Thoughts on Potential 2006 Rubicon Purchase

[singapore.saki]

Hi everyone. New member here looking to hopefully join the TJ community. The Jeep will be for my teenage son but we will both work on it and enjoy it. Asking opinions on a 06 TJ 62K miles manual transmission. I've looked at it today - just a visual and engine start. Plan to test drive this weekend. Visually I was looking for the frame rust issues mentioned by Chris in that great thread in the Tj resources forum.
The vehicle has spent its entire life in Pennsylvania and some months in Michigan before it was auctioned and bought by a dealer here in Houston. Luckily it is only 30 minutes away.
I did not see any visible rust on the frame - it looks like it is coated. The undercarriage has an oily/waxy/grease like substance. I stuck my finger in the frame holes front and rear and it felt smooth-some of that substance transferred to my finger.
There are some paint bubbles on the front fenders-dealer said they’d fix those. Some very minor corrosion on exterior corner of both window frames.
The engine bay is pristine and motor sounded great - no unusual noise.

Just would like the confirmation of the experts to help me feel more confident. Pics below. Appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

 

[Irun]

This one has some flags for me:

- PA and Michigan lifetime
- Coated tub and frame
- Paint bubbles
- etc.

If there are "some" paint bubbles, there's likely more you can't see. Especially in areas like behind the factory Rocker Guards and under the rear inner fender liners. It looks to me like a lot has been covered up, and not in a good way.

 

[2001slvrstntj]

Looks pretty good to me but might be some rust under the trans skid, looks the be bowed/swollen a bit here and maybe some visible. Not saying enough to pass, just check closer to be aware and possibly negotiate

When I say looks good that is coming from the rust belt guy. It looks like the frame has had rust and covered up but not enough rust to compromise it from the pics. I do think under the skid there is some though.

 

[CreepinDeth]

Looks pretty damn nice ESPECIALLY considering the areas its from. I wouldnt worry about the fenders much. Just found some cancer on mine from Florida and I seal coated it and when it eventually goes south, new fenders are very inexpensive.

Frame coating looks pretty clean IMO and thats insanely low miles fir the year. We are talkin 5K or thereabouts a year only

I picked up an 03 4.0L 5 sp for my 9 year old in June
That gives me a few years to play with it and put everything new ground up

 

[Danarch]

Just hard to tell with the coating, in general that always makes me nervous, like are they trying to hide something. But I’ve spent basically all my life in the Sacramento/Placer County of CA so really done have experience with rust. But I’d be concerned about the bubbles and if other areas may have hidden rust. Lift the carpet and check the floor plan for rust. Tap the frame some and see what happens.

 

[singapore.saki]

Wow! Thanks for the quick responses.
Yes I plan on checking the floor pans and I’ll ask to remove the trans skid for a better look.
Here are a couple more pics.

 

[Danarch]

Looks real clean on top and engine bay. Just check it over.

 

[TokenJo]

Welcome to the club. I have a 06 manual Rubi from the Pittsburgh/Ohio. Bought in 2017, 72k on it. It has surface rust on the the frame, nothing major. I agree with the skid plate looking a little funky. The body mount bushings look new or just cleaned from the coating process? If you can, take it to a trusted mechanic and put it on a lift. Feel the top frame where you can. Also verify the vin# that it is a Rubi, another way to tell is the dana 44 rear/front axles will have drain plugs in them.

I changed all fluids in mine, spark plugs, ( O2 sensors when light came on ). I did get wobbles in the back, local off road shop replaced rear upper link bushings, rear drive shaft, trac bar

Hope it works out, this site is a wealth of knowledge, I constantly refer to it before changing/fixing parts.

Also, $40, supporting member, grab some shirts from the shop ( go a size bigger ) they;re kick @ss!!

 

[deadbeat son]

The body mount bushings look new or just cleaned from the coating process?

They look spray painted to me. There appears to be a lot of paint coverup IMO.

 

[Apparition]

I’d go look at it. Stick a finger in those frame holes and see how the inside of the frame feels.

Ask yourself two questions-

Do I need a tetanus shot?

Is it worth buying?

The answers can’t both be yes.

 

[deadbeat son]

I’d go look at it. Stick a finger in those frame holes and see how the inside of the frame feels.

Ask yourself two questions-

Do I need a tetanus shot?

Is it worth buying?

The answers can’t both be yes.

The undercarriage has an oily/waxy/grease like substance. I stuck my finger in the frame holes front and rear and it felt smooth-some of that substance transferred to my finger.

 

[AndyG]

Really depends on price - I’d pass if I could get an equal mileage rust free TJR for the same money. If its a racehorse deal, it gets genright fenders and away we go.

By northern standards it is excellent, to southerners it is scary as Freddy Krueger.

You need to pull the plastic covers off the rear tub behind the tires from below and look up in there with a flashlight on both sides, scope the frame and be thorough.

 

[Apparition]

Thanks @deadbeat son missed that.

Since the frame is smooth inside it wouldn’t bother me.

 

[LONGJP2]

Hopefully low miles means they never drove it in the winter.

 

[TurboTJ]

That does not look like a 2006. The vents on the rear of the hardtop were not used in 2006. Maybe the hardtop is just a transplant from an earlier model year though.

Also, what is the story on those wheels? Did the Rubicon ever come with gray Moabs? They look aftermarket to me.

 

[Danarch]

You can enter the vin# here and get the build sheet.

https://fcagroup.my.site.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

 

[singapore.saki]

That does not look like a 2006. The vents on the rear of the hardtop were not used in 2006. Maybe the hardtop is just a transplant from an earlier model year though.

Also, what is the story on those wheels? Did the Rubicon ever come with gray Moabs? They look aftermarket to me.

Not sure about the hardtop. When I saw the vehicle today it had “silver” Moabs - not those in the pics.
Edit- the build sheet indicates silver 16x8 MOAB wheels as standard.

 

[singapore.saki]

Really depends on price - I’d pass if I could get an equal mileage rust free TJR for the same money. If its a racehorse deal, it gets genright fenders and away we go.

By northern standards it is excellent, to southerners it is scary as Freddy Krueger.

You need to pull the plastic covers off the rear tub behind the tires from below and look up in there with a flashlight on both sides, scope the frame and be thorough.

Dealer has it listed at $18995.

 

[CreepinDeth]

Dealer has it listed at $18995.

Thats highway robbery
Id tell the dealer to kick rocks

https://www.carfax.com/Used-2006-Jeep-Wrangler_z3372
Go on Facebook Marketplace and search
Members have posted alot waaaaay cheaper
May have to travel, but not getting raped is a good thing

 

[MaximusLJR06]

Personally since you are in Texas, I wouldn't even consider a jeep that spent it's whole life in PA / Michigan. You are in an area where you can find a prime example of a jeep with no rust issues. I know when I was searching for my LJR I had my dad who lives in Houston, checking out multiple jeeps down there for me before I found mine in Wyoming. If you check out most the jeep for sale in PA that spent their whole life here, you would cringe. It's almost pointless to even look for one for sale up here.

Edit: I will say that if that jeep was for sale in PA, it would be a good find based on condition compared to most up here.