Rebuilt Title 2004 Rubicon Questions

[America_Owns]

Hello, I just made an account because I am going to get another Jeep to tow behind my motorhome and explore America.

I love offroading, I had a 2008 Jeep Rubicon but I was not a fan with the manual for offroad and I was even less excited about the engine that was in it. So I got rid of it.

I am having a hard time figuring out what to get so I am hoping some of you experts can help!

I am interested in a 2004 Jeep Rubicon however it has a rebuilt title. They said it happened when it had 17k miles (now 139). It comes with airlockers, 33 inch tires and a small 2 inch lift.

They are asking $9900 for it ( not sure if that is a fair price or now for a rebuilt title). I dont know much more about why it was rebuilt yet, I am waiting for the owner to reply.

Would any of you guys even consider a jeep like this? $10k is about my limit for a jeep right now. I did also find a 2009 sahara with 99k miles I am interested in but I would really miss the lockers. I know it still has the crap engine but it is an auto so I might have to give somewhere. The sahara is also a rebuilt title so I think $9900 is steep for that but idk.


If both of these are not very good do you have any other recommendations?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

My 04 Rubicon has a Salvage title from it having been declared totaled by the insurance company. That type of title often limits the type of insurance you can get. Mine is pretty much limited to liability and without theft coverage.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Salvage titled vehicles in Ohio can't be licensed until they not only pass the normal inspection but also to see that whatever was damaged/missing has been repaired/replaced. How they know exactly what to check, I don't know. When it passes, the salvage title is replaced with a rebuilt title. Be aware other states may vary.

I only mentioned this because you're looking for a Jeep and aren't too far from Ohio and Jeeps can start out, and end up, anywhere .

Anyway, depending on what state it happened in, vehicles that are now being driven can be anywhere from no problem at all, to someone's worst nightmare. They can end up as salvage from anything as easily fixable as having the engine/transmission stolen to sitting in a garage that burnt to the ground.

On a vehicle that ended up as salvage at 17k miles and now has 139k, I'd check for the same stuff as any Jeep of that age and/or miles. The first place I'll always look is where the skid plate touches the frame (rust) and go on from there.

Since it's a salvage it might not be a bad idea to make sure the frame wasn't welded back together by some drunk guy who used concrete rebar to stiffen it up while making meth in his neighbor's back yard. The chances are low but you never know.

$9900 for that Rubicon, if it is in good shape regardless of the salvage title, seems like a good price to me.

 

[RobertJ]

Depending on the reason it was given a salvage title I'd be very wary about towing it behind a motorhome. Any issues with the frame and/or tracking of the vehicle will make it a nightmare to use as a tow behind. I'd go as far to say that any vehicle that has had frame damage should be avoided as a "toad".