1997 TJ With Bent Frame

[theruska]

Hey Everyone. I'm new to this forum so my apologies if this type of post is unwelcome.

I'm in the DFW TX area and have a 1997 Jeep TJ with 90K miles. The engine runs great and has a deep growl to it. Good AC. It's green with a new BestTop SuperTop NX (Spice). We bought it spur-of-the-moment 4 years ago while on vacation in New Mexico and have loved it. My 17 year has been driving it to school and we take it to the mountains for 4 wheeling. Best spur-of-the-moment decision I've ever made!

Unfortunately, on Friday my 17-year-old rear-ended a Land Rover and did some pretty bad damage. Originally they were estimating $2K for front-end repairs and another $2K to replace both front airbags. I didn't carry collision on it, but in this market, I was ready to spend $4K to get it back in working order. However, once they got a better look at it they realized the frame is bent pretty bad - about 7 inches in on one side - so it may not warrant repairing.

So now I'm trying to figure out the best disposition. I could take it to a salvage yard but I'm sure I wouldn't get much for it. I could part it out myself. Or I could find a TJ enthusiast that has an interest in it for parts or other purposes.

I thought I would try this forum to see if anyone has any suggestions, or if anyone in the DFW area might have an interest.

Attaching a few pictures but can provide more if interested.

Thanks,

theruska

 

[chimmike]

Find a used TJ frame on fb marketplace, craigslist, or other source. Find the other parts you need from salvage yards or car-part.com and rebuild on a new frame

 

[Kid Mechanic]

Call this guy. He might have a solution for you. https://collinsbrosjeep.com/

He has parts. Could fix it for you. Could buy it for parts. He’s in your neighborhood, more or less.

 

[theruska]

Tha kn

Find a used TJ frame on fb marketplace, craigslist, or other source. Find the other parts you need from salvage yards or car-part.com and rebuild on a new frame

Thanks for the suggestion! Probably more than I can sign up for though.

 

[theruska]

Call this guy. He might have a solution for you. https://collinsbrosjeep.com/

He has parts. Could fix it for you. Could buy it for parts. He’s in your neighborhood, more or less.

Thank you! I will.

 

[chimmike]

Call this guy. He might have a solution for you. https://collinsbrosjeep.com/

He has parts. Could fix it for you. Could buy it for parts. He’s in your neighborhood, more or less.

and he's friends with Richard Rawlins.

 

[Kid Mechanic]

and he's friends with Richard Rawlins.

He needs to keep him close, probably owes him money. Dennis was his behind the scenes money lender.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

your Son OK? That was a pretty good hit. You have nothing to loose by tying to pull the frame back straight, sounds like a nice father/son project to me.

 

[theruska]

your Son OK? That was a pretty good hit. You have nothing to loose by tying to pull the frame back straight, sounds like a nice father/son project to me.

Yes my son the driver is ok. However my 13 year old was in the passenger seat and broke his arm and wrist. Overnight stay in the hospital and surgery with pins the next day. He's recovering fine. My 11 year old son was in the back and is fine other than being a little traumatized. The driver of the Land Rover was also a teenager and has a broken hand, so you're right that the collision was non-trivial.

Thanks for asking.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

Have your 13 year old and 11 yeard old sue the your son the driver and let the insurance take care of their mediacl bills.