Picked up a 1997 TJ for a project

myjeep3

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 4, 2019
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477
Location
MA
Hey guys. I want ahead and picked up a 97 Tj for a local guy who had it for a while and needed cash. He bough it in 04 with 50k on it and now it has 163k.
Over all it not too bad compare to what i have seen so far. The frame looks already as it was repaired before in the regular spots. The body will need some fixing. The front seat has a hole in it but planing on sourcing new seat.

Will post some detailed images at some point, specifically on the frame and those area that need work so i can get some input on how to go about it.

Here are some pics for now.
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There is one at the back corner bellow the light, you can see it on the picture. Another one at the bottom of the tub on the same side where body mount it.and some on the floor panel.
A friend of mine who owns a body shop may help me with those repairs when we get to respraying the car.
Also the front suspension may need few things. Planning on lifting it, so will address those issues thn.
Will post more pics when i bring it home.



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Yes we will see how it goes.. trying to figure where to start. Probably the frame and suspension?

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Finally took it home today. Drives fine just need to get use to how jeeps ride. Am used to bmws.
I took quick pics. It will need some repairs to the tub. Some areas are tight to get to unless the tub is liftef off the frame to make some room for the welder. How do you guys go about that?

After driving it home 50 miles away, chck engine light came kn with code P0138 ( 02 sensor wet/oily or circuit cut). Will play with that later.

Here are some more pics.. its getting dark so excuse me if they arent clear to see.

Note: On pic with the wire i dont know where those wires and plug suppose to go.

Will take more pics when i inspect it more tomorrow.

Guys thanks for the support. I truly appreciate all the suggestions, critics and the guidance on how to and where to start.
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I need to replace the floor panels and the long piece alomg thr bottom of the tub where the body mounts bolt in.. What do you guys recommend to use.
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This is indeed a project. I bought a project about a year and a half ago. I have a cousin who does metal work in his garage and he and I spent about two months (maybe 80 hours) repairing the rust on my tub which looked very similar to yours. In my opinion the only way to repair that tub is to remove it from the frame. I got floor pans and full length floor supports from Quadratec. It’s a bit tedious to drill out the spot welds and separate the floor pans from the tub. The rust in the corner behind the seats next to the roll cage was a problem for me. My cousin was able to fabricate a piece to replace the rusted sections.

An alternative is to search for a rust free jeep tub which runs $1200 to $1500. There was something satisfying about repairing my original tub, but it would not have been possible without a good friend who knows how to make stuff out of metal.
 
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You must have really wanted a Jeep, you have a real project on your hands there. Frame rust in certain areas can be dealt with fairly easily, the body rust on your rig would really bother me though. Not sure of your end game with that Jeep but try to have some fun getting there. Hope you have a repair area that you don't mind tying up for a while. Keep us posted on your progress
 
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I like the challenge, and have few friend who are professional welders and own a body shop.
I am new to jeep but have done multiple projects worse then this, so wanted to take the challenge and restore this one, and want to do it the jeep way. So any suggestion from here is appreciated.

The structure of the jeep seem to be simple and straight forward.

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This is indeed a project. I bought a project about a year and a half ago. I have a cousin who does metal work in his garage and he and I spent about two months (maybe 80 hours) repairing the rust on my tub which looked very similar to yours. In my opinion the only way to repair that tub is to remove it from the frame. I got floor pans and full length floor supports from Quadratec. It’s a bit tedious to drill out the spot welds and separate the floor pans from the tub. The rust in the corner behind the seats next to the roll cage was a problem for me. My cousin was able to fabricate a piece to replace the rusted sections.

An alternative is to search for a rust free jeep tub which runs $1200 to $1500. There was something satisfying about repairing my original tub, but it would not have been possible without a good friend who knows how to make stuff out of metal.
Good to hear. How did the project end? Do you still have the car? Is it solid now..
I saw the 6 pieces kit on Quadratec that includes the floor panels and both bottom full length pieces for around 450$. May just get that. Wll see what my welder thinks as he love to fabricate stuff.

When these repairs correctly done, these cars suppose to be stronger then factory and should last many more years.


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It’s still in the works. I took the Jeep apart last summer. Yada yada yada ... I have a rolling chassis now. The tub is solid. My Cummins 2.8R arrived last week. I’ve done a million things but have a million more to do. Once it’s done it will be special to me and my son.

Get the parts you listed from Quadretec. Your friends will still have ample opportunity to fabricate. No need to reinvent the wheel here.
 
It’s still in the works. I took the Jeep apart last summer. Yada yada yada ... I have a rolling chassis now. The tub is solid. My Cummins 2.8R arrived last week. I’ve done a million things but have a million more to do. Once it’s done it will be special to me and my son.

Get the parts you listed from Quadretec. Your friends will still have ample opportunity to fabricate. No need to reinvent the wheel here.
How complex is it to remove the tub? Havent figured out if i should remove it or repair the floors by lifting the tub a lil.

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You’ll want to remove the tub. It’s some work. There are multiple YouTube videos that helped me. Have your friends weld some sort of bracket to the roll cage and then lift with an engine hoist. Or if you have access to a 2 post car lift then use that to lift it off the frame.

Taking the tub off will really be the only way to replace the rusty metal. It will also give you complete access to repair or treat the frame.
 
@DetroitTJ, thanks man.. we looked at it again today, and the frame is solid but will reenforce it in some arears and paint it. At that point we may end up removing the tub to work at the bottom panels.

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Go for it. Post some pics as you go. Here are some pics of my work to inspire you (or maybe you’ll reconsider looking for a rust free tub and scraping yours). BTW - taking the dash off would have made replacing the front floor pans much easier. I didn’t decide to take the dash off until the floor pans were done though.

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@DeteoitTJ, thanks for sharing those image.. yes it looks like mine. Can we see what it looks like underneath?

I cant find this part highlighted in yellow on this pic. The 2 rear body mounts attach to it. You can see one of the mount where that hole it. The rear of thr tub seats on it.
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Hot damn, that's a project alright! I look forward to following the progress as you go.

You're a brave man for taking this one on!
 
We are living in parallel universes. That rear piece just cut out with a cut off wheel and replace with 16 gauge steel. If that body mount nut is loose then weld a new nut in place.

I don’t think I have pictures of the bottom. Once the floors were replaced we wire wheeled everything and sprayed a Rustoleum rust treatment and then a rust preventative.

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We are living in parallel universes. That rear piece just cut out with a cut off wheel and replace with 16 gauge steel. If that body mount nut is loose then weld a new nut in place.

I don’t think I have pictures of the bottom. Once the floors were replaced we wire wheeled everything and sprayed a Rustoleum rust treatment and then a rust preventative.

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Nicely done. I will start mine once i finish this other project. Will share pics and ask questions as we go.

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