Hello all. New member here seeking advice on what to do with our newly acquired TJ. So my wife's friend recently lost her husband and is moving back to her original hometown to be with family. As an act of financial kindness and to help alleviate some of the stress of that situation, we purchased her late husband's 02' Sahara so she wouldn't have to worry with trying to sale it or trying to move it across the country. It's a beautiful stone white 02' Sahara TJ, all stock, super clean with 50k original miles. However it does have all the signs of a deteriorating frame. I don't know much about jeeps but have read where this is a pretty common fault with this particular model. I wasn't really in the market for a jeep but here we are. We've cruised some back roads and my small children love it, but I don't feel comfortable continuing to drive them around in something that isn't structurally sound. I've poked and prodded all around with an ice pick trying to push through the frame without success but from what I've read they tend to rust from the inside out.
It's probably a common question but I'm not sure what to do with it? Should I cut my losses and sale it off or is it worth putting some more money into it to make it right? If I did put more money into it what would that look like and roughly how much would that cost? Mechanically I could handle most anything, but cutting and welding is out out of my realm. I've read a little on these Safety Cap systems that seem to have a good reputation. What would be the cost to have someone install that system versus say a complete frame swap? I realize it's hard to say without a hands on diagnosis but I'm just trying to get a general idea to help with my decision on what to do. I'd hate to just part it out because in all other respects it is a great looking jeep that receives lots of compliments. I live outside Atlanta if that helps with anyone who might know of some specialists in the area. Thanks in advance.
It's probably a common question but I'm not sure what to do with it? Should I cut my losses and sale it off or is it worth putting some more money into it to make it right? If I did put more money into it what would that look like and roughly how much would that cost? Mechanically I could handle most anything, but cutting and welding is out out of my realm. I've read a little on these Safety Cap systems that seem to have a good reputation. What would be the cost to have someone install that system versus say a complete frame swap? I realize it's hard to say without a hands on diagnosis but I'm just trying to get a general idea to help with my decision on what to do. I'd hate to just part it out because in all other respects it is a great looking jeep that receives lots of compliments. I live outside Atlanta if that helps with anyone who might know of some specialists in the area. Thanks in advance.
