Thought i got a deal of a lifetime.
untill inspection time came.
​​


I checked this entire jeep and was in shock it had no rust anywhere including rocker panels, doorwells.
it was 10 degrees and windy so It was a quick inspection I did so. anyway, it is what it is.
Since im female, Im constantly catching machanics trying to rip.me off.

So, I will not be welding, so its gonna have to be rivit heaven.
I do not know the entire extent of the rust until i pull up the carpets.
My only concern is, how can I tell the frame is in good shape. Im no professional but looks ok to Me
Also , can someone give me a list of the tools I need for this project. My ex boyfriend stole my tools.

Ill take pictures of everything today sometime of underneath.

So, please help me out guys. Im on my own and my health isnt good, especially my back lol.
Gonna be a ruff one but It has to be done right.

Cheers
Justine

To be continued
....
:-(

 

You may want to look into local colleges and vocational schools. Many of these schools will offer cost of materials only to be able to have vehicles to learn on. Their work is usually superb as compared to some regular body shops. Don't expect a one day turn around as it is for them a learning experience and knowledge builder.
Hope this helps...

 

Investigate bonding adhesive:

https://www.lord.com/products-and-so...e-%28medium%29

 

my opinion only;

nothwithstanding your physical health, and I know what a bad back can be like..depends how bad

are you able to remove the seats and carpets by yourself ?

I wouldnt describe this as physically easy, and also requires a reasonable number of tools, most of which can be bought very cheaply, such as spanners,sockets, Torx bits, screwdrivers, you could probably get what you need for less than $100

In addition imo, some sort of impact gun is virtually essential if you have physical limitations, once again, they can usually be had cheaply

a cheap invertor welder is only about $100 now, sure they are virtually throwaway junk, but I think this will be better and cheaper all round than rivetting and bonding (although I admit I have done some repairs that way, and proud of the quality, but special circumstance repairs they were)

Finally, I advise you to simply lay under your XJ and study it..doesnt hurt your back at all, go over every inch...take NUMEROUS photos..poke things with a screwdriver

you should make a detailed inspection this way, prior to commencing repairs

rusty floors are not the end of the world at all

you say your Jeep is rust free in many critical areas, that is by far more important.

 

Thanks!
I found a guy that would do it. he works at his home and used to work for a garage that I caught trying to rip me off, He said thats one of reasons why he quit , to take away their customers. He is a fellow truck driver and seemed honest. Regardless I think its the best possible help I can get in my area. Its exhausting , time consuming and expensive going around getting estimates and trial and error.
I asked him if I can help him free of charge only so I can learn and I just love doing things like this.
Or , As you said, Im fairly confident I can remove the seats and carpets on my own which should reduce his labor cost time.
Im going to wait to see what he will charge me for all this yet. Thats going to make the deciding factor in if im going to do it all myself.
I did do a detailed inspection underneath and the frame looks really good and this garage guy said so also.
I just paid him $100 to slap an inspection sticker especially because the buyer lied about it having a new exhaust and brakes , shocks...all not true. He neglected to inform me about many other minor things.
I would of purchased the jeep anyway but I could of negotiate on a lower price at least.
Its running beautiful after a good tune-up 👍
Ill post pics and progress throughout the spring and summer.
I also been looking into stuff as far as under coating the frame, especially to take advantage while the floors are out.
Thanks guys, please keep all the good advice coming. Nauladge is money saved.

Cheers!

 

Thanks! Thats a really good idea!
I will look into that right away!
Even school that teach welding could work to.

 

Getting the seats out and the carpet up are half the job right there. If it's just the floor pans, then I would make sure you don't you have a water leak. Replacement pre-shaped floor pans aren't that expensive, but if it's just a small relatively flat area the mechanic can easily shape some sheet metal to fit. I left the carpet out of mine and just used cheap bedliner. It's definitely noisier but I don't worry about water sitting in the carpet rusting things out.

 

Be very careful about what type of product you choose. Bedliners and rubberized coatings trap moisture and lead to even more rust and oxidation that you'll never see until it is too late. Consider a hydrocarbon coating such as Fluid Film, which will require periodic reapplication.

 

Yea I herd about that before. I do have a can of fluid film I was spraying in doorwells and underneath in some areas. When I found out and seen the floor panels I stopped and wasnt going to waist it on them when there getting replaced.
I also seen on YouTube some called Monstaliner...or something. They were useing useon top on freshly replaced flooring...

 

when you say "rusty" floor pans, are they holed ?

One of the most important rust areas on an XJ are around the windscreen and tailgate

Its absolutely critical to ensure it isnt leaking and rusted there

have someone hose it with you inside

I had to do my screen, got it just in time, if they rust there, its very tricky to repair

 

oh the floor pans are really bad, rusted through in many places. Other then that there is no other rust anywhere, not rocker pannels, doorwells, around back hatch, not even anywhere under hood , around engine compartment. Ill keep looking more. I only had it about 2 weeks. Ill look more where you said. only minor surface rust and faided paint is the bumpers. I plan on fixing that at some point. The paint is absolutely purfect with minor tiny stone chips . I got some touch up paint for that.
All in good time.
Thanks much!
Justine
Ps
I'll post more and closer up pics of the body as well

 

Over the past several months I have been going to the "Nextdoor" app on my phone to look for people that can do things I need done. People are either offering their services, or you can ask around to help find someone that can help you. I've done this because 1) People have lost their jobs and I'm sure could use the work. 2) I would rather pay a local guy or a neighbor to do the work so they can make some $$$ rather than pay a business that has been thriving through this last year.

If you're not familiar with the Nextdoor app, its just something you use that connects you with the people in your neighborhood and surrounding areas. Its like a community forum type thing with all your neighbors.

 

[QUOTE=BruceB;3640069]You may want to look into local colleges and vocational schools. Many of these schools will offer cost of materials only to be able to have vehicles to learn on. Their work is usually superb as compared to some regular body shops. Don't expect a one day turn around as it is for them a learning experience and knowledge builder.
Hope this helps...[/QUOTE

Hay , I just called 15 tech schools accepting public vehicles for training
Knowbody does it either liability purposes and some have contract with car companies.
But ALLOT will take a donation lol
🙄

 

That's disappointing but not surprising. It is a common practice around this area...

 

[QUOTE=Justine96xj;3640253]Tell them you will sign a waiver and have it notarized that you release them from liability. Doubt that works though haha...

Or tell them you will donate the jeep to them, and when they are done with it, they can donate it back to you.