Should I buy this Jeep?
- Thread starter colleenb
- Start date
Stay away from that thing. I can see some serious rust under that transfer case, to the point where it's snapped one of the bolts.
Walk away, you'll be sorry if you don't (if you plan on keeping if for a long time at least).
There's a reason that thing is so cheap... it's literally waiting to fall apart on the next owner.
Walk away, you'll be sorry if you don't (if you plan on keeping if for a long time at least).
There's a reason that thing is so cheap... it's literally waiting to fall apart on the next owner.
Paul Land
TJ Enthusiast
Artemis
TJ Enthusiast
Lol and notice that these guys are in areas of the country that have no issues with rust. You rust Nazis scare too many folks. 
I personally recommend taking it some place to have a professional examine it for issues.
I personally recommend taking it some place to have a professional examine it for issues.
X2 to the above opinions. Plus that's an older YJ model with a leaf spring suspension that rides like a buck board wagon. My recommendation is for a 1997 to 2004 model TJ. TJs have coil spring suspensions and ride much better.
See this:
That right there is internal frame rot. I guarantee you if you take an endoscope to the inside of that frame, you will see something far worse than the outside.. it's rotting from the inside out.
That transfer case is barely being held onto the frame. In order to fix this you'd at bare minimum need to cut those sections of the frame out and replace it with new pieces. However, in doing that, you're likely going to find even more rust in other places.
What I'm getting at is that this is a BIG project, and if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time, you shouldn't even consider this one. There's a reason they are asking $2500, period.
Yes, it's a lot harder to find a clean, rust free Jeep on the East Coast and the Rust Belt states. However, that doesn't mean they don't exist, you just have to look harder. There are people who take care of their vehicles who live in the rust belt states and perhaps have another vehicle they daily drive when there is salt on the roads, so that their Jeep doesn't have to take the abuse.
People can say I'm too critical with the rust, but having dealt with a complete rust bucket ('69 Camaro) before, I know that I'll never do it again. If I could do it over with that one, I would have just paid more and bought one with no rust at all.
Ask @Ranger_b0b about this one, he's the "Rust Belt Heavyweight". If he could do it all over again and buy a Jeep knowing what he knows now, I'm betting money he would rather have just paid more and looked longer in order to find one with little to no rust. I could be wrong though... some people enjoy projects, and if you're the type who enjoys big projects, then a rusted out frame would certainly fit the bill.
I just don't like to see first time Wrangler owners (I'm assuming you'd be a first time Wrangler owner) waste their money, that's all. I'm trying to offer good advice.
I also second what @Jerry Bransford said about looking for a 97-06 TJ model Wrangler. The 97-06 model is a much better ride than the earlier YJs (which is the one in this photo). The coil springs make a world of difference.
That right there is internal frame rot. I guarantee you if you take an endoscope to the inside of that frame, you will see something far worse than the outside.. it's rotting from the inside out.
That transfer case is barely being held onto the frame. In order to fix this you'd at bare minimum need to cut those sections of the frame out and replace it with new pieces. However, in doing that, you're likely going to find even more rust in other places.
What I'm getting at is that this is a BIG project, and if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time, you shouldn't even consider this one. There's a reason they are asking $2500, period.
Yes, it's a lot harder to find a clean, rust free Jeep on the East Coast and the Rust Belt states. However, that doesn't mean they don't exist, you just have to look harder. There are people who take care of their vehicles who live in the rust belt states and perhaps have another vehicle they daily drive when there is salt on the roads, so that their Jeep doesn't have to take the abuse.
People can say I'm too critical with the rust, but having dealt with a complete rust bucket ('69 Camaro) before, I know that I'll never do it again. If I could do it over with that one, I would have just paid more and bought one with no rust at all.
Ask @Ranger_b0b about this one, he's the "Rust Belt Heavyweight". If he could do it all over again and buy a Jeep knowing what he knows now, I'm betting money he would rather have just paid more and looked longer in order to find one with little to no rust. I could be wrong though... some people enjoy projects, and if you're the type who enjoys big projects, then a rusted out frame would certainly fit the bill.
I just don't like to see first time Wrangler owners (I'm assuming you'd be a first time Wrangler owner) waste their money, that's all. I'm trying to offer good advice.
I also second what @Jerry Bransford said about looking for a 97-06 TJ model Wrangler. The 97-06 model is a much better ride than the earlier YJs (which is the one in this photo). The coil springs make a world of difference.
As a 25 year old YJ it looks incredibly good. That said anything 25 years old is a project. I had one, sold it when it was 25 years old. Paid $4500. Sold it 12 years later for $3500, 8 years ago.
I spent an average of $1000 every year, including tires, shocks, brakes, new engine. It will be a project every year. Not sure I agree with the rust comments, it looks way better than the one I sold. No sign of body rust but the area to check professionally is the rear frame, at and behind the rear shackles.
Otherwise, this is a toy. I doubt it will be cheap reliable transportation. I doubt I'd even recommend a TJ as a great daily driver. Reliable transportation tends to be best when less than 10 years old. unless it is pristine..... but then it will not be cheap either.
I spent an average of $1000 every year, including tires, shocks, brakes, new engine. It will be a project every year. Not sure I agree with the rust comments, it looks way better than the one I sold. No sign of body rust but the area to check professionally is the rear frame, at and behind the rear shackles.
Otherwise, this is a toy. I doubt it will be cheap reliable transportation. I doubt I'd even recommend a TJ as a great daily driver. Reliable transportation tends to be best when less than 10 years old. unless it is pristine..... but then it will not be cheap either.
Paul Land
TJ Enthusiast
To me, it depends what you want to with it. Project to learn on or just enjoy doing that stuff? Demolition derby? Field racer? <—- THAT would be fun even with a 4 banger. I had a 93 and the ride didn't faze me one bit and I actually got a kick out if it and the basic interior. If you want to just drive it then I agree with the others and keep looking. Lots of Jeeps out there if you are willing to drive too them.
I see that broken transfer case drop spacer, a hole in the fender, Rear main leak, and a 4 cylinder engine. The rust really doesn't look bad to me...Yes, there is some there and once its there, its really tough to get rid of.
@Chris We all know how you feel about rust, but you cannot say that the frame is junk because ONE aftermarket spacer is broken. Who knows what the P.O. used for that spacer. You can't even tell if the bolt is broken. You're making a big assumption, I guess is what I'm saying.
So, to @colleenb, What are YOU going to do with it? Is it a trail rig or hunting rig? Something to bomb around the boonies with? Or are you looking for a daily driver? I'd pass on it, for DD duty...However...Its REALLY hard to beat a 2500 dollar wrangler for getting into the bush, if you're just looking for a Toy, Especially if it runs well and is reliable. There is a LOT of fun there...
@Chris We all know how you feel about rust, but you cannot say that the frame is junk because ONE aftermarket spacer is broken. Who knows what the P.O. used for that spacer. You can't even tell if the bolt is broken. You're making a big assumption, I guess is what I'm saying.
So, to @colleenb, What are YOU going to do with it? Is it a trail rig or hunting rig? Something to bomb around the boonies with? Or are you looking for a daily driver? I'd pass on it, for DD duty...However...Its REALLY hard to beat a 2500 dollar wrangler for getting into the bush, if you're just looking for a Toy, Especially if it runs well and is reliable. There is a LOT of fun there...
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