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 2, 2021
Messages
133
Location
Sparks, Nevada
I saw a TJ at a wrecking yard that was totaled by the insurance Co, but is still road worthy so the wrecking yard is selling it with a salvage title. It’s blue, but has been rattle canned flat black the black paint is in ruff shape. It looks like it’s in decent shape and I think I could use it as a project jeep. The ignition switch needs to be replaced , but it starts with a screwdriver. They say it runs good and seems to drive good up and down the isles in the yard. They say I can drive it around the yard if I decide I want to buy it. I’m curious about what you all think about it. It must have a lift on it because it has 33” tires on it now. Here’s some pics of it.
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Be aware you will only be able to obtain liability insurance for a vehicle with a salvage title which is what my TJ has.
 
how much are they asking for it ? 5spd, 4.0L being a Nevada vehicle i doubt rust is a issue, but i'd pull a carfax on it to make sure its been in Nevada its whole life ...looks like a good project vehicle
 
Look at the control arm in the background of this photo:

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That is not just surface rust, that is rot.

If that is any indicator of how the frame might look inside, I'd pass on this one unless you're using it for parts.

Do your due diligence and get an endoscope inside that frame (unless you like nasty surprises).
 
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tr21triton said:
how much are they asking for it ? 5spd, 4.0L being a Nevada vehicle i doubt rust is a issue, but i'd pull a carfax on it to make sure its been in Nevada its whole life ...looks like a good project vehicle
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We don’t use salt on the icy roads here in winter. We do get snow here during a normal winter. A carfax might be a good idea. If I take it as is it’s $5,500. If I wait fir them to replace the ignition switch it goes up. They said the ignition switch is a know problem. They’re not sure about the steering column. If that needs to be replaced the price goes up some more. The end price will reflect what work needs to be done to putt it in their for sale row.
 
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Chris said:
Look at the control arm in the background of this photo:

View attachment 274279

That is not just surface rust, that is rot.

If that is any indicator of how the frame might look inside, I'd pass on this one unless you're using it for parts.

Do your due diligence and get an endoscope inside that frame (unless you like nasty surprises).
Click to expand...
That could be just mud. The people who stole it had some fun with it in the mud before dumping it. There is a lot of mud underneath it. I will look at that control arm again to see if it’s just mud or rot.
 
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NevadaMike said:
We don’t use salt on the icy roads here in winter. We do get snow here during a normal winter. A carfax might be a good idea. If I take it as is it’s $5,500. If I wait fir them to replace the ignition switch it goes up. They said the ignition switch is a know problem. They’re not sure about the steering column. If that needs to be replaced the price goes up some more. The end price will reflect what work needs to be done to putt it in their for sale row.
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yea i always pull one on a vehicle, lets you atleast know where its been, and hopefully any wrecks and areas you might need to look at. ignition switch i'd do myself and save money . i dont think thats rust Chris but i could be wrong !
 
tr21triton said:
yea i always pull one on a vehicle, lets you atleast know where its been, and hopefully any wrecks and areas you might need to look at. ignition switch i'd do myself and save money . i dont think thats rust Chris but i could be wrong !
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I’ll have to go back and make sure it’s mud and not rust or rot. I’ve got a couple weeks before they start working on it. The ignition should be easy enough. It should be a lot easier than pulling the airbag on my truck to add some features to the steering wheel on my truck.
 
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TheGanzman said:
Just my personal opinion, having owned 37 vehicles in 65 years - I wouldn't get up outta the electric chair to buy ANY vehicle with a salvage title; good luck when you try to sell it, as any prospective buyers will pounce on that "issue" like a priest on an altar boy...
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yea but it doesn't matter if you plan on keeping it and driving the shit out of it !
 
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TheGanzman said:
Just my personal opinion, having owned 37 vehicles in 65 years - I wouldn't get up outta the electric chair to buy ANY vehicle with a salvage title; good luck when you try to sell it, as any prospective buyers will pounce on that "issue" like a priest on an altar boy...
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If I could get it at a cheap price I wouldn’t mind the resale problem. TJ’s with a clean title and in decent shape seem to be going around $20k around here. People are paying it too.
 
NevadaMike said:
If I could get it at a cheap price I wouldn’t mind the resale problem. TJ’s with a clean title and in decent shape seem to be going around $20k around here. People are paying it too.
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That's easy to say NOW; I can't EVEN count on one hand the # of vehicles that I said "I will NEVER sell this no matter WHAT!" Guess what - except for my most recent 2004 Jeep Wrangler Columbia Edition, ALL the rest of same are gone baby gone. 5 vintage Corvettes, 4 vintage 4-4-2's, a '65 GTO, 4 Wranglers, 2 Broncos, a '68 Shelby Mustang fastback, a '68 Mustang GT convertible - the list goes on & on; NONE of which had an accursed salvage title...
 
NevadaMike said:
If I could get it at a cheap price I wouldn’t mind the resale problem. TJ’s with a clean title and in decent shape seem to be going around $20k around here. People are paying it too.
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Thats what I did… mines a 4 cyl auto w/rebuilt title (salvaged but repaired)… seller wanted $5000 and I got it for $3500… don’t plan on selling it.. this is the day I got it..

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