Buying First Jeep

[macleanflood]

D44s in TJs really shrinks your available pool of good used Jeeps.

All for aiming high and regional markets vary.

Happy with my Super Dana 35 and elocker. Figure if I break it I'm doing a 60s, rear stear and front digs.

Also possible to find a frame and tub with a VIN and build it exactly the way you want. I've seen a couple of good sub $2000 TJs float by...one with a blown engine, one with a medium engine bay fire...if I wasn't in the middle of building a barn...

-Mac

 

[TheBoogieman]

Get a CJ way simpler than a TJ, no computers.

Nice ones without body rust cost more than TJs.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

I’m all for the CJ, but wife doesn’t like the simplicity. Guess I could buy both. Lol

Your wife's gonna want a JK, 4 door, for the extra room. Tell her "we'll meet in the middle with a TJ!"

 

[KY_SimpleMan]

I found this one. Guy says it is rust free. I haven’t seen in person though. Also said CEL light was on for rear O2 sensor. It looks clean by pics, but thought I’d let you guys check it out. Asking around $11k. Also, is the Sahara edition desirable? This color combo? Thanks.

 

[P man]

I found this one. Guy says it is rust free. I haven’t seen in person though. Also said CEL light was on for rear O2 sensor. It looks clean by pics, but thought I’d let you guys check it out. Asking around $11k. Also, is the Sahara edition desirable? This color combo? Thanks.

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11k is fine as long as its truly rust free. Make love to the frame of that thing and make darn sure. The sahara package might be desirable to some but IMHO it doesn't add a ton of value.

Might be my phone but are the doors poorly spray painted?

 

[AndyA]

Guy says it is rust free.

Don't trust what any seller says. Verify for yourself. Andy

 

[KY_SimpleMan]

Don't trust what any seller says. Verify for yourself. Andy

Thanks. I just that on the door too. It’s hard to tell. Guess I may need to take a road trip.

 

[AndyA]

Have them take copious pictures of the frame, including looking through the tie-down holes, and post them here. If they refuse then forget about this one and keep looking. Andy

 

[KY_SimpleMan]

Have them take copious pictures of the frame, including looking through the tie-down holes, and post them here. If they refuse then forget about this one and keep looking. Andy

Thanks. I think I’ll pass anyway. Doesn’t have a back seat. Floor had rhino cover. Not sure if that was done to cover something.

 

[KY_SimpleMan]

I’m sorry to keep hassling you guys, but I’m trying to make a good purchase. Here is a 2004 Rubicon. I had them send pics of the frame. How does it look? Thanks again.

 

[Shank]

I’m sorry to keep hassling you guys, but I’m trying to make a good purchase. Here is a 2004 Rubicon. I had them send pics of the frame. How does it look? Thanks again.

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All the non-rusty state members will say that's way too rusty. I'd be skeptical of it. I wouldn't be surprised to drop the skid plate and have holes. I'd probably keep looking. It may take quite a bit of time.

 

[bbaldwin237]

All the non-rusty state members will say that's way too rusty. I'd be skeptical of it. I wouldn't be surprised to drop the skid plate and have holes. I'd probably keep looking. It may take quite a bit of time.

Here in the PNW I probably would have avoided that much rust, especially sandwiched between the frame and skid. Now if they let you drop the skid and inspect and you can absolutely confirm it's all just surface rust, it might be worth a discounted price and then immediately get to cleaning and treating everything. But my guess is that inside the rails isn't any better.

 

[KY_SimpleMan]

Thanks. I found another as well that has been Undercoated. I guess that makes it difficult to know what’s underneath. Is that something to be suspicious of?

 

[AndyA]

If I liked everything else about the Jeep and there were no better prospects available, then so far I don't think that level of rust would put me off. Next step would be to buy an endoscope from Amazon ($60) go see it and take a look inside the frame to confirm what we are seeing is just surface rust.

Andy

 

[AndyA]

Thanks. I found another as well that has been Undercoated. I guess that makes it difficult to know what’s underneath. Is that something to be suspicious of?

If you mean the frame has something applied to it so you can't see the metal then IMO yes.

 

[Shank]

Thanks. I found another as well that has been Undercoated. I guess that makes it difficult to know what’s underneath. Is that something to be suspicious of?

Rubberized undercoating and not just oil? Absolutely avoid if rubberized. I will not own a vehicle with it. I use oil (fluid film or Krown) on my LJ but it does clean off.

 

[KY_SimpleMan]

Rubberized undercoating and not just oil? Absolutely avoid if rubberized. I will not own a vehicle with it. I use oil (fluid film or Krown) on my LJ but it does clean off.

Yes, it’s a rubberized coating.

 

[Shank]

Yes, it’s a rubberized coating.

It is used almost exclusively to hide rust (or some people think it protects but in reality it just accelerates rust by trapping moisture in).

 

[GPK03X]

I’m sorry to keep hassling you guys, but I’m trying to make a good purchase. Here is a 2004 Rubicon. I had them send pics of the frame. How does it look? Thanks again.

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Don’t think you are hassling anyone on this forum. We love giving advice and spending other people’s money!

 

[Shank]

Don’t think you are hassling anyone on this forum. We love giving advice and spending other people’s money!

We get to have the fun of looking at buying Jeeps without spending our own money.