Hi all!
Though this is my first post, I’ve come to this
site countless times over the years for advice and how to’s; it’s been an invaluable resource to me. I figured what better place to seek pragmatic advice over the fate of my beloved TJ.
Currently, I’m at a tipping point with it. It was my daily driver until from 2012 till 2020 and now has taken on the roll of a weekend toy/when I don’t feel like shoveling the driveway. I do mild off-roading with it, but don’t ever plan to rock crawl or anything too over the top with it. Just Some mild mud to get to fishing spots or remote places on my property. As she sits, shes gotten me anywhere I’ve ever needed her to.
Recently, I’ve been looking to bring her back to her former glory, make it look nice and upgrade her a bit. However when went out to do my spring detail this year, I grew concerned about some newly forming rust. Now I’m wondering if it’s worth building it at all.
My plan was a mild lift, winch, regear, and maybe a super 35 + lockers. I like the way it looks and sits now, just want to make sure and want to preserve that look more or less. I just want to make sure that before I start throwing parts at it, I’m making a practical decision.
So! It’s an 2001 Sport 4.0 5spd with 160k on it and Mechanically it runs strong. It has been extremely well cared for over the ten years I’ve had it, and I’ve I’ve always put quality parts into her, however, I’m starting to run into rust issues and wondering if it’s time to start over.
I initially bought the Jeep out of Virginia, completely rust free in 2012 with 100k on it. Though I’ve undercoated it every year (krown) and have been meticulous about washing and waxing it, the Buffalo winters are finally taking their toll.
So here’s the issues:
Fenders need to be replaced and I’m starting to get rust bubbles at the driver side rear flare. Took it to very good local body shop for a quote and was told they would have to essentially have to repaint the whole Jeep to the tune of 7k. They advised against it.
Because I love this thing, and always assumed I’d have it forever, I was going to just take the plunge. As it’s weekend toy, I put very few miles on it and have had a lot of the major work done in the past five years, so the mileage didn’t initially concern me.
However now I’m growing concerned about the frame.
Here’s my conundrum: Should I keep this thing that I love and already know what has been done to it, or try and find a clean rubicon and start from scratch (while risk inheriting someone else’s problems)?
I figure it would cost 10k-ish to get this where I want it to be. To start over with a different TJ would be dramatically more, even after getting a fair price for this one. And again, who knows what issues another 20ish year old Jeep might be hiding.
The bad:
The good:
Maybe I’m overthinking this, but I just need an impartial opinion: build it, or let her go. What do you recommend?
Thank you!
tldr: love my Jeep, but concerned about putting the money into it. Is she too far gone or should I take the plunge?
Though this is my first post, I’ve come to this
site countless times over the years for advice and how to’s; it’s been an invaluable resource to me. I figured what better place to seek pragmatic advice over the fate of my beloved TJ.
Currently, I’m at a tipping point with it. It was my daily driver until from 2012 till 2020 and now has taken on the roll of a weekend toy/when I don’t feel like shoveling the driveway. I do mild off-roading with it, but don’t ever plan to rock crawl or anything too over the top with it. Just Some mild mud to get to fishing spots or remote places on my property. As she sits, shes gotten me anywhere I’ve ever needed her to.
Recently, I’ve been looking to bring her back to her former glory, make it look nice and upgrade her a bit. However when went out to do my spring detail this year, I grew concerned about some newly forming rust. Now I’m wondering if it’s worth building it at all.
My plan was a mild lift, winch, regear, and maybe a super 35 + lockers. I like the way it looks and sits now, just want to make sure and want to preserve that look more or less. I just want to make sure that before I start throwing parts at it, I’m making a practical decision.
So! It’s an 2001 Sport 4.0 5spd with 160k on it and Mechanically it runs strong. It has been extremely well cared for over the ten years I’ve had it, and I’ve I’ve always put quality parts into her, however, I’m starting to run into rust issues and wondering if it’s time to start over.
I initially bought the Jeep out of Virginia, completely rust free in 2012 with 100k on it. Though I’ve undercoated it every year (krown) and have been meticulous about washing and waxing it, the Buffalo winters are finally taking their toll.
So here’s the issues:
Fenders need to be replaced and I’m starting to get rust bubbles at the driver side rear flare. Took it to very good local body shop for a quote and was told they would have to essentially have to repaint the whole Jeep to the tune of 7k. They advised against it.
Because I love this thing, and always assumed I’d have it forever, I was going to just take the plunge. As it’s weekend toy, I put very few miles on it and have had a lot of the major work done in the past five years, so the mileage didn’t initially concern me.
However now I’m growing concerned about the frame.
Here’s my conundrum: Should I keep this thing that I love and already know what has been done to it, or try and find a clean rubicon and start from scratch (while risk inheriting someone else’s problems)?
I figure it would cost 10k-ish to get this where I want it to be. To start over with a different TJ would be dramatically more, even after getting a fair price for this one. And again, who knows what issues another 20ish year old Jeep might be hiding.
The bad:
- The Jeep has 160k on it
- Not sure how bad the frame actually is; I noticed some internal flaking (which is new) but nothing crazy (pics below)
- Needs driver/passenger floor pans (drain plug holes rusted through)
- Will need new tires soon
- Needs a regear (5th is practically useless)
- considering lockers + super 35 (starting with a rubi saves me this hassle, but I can get by without these mods)
- Suspension is still the original from the factory and is tired
- Some interior trim needs to be replaced
The good:
- Motor runs great
- new clutch/synchros 10k ago
- New transfer case 5k ago
- New pcm
- All wiring solid or replaced (done while trying to solve pcm issue)
- New fuel pump/gas tank skid plate
- Never modified
- No accidents
- Daily driver keeps mileage off Jeep (maybe put 3-5k a year on it)
- Love the color (silverstone metallic)
- Want to be buried in this thing one day
Maybe I’m overthinking this, but I just need an impartial opinion: build it, or let her go. What do you recommend?
Thank you!
tldr: love my Jeep, but concerned about putting the money into it. Is she too far gone or should I take the plunge?
