Shoping for a TJ.. I'm in Southern CA but this Jeep spent the first 10 years of it's life in Michigan this is the most rust I've ever seen on a vehicle personally. Would a local shop even know how to help me with it? Think it's worth it?
How much rust is too much rust?
- Thread starter TJJeep4Sale
- Start date
You are In socal...that is too much rust keep looking
It has rust eating through the rocker. Have you thought about the rust you can’t see? How about inside the frame?
I don’t know how to write this to convey my feelings-
If you are in Michigan for example, and you are determined to but a local TJ with rust, get the least rust you can.
You are not in that predicament
I have yet to see a price so special, mileage so low or a model so sought after I’d over look rust like that.
The reason it is an LJ with 100,000 miles for 16 k is because of that-
I don’t know how to write this to convey my feelings-
If you are in Michigan for example, and you are determined to but a local TJ with rust, get the least rust you can.
You are not in that predicament
I have yet to see a price so special, mileage so low or a model so sought after I’d over look rust like that.
The reason it is an LJ with 100,000 miles for 16 k is because of that-
Yeah, coming from the rust belt (pre-AK), you have the opportunity to find a much cleaner LJ and not fight for hours with broken bolts and sheet metal
We are trying to save you some real heartache. If you can swing 16k , a non rusted TJ/LJ can be had. You will be so much happier - short and long term. Rusted vehicles in non rust belt areas have a black eye and lower values.
Trust us, we are Jeep owners. We are from the government and here to help.
Stay away from any Jeep (or person) that's lived in Michigan for 10 years. Nothing good can come from it. 
Why would anyone in Cali want to buy a rust belt TJ/LJ for any price? Especially for the inflated Cali price ($16,000) with the Mich rust issues. 
That's a $12,000 Va LJ at best.
Why would anyone in Cali want to buy a rust belt TJ/LJ for any price? Especially for the inflated Cali price ($16,000) with the Mich rust issues. That's a $12,000 Va LJ at best.
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I have bought rusty vehicles in the past because they were cheaper than a non rusty one. I have learned that it is cheaper in the long run to keep looking and buy an good non rusty example. With the rust coming though the rocker like that I wouldn’t pay anywhere near 16000 for that Jeep regardless of how many miles are on it. Keep looking you will find a better one.
Breaking your balls are what we're aiming for. A good kick in the nuts is what you need.
SouthernLJ
TJ Enthusiast
You are going to be fighting a losing battle. That rust in the rocker, even if stripped down to bare metal, primered, and repainted, could come back at any moment. It will propagate from unseen seems in other places and the paint will bubble there.
Hard pass. And I'm from Cleveland. And lol at "only" $16k.
I flew to NC from PA to pick up my LJ a year and a half ago. I paid around 14k for an 85k mile LJ with a spotless frame. Its almost offensively clean. You just have to be patient and the right one will come along.
The rust is actually really not that bad depending on the price, inside of frame condition, and if you are willing to address and deal with it. But you are in southern California case closed. There is absolutely no reason for you to even look at this jeep.
I just saw your post about the price. 16k gets you a clean LJ with 150k on the clock. Or a lower mileage TJ that is rust free.
I just saw your post about the price. 16k gets you a clean LJ with 150k on the clock. Or a lower mileage TJ that is rust free.
The rust on the frame is really a non-issue at this point and could easily be taken care of with a little work and the right materials. It's the rust in the body seams and channels that you can't see that is a killer. Could it be taken care of? Yes, but it would take thousands of dollars to do it right, and then a paint job. To take care of everything I can see, and what I'm sure will pop up, I bet it would realistically cost $10,000 to do it right, and this is very much a "do it right, or do it twice" situation. (my knowledge is coming from the world of car restorations)
If he wants $16K, pull out at least $10K for repairs and that's what it's worth to you @TJJeepGregg . The owner will not see it this way.
Any rust that you can see coming through paint is at least 3-4 times that size under/behind the paint. This Jeep will need an entire exterior rocker panel and interior panel repair, plus paint.
If he wants $16K, pull out at least $10K for repairs and that's what it's worth to you @TJJeepGregg . The owner will not see it this way.
Any rust that you can see coming through paint is at least 3-4 times that size under/behind the paint. This Jeep will need an entire exterior rocker panel and interior panel repair, plus paint.
Then why are you asking our opinion? We all say pass on it and you defend your decision to buy it, so buy it! There are plenty of posts on this site on how to deal with rust, have fun and welcome to the detour to your retirement!
Here in MA brand new Jeeps look worse than that leaving the dealer lot!
Just kidding....but I would consider that "above average" condition here in MA. Not sure how much being an LJ increases the value but that is probably a $10k TJ here in MA if the rest of the body is solid and it hasn't been hacked by previous owners. Maybe$12k if the rest of it is absolutely perfect.
Just kidding....but I would consider that "above average" condition here in MA. Not sure how much being an LJ increases the value but that is probably a $10k TJ here in MA if the rest of the body is solid and it hasn't been hacked by previous owners. Maybe$12k if the rest of it is absolutely perfect.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:c49ae155-27df-454c-ad17-3f4fb0244581
Quick search on FB marketplace in AZ. Worth the trip. I could be wrong.
Quick search on FB marketplace in AZ. Worth the trip. I could be wrong.
There is something to be said though when brand new JLs and JTs are sitting at a dealership right in front of the shoulder of the road getting sprayed with road salt.
You can find an LJ without rust for 16k, maybe not in SoCal but they’re definitely available.
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