Diamond In The Rough. New To Me 97 TJ

Thanks for the advice. I emailed the seller for additional pics. Seller has zero feedback, which has always been a red flag, although seller for previous Jeep had tons of feedback, all positive...


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I just looked at Craigslist Miami & 110 TJs popped up for sale, is there a reason you’re not focusing your search locally so that you can go see one in person? When buying any vehicle of this age and particularly a TJ with its known quirks, and more particularly with a vehicle that is modified from stock, and still even more particularly with a vehicle that has likely been driven places & in a manner that’s not ‘normal’ for other vehicles, it’s extremely important to crawl over & under it with a screw driver & hammer to check the integrity of the frame & other components underneath, listen to it run, drive it to identify any one of a number of potential issues that you can feel.

https://miami.craigslist.org/search...rangler&min_auto_year=1997&max_auto_year=2004
 
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I agree with Westtown Willy, buy one local so you can check it out in person.

Go during daylight hours, make sure it is not raining, take a small hammer and a flashlight and do not be in a hurry. Wear old clothes and be prepared to lay on your back and tap away with the hammer. A small magnet will also help you find any body filler used to repair sheet metal damage.

I really am quite shocked at the prices for TJ's down south. Here in Nova Scotia (east coast of Canada) the prices seem way cheaper. While these vehicles do live in a rust zone most owners around these parts take precautions with undercoating and if done right the frames will last for a long time.

I paid 6 grand for my 2004 and the frame is excellent and minimal body rust. The thing is black underneath so its been well undercoated and oiled. One small hole in the drivers side floor but I can get a stamped floor pan for 145 bucks which is the plan. Whoever fixed the floor pans in the jeep you sent back should never be allowed around a welder again, truly a horrible job. Had it been done correctly it would have at least given you the confidence that the rest of the repairs were done correctly, but I am doubtful of that.
 
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Thanks.

I have been searching locally, but prices are easily 30-40% higher than on eBay, even after considering shipping expenses. I am also fixated on a white TJ. No other color will do. And white TJs have been in short supply or have a very high asking price locally.

That said, I may have found one three hours away that I am trying to get photos of to post.


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I’m still chasing down a local jeep, but here are the pictures I received from the eBay seller for the one linked above.

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I know that something local that I can go crawl under would be better, but I want to keep my options open, and this seems like something that could work for me. I look forward to your thoughts and honest feedback.


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Complete night/day difference from the last one. Frame looks solid. torque boxes and body mounts look good. Assuming it's got a 4" lift? It has a Dana 35 rear, so that's a bummer but not a deal breaker. got pics of the rest of the jeep?
 
Looks like it has the Rubicon express shocks. I would consider switching those out so it rides better.

Edit. Also it has a transfer case drop. With the rubicon express 3.5 inch lift it will need a SYE, driveshaft, and at a minimum lower rear adjustable control arms in order to remove the transfer case drop.
 
Alex01 said:
Looks like it has the Rubicon express shocks. I would consider switching those out so it rides better.

Edit. Also it has a transfer case drop. With the rubicon express 3.5 inch lift it will need a SYE, driveshaft, and at a minimum lower rear adjustable control arms in order to remove the transfer case drop.
Click to expand...

I would argue that it does not "need" it, would it be nice and add benefit for sure, don't scare the guy off buying what looks to be a super clean TJ.

He could do all that stuff in time if he chooses.
 
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Flib said:
I would argue that it does not "need" it, would it be nice and add benefit for sure, don't scare the guy off buying what looks to be a super clean TJ.

He could do all that stuff in time if he chooses.
Click to expand...
You are correct, he does not need to remove the transfer case drop and having it certainly isn't a reason to walk away. Even with the added cost of the above items needed to REMOVE the transfer case drop I still believe it would be worth picking up and offers a great foundation to build upon.
 
Here are the additional photos from the seller.

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Looks like it’s going to take somewhere in the $8,000.00 to $8,500.00 range to buy her and have her shipped to me.

Please keep the feedback coming. I do. It want to make another mistake.

There is a 1999 local, but the ask is over $10,000 and a 2002, but have been really struggling with communication with the seller on that one.


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Also, would the roof racks, cooler rack, and front bumper have any resale value?

Thanks.


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Would the seller be willing to give you a video of the engine running and the jeep driving? Could save you a bunch of time.

With all the extra stuff seems like a steal at 8500 but I am used to bay area prices.
 
I know it is just pics but, that looks like a nice Jeep. Alex brings up a good idea, a video of it running and driving.
 
I asked the seller for a video of the motor idling end of the jeep driving. The jeep is currently in the shop getting a new clutch and should be out by Tuesday. He will send me the video after that. My math may not be right but it looks like the eBay auction will end before then. If it sells, then I guess it wasn’t meant to be.


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