I officially bought a running, driving TJ with under 200k for $500

LostintheForest

LostintheForest

Member
Original poster
Joined
Jun 22, 2024
Messages
94
Location
Willow Grove Pa
Gotta love a kind neighbor.

IMG_1880.jpeg


A family a street over had this sitting in front of their house the whole time I lived in my neighborhood, and one day they put the house up for sale, and the jeep moved. I figured that since they kept up-ish on inspection maybe they weren’t interested in selling. Weeks came and went and out they moved, and the jeep went with them.

Then…

2 weeks later it appeared on across rhe street from my house. Sure enough, it was the same one. I wasn’t in position to buy a car so I still resisted. A week went by, and I couldn’t take it. I wrote up a note and was gonna put it under the wiper, checked the door and it was unlocked! Put the note on the dash after a quick glance around the truck to assess condition. I couldn’t believe it was in actually pretty good shape.

The guy called me back while I was wheeling my 4 runner with the family for Father’s Day at Rausch Creek. He said that actually his insurance agent was looking at it to see if he wanted it and sent him a picture of my note. He said as far as he’s concerned it’s only worth the battery he just put in it, make an offer, he just wanted it to go to someone who could save it as it was too unsafe for his nephew.

It needs rear spring pearches and a little repair to the left tub center body mount, some tires and other odds and ends, but I cannot stop smiling.

What a machine!!! I plan to get it mechanically sound and enjoy it on 31’s and feel out what mods call to me. For now, stock-ish is good!

4.0 5 Speed Sport, if you’re curious
 
  • Like
  • USA Proud
  • Wow
Reactions: The4bangertj, IPerkWVU, Jamison C and 9 others
I will get more/ better pics next week when I get it in the air at the shop, here is what I got after I left the note in the truck:

IMG_1798.jpeg


I explained to him that my wife is starting her own daycare so I don’t have a ton of loose cash, but I’m working on selling my old fox body and my 2009 WRX, and this would be the perfect project to get into something I’ve always wanted that won’t get me speeding tickets lol. He said he wasn’t looking for money, he just wanted it off his hands.

This is my first jeep, I also have a 2000 4 Runner with some suspension work and a winch and all that which is my current daily as well as the rare wheeling adventure. So this will be my new daily, as I just want to get rid of my previous daily, the WRX. Too many headaches, and trouble with the law. I need to set a good example for my 2 yo son, have fun at slower speeds lol.

I feel blessed and I’m not even religious

IMG_1796.jpeg


IMG_1795.jpeg


IMG_1794.jpeg


IMG_1792.jpeg


IMG_1793.jpeg


IMG_1799.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueC and Tob
I’ll make a list of what I find wrong with it too, but the frame only needs to be cleaned out and replace the rear spring perches. Everything else is “hit it with a hammer” tested good!
The body does need one mount …mount section… thing replaced, right under the driver. Everything else is surface rust, so I’m gonna oil coat the frame once I get it cleaned up and repaired, and detail the body, and probably use “Sweet Patina” to preserve the hood and fenders. I like the well-worn look and feel of it.

My buddy had stock bumpers and Sahara interior that he needs out of his attic as well!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Tob
LostintheForest said:
I will get more/ better pics next week when I get it in the air at the shop, here is what I got after I left the note in the truck:

View attachment 539902

I explained to him that my wife is starting her own daycare so I don’t have a ton of loose cash, but I’m working on selling my old fox body and my 2009 WRX, and this would be the perfect project to get into something I’ve always wanted that won’t get me speeding tickets lol. He said he wasn’t looking for money, he just wanted it off his hands.

This is my first jeep, I also have a 2000 4 Runner with some suspension work and a winch and all that which is my current daily as well as the rare wheeling adventure. So this will be my new daily, as I just want to get rid of my previous daily, the WRX. Too many headaches, and trouble with the law. I need to set a good example for my 2 yo son, have fun at slower speeds lol.

I feel blessed and I’m not even religious

View attachment 539905

View attachment 539906

View attachment 539907

View attachment 539908

View attachment 539909

View attachment 539910
Click to expand...

As a former WRX owner myself, I understand your plight. 👍
 
  • Haha
Reactions: ColoJeep and BlueC
LostintheForest said:
I will get more/ better pics next week when I get it in the air at the shop, here is what I got after I left the note in the truck:

View attachment 539902

I explained to him that my wife is starting her own daycare so I don’t have a ton of loose cash, but I’m working on selling my old fox body and my 2009 WRX, and this would be the perfect project to get into something I’ve always wanted that won’t get me speeding tickets lol. He said he wasn’t looking for money, he just wanted it off his hands.

This is my first jeep, I also have a 2000 4 Runner with some suspension work and a winch and all that which is my current daily as well as the rare wheeling adventure. So this will be my new daily, as I just want to get rid of my previous daily, the WRX. Too many headaches, and trouble with the law. I need to set a good example for my 2 yo son, have fun at slower speeds lol.

I feel blessed and I’m not even religious

View attachment 539905

View attachment 539906

View attachment 539907

View attachment 539908

View attachment 539909

View attachment 539910
Click to expand...

Pics of fox body not loading.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper
Apparition said:
Never good to see one on a flat bed.
Click to expand...

I had restored it years ago at this point , but haven’t driven it in almost 7 years, lost interest. It’s a GT Turbo, 2.4t like the SVO. When I got my WRX I kinda lost interest in it and it sat for too long and now crank no start. Towed it to the new house when we moved and it sat longer, and then this jeep came along and now I’m getting it running again for sale. Here it’s awaiting its time in the lift some weekend in the future lol.

IMG_1884.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueC and Apparition
Congratulations on getting your first TJ.


LostintheForest said:
I will get more/ better pics next week when I get it in the air at the shop, here is what I got after I left the note in the truck:

View attachment 539902
Click to expand...

Hopefully your frame is as good as your hammer test has concluded. Did you happen to create that hole in the bumper with your hammer.

On a more serious note, try removing the 6 bolts holding the transmission skid plate on the frame before fixing the spring perches. the frame in that area may need some help and you, or whoever's fixing the perches, can kill two birds with one stone.
 
LostintheForest said:
Gotta love a kind neighbor.

View attachment 539882

A family a street over had this sitting in front of their house the whole time I lived in my neighborhood, and one day they put the house up for sale, and the jeep moved. I figured that since they kept up-ish on inspection maybe they weren’t interested in selling. Weeks came and went and out they moved, and the jeep went with them.

Then…

2 weeks later it appeared on across rhe street from my house. Sure enough, it was the same one. I wasn’t in position to buy a car so I still resisted. A week went by, and I couldn’t take it. I wrote up a note and was gonna put it under the wiper, checked the door and it was unlocked! Put the note on the dash after a quick glance around the truck to assess condition. I couldn’t believe it was in actually pretty good shape.

The guy called me back while I was wheeling my 4 runner with the family for Father’s Day at Rausch Creek. He said that actually his insurance agent was looking at it to see if he wanted it and sent him a picture of my note. He said as far as he’s concerned it’s only worth the battery he just put in it, make an offer, he just wanted it to go to someone who could save it as it was too unsafe for his nephew.

It needs rear spring pearches and a little repair to the left tub center body mount, some tires and other odds and ends, but I cannot stop smiling.

What a machine!!! I plan to get it mechanically sound and enjoy it on 31’s and feel out what mods call to me. For now, stock-ish is good!

4.0 5 Speed Sport, if you’re curious
Click to expand...

Congratulations you little shit!
 
  • Haha
Reactions: TheBoogieman
JEEPCJTJ said:
Congratulations on getting your first TJ.




Hopefully your frame is as good as your hammer test has concluded. Did you happen to create that hole in the bumper with your hammer.

On a more serious note, try removing the 6 bolts holding the transmission skid plate on the frame before fixing the spring perches. the frame in that area may need some help and you, or whoever's fixing the perches, can kill two birds with one stone.
Click to expand...

Even the bolt heads for the belly pan are intact. My buddy with the Sahara seats also has frame sections if I need them, but they look alright.

I’ve been an inspection mechanic in SE Pennsylvania, I have condemned my fair share of TJs over the years, and repaired a few as well. I was shocked when I got it up on the lift how solid it was. Ever control arm mount is completely there, and there seems to be mostly just surface rust. Some scale build up in a few openings, but three sets of eyes have looked it over so far and concluded it’s for sure saveable with perches. The rear brake lines have even been done already lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mvigo and Apparition
TheBoogieman said:
You're looking in the wrong place.
View attachment 540228
Click to expand...

I’m sure it does look similar inside, but I will make the best of the situation. A show truck it is not, but I have confidence it is saveable as it is, at worst will need some sections. I’ll run a boroscope in the frame next time I have it in the air to see how it’s truly doing.

The “pings” of the hammer blows were music to my ears tho, I’m so very used to the dull “thud” of rot on these things.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TheBoogieman and fourpointzero
Top Bottom