How does this frame look?
- Thread starter Cheetokps
- Start date
You really need to post more pictures but in the ones you posted the frame looks very good for something in the rust belt. Since they dropped the crossmember/skid you should look carefully at the area of the frame above it as this is a common area for them to rust. The rear part of the frame near the lower control arm mount is another common place. If you have an inspection scope bring it and snake it inside the frame holes and see if the inside is full of scale. Also rub your finger around in any of these holes you can find, it should feel smooth, not scaly. Also, if the owner lets you, you can tap around the frame, especially in the problem areas, with a chipping hammer, or a ball peen if you don't have one. If he doesn't dig that idea, poking with a screwdriver works pretty well too. If either of these tasks result in the tool going thru the frame, walk away. Take your time, inspect it from one end to the other, on all sides and the inside. You're gonna get dirty, but ya gotta get under there!
Outside doesn't matter. Make sure everywhere inside the frame is smooth. An easy test is just sticking your fingers in all holes and feeling the bottom of the frame. If there are large rust chunks or the frame is filled with dirt, do not buy it. A more thorough way to check is by using an endoscope. If the inside of the frame has no rust, you are good to go. Judging by the outside of the frame, which is tough, I wouldn't be surprised if there is some rust on the inside. Though you can never know unless you check in person.
Here is the rest of the pictures the owner sent. Is is possible to rent the snake cameras or maybe just buy a cheap one
TJ2
TJ Expert
Looks good for what we have up here in New England, but as others have mentioned try to reach around in the holes and see if it is flaking inside.
I think you might want to jump on this one! it isn't too bad from what I can see and the price seems right.
looking again, the shot showing the bottom of the door, the tub seems fuckered up, make sure it wasn't rust repair there.
How can I see if it was a repair, just get a closer look? I've also heard if it was bondo you could hold a magnet up to it to see if its metal or not, unless they were smart and sprinkled metal flakes into the bondo
The frame is really the big picture. If that is in good shape the secondary issue is the tub. I looked at the pic, it's really hard to tell from that. You can usually notice spot paint/bodywork in a specific area by looking into how that area blends into everything else. If it was professionally done, it can be hard to tell....and it may not matter. If the tub mounts are in good shape, the frame is in good shape, you can pull the carpet and look at the floors, it might be ok. It could certainly have some bondo, it's an older vehicle. If it was poorly done, you'd be able to see it quickly. It ain't gonna be perfect man! Get a good idea of the frame, structural tub mounts, look for rust/rot in floors (not necessarily a deal breaker depending on price), mechanicals, overall condition of everything else. Don't throw out a good 20ish year old vehicle cause it has bondo. Throw it out cause it has frame rot. Just my $.02, it's worth what you paid lol!
Yeah definitely wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. My current car has a bondo job I did myself recently which is less than perfect, especially the paint job, so I'm used to that
I'm in Mass, you're in Ct, a lot of the people on this forum are in Arizona, Tx, and California. Their TJs are absolutely beautiful. Our pickings are slimmer and we gotta be careful. The outside of the frames for us look crustier than theirs, but their are some good ones out there. That being said, a word of caution. I looked at a LOT of TJs before I bought mine. Some very low mileage "garaged winters' TJs as well. Some of the owners had no idea that there was frame rust. The rig looked mint from the top. One listed for $10k I remember, nice looking rig, low mileage. I stuck a key through the frame between the skid and frame. It was no good. Huge rust flakes in the hole by the rear axle. The one I bought looked rougher on the outside, and the frame a bit crustier than yours on the outside, but its perfectly solid. You just never know, you have to do the work to see what you are looking at.
And yeah, bodywork bondo isn't necessarily a big deal, it's the structural stuff you gotta look at, mainly all the body mounts. Look at fuel/brake/tranny lines, etc. I say this isn't a big deal, but if any of these issues are present, it has to be priced properly. Remember though, paint work is VERY expensive!
By the way, what's the asking price on this one? That'll tell us a lot as to run away or buy it now.
Good luck!
$8,999 or best offer, so I'm hoping to get it down. The owner removed the carpeting and the tires are a little worn plus a few more things so I think that would help in getting the price to at least 8, maybe less. I'll definitely inspect the frame a lot (going to see it Wednesday) and maybe even buy a cheap snake camera, saw some at walmart for like $12. I'll get it inspected by a mechanic but they might not know much about the frame rust issue
I'd buy a borescope with a light that uses your phone and look inside.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=borescop...ial,297&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_6&tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=borescop...ial,297&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_6&tag=wranglerorg-20
What exactly is it? Year & model, engine, tranny, miles, etc? Also, in the pic the tires look completely worn out. Price seems very high to me unless its a low miles Rubi or something, especially since its the end of the season.
2006 65th anniversary (pretty sure it has the dana 44) with 4.0 and 6 speed manual, 107k miles. It does seem like a great deal, the guy stopped responding once I asked for the vin number so I don't think it's going to work out sadly
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