Buying My First Wrangler (Help!)

[DisheveledWrangler]

Hey y'all, long story short Im looking to purchase 1 of 2 high mileage (~150k) automatic 2001 TJs w/ the 6 cylinder. Everything looks good aside from some rust on the passenger floor pan and some near the fuel tank (see pics) in one of them. Getting it inspected next week, but until then, is this a significant cause for concern?

looks like both have ran stock for the most part. no death wobble, smoke, or signs of abuse from what I've seen. nothing crazy coming up from the vin either. Looking to have this as a secondary weekend car here in Florida

EDIT: paying $7k for it. seems fair pending inspection

 

[zip04]

How does the frame itself look?


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[DisheveledWrangler]

no frame rust at all as best as I can tell. looks like it's been in Florida for the majority of it's miles. my guess was that passenger floor was the result of a roof leak?

 

[Chris]

I wouldn't pay $1000 for that. If there's rust that bad in those areas you can see, I promise you there's more rust just like it hiding in places you can't see. That's not worth anywhere near 7k IMHO.

I'd be curious to see the frame on that thing.

 

[Shawn’s TJ]

I agree, I wouldn't pay anything close to 7K without out having a "PERFECT" frame! The Frame on the TJ is EVERYTHING! But it the frame is shot then I would pay right around $1500 for it. In my neck of the woods, good hardtops sell for around $500-$800 and the hard doors sell for $500 all day long. So with just two parts you would have made your money back plus you got the rest of the parts to sell. Thats what i pay for TJ's with bad frames and I have stripped many TJ's due to bad frames, frame swapping is no walk in the park!!

 

[Mike_H]

Yeah, the floor is shot, the tank skid is junk. I'd be concerned about the frame. Post some pics up of that. If I could find a rust free, 150,000 mile jeep here for 7000, I'd jump ALL over it. I'd keep the stuff I need, part the rest, and probably make money!

 

[DisheveledWrangler]

Thank you guys. The second one looks like it was treated a lot better — we'll see how the inspection goes fingers crossed

 

[DisheveledWrangler]

Inspection came back on the other jeep — everything checks out! Only concern was the front right suspension: apparently they discovered 'minor' front u joint wear (it was suggested that the front right tire be replaced). Would this concern you all?

 

[Alex01]

Inspection came back on the other jeep — everything checks out! Only concern was the front right suspension: apparently they discovered 'minor' front u joint wear (it was suggested that the front right tire be replaced). Would this concern you all?

U joints are easy to replace and cheap so that wouldn't concern me at all. Plan on changing at minimum 2 tires either both front or both back. Ideally all 4. So just factor that into your purchase price and your good to go.

Any photos of jeep 2?