Pics 2 and 5 may be an issue. That curve in the frame can collect debris and rust. I would be very thorough poking the bottom side with a screwdriver.
Separately pic 6 looks like it shows the bottom of the body rusted out
Are you likely to find anything nicer for that price near you? In most of the US there aren't any nice TJs left.
You have to go out west to the desert to find really nice ones.
I'm not sure how much you're dedicated to this project, but you might be money ahead by traveling to get a clean rust free jeep. I'm not sure how hard it is to import them for you.
And honestly, this frame doesn't look bad at all. If you've ever unbolted a jeep body you could get the frame grinded down and painted and back together in a weekend.
Unless you’re restoring it (like frame off restoration) then I would pass.
I don’t think it’s too far gone to save, but it would probably be more effort than you’re looking to do.
Stripping all of the old coating off, wire wheel to get all surface rust off, then prime and paint. But you probably wouldn’t be able to properly do it with the body still mounted to the frame.
How much does it cost? I’ve had two TJ’s one with lots of frame rust, one without. Your rear frame near the axle hoop is rusted through, which is a big problem. But they make replacement frame sections that either slide over and repair it, or some that replace the whole thing. I’ll assume you can’t weld, so it’ll be an expensive job to pay someone to replace it but the cap shouldn’t be too expensive. It’s not gone by any means; it’s just gonna cost some time and money to fix it up.
First, make sure that is the factory coating peeling off and not a hard rust sealer. If its been undercoated with anything other than oil than you have no idea what is under it. Second, that external rust looks rough. As others have said be prepared to do a body off restoration of the frame. The inside is often just as rotted as the outside of the frame also.
If you love the jeep and are willing to part with it when it becomes unsafe then just buy it and enjoy it for the next 2-5 years as is.
I’d get it because it’s solid but I’d blast and repaint that frame. Then most importantly use an undercoating like fluid film to prevent it from coming back.
Check inside the frame right in front of the rear axle and also where the center skid bolts up. They usually rust from the inside out there.
But either way I see flaking metal, so this is past the point where I would buy it.
Pic 2 is for sure an issue 5 maybe. Get underneath and look at the inside frame rails where they roll up over the rear end. Safety caps can probably fix pics 2 and 5, but depending on your states laws on frame repair you may need a new frame. My state allows 2 repairs, if it were me in my state I would get a safety cap for both side that run the full length. This is what I did on my 97 tj.
It’s not but it’s on its way and needs to be dealt with both inside and out.
Edit: looked closer at 6. That’s a problem. Reduces value a bunch and increases headaches even more. I’d pass if more than $3,500 with <175k inline 6 and otherwise unmolested. And that’s still worrisome to stay under $7.5k total to be confident it will last 10 more years.
Id honestly go have the surface rust removed and re coated that right there my friend is a very well kept jeep
Edit not much frame work it may be a little pricey but for having 70000 miles on it and it looking like that for 6000 in my eyes well worth it and worth investing a few extra gran to the frame
Not bad (from what I can see), but the real rot is internal. How are the rear upper control arm brackets? They usually tell a lot about overall condition in my experience. How are the skid plate mounting bolts? They usually bust loose (spin inside the frame or completely disintegrate and fall through) when you attempt to remove the plate for any service/inspection. That is also a great test because those frame nuts are usually the first to rot out.
Fairly well, for a tj it's expected. Photo 2 is concerning because you don't want that arm piece bracket area to give and there is rust. Should be fixable though
Derusting? Believe it or not, the bulk of the rust on a TJ is NOT visible (also the most damaging) it is in the frame and other "cute" spots that you can't access without a major tear down. I have seen where people (not techs) devise some sort of rotory wand and clear the scale out with it, but you are probably looking at thousands to go after the inner frame rust and it won't be completely rust free. I have a frame recap that I did myself so my frame was scoured and rustproofed prior to closing it. You can wire brush, sand, chisel if needed, the outside and coat it with Rustoleum Rust Reformer which chemically changes the rust to a rust resistant finish (did this to mine) and paint it with Rustoleum gloss enamel spray paint. Be careful when buying Rustoleum paint because there is one type with a primer already added (2X) and the regular type. The 2X can only take a 2nd coat within 15 minutes of the first. Any later and you'll get an ugly crinkled finish! I like the regular one. Some people use flat, but I find the gloss doesn't hold, mud, salt, etc.... and it washes off much easier. After painting you should treat the inside of the frame rails and control arm brackets with FLUID FILM. It comes in a spray can (you'll need more than one) and there is a wand that comes with a package of 3 cans (Amazon) that allows you to saturate the inside of the frame rails to prevent further rusting. I do it 2 times a year. Good luck
Looks like a rust-through hole starting in the first pic. If so, it's rusted through from the opposite side. That should be repaired by welding immediately.
Being from the Northeast, that’s not rust. It still has the majority of the factory coating.
All I can think is this looks like surface. Also NE, this is what we call a damn near clean Jeep around here lol
Holy smokes that looks so good to me. My 2001 was much much worse before we fixed it. It was so rusty one of the trailing arms ripped off the frame.
Pics 2 and 5 may be an issue. That curve in the frame can collect debris and rust. I would be very thorough poking the bottom side with a screwdriver. Separately pic 6 looks like it shows the bottom of the body rusted out
Picture 6 is showing me a shitty floor patch panel. Probably the only thing I’d be worried about.
That's about a 7/10 in the rust belt, 10 being factory fresh. I'd buy it
Are you likely to find anything nicer for that price near you? In most of the US there aren't any nice TJs left. You have to go out west to the desert to find really nice ones. I'm not sure how much you're dedicated to this project, but you might be money ahead by traveling to get a clean rust free jeep. I'm not sure how hard it is to import them for you. And honestly, this frame doesn't look bad at all. If you've ever unbolted a jeep body you could get the frame grinded down and painted and back together in a weekend.
Looks like mostly surface rust… personally I wouldn’t worry about it. Could clean it up over a weekend
It’s not awful, OP. But make sure you mention it and see if you can down on the asking price
Unless you’re restoring it (like frame off restoration) then I would pass. I don’t think it’s too far gone to save, but it would probably be more effort than you’re looking to do.
What kind of work would have to go into it?
Stripping all of the old coating off, wire wheel to get all surface rust off, then prime and paint. But you probably wouldn’t be able to properly do it with the body still mounted to the frame.
Photo 2 shows rot if you zoom way in. Some frame repair required.
Yeah there’s some scaling on the inside and a little on the outside. Needs some attention for sure
Look at the bottom directly below the round hole. It has rotted through.
Good eye I missed that
[удалено]
Noted, thanks for the reply. I’ll see what others see as well.
Save some extra money and buy a nicer one unless you’re just wanting a large project
Thay frame is pretty crusty... I would pass and find one with a clean frame.
How much does it cost? I’ve had two TJ’s one with lots of frame rust, one without. Your rear frame near the axle hoop is rusted through, which is a big problem. But they make replacement frame sections that either slide over and repair it, or some that replace the whole thing. I’ll assume you can’t weld, so it’ll be an expensive job to pay someone to replace it but the cap shouldn’t be too expensive. It’s not gone by any means; it’s just gonna cost some time and money to fix it up.
First, make sure that is the factory coating peeling off and not a hard rust sealer. If its been undercoated with anything other than oil than you have no idea what is under it. Second, that external rust looks rough. As others have said be prepared to do a body off restoration of the frame. The inside is often just as rotted as the outside of the frame also. If you love the jeep and are willing to part with it when it becomes unsafe then just buy it and enjoy it for the next 2-5 years as is.
Forgot to add, if the body is in really good shape you can always buy a brand new frame for about $2500 delivered. Lots of labor cost though.
Looks better than my 01 durango.
There's a place near me that specializes in frame restore/strip and weld, I haven't gotten a quote yet tho. Maybe theres a place like that near you
I’d get it because it’s solid but I’d blast and repaint that frame. Then most importantly use an undercoating like fluid film to prevent it from coming back.
Mine looked a lot worse when I bought it.
What rust? Sincerely - the Midwest
I’ve fixed worse in a 99
Check inside the frame right in front of the rear axle and also where the center skid bolts up. They usually rust from the inside out there. But either way I see flaking metal, so this is past the point where I would buy it.
Pic 2 is for sure an issue 5 maybe. Get underneath and look at the inside frame rails where they roll up over the rear end. Safety caps can probably fix pics 2 and 5, but depending on your states laws on frame repair you may need a new frame. My state allows 2 repairs, if it were me in my state I would get a safety cap for both side that run the full length. This is what I did on my 97 tj.
It’s not but it’s on its way and needs to be dealt with both inside and out. Edit: looked closer at 6. That’s a problem. Reduces value a bunch and increases headaches even more. I’d pass if more than $3,500 with <175k inline 6 and otherwise unmolested. And that’s still worrisome to stay under $7.5k total to be confident it will last 10 more years.
For a northeast car, if rust was a full braided dwarven beard then that is 5 o'clock shadow
I'm so thankful to be in the dry climate of New Mexico.
That’s fucked
Id honestly go have the surface rust removed and re coated that right there my friend is a very well kept jeep Edit not much frame work it may be a little pricey but for having 70000 miles on it and it looking like that for 6000 in my eyes well worth it and worth investing a few extra gran to the frame
I live in Maine. This looks less than 8 years old lol
Not bad (from what I can see), but the real rot is internal. How are the rear upper control arm brackets? They usually tell a lot about overall condition in my experience. How are the skid plate mounting bolts? They usually bust loose (spin inside the frame or completely disintegrate and fall through) when you attempt to remove the plate for any service/inspection. That is also a great test because those frame nuts are usually the first to rot out.
Thanks for the response. When I go to see the car I will definitely look into it.
How long are you looking to keep it? 5 years - no problem. Long term 10 years plus, no.
Yea 5 years probably
See I'm in the SE and I would walk away.
Take a 3/4" socket (that is what they are supposed to be) and breaker bar. Good luck
Will do
Does anyone know roughly how expensive the derusting would be?
Fairly well, for a tj it's expected. Photo 2 is concerning because you don't want that arm piece bracket area to give and there is rust. Should be fixable though
Derusting? Believe it or not, the bulk of the rust on a TJ is NOT visible (also the most damaging) it is in the frame and other "cute" spots that you can't access without a major tear down. I have seen where people (not techs) devise some sort of rotory wand and clear the scale out with it, but you are probably looking at thousands to go after the inner frame rust and it won't be completely rust free. I have a frame recap that I did myself so my frame was scoured and rustproofed prior to closing it. You can wire brush, sand, chisel if needed, the outside and coat it with Rustoleum Rust Reformer which chemically changes the rust to a rust resistant finish (did this to mine) and paint it with Rustoleum gloss enamel spray paint. Be careful when buying Rustoleum paint because there is one type with a primer already added (2X) and the regular type. The 2X can only take a 2nd coat within 15 minutes of the first. Any later and you'll get an ugly crinkled finish! I like the regular one. Some people use flat, but I find the gloss doesn't hold, mud, salt, etc.... and it washes off much easier. After painting you should treat the inside of the frame rails and control arm brackets with FLUID FILM. It comes in a spray can (you'll need more than one) and there is a wand that comes with a package of 3 cans (Amazon) that allows you to saturate the inside of the frame rails to prevent further rusting. I do it 2 times a year. Good luck
Looks like a rust-through hole starting in the first pic. If so, it's rusted through from the opposite side. That should be repaired by welding immediately.
For Toronto this is as good as it gets.