First Jeep, need some advice!

[backwaterdogs]

Hey all!

looking to buy my first jeep and need some help!

Am looking at 2 wranglers:

First is 2001 and here are the ad details:
2001 TJ Wrangler Sport4.0 Liter (172,625 miles)5 Spd ManualDana 30 frontDana 44 rear2.5 lift33x12.5 MT Baja MTZ on MT WheelsFull set of spare Kumho Road Venture AT 265/70/16 on Rubicon wheels(3k miles)Hardtop installedSoft Top comes with it (softopper)Radiator replacedWater pump replacedPower Steering pump replacedStainless brake linesFront Core 4x4 control arms installedRear Core 4x4 control arms come with itRear wheel cylinders replacedFrame Caps installedNV3550 5spd replaced with AX15 5spd
There is some frame rust showing and the ad mentions frame caps. Its nice it has both hard and soft tops. the MT wheels and tires are nice and has some suspension extras. I can buy this 2001 for 7k.

Second is a 2006, I can buy this 2006 below for 6K. I don't have pics of the frame on this 06
200 6. Jeep Wrangler x two door it's a 4.0 6 cylinder ,6-speed manual .Approximately 162,500, mi two-door. Items that have been recently replaced are the rear main seal, oil pan front differential seal, clutch,couple of O2 sensors. Has some body rust but the frame is in good shape. Tires are decent. Brakes are decent. I have receipts for all the repairs that we've done to it

I don't understand the trim differences 'Sport' vs 'X' and get mixed info on which is the higher trim level or really how to value all the extras on the 2001 or if the frame rust present is an issue or not.

Any opinions on these two jeeps?

 

[Duck Doctor]

Sport is a higher trim option than the X. Sport can come equipped with the optional Dana 44 rear axle while the X is only available with the Dana 35.

I wouldn't buy either of those rigs due to rust issues. Frame is trash on the 2001 and the 2006 has body rust and likely a rotten frame.

 

[macleanflood]

 

[Rut Row]

The frame caps means the frame was rusted through as shown in @macleanflood 's post. If installed correctly, and if that was the only rust problem, it could be good. HOWEVER you need to put a scope down the inside of the frame to tell for sure and have a competent mechanic with experience in Jeep frames, look at it thoroughly.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Drive south to buy a rust free Jeep, then rust-proof the inside and outside of the frame with Eastwood products before driving it.

 

[Sayantsi]

What's your budget, and what are your plans for the Jeep?

 

[TheBoogieman]

HOWEVER you need to put a scope down the inside of the frame to tell for sure

The "caps" cover most of the holes you need to look inside of the frame. I would avoid any Jeep with frame repairs. Most people aren't smart enough to treat the inside while doing the repairs. Rust is never ending.

have a competent mechanic with experience in Jeep frames, look at it thoroughly.

Anybody can do that, IF they have common sense.

 

[Ashim]

Look for a clean Jeep in the southwest states and take a road trip.

 

[macleanflood]

Yes find a clean Jeep in the south or PNW where we're generally rust free and the interior parts aren't cooked beyond recognition.

That video is a Jeep bought locally here in Oregon. Carfax puts it's origins in Hawaii, then Massachusetts and Maine. The seller completed ripped off someone.

Point being there are good generalizations but you've got to inspect everything!

-Mac

 

[BC Moto]

Take your time looking for a good jeep with minimal rust. When I was looking for mine I searched for almost 2 months

 

[DuckNut]

Any 20 year old vehicle which lived its life in Illinois is going to be a rolling pile of chit...if it even rolls.

You are looking for a classic vehicle, vacation where there is no salt and find it. The Internet makes finding it easy as you can teleport yourself to any city in the world to peruse the classifieds.

Those are junk.

 

[Mac57]

I live in the rust belt and am not as shy as other forum members of purchasing Jeeps with frames with some rust. Having said that those two are a definite no go. A decent frame is the first thing you MUST have when purchasing a Jeep, unless you have the skills, tools, equipment and time to do proper safe repairs. Nice rims, pretty paint, big tires, kick ass sound systems are all secondary fluff and completely useless if the frame is shot. Move on from these two.

 

[backwaterdogs]

Hey Thanks all!

Yes, I have some other jeeps lined up in Kentucky, TN... usually have to pay for 4.0 though.

My intentions are two fold. I sold my 1/2 pick up truck and plan to use jeep as daily driver + farm/SxS kind of thing. My thoughts being to use a jeep instead of SxS. I had considered a Roxor, but those just 30K glorified jeeps it seems.

I appreciate it !

Here is the jeep in Ky. NO hardtop but clean 06, 6speed 4.0 with 135K miles. I can get for $6k. here are the frame pics:

 

[bucky]

Bigger tires without a gear change will result in poor performance on that 01. While it will cost more money and time to find a good deal on a TJ out of the rust belt the overall value is worth it.
Aside from the frame rust every nut, bolt and screw are probably rusted as well making future repairs a nightmare. Also I would look at TJs in the low 100K range unless the price is low enough. 160K is getting near the end of life of many components. One thing to check is the date code on the tires and factor in the cost of new tires if they are 5+ yrs old.

 

[bucky]

Hey Thanks all!

Yes, I have some other jeeps lined up in Kentucky, TN... usually have to pay for 4.0 though.

My intentions are two fold. I sold my 1/2 pick up truck and plan to use jeep as daily driver + farm/SxS kind of thing. My thoughts being to use a jeep instead of SxS. I had considered a Roxor, but those just 30K glorified jeeps it seems.

I appreciate it !

Here is the jeep in Ky. NO hardtop but clean 06, 6speed 4.0 with 135K miles. I can get for $6k. here are the frame pics:
View attachment 621075
View attachment 621071
View attachment 621072
View attachment 621073
View attachment 621074

See the difference a little travel can make.
I have an 05 6sp and love it. I bought my 89YJ back in 91 because it was cheaper than a new Quad, SXSs weren't a thing then, and I could drive it more places.

 

[Mac57]

The frame pics of the Ky Jeep look OK, but, you need to know that these frames rust from the inside out. The outside can look OK , however, the inside can be rotting away. If you stick your finger inside one of the frame holes and start pulling out rust chips and chunks you have a big problem. Before buying any Jeep check inside the frame. Use a borescope if you can to see accurately whats in there. If not get one of those magnetic pick up tools on a flexible shaft and shove it in there to see what comes out.