Think I found my LJ - please see pics

[Keeun22]

Found this 2005 LJ with 100k miles on it. I am a rookie so would greatly appreciate if someone would take a look at this pics and let me know if you think there is a rust problem. to me it looks like surface rust but i have no idea what i am talking about. Ready to pull the trigger! Anyone see anything i should be scared of? t

any help .

 

[Sj's TJ]

Looks like surface rust to me. Stick you fingers in and see if there are any major flakes in there. Also, a pic of the TC skid section would be good.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

That looks fine to me (a rust belt guy) but what you want to check is between the skid plate and the frame. You can ignore that missing torque box in this picture:

:

 

[Keeun22]

Looks like surface rust to me. Stick you fingers in and see if there are any major flakes in there. Also, a pic of the TC skid section would be good.

thanks for looking. sorry for dumb question but what is TC skid section?

 

[AMS417]

Rust on the suspension isn't a big deal, we will talk you into replacing all that stuff anyway.

Focus on the frame, inside and out. Common rust issue are around the skid plate, and rear control arm mounting areas. See if the skid plate bolts will come loose. If not that's a sign there is significant rust. Probe around in all the frame holes with a finger, looking for flaking or crusty rusted metal.

...and any obvious underbody rust. Lay on the ground and look up. If its there you should see it. Pull back the carpets, inspect inside the tub.

 

[Sj's TJ]

thanks for looking. sorry for dumb question but what is TC skid section?

Transfer Case skid plate. It’s the center section that was posted above by JEEPCJTJ

 

[TJ4Jim]

thanks for looking. sorry for dumb question but what is TC skid section?

Near the center of the frame (front to back) there is a wide (2+ feet) pressed steel plate attached to each frame rail that protects and supports the transmission and transfer case. Each side has 3 bolts up to the bottom of the frame rail, it is this area between the skid and frame that can be an area of concern. Post # 3 has a pic of the skid sitting on top of the tire.

 

[Keeun22]

That looks fine to me (a rust belt guy) but what you want to check is between the skid plate and the frame. You can ignore that missing torque box in this picture:View attachment 182924:

 

[pagrey]

The frame pictures look fine to me. Beware the check engine light and good luck.

 

[Irun]

All looks to be surface rust and there is nothing showing here I'd be worried about. For context, here's a before and after of one I did recently that was very similar.

Before

After

 

[skrelnik]

All looks to be surface rust and there is nothing showing here I'd be worried about. For context, here's a before and after of one I did recently that was very similar.

Before
View attachment 182942

After
View attachment 182943

What did you use to clean the surface rust? Wire brush or something?

 

[Mike_H]

What you've shown so far looks pretty superficial to me. Definitely look closer. There are a couple holes in the frame you can stick your fingers into and feel the inside surface. It should be smooth like the outside.

Good luck!

 

[Irun]

What did you use to clean the surface rust? Wire brush or something?

These are my go to tools, along with a good cordless drill:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z4NLJ2Y/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073D9WK9H/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VOO92M/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[oldjeepman]

Is it a local jeep? Didn't Houston have flooding a few yrs ago?

 

[T A]

What kind of jounce bumpers are those in the OP pics??

 

[Viking Jeeper]

All looks to be surface rust and there is nothing showing here I'd be worried about. For context, here's a before and after of one I did recently that was very similar.

Before
View attachment 182942

After
View attachment 182943

Good thing you labeled the pictures before and after because without it who could tell?

 

[Irun]

Good thing you labeled the pictures before and after because without it who could tell?

I'm old and need all the visual cues I can get!

 

[Keeun22]

thanks for the help. just agreed to buy it.