I'm new to this forum, but not to vehicle community forums for my other projects. I just sent a deposit, but the XJ is 1000 miles away and rusty. Gotta figure out of I stay in or pull out of the deal.

The issue is a rusted frame, rockers, and floor pans. I hear these are common and I can spend (some) money fixing these. Are these common rust areas fixable or is it death to the XJ? I am told the rear driver spring perch rusted through the frame yikes!

It's a great deal even if I put $1-2000 into the repairs.

Also- is there a trusted and capable shop near OKC? My Land Cruiser forum group has a state-by-state list of good shops.

THANKS IN ADVANCE- save me or drive me into my next project!

 

Welcome to the forum Paul !
If the main frame is that far gone I would look for another XJ to start with

 

That frame is absolutely horrible. Unless you are paying less than 500 bucks, it's not a good deal

 

OK so... I have seen many guys follow their hearts on some deal down the dark hallway of project death and I see that I am doing that right now... but hear me out!
That interior is the best I've ever seen. The floorpans- yea gotta go and available for cheap. I have new pics of the green machine that show *not sooo bad frame rust compared to the body.... Seriously if I threw $2000 at the rust restoration (maybe in TJ Mexico dollars which are 10-1) is this thing viable for a basic daily college student ride for 2 -3 years? (asking for a friend....)


Spring seems to have launched itself inboard. Eager beaver, that. Keen as mustard.

 

The cleanest interior in the world wont make up for rust like that.

 

The reality is, it would be foolish to buy a rig with that much rust unless your going to buy it as a donor vehicle to fix up and restore another jeep. If there's one thing about Jeeps, it's that they can be real money pits. This one's going to be a money canyon.

 

I would rather buy a jeep with a clean underbody and a bad transmission or engine, than I would one with a good drivetrain and rusted out uniframe. Rocker rust isn't that bad to fix and neither are the floor pans if you are a decent welder, however one that has that much rust on the main structural support I would avoid at all cost, that could break and the whole back end of the jeep fold up on you while your going down the road.

 

It's only good for parts.
There is no way that only 1-2K will EVER fix that!

OH!
Welcome to the forum too.

 

Listen to what these guys are saying, do not buy this for a commuter, it is not road worthy. DONOR VEHICLE ONLY!