LJ Purchase Advice

BoundlessBasu

KTBFFH
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2019
Messages
50
Location
Toronto
Hi guys!

I went and drove 3 hours one way this morning to check out a Southern Ontario lifetime '05 LJ. Ended up being very lucky as to be the first one to message him so he saved it for me to see today.

219k km.
3" lift, Skyjacker?
Rear brake assembly redone this summer.
Entire driveline was looked over and fixed up at 150k km. Balljoints etc.
Slight vibration above 110km/h.
Fluids flushed when he purchased it ~4 years ago. Recommended I should flush all fluids.

  • Frame looks spotless, checked all the holes and did not feel any flakes around, and the body mounts, control arm brackets and skid plate bolts all look clean.
  • There is however, rust on the windshield frame - he's throwing in a new windshield frame. Just need to paint it and put on to pass safety pretty much. (Best how-to on painting and installing this?)
  • Rust on one front fender - $140~ replacement? This is body colour fenders.
  • Rust on body by passenger steps - Can fix.
  • Floorpans some surface rust, solid though was able to punch them no issue.

So while there is some rust around the tub that seems fixable, the frame seems near spotless. Would like your guys thoughts on this! I would be getting this for $11.5k CAD.

It would be my first vehicle that I own, and I plan to take great care of it. No wrenching experience as of yet but very eager to learn and get dirty.

First thing I want to take care of is fully rust proofing it before winter really starts to kick in the GTA.

Attached images below:

 
Frame looks painted. In the 3rd to last photo, it looks like the TC skid bolt on the left is different from all the others amd it's not all the way tightened. I'm curious as to why...maybe something foing on with the nutsert? That question, the rust on the tub, and the frame paint raises my suspicion on the "spotless" condition of the frame. I know you're 3 hrs away, but I would really check out the inside of the frame with a boroscope. With that said, as long as the frame checked out on the inside, seems like a fair deal.
 
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Ontario, rust capital of Canada. Common spots like the fender tops, windshield frame you mention. I'd run Forest run. $11,500..... I paid $11,800 nine years ago for a TJR. It was and still is rust free in the Kootenays.

Definitely low ball it. If he sees the LJ desire in yer eyes and he won't budge.

The pictures look better than I expected but if you detail a rust pig you can make it look better than it is. What I saw, incorrect fasteners on the skid plate. That would make me walk. Either there was a problem or he is so incompetent he lost the originals,,,, which says nothing good about the lift or any other mods.

A TJ with rusted fenders is not going to have a spotless frame.
 
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/shrug Its what it says on the Carfax service records.
12/31/2014
flag_CA.gif

Tilbury, Ontario, Canada
Tilbury Auto Sales
Service RecordVehicle serviced
Front wiper blades/refills replaced
Lower ball joint(s) replaced
Safety inspection performed
Vehicle washed/detailed
Upper ball joint(s) replaced
Drive belts checked
Fluids checked
Oil and filter changed
147,797 KM


Thank you for the reply though guys. I will borrow a boroscope before finalizing and check out the interior of the frame properly.

Hopefully it is all good, and I can finally join the family :)
 
Joining the family often means waiting till you find the right deal for you. Don’t rush the purchase if it’s not the Jeep for you. At the end of the day waiting is a much better option than buying the wrong rig.
 
I think it's in really good shape for being a northern vehicle. I'm not sure what $11.5 K is in real money😉, but I would be happy picking that one up. A little TLC and you have a great ride.
 
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Is the rear view mirror missing? And as others have mentioned, the skid plate has some issue going on, looks like they added a fourth hole, my guess is the now unsused hole would lead into a rusty frame.

Don't rush the purchase and keep patient for the right one. Expand your search as well, could be some good finds in Michigan, check out Craigslist.
 
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Any photos of the frame?

I'll get more photos requested tomorrow morning when there is some light.

I think it's in really good shape for being a northern vehicle. I'm not sure what $11.5 K is in real money😉, but I would be happy picking that one up. A little TLC and you have a great ride.

Definitely needs some work, but I think it's a good starter point. Getting it looked at this week. Have had seller hold off for me.


Acton's seller, I was in contact with in early Sept, but something came up and I had to hold off then. When I was ready a week or so ago, he relisted the ad as it was delisted for a few days, and said it was still available, then went silent.

I'm pretty set on getting and learning stick. 3rd listing, unresponsive.

Is the rear view mirror missing? And as others have mentioned, the skid plate has some issue going on, looks like they added a fourth hole, my guess is the now unsused hole would lead into a rusty frame.

Don't rush the purchase and keep patient for the right one. Expand your search as well, could be some good finds in Michigan, check out Craigslist.

Rear view is detached, its on the backseat. I'm going to have the skid plate issue looked at and asked about. I think it definitely does need to be looked over with a finetooth comb.

Edit:
GTA Resources!

Any solid mechanics shops I should be aware of to take her to around the GTA?

Parts shops? Body/Paint shops?

Thanks for all the help so far everyone, very appreciative of this forum!
 
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I see what looks like a hole rusted through the frame (pic #7) and another rust hole through the left upper rear control arm. I would not drive 3 hours to look at it. It's hard to make a good decision on a first vehicle but I would pass on this one.
 
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Seems by the posts you are excited and have your mind made up to some extent .

We would love to have you in the family , but first , realize we like to see family do good . I’m not sure what your options are in the great white north, but if you can avoid high miles and rust , and Justin Bieber, you will be better off .

Speaking of family , my brother Is a workaholic , mention work and he gets drunk .

Any way , we are a dysfunctional family to say the least.

Keep us posted .
 
I need to get a bigger screen than this smart phone, or admit I can't recommend much about vehicle condition!🤐 Even looking where others are pointing out I don't see the rustholes🧐. Wish I could get more than just LTE for internet out at my place.🤔
If it has been listed repeatedly it is likely due to the condition being a lot worse in person.🚽
I think many will agree that when you find YOUR Jeep you will just know it is the one that has been waiting for you.🤑
 
Had it checked out personally by a 4x4/jeep specialist. Guarantees frame is in excellent condition. Suggested to get fenders and floorpans fixed asap though. Interior plastic trim also has some rattling, will look at same time as floorpan rust removal.

Some things do need work though:
- Front brake rotors & pads are worn
- RMS leak
- Significant play in ball joints
- Clutch pressure plate(?) is worn
- Full fluids flush

I think I will be going ahead with this and get this worked on over the weekend! Will pick up tomorrow morning and drop off to my guy.

Going to negotiate a lower price after that check. PO was priding himself on the rear brakes...but front are completely worn out, and with the RMS leak I think I can get it quite a bit lower.
 
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I noticed a slight drip on mine (drop every day or two) and it's either the RMS or the valve cover gasket. I haven't had a chance to figure that one out for sure yet. For now, I put an old mat down in the garage with a rubber bottom to collect the occasional drips. A person can add a lot of oil for the cost or hassle of fixing minor leaks. Especially if they are slow enough not to drip very often. Of course if they are fixing the clutch the RMS is in that area anyway. I'm going to wait until I either get bigger oil spots or need a new clutch.
 
Had it checked out personally by a 4x4/jeep specialist. Guarantees frame is in excellent condition. Suggested to get fenders and floorpans fixed asap though. Interior plastic trim also has some rattling, will look at same time as floorpan rust removal.
Did he say it was just the floor pans and not the torque boxes too? There's quite a difference in the amount of work if it's both.

I wouldn't worry about the rest of the list. It's pretty straight forward work and things you want to have working properly anyway. I suggest though before you tackle the rear main seal it would be good to eliminate the valve cover gasket as the source of the leak. You might get lucky.
 
Did he say it was just the floor pans and not the torque boxes too? There's quite a difference in the amount of work if it's both.

I wouldn't worry about the rest of the list. It's pretty straight forward work and things you want to have working properly anyway. I suggest though before you tackle the rear main seal it would be good to eliminate the valve cover gasket as the source of the leak. You might get lucky.

Just the pans surface rust though passenger side might need to be replaced completely to be sure.

I'm just going to have peace of mind and get the RMS, Oil pan & valve cover gasket replaced at the same time.