Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Frame Rust

probably not and if it has already been repaired it's scrap . your best/only real option is a frame swap if the body is good. It's expensive but might make it so you treat it with a rust preventer afterwards. If you don't want to do a swap I advise you to get a friend and some beers, find a good offroad trail and go dukes of hazard with it until the frame breaks. then part it out and sell the rust for scrap metal....

If I went beers and dukes of hazzard plan with a buddy I'd likely just light the fucker on fire after that. But I like the suggestion.
 
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I grew up on that show. Probably explains my maturity level.

We were totally convinced it was a realistic program. A ‘69 Charger jumping a train using a parked car hauler as an impromptu ramp and driving away pristine ….

Love that show. Also a bit depressed and angry when I think of how many chargers they destroyed. Once I was old enough to know better I'd cringe at every classic being wrecked in chases on screen.
 
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Looked earlier and saw a couple options. In the $2000 to 2500 range. I think my first step is taking it to a frame shop and seeing what they say and then weigh my options from there.

I don't know what part of Ohio you're at, but there is a shop in Amherst, Ohio called Wrangler Specialties that routinely does frame swaps.
 
It would be more cost effective to clean up all the rust and sell the Jeep. Then buy a rust free TJ and treat the frame asap. A frame swap will cost as much as a decent Jeep, if you're not DIY.
 
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I’m repairing mine now. Not an easy task but a shop local was willing to do the job for ~$4k. At that price I would have bought a clean frame. I’ll attach a few photos for reference. I am completely cutting all the rust out, treating the steel and welding in every safe-t-cap available.

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Love that show. Also a bit depressed and angry when I think of how many chargers they destroyed. Once I was old enough to know better I'd cringe at every classic being wrecked in chases on screen.

It was said that they started casting fiberglass bodies and got in trouble with Dodge. Near the end of the shows run I saw a car hauler with at least 6 of them on highway 231 in Lacey’s Spring - he was turning on 36 headed west with them. I figured they had a buyer and we’re rounding them up.
 
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It was said that they started casting fiberglass bodies and got in trouble with Dodge. Near the end of the shows run I saw a car hauler with at least 6 of them on highway 231 in Lacey’s Spring - he was turning on 36 headed west with them. I figured they had a buyer and we’re rounding them up.

A friend of mine was in the car hauling business for Hollywood. He has several cars he bought from shows when they ended. Probably his most famous one is the one off Magnum P.I. Ferrari.
 
It was said that they started casting fiberglass bodies and got in trouble with Dodge.

Since we're already off on a tangent, years ago, I watched a video with some of the producers talking about the show. They had fields and parking lots of cars, and parts, to choose and build from. IIRC the first season or two they only had a handful of cars and had to keep rebuilding, but as the show became popular they acquired a lot of cars, buying whatever they found and spraying it orange. I think they said they had up in the 300 range by the end, but that might be wrong. I'm sure that video is on the 'tube somewhere, but I don't have a guess for the title.


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A friend of mine was in the car hauling business for Hollywood. He has several cars he bought from shows when they ended. Probably his most famous one is the one off Magnum P.I. Ferrari.

That could be an interesting collection. Can you share what else he has, maybe some pics?
 
Since we're already off on a tangent, years ago, I watched a video with some of the producers talking about the show. They had fields and parking lots of cars, and parts, to choose and build from. IIRC the first season or two they only had a handful of cars and had to keep rebuilding, but as the show became popular they acquired a lot of cars, buying whatever they found and spraying it orange. I think they said they had up in the 300 range by the end, but that might be wrong. I'm sure that video is on the 'tube somewhere, but I don't have a guess for the title.


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Super cool

I hate to think of how many Hemi chargers might’ve been on there getting destroyed
 
With that frame you will ALWAYS be chasing rust. IMO selling and get a better one or total frame replacement are your choices. On the bright side you have 2 helpers who will learn some valuable lessons. Although they may pick up a few new cuss words. Mechanically a frame swap is doable for a novice the issue is the amount of time and the large space it will require. Being in Ohio it needs to be indoor space. Crunch the numbers and see if selling and heading South or West to get a better one. Picture below shows my 05 LJ with 113K. It spent it’s life in Wy, Co and now Ca.

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With that frame you will ALWAYS be chasing rust. IMO selling and get a better one or total frame replacement are your choices. On the bright side you have 2 helpers who will learn some valuable lessons. Although they may pick up a few new cuss words. Mechanically a frame swap is doable for a novice the issue is the amount of time and the large space it will require. Being in Ohio it needs to be indoor space. Crunch the numbers and see if selling and heading South or West to get a better one. Picture below shows my 05 LJ with 113K. It spent it’s life in Wy, Co and now Ca.

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I appreciate the advice. If I can patch it and get a few years (5-7 would be ideal) then frame swap that would be perfect. We'll see how it all plays out. Still exploring options.
 
I appreciate the advice. If I can patch it and get a few years (5-7 would be ideal) then frame swap that would be perfect. We'll see how it all plays out. Still exploring options.

If you can patch it and get 5 years out of it, sell it for a rust free Jeep. Frame swaps cost more than most Jeeps are worth, unless you DIY and are unemployed.
 
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I grew up in The People's Republic of Ohio as well. Since leaving, I've made many rescue attempts of friends: "Come to Virginia! We have coffee & electricity--the wind stops blowing occasionally, plus our airports are actually located in Virginia (cough cough CVG cough)." But no luck-they are still Stockholm-Syndromed within The PRO. I always make sure to bring my passport when I visit-I cannot be stranded on that side of the Oyo.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator