Is it a good buy or steer away?

Gia

Gia

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Apr 24, 2023
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United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
Hi all, seen another TJ as the search for a decent jeep goes on… This one is 2006 manual with approx 70k miles. Need to verify the miles. The car was sitting for a few months hence the dust.

What’s your take on rust? Didn’t feel any flakes and felt smooth inside the frame rails.

The front driveshaft has been replaced, not sure on the brand and the exact reason but also know that the front axle pinion and ring had to be replaced. The rear driveshaft is missing??

The garage would fix mechanical issues with the car prior to the sale.

Right now wanted to hear your opinions on the frame and this driveshaft situation. And anything else you might spot.

Thanks in advance

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I do not see any concerns with the frame other than a few minor issues, the cold air intake is complete crap and should be returned to oem. It appears that the double cardon joint on the front shaft let loose at some point and did some tub damage, but I would want both shafts in for a thorough test of the driveline.
 
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Pretty damn clean

You wont see many ~20 year old vehicles without SOME rust showing on the frame & suspension.

You shoulda seen my asstastic looking suspension before I ripped it out, and recoated everything

That one looks like a very well kept one Vs what mine looked like, and mine came from Florida, but originally from Pennsylvania
 
Rust wise I am not seeing anything concerning. If inside felt and looked good I wouldn't be worried about that.
 
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Looks like the front driveshaft seized up going by the marks on the tub and the front yoke. It can snap the transfercase into pieces when that happens and causes damage to it regardless.if the transfercase came apart going down the road it could ruin the rear shaft too.probably why it isn't there.

I would get under there to see if the transmission and transfercase have matching grease and corrosion.in other words I'd make sure it was replaced or rebuilt and that the front yoke on the transfercase isn't sloppy from the thrashing.

I wouldn't buy it without a rear shaft and thorough test drive in 4x4
 
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CreepinDeth said:
Pretty damn clean

You wont see many ~20 year old vehicles without SOME rust showing on the frame & suspension.

You shoulda seen my asstastic looking suspension before I ripped it out, and recoated everything

That one looks like a very well kept one Vs what mine looked like, and mine came from Florida, but originally from Pennsylvania
Click to expand...

UAE is probably a pretty dry climate.
 
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If they can't/won't install a rear driveshaft before purchase then I would assume worst case - it needs a new rear axle and transfer case, so I would reduce my offer accordingly. Andy
 
Have rear drive shaft installed and test 4x4. Also I don’t see a belt on the engine and some caps are missing for fluids. Have them replace those and listen to it run before you commit.
 
Is it me or is one of the plugs missing from the ECU? Most certainly don't like the cover being missing.

I don't like the coolant overflow cap being missing.

Otherwise looks pretty clean. Lots of negotiating points.

-Mac
 
In the Northeast US we would consider that frame in excellent condition. Looks like its got a few items to address but rust wont be one of them. Good luck!
 
macleanflood said:
Is it me or is one of the plugs missing from the ECU? Most certainly don't like the cover being missing.
Click to expand...
4th connector opening is sealed off due to it being a manual trans and either an 05 or 06 which is when they switched to the NGC controllers. That connector when used is for the auto TCM which was integrated into the controller in 05. The PCM covers stopped in about 98.
macleanflood said:
I don't like the coolant overflow cap being missing.

Otherwise looks pretty clean. Lots of negotiating points.

-Mac
Click to expand...
It is reasonably clean. It has however, had a bit of a hard life. As mentioned, either the front driveshaft blew up and came loose at the t-case and or the Double Cardan seized up and blew off the side of the t-case and then the driveshaft got into the tub. The exhaust shows what is probably a cat delete with a too small piece of exhaust tube. The belly skid was dropped trying to save teh rear driveshaft which eventually let go when it couldn't take the vibes any longer.

It is neglected, the missing serpentine points to an issue with something seizing up and taking out the belt, or just an oversight from some work that stopped before it was done.

There is a whole bunch of WTF going on that needs to be addressed before purchase or else take it as a basket case at a really good price.
 
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