TJ Frame Restoration/Replacement Advice

[John Cooper]

It did come from FL. Was told we are the 3rd owner and her husband only put 5k miles on it while he had it FL. Not sure where he got it from.

I would love to take it on as a hobby but I have a young family and just don’t have the time or shop area necessary to be cutting out and replacing sections of frame. Any ballpark idea of what a fix may run?

I honestly have no clue, as @macleanflood said a frame swap would probably be the cheapest if you could do it.

Paying someone i really don't know.

 

[John Cooper]

As I told J Cooper, in a different time I may try to take on such a challenge but in this era of my life I just don’t have the time. If it’s going to be a major financial fix then sounds like I need to cut my losses and move on to someone with the capability themselves.

Probably you're best bet.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I'd sell it and hope you recoup your money. That needs a frame and tub swap IMO. It reminds me of this Jeep I was looking at.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Funny you say that. I just bought a VA Rubicon with a rusted frame. The price was a staggering $2K. More to come here!

The t-case is worth that much from what I've seen.

 

[JMT]

Someone will want to buy it.

 

[Josey82]

I'd sell it and hope you recoup your money. That needs a frame and tub swap IMO. It reminds me of this Jeep I was looking at.
View attachment 691191
View attachment 691192

That’s kinda what I figured the general consensus would be. Oh well. If someone has the time and capability we can probably cut a deal where there will still be meat left on the bone after repairs.

 

[AOSJ]

Bummer about the frame - one more suggestion - If you have anywhere you can put this and don't need the money back you spent on it, might be cool to store it until you do have time to do the frame restore/replace. Maybe a friend has a barn you can keep it in, or a family member with an extra garage space - that way you could drive it a bit once in a while to keep drivetrain in good working order and just wait until you can get it swapped. These things are going to hold their value for a long time I think

 

[John Cooper]

Bummer about the frame - one more suggestion - If you have anywhere you can put this and don't need the money back you spent on it, might be cool to store it until you do have time to do the frame restore/replace. Maybe a friend has a barn you can keep it in, or a family member with an extra garage space - that way you could drive it a bit once in a while to keep drivetrain in good working order and just wait until you can get it swapped. These things are going to hold their value for a long time I think

I have a very nice shop we can store it here......

 

[Josey82]

I have a very nice shop we can store it here......

View attachment 691278

Haha. I’m about 3.5 hours away.

 

[JMT]

Haha. I’m about 3.5 hours away.

That’s nothing. And you get to make a new friend. And he may help you work on it for fun. First car for one of your kids. I agree with the above these things are going to hold their value a long time.

 

[John Cooper]

Haha. I’m about 3.5 hours away.

No worries my brother if it runs and drives, we can get it here!!!!!!!!

 

[TheBoogieman]

I have a very nice shop we can store it here......

View attachment 691278

"Possession is 9/10 of the law." ​

p.s. He's safer parking in Va with my HOA rules.

 

[Josey82]

Bummer about the frame - one more suggestion - If you have anywhere you can put this and don't need the money back you spent on it, might be cool to store it until you do have time to do the frame restore/replace. Maybe a friend has a barn you can keep it in, or a family member with an extra garage space - that way you could drive it a bit once in a while to keep drivetrain in good working order and just wait until you can get it swapped. These things are going to hold their value for a long time I think

So I talked it over with my wife and we thought about what JMT mentioned about it being a good platform as the first car for one of our kids. That gives me about 12 years to do a frame swap or get a clean safeTcap kit installed. I just got the title back so will probably post it for sale, but if no one gives me what I'm asking I'll probably go that route and put a little more money into it and keep it around. It drives really nice

I've already found a guy who wants to sell me a set of half doors for it so I can see how these jeeps can quickly become like an addiction. Lol

 

[Rcroane]

I would love to take it on as a hobby

That frame is going to be more than a hobby

 

[Josey82]

That frame is going to be more than a hobby

A hobby is a regular, non-vocational activity pursued in your leisure time for pleasure, relaxation, or personal interest. It is done entirely for enjoyment rather than for professional obligations or financial gain.

There. I fixed it.

 

[AOSJ]

So I talked it over with my wife and we thought about what JMT mentioned about it being a good platform as the first car for one of our kids. That gives me about 12 years to do a frame swap or get a clean safeTcap kit installed. I just got the title back so will probably post it for sale, but if no one gives me what I'm asking I'll probably go that route and put a little more money into it and keep it around. It drives really nice

I've already found a guy who wants to sell me a set of half doors for it so I can see how these jeeps can quickly become like an addiction. Lol

your kid will be the coolest kid around driving a TJ at 16 years old in 2038